22 November 2017

comment

90s throwback

Contemporary cuts to healthcare look familiar

news

Seven Fallen Feathers Talaga talks about race relations in Canada Page 3

Page 9

news

Making a Difference Meet Me at the Bell Tower six years later Page 5 comment

Battle of Attrition Goaltending duel ends with Bisons sweep over Pronghorns Page 16

Vo l 1 0 4 · N o 1 4 · N ov e m b e r 2 2 , 2 0 1 7 · w w w.t h e m a n i to b a n .co m

Index

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VOL. 104 NO. 14 November 22, 2017

Editor-in-Chief Garett Williams

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

Business manager Sohni Tappia

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

Advertising Coordinator Ryan Catte

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Editorial

Managing Editor Malak Abas

me@themanitoban.com

News Editor Imreet Kaur

news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

News Editor Shaden Abusaleh

shaden@themanitoban.com/ 474.6770

Comment Editor Shawn Huberdeau

comment@themanitoban.com

arts & Culture Editor Olivia Michalczuk

arts@themanitoban.com

Sports Editor Ryan Stelter

sports@themanitoban.com

Copy Editor Evan Tremblay

copy@themanitoban.com

Design

Design Editor Bram Keast

sports

design@themanitoban.com

On the Road again

Graphics Editor Kelly Campbell

graphics@themanitoban.com

Bison basketball and men’s hockey team in Alberta this weekend

Photo Editor Asha Nelson

photo@themanitoban.com

Social Editor Carolyne Kroeker

page 17

social@themanitoban.com

Design associate Kellie Huynh graphics associate Ernest Zarzuela pHOTO associate Chantal Zdan pHOTO associate Quincy Houdayer

Reporters

General Assignment Qudus Abusaleh

General Assignment Diana-Abasi Ubokudom Columnist Levi Garber Columnist Kenny Ingram arts & culture Jen Doerksen Sports Jason Pchajek Copy Associate Matthew Doering

Volunteer Contributors

editorial arts

Celebrating Indigenous Film

Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival in its 16th year page 13

The rich and their robots

Rise of AI will only widen economic disparity page 8

Greg Reage Will Gibson Caroline Norman Michael Bell

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News Editors: Imreet Kaur & Shaden Abuselah Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Tanya Talaga looks for hard truths Award-winning journalist's Seven Fallen Feathers examines deaths of Indigenous youths in Thunder Bay Imreet Kaur, staff

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nvestigative journalist Tanya Talaga - renowned for her coverage of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh - visited the Millenium Library Nov. 16 to discuss her new book, Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death and Hard Truths in a Northern City.

The four-time nominee for the Michener Award for public service journalism said the book is reflective of Canada’s failure to respect the human rights of Indigenous peoples of Canada and aims to shine a light on the deaths of seven First Nations students between 2000-2011 in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Talaga is of Ojibwa descent and her maternal grandmother is from Fort William First Nation, near Thunder Bay. She has extensively covered stories that focus on the inequities faced by Canada's Indigenous populations.

“This is not just the story of Thunder Bay - it is the story of Canada,” she said. “You can see myriads of this in communities all over this country.”

“You can see this with the death of Colten Boushie out west,” she added.

“You can see this with missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. There are so many similarities.

So this is not just the story of one city.

It is really a microcosm of what is happening across the country.”

Talaga presented an address telling the audience how she came across the story of the Thunder Bay students while working on a project that focused on Indigenous participation in voting in Thunder Bay during the 2011 federal elections.

During an interview with Stan Beardy, then-grand chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, she said she was stunned to learn that Jordan Wabasse was the seventh Indigenous student who died or went missing in Thunder Bay since 2000.

Surprised at what she characterized as a lack of a national spotlight on the deaths, Talaga said she was moved to investigate and write the book.

Award winning journalist Tanya Talaga, right, discusses her book Seven Fallen Feathers with CCWOC writer-in-residence Jordan Abel at the Millennium Library on, Nov. 16.

to move as far as 600 kilometres away from their home communities to urban centres in the pursuit of a high school education, “which is the right of every other Canadian child.”

She said the students experience cultural shock followed by a difficult adjustment to urban communities.

Talaga said that in addition to a lack of high schools, schools that do feature Indigenous curriculum such as Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School in Thunder Bay - do not receive equitable funding for education when compared to other non-Indigenous children.

“Part of the problem is that when you have Indigenous-run schools, it’s great but the federal government isn’t giving them money that's on par with all the other non-Indigenous kids,” she said.

“Today we still have kids that don’t have high schools to go to [in their home communities]and that is why the seven fallen feathers were in Thunder Bay” - Tanya Talaga

failure of the federal government to implement Jordan’s Principle.

Jordan’s Principle, which lays out the process to follow in a jurisdictional debate over who pays for services for Indigenous children, is named after Jordan Anderson, who died in a Winnipeg hospital while the federal and Manitoba governments debated who was responsible for the specialized care he required.

Institutional racism

Talaga shared instances of racism experienced by the Anderson family in Thunder Bay when they inquired Lack of equitable funding about the wherabouts of Jethro for Indigenous youth Anderson, who didn’t return home Without facilities in their one night. Anderson was the first of home communities, hundreds of the seven students to go missing.

Indigenous youth are sent to Thunder Talaga said the response received Bay to complete high school every by the family was, “'Oh don’t worry year.

Children in Indigenous-run about it, he is probably just out there Talaga discussed the failure of schools receive about $2000 to just partying like all the other native government policies toward prevent- $3000 less in funding compared to kids,'” which she said highlights the ing the deaths, pointing to the inequi- the funding available for children in prevalence of institutional racism. table funding available for education other schools.

“The Ontario government has and social services for Indigenous “It costs a lot more to operate in stepped in and the Thunder Bay youth. northern areas,” she said. “If there is police are being investigated for “Today, we still have kids that a problem, you have to fly children systemic racism against Indigenous don’t have high schools to go to [in back and forth. That costs a tonne of people in Thunder Bay,” she said. their home communities] and that is money and you are often taking it out The city’s Police Services Board why the seven fallen feathers were in of your operating budget.” is also being examined through an Thunder Bay.” A lack of equitable funding, investigation led by Senator Murray Talaga said it is astonishing that Talaga said, is “another form of colo- Sinclair. Sinclair chaired the Truth even in 2017, Indigenous children nialism” and goes beyond just gaps in and Reconciliation Commission, a from Northern communities have funding for education including the component of the Indian Residential

during the election campaign in 2015, said that reconciliation was going to be a priority for his government.

Fast forward to 2017, Canada is yet to fully adopt and implement United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. What are your thoughts on that?

TT: I talk about that a little bit in the book as well about how there were countries such as Canada and Australia that said that they were not going to support the declaration.

And that was like a slap in the face to everyone. The Trudeau government is now saying that they are going to photos by asha nelson support it. Apparently there is movement towards that and so one can Schools Settlement Agreement with only hope that that’s true. a mandate to inform Canadians about M: What does true reconciliation what happened in Indian Residential look like for Indigenous peoples of Schools.

Canada?

TT: Having equal footing. Being In a conversation with treated just like everybody else. the Manitoban Having an equal chance to be in Manitoban: In 2016 the Canadian high school in your home commuHuman Rights Tribunal acted on a nity so you don’t have to travel away complaint from the First Nations from home just to get a high school Child and Family Caring Society of education. That should be the right Canada and ruled that approximately of any Canadian, any Indigenous or 165,000 First Nations children have non-Indigenous kid. The same health been discriminated against by the services, the same social services no Federal government. Ottawa con- matter where you live. That’s equity. tinues to spend taxpayer dollars in And also an end to the child welfare, fighting three more non-compliance the discriminatory child welfare pracorders from the tribunal to enact tices and also a relook at the justice Jordan’s principle. Is this double system and what is going on in our standard sort of perpetuating rac- prisons. ism in Canada?

M: How can racism be addressed Tanya Talaga: That is still an which is so deep rooted in our instiissue that Cindy Blackstock and the tutions such as the police and the First Nations [Child and] Family correctional services?

Caring Society [of Canada] has had TT: Change the curriculums of the to fight for over 10 years after Jordan’s high schools and elementary schools Principle was unanimously supported to get the true history in and make in parliament in 2007. It’s remark- sure that Indigenous people are writable, you know. It’s totally a double ing the curriculums and not just nonstandard and Canada just needs to Indigenous people. Get stories and get its act together. It’s like "What legends there. are you doing? Are you going to be equitable and do all the things you are saying you are going to do, or are you not?" So right now, it doesn’t look like you are.

M: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau,

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News

News Editors: Imreet Kaur & Shaden Abuselah Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Panel challenges Quebec's “religious neutrality” law Bill 62 prohibits people donning face coverings from delivering or receiving public services Qudus Abusaleh, staff

Karen Busby, U of M law professor and academic director of the CHRR, discusses the right to religious freedom as a part of the panel held on the Quebec’s “religious neutrality” bill, on Thursday Nov. 17.

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slamic Social Services Association MacKenzie Shepherd, and ISSA Section 2 of the charter.

(ISSA) and the University of co-founder and executive director In 2004, the Supreme Court of Manitoba’s Centre for Human Rights Shahina Siddiqui.

Canada’s Amselem decision broadResearch (CHRR) co-hosted a panel ened the formal interpretation of discussion Nov. 16 challenging the Religious freedom and “religious freedom,” defining it as a constitutional legitimacy of Quebec’s the constitution practice in where the individual sinrecent “religious neutrality” bill.

Busby kicked off the panel discus- cerely feels it is connected to religion, Bill 62 - which passed in the sion by outlining how the Canadian regardless whether the practice is National Assembly of Quebec on Oct. constitution provides protection for required by religious authority.

18 - prohibits individuals covering religious freedom.

“The right to freedom of religion their face from delivering or receiving protects […] the right to entertain public services and has sown alarm particular religious beliefs, it protects and confusion among Quebecers, “To legislate against the rights to declare these beliefs, it particularly Muslim women who protects the right to manifest these a religious dress is don full face-covering veils, such as beliefs through worship, practice, and the niqab or burka. Concerns have teaching, and it protects the right not to turn a religiously been raised regarding how and by to be compelled by the state to engage neutral democratic whom this law will be interpreted in religious activities,” said Busby. and enforced.

Busby emphasized that the secular state into Marches and demonstrations in essence of religious freedom can be protest of the bill have taken place understood as the right of any perwhat could be called throughout Quebec and Canada. son to believe that a certain practice an autocratic cult of brings them in connection with the On Nov. 7, the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) and the “divine,” regardless of whether or not secularism” - Loraine Canadian Civil Liberties Association the belief is shared by co-religionists MacKenzie Shepherd, or persons of other faiths. filed a constitutional challenge to Bill 62, arguing the law “gravely infringes” “In many different religions minister, Westworth on the religious and equality rights of women wear head coverings,” she United Church Muslim women who cover their faces said. for religious purposes.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s not man“Our legal challenge targets the datory, it doesn’t matter if her reliheart of what this law really is: a dis“Canadian constitutional law starts gion doesn’t require her to wear it. criminatory, unconstitutional, and with the premise that religious free- It doesn’t matter that other people unnecessary piece of legislation,” dom values religious pluralism,” she don’t do it, or don’t do it in the same said executive director of NCCM, said. “So there isn’t an expectation way she does it. It doesn’t matter that Ihsaan Gardee, “that excludes and attached that there will be a conver- she started it yesterday.” stigmatizes an already marginalized gence of beliefs or that there will be “All that matters is she believes and vulnerable minority of women religious assimilation.” it brings her closer to the divine,” and, by extension, the larger Quebec “Rather, what constitutional Busby added.

Muslim community.” laws in Canada try to do is encour“The wearing of a headscarf or Titled Unveiling the Truth: age toleration at the very least and a face covering or partial or full Quebec’s Religious Neutrality Law understanding as a way of peaceful face covering is clearly protected and Islamophobia, Thursday's panel coexistence,” she added. by the right to religious freedom in was composed of U of M law proThe Canadian Charter of Rights Canada,” Busby continued. “There’s fessor and academic director of the and Freedoms guarantees the right no controversy about that at all. So CHRR Karen Busby, Westworth of religious freedom as one of the it’s pretty clear that a religious right United Church minister Loraine “fundamental freedoms” laid out in is being affected when a woman’s

photo by asha nelson

ability to wear a headscarf is compromised in some way.”

Does the niqab contradict Canadian values?

Shepherd - who holds a Ph.D. in feminist theory and theology denoted secularism as an integral feature of Canada’s core values but one that has been misinterpreted.

“Did the legislature in Quebec sit down and have a conversation with a woman who wore the niqab?” - Shahina Siddiqui, co-founder and executive director, ISSA “To legislate against a religious dress is to turn a religiously neutral democratic secular state into what could be called an autocratic cult of secularism,” she said.

Some proponents of Bill 62 see it as a feature of secularism that supplements the natural evolution of a modern Quebec. Shepherd disagreed with this view.

“I fully support Quebec’s determination to preserve its minority francophone culture, and I also support its long and hard struggle against the domination of the Roman Catholic Church in public matters,” she said.

“However, a secular state does not necessitate the enforced absence of religious dress and symbols,”

Shepherd added. “A secular state is not by definition anti-religious, it is simply neutral regarding religious dress and practice as long as this practice upholds the human rights code.”

Shepherd said Bill 62 is a subtler version of the Parti Québécois’ 2013 Charter of Values, which argued that a secular state should ban any overt religious symbol.

Shepherd noted that what constitutes “Canadian” values is an essential area of thought that needs to be examined.

“Schools are beginning to incorporate into their curriculum the seven sacred Indigenous teachings of love, humility, honesty, wisdom, courage, truth, and respect,” she said.

“These, balanced with communal wellbeing, universal health care, gender equality, minority rights, treaty obligations, and a mosaic of ethnic and cultural diversity, are what I cherish as Canadian values,” Shepherd added. “Freely chosen choices of dress do not threaten any of these values.”

Combatting Islamophobia

During the panel, Siddiqui argued that Bill 62 is nothing more than a representation of Islamophobic rhetoric present within the country.

A poll conducted by the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada found that 47 per cent of Canadians support banning headscarves in public and 51 per cent support government surveillance of mosques.

Another poll by the Pew Research Center found that 31 per cent of Canadians approved of President Trump’s “Muslim ban,” which imposes restrictions on travellers from a number of Muslim-majority countries.

Siddiqui said the fact Bill 62 has passed, and that Islamophobia has been rising in Canada, “takes it beyond the legal to the human cost that we are paying today on the streets of Canada.”

Islamophobia, Siddiqui said, is best defeated when the conversation shifts towards understanding the religion and more specifically, understanding why Muslim women choose to cover their face.

“I have been talked about. The women in niqab and hijab are being talked about, have been talked at, have been talked over,” she said.

"Did the legislature in Quebec sit down and have a conversation with a woman who wear the niqab?”

“Do you know what this is? Do you know why I cover my head? Do you know what my religion stands for,” Siddiqui asked.

“Do you really know me? Do you really respect me? That’s the question we all have to ask. I don’t want people to just say: ‘Oh, we are for human rights.’ Do you even consider me human?”

VOL. 104 NO. 14 November 22, 2017

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Meet Me at the Bell Tower celebrates six years North End community members meet weekly to push for change Qudus Abusaleh, staff

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ince 2011, every Friday evening - rain or shine - North End community members have rallied next to the bell tower at Selkirk Avenue and Powers Street to tackle a range of issues including child welfare, violence, racism, and reconciliation.

Now known as Meet Me at the Bell Tower (MMBT), community members celebrated the movement’s six-year anniversary Nov. 17.

MMBT is a weekly event organized by Aboriginal Youth Opportunities (AYO) that intends to reconstruct Winnipeg's North End by uniting the youth voice in addressing neighbourhood and safety issues.

When MMBT was first established, it was driven by residents of the community. Since then, AYO has been able to create momentum by raising the profile of the weekly rallies around the larger Winnipeg community.

“The youth of the neighbourhood stood up and said we need to stop the violence on a much more consistent basis instead of waiting for something bad to happen and then reacting” - Michael Redhead Champagne, AYO founder and organizer, MMBT co-founder

Meet Me at the Bell Tower celebrated its six year anniversary Nov. 17. Below: Michael Readhead Champagne, co-founder of MMBT, addresses the crowd of attendees at Friday night’s celebrations.

Many organizations including the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Winnipeg Labour Council, and Islamic Social Services Association have taken part in co-hosting the weekly rallies.

Another aspect of MMBT that has evolved over the years is its passion to focus on research and evidence-based solutions.

In 2014, University of Winnipeg master of theology student Adel Compton examined the spiritual Michael Redhead Champagne, a implications attached to a gathering celebrated Winnipeg-based humanilike MMBT in her thesis Renewed tarian, founder and organizer of Spirit in Winnipeg’s North End: An AYO, and co-founder of MMBT, Emerging Aboriginal Young Adult. highlighted the importance of these More recently, Jason Syvixay, weekly rallies and noted the focus who holds a master of city plan- is on solutions rather than just the ning student from the University of problems.

Manitoba, wrote his practicum on “When we started, we called ourthe relationship between protest and selves an anti-violence rally. And city planning. over time, we learned from interactSyvixay used MMBT as a case ing with the community about how study to urge city planners to view important it is for us to be solutionsthe work of engaged citizens as an oriented,” Champagne said. opportunity for feedback, dialogue, “We asked ourselves, ‘What is and change. our solution to violence?’ And our

photos by quincy houdayer

solution to violence is community Award for their work in reconciliabuilding,” he added. tion between Indigenous and non“And so now anytime we talk about Indigenous Manitobans. stopping violence, in the same senChampagne said that MMBT was tence we will always include build- “inspired by a group of Indigenous ing community because we want to young ladies, from the neighbouremphasize our solution and not just hood here, between the ages of 12 and the problem we're here to solve,” he 14, who organized an anti-violence explained. rally in honour of Clarky Stevenson.”

MMBT has been recognized Stevenson was 15 years old when by the Manitoba Association for he was killed in a gang-related stabRights and Liberties, the Canadian bing in the fall of 2011 as a result of a Human Rights Commission, and feud between two street gangs. the Manitoba Human Rights “When violence continued after Commission when the group was the that particular incident amongst recipient of the 2015 Commitment young people," Champagne said, “the

youth of the neighbourhood stood up and said we need to stop the violence on a much more consistent basis instead of waiting for something bad to happen and then reacting.”

“In November - specifically November 18, 2011 - was our first rally that happened just across the street at the bell tower,” he added. Despite the cold weather that day, nearly 40 community members participated in the rally.

“Everyone said they didn't want to wait for another bad thing before we got together and that's when our weekly status began.”

The anniversary on Friday marked MMBT’s 312th gathering.

Champagne said he hopes that the growth of MMBT is indicated and reflected by continued citizen engagement in the North End. “Myself and members of Aboriginal Youth Opportunities are helpers and conveners of the bell tower but we’re always responding and trying to be as responsive as we can be to the needs of our community,” he said.

“It's the residents of the north end that will determine the direction of Meet Me at the Bell Tower in the future.”

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News

News Editors: Imreet Kaur & Shaden Abuselah Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Tuition increases affect low-income students disproportionately: study MOFA commissioned study examines impact of tuition increases Diana Ubokudom, staff

Students march to the Legislative Building in opposition of tuition increase just weeks before Bill 31 was officially passed Oct. 28.

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recent report prepared for Chernomas noted that while the Manitoba Organization tuition increases will not necessarof Faculty Associations (MOFA) ily lead to a simultaneous decline in reveals the impact of tuition fees enrolment, low-income students will on student enrolment, career pref- “be less likely to go to university.” erence, teacher compensation, and other metrics.

Robert Chernomas, MOFA “The best solution president and professor in the U of M’s department of econom- is to have no or low ics, said the research - conducted tuition. A secondby the Breakwater Group Worker best solution is Cooperative, Ltd - was undertaken to review available evidence on best to make sure that practices for approaching tuition students who are policy and policies that affect access to post-secondary education institulow-income, are tions globally.

“We wanted to know whether going to receive a it was true that some of the most grant, rather than advanced and equitable economies in the world also had the low or no a loan”- Robert tuition” policy, Chernomas said.

Chernomas, MOFA The researchers - Zac Saltis and Jesse Hajer - obtained and president compared data from Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, Chernomas added that tuition and presented a number of findings decreases may also not lead to an in the report. increase in registrations.

The study reveals that although The study pointed out that the demand for post-secondary edu- although Ireland eliminated tuition cation is not influenced by tuition fees in 1996, this “did not boost changes among the OECD countries, working class participation rates in to a certain degree the majority of the higher education,” as factors other literature supports the argument that than tuition fees influence enrolment tuition increases negatively impact rates for low-income individuals. low-income students.

Chernomas also noted that as

photo by asha nelson

tuition fees increase, students become tuition had been eliminated con- exclusive to Canada. more likely to seek employment in tinued to accumulate debt, which The researchers concluded that the the private sector, in part due to Chernomas chalked up to other consequences of the provincial effort the amount of debt accumulated by costs associated with post-secondary to increase tuition up to five per cent graduation. education. annually, in addition to inflation rates, “Students paying higher tuition “Those loans sometimes have to would be enormous, especially for also have the tendency to not go into do with where students are going to low-income students. public service,” he said. “They’re live […] so borrowing money someThe Advanced Education much more likely to go into the times has to do with things other Administration Amendment Act private sector because they’ll be than tuition,” he said. “Tuition is passed its third reading earlier this paid higher, and that’s because they important, but not the only variable.” month and will allow universities are going to have more debt from Chernomas said loans do not in Manitoba to increase tuition by university.” “create much of an incentive for low- five per cent annually plus the rate Chernomas detailed that as the income students” since they have to of inflation beginning in September. public funding for post-secondary be paid back and this discourages The act also lifts restrictions on course education falls, tuition fees increase them from attending university. related fees. to make up the difference.

On the other hand, the availability The Progressive Conservative “The more tuition there is, of needs-based grants had the poten- government aim to increase funding there’s less public money available,” tial to increase enrolment. for the Manitoba Scholarships and Chernomas said.

The report also found a weak cor- Bursaries Initiative funding from $9 “And so just like in this province, relation between teachers’ salaries million to $20 million in conjunction the Tory government is going to and tuition levels. The researchers with the private sector to contribute reduce its public funding to universi- found some indication that countries two-thirds of the total target amount. ties. The way it’s going to compensate with higher tuition spend a smaller So far, less than $2 million has been for that, they argue, is by allowing proportion of tuition collected on raised halfway through a year-long tuition to rise.” teachers’ compensation than coun- funding drive.

“So in the past, for example, in tries with low or no tuition.

Chernomas said that to help Canada, there [was] a great deal of Chernomas said that even though low-income students offset the cost more money coming from the pub- tuition has increased in Canada, con- of post-secondary education and lic sector,” he added. “As the public trary to the claims made by universi- increase their enrolment, a number sector is withdrawn in a period of ties that “one of the costs that’s going of better measures can be taken. austerity, then tuition has risen.” up is professors, libraries, and sala“The best solution is to have no or The report also states that the pro- ries,” a greater portion was spent on low tuition,” he said. “A second-best portion of students taking on loans, funding capital projects and admin- solution is to make sure that students as well as the amount of student debt istrative increases. who are low-income are going to upon graduation, has a strong correlaChernomas pointed out that other receive a grant, rather than a loan.” tion to tuition increases. countries exhibited a similar relationStudents in countries where ship and that the observation was not

Editorial Editor-In-Chief: Garett Williams Contact: Editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

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Expansion of artificial intelligence heralds increased economic disparity Malak Abas, staff

graphic by ernest zarzuela

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he rich keep getting richer, and designed to help guide people around nological advancement - or the generally not be as accessible. the poor keep getting poorer. It’s airports. displacement of jobs available to Current statistics speak similarly, a common sentiment.

You might ask yourself: what’s humans - is generally focused on with a recent study from the National It’s a sentiment with weight, too - wrong with the extra income garnered low-income careers often pursued Bureau of Economic Research findright here in Manitoba, Winnipeg’s by robots with less human labour? by people without a post-secondary ing that for every new robot added to poorest neighbourhoods have fallen Consider what all the aforementioned education. Jobs considered at high the workforce, between three and 5.6 further below average within the uses of AI have in common. They risk of being automated include taxi jobs held by humans were lost. last 30 years, while the richer neigh- are inherently profit-driven - and drivers, cashiers, and fast food cooks.

Even AI created with the intenbourhoods have seen a relative rise the profit seeks tion of promoting in those same three decades. While to solely benefit societal good - at Automated jobs through technological these last 30 years have widened the the wealthy and the same conveneconomic gap between the rich and push out the tion that revealed advancement - or the displacement of jobs the poor, the next 30 may herald an economically the LG Airbot, a disadvantaged. even more sinister future. available to humans due to their displacement robot designed Artificial intelligence (AI) has The $15.7 trilfor children with by technology - generally focus on lowbeen lauded as the future of a great lion that AI is developmental number of things: video games, expected to add disabilities named income careers often pursued by people sexual partners, and perhaps most to the global econLeka was also without an post-secondary education prevalent even today, workplace auto- omy by as early as presented - there mation. As the years go by, automated 2030 comes almost exists an obvious technology has shoehorned itself into fully by expenses divide in who can our daily lives. Self-checkout aisles in paid and gained by members of the Or, typically, jobs for young people, and cannot partake: Leka will cost stores allow you to scan, bag, and pay upper middle classes. The majority for busy people, for poor people. between US $700 and $800. for your own products, all without of that money will be made through The typical argument that Think a little bigger. AI has the common awkwardness of human improving the life of the wealthy: increased use of AI in the workforce already been taught to discriminate interaction. You can insert coins into automated cars, higher-quality will make jobs as it takes them away amongst humans. There is the AI a chair to massage you at the mall. technology, and all-around expen- is rife with half-truths. Some jobs will chatbot that learned to be racist from On the slightly more fantastical side, sive products that serve to make their be made, but one must wonder what human users in less than 24 hours, the ominously-named Cafe X utilizes lives even easier than they are now. the nature of these jobs will be. As and software that is currently being “robot baristas” to produce a latte in 42 per cent of that money is expected AI works to take away entry-level jobs used to identify criminals more likely seconds, and Korean tech company to come from automation in the without the prerequisite of second- to re-offend, based on an algorithm LG released the Airbot just this workforce. ary education, jobs that will be made that very obviously employs historical year, a shiny, smooth-edged robot Job automation through tech- through the upkeep of this AI will racial disparities in recorded crimes,

and only gets its answer correctly about 20 per cent of the time. Our already-flawed system of incarceration would devolve into its most inhumane core if it was to be automated using similar algorithms.

Visualize the future, a world where the rich continue to get richer, and the poor continue to get poorer. But in this brave new world, the rich can accumulate capital independently resulting in unbelievable levels of wealth by untethering from human labour. Without the side effect of paying humans, or, in that same regard, without paying for the dignity of the human worker, the rich will become rampantly richer.

While this level of dystopianism borders on fictitious, it is really just a matter of our limitless technological strides stepping in line with what the wealthy and powerful have been doing since the dawn of time: using their position of privilege to oppress others.

While some might fear the robot revolution because of the ethical ramifications of humanoid androids, there are economic implications that lie a little closer to our livelihoods just around the corner.

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Comment Comment Editor: Shawn Huberdeau Contact: comment@themanitoban.com

Manitoba healthcare cuts taken straight from the history books Looking back to the 90s for what to expect in the future Greg Reage

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arly in 2017 Manitoba’s Progressive Conser vative government - elected in 2016 on a pledge not to reduce front line services - announced funding cuts for healthcare services.

The ranks of the management bureaucracy of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authorit y (WRHA) were mandated to be reduced by approximately 15 per cent.

Major changes announced included the complete closure of the emergency room in Concordia Hospital, the switch of emergency rooms in Seven Oaks Hospital and Victoria Hospital into urgent care centres, and the closure of Misericordia’s urgent care centre - the latter now more benignly described as “transfer of services” to South Winnipeg’s Victoria Hospital.

For a while, it seemed there was one sort of health-system cutbackrelated story or another in the local news every week, sometimes for days in a row. The gist of things can be captured in the headline “Restructuring at Health Facilities to Offer Better Patient Care/Lower Costs - Process to Minimize Management and Maximize Direct Care.”

Only this headline is from an April 5, 1993 Manitoba government news release.

The announcements of 2017 were continually described as “the biggest change in a generation” to be undertaken in Manitoba. What were some government still paid the full fee. promote collegiality and becoming of the changes made one generation In retrospect, what can be said more horizontal in the workplace ago, and how did restructuring health about the cost-cutting and job reor- reporting structure. care in the 1990s pan out? ganization measures that were sold A further change was the wholeIn 1993, the Progressive to Manitobans in 1993 and 1994, and sale layoff of licensed practical nurses Conservative government of then- how sustainable did they turn out (LPN). The theory was that money premier Gary Filmon - the husband to be? could be saved by transferring some of Manitoba’s current Lieutenant LPN work to lower-paid healthcare Governor Janice Filmon - entered aides, while the LPN tasks requiring Changes were found into a $3.9 million contract with a specialized training would be done by U.S. company, American Practice registered nurses. to be unsustainable Management (APM) and its highThese were some of the noteworprofile lead consultant Dr. Connie thy reforms brought about by the over the long term Curran, to implement new work pracAPM consultants in the mid-1990s and were modified tices and administrative structures in version of healthcare restructuring. an effort to cut health-care costs. In Did the theoretically-based changes or undone return for the nearly $4 million price hold up? In each of these situations, tag, Curran predicted APM could the changes were found to be unsusbring savings of $45 to $65 million at Another APM restructuring tainable over the long term and were Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre action was changing the job of head modified or undone.

The unit manager job was reclasand St. Boniface Hospital - there was nurses into “unit managers.” This no WRHA at the time. was not simply a name change. The sified into a “manager of patient care” During 1993 and 1994, Curran and theory was that unit managers would with a stated patient-focused care her colleagues recommended “pro- potentially cover multiple wards and model and specific announcements cess improvement,” which worked out be more involved in budgets and around how it was now intended that ways to slash jobs, change reporting management committees and could each manager of patient care would patterns, delete job categories, and even be non-nurses, including peo- have a daily presence on their indiclose beds throughout the system. ple with financial or administrative vidual wards. That sounds like the Astute readers may note that a backgrounds or from allied health essence of the old head nurse job. company from the U.S., where there professions such as physiotherapy.

The rotating charge nurse assignis a tradition of private business interThe deletion of the assistant head ment gave way to the introduction of ests providing health insurance and nurse or its alternative in some areas the clinical resource nurse (CRN) job for-profit hospitals, was entrusted by - titled senior team leader - was also in the ward staff mix. It was found to the elected government of Manitoba occurring. The theory behind this be preferable to have staff in a permato bring to bear expertise in the con- was to be less hierarchical by mov- nent role that could utilize consisttext of Canada’s taxpayer funded, ing from one person having that per- ent skill, knowledge, and experience non-profit health-care system. In the manent role on a ward to having the along with guiding new hires. Seems end, APM failed to meet the savings regular staff registered nurses take to be much like a return to the previtarget of $45 to $65 million that they turns rotating into a “charge nurse” ous tradition of assistant head nurse at first insisted they could, but the assignment each shift. This was to or senior team leader.

Graphic by kelly campbell

With the deletion of the LPN staff role, it was later generally thought that the tasks re-distributed between healthcare aides and registered nurses were not getting adequately done. So, on a trial basis, LPNs began to be hired back, and appear to be here to stay for the foreseeable time.

The repercussions from bed closures and layoffs in the mid-1990s became so severe that by 2000 the government was taking active, costly steps to meet employment needs

From the 1980s, the goal of the licensing body for registered nurses was that by 2000 the minimum requirement for RNs to practice would be a four-year bachelor degree. After 2000, under pressure from the government, the licensing body - then called the Manitoba Association of Registered Nurses - continued to accept diploma-prepared graduates as an entry-level fulfilment to RN practice. The new program at Red River College that offered a 24-month nursing diploma accepted 90 students in September 2000.

In addition, the Manitoba government was spending money recruiting trained nurses from places such as the Philippines to fill jobs in Manitoba.

The heavy cost-cutting and restructuring of 1993-94 meant that, less than a decade later, policy makers and administrators were forced to deal with staffing crises and rebuild from what had turned out to be unsustainable changes. That is food for thought when we are currently riding a wave of cutbacks. Are you crossing your fingers that history does not repeat itself?

Of course, many of the previous LPNs had moved on to other work, taken early retirement, had severance paid out, or begun to receive employment insurance benefits. Now, people Greg Reage is an employee at were being trained or re-trained to the Health Sciences Centre. replace those who had previously been restructured out.

The repercussions from bed closures and lay-offs in the mid-1990s became so severe that by 2000 the government was taking active, costly steps to meet employment needs.

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Comment Editor: Shawn Huberdeau Contact: comment@themanitoban.com

By honouring John A. Macdonald’s name, we deem acceptable his white supremacy Relegate his monuments to the museums where they belong Kenny Ingram, staff

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n Nov. 12, an anonymous group of “anti-colonial anti-racists” filmed and published a video of themselves covering a statue of John A. Macdonald with red paint to a Montreal-based anarchist website.

Inspiration for this may have come from south of the border, where in August protesters took it upon themselves to topple a Confederate monument in Durham, North Carolina.

I don’t take there to be many truly innocent people in either of these stories as few on either side seem to approach this issue in a positive and effective way.

Macdonald and the Canadian government put racist ideas into genocidal practice Toppling or defacing statues that you would rather see banished from the public square is, simply put, bad strategy. Not only is it a criminal act - seven people are still being charged for their role in toppling the statue in Durham - but it accomplishes a lot less than protestors may imagine.

While these acts brings the topic of who is worthy of societal honour into the centre of public conversation, the tone in which that conversation is set allows for people who do not believe in breaking the law to accomplish political goals to easily dismiss that very conversation. It is hard for many to align themselves with people partaking in criminal behav-

iour even when they do agree with Macdonald’s legacy: he’s known as the underlying goal inspiring those Canada’s first prime minister, one actions. Having said that, keeping of the unifying figures in Canadian monuments that glorify controver- Confederation, and was instrumental sial figures with shady pasts in public in the completion of the Canadian spaces is also a terrible idea.

Pacific Railway.

In the case of Confederate monuYet pinning these badges of ments, the historical lineage of these honour to Macdonald’s waistcoat statues empowers Southerners to conveniently hides his moral blembe proud of their ancestors’ racist ishes, namely, his blatant racism and past under the guise of “Southern dehumanization of Indigenous peopride,” “heritage,” and “state’s rights.” ple. Macdonald was of the repugSimply put, Southerners have said nant opinion that the “great aim” of they are against the demolition of Canadian government was to assimiConfederate monuments because late Indigenous peoples into white they identify it with their states’ rebel- culture, out of indigeneity; to tear lious political legacy. An NPR/PBS Indigenous children from their “savNewsHour/Marist Poll conducted age” parents; and, to remember all in August 2017 showed 66 per cent of throughout this process of cultural Southern respondents want existing genocide, that Indigenous children monuments that honour Confederate who were taught to read and write leaders to remain in place. were still just savages, but literate This brand of selective political ones. memory fits right into the same Macdonald and the Canadian debate happening now in Canada. government put racist ideas into In 2011, Statistics Canada reported genocidal practice. Sean Carleton, that the country has a total visible assistant professor at Mount Royal minority population of only 19.1 per University in the history of colonialcent and an Indigenous popula- ism, has credited Macdonald as being tion of four per cent. Another way the “architect of residential schools.” of looking at this is a little under 80 This cultural genocide brought forper cent of our country has a white, ward by a true white supremacist European heritage. This may in part will forever be a large dark part of explain why Canadians generally Canada’s history. seem to have a favourable opinion With this background in mind, of Macdonald. A recent survey con- put yourself in the place of a young ducted by the Angus Reid Institute child of Indigenous heritage. They are asked what Canadians thought of potentially going to a school named removing Macdonald’s name from after a man who believed their ancesschools named after him: 55 per cent tors to be wild savages, unquestionof respondents said that they opposed ably inferior to all of the other white this while only a quarter said they students of European descent. Not were in favour. to mention all of the other reminders I am sure many selectively - including airports, bridges, roads, remember the positive aspects of pubs, annual holidays, currency, and

Graphic by Evan Tremblay

statues - established and named in his honour as a celebration of his historic acts. These acts include implementing a brutal system of coercive assimilation.

Putting white supremacists up on public pedestals needs to change immediately. If the current federal government is going to throw around the word “reconciliation” like there’s no tomorrow, they must take steps to cast down the monuments which are dedicated to a man who was undoubtedly a white supremacist.

Some protest that to remove mentions of Macdonald from the public square amounts to smudging lines of the history books. Yet this is just a fast and loose assertion used in order to shut these important conversations down in favour of the status quo.

This has nothing to do with rewriting history: it has everything to

do with history being displayed in its proper context. For instance, Nazism is most definitely part of Germany’s history. If you go to Germany, you won’t find any pieces of public infrastructure named after Adolf Hitler, despite him being given that honour on countless pieces of architecture years ago. And yet, history of the Holocaust in Germany has managed not to be forgotten, and seen in it’s proper context in museums and places of remembrance.

For every day in Canada that our own artifacts and pieces of history are not changed and put in their proper context, we are in effect promoting the dark legacy of white supremacy to an impressionable younger generation. It is time we relegate Macdonald and the monuments to him to the museums where they belong.

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Diversions Graphics Editor: Kelly Campbell Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com

Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Olivia Michalczuk Contact: arts@themanitoban.com

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Panel discussion examines cultural appropriation Local realization of Puccini's Madama Butterfly sparks conversation Jen Doerksen, staff

photo by Jen Doerksen

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anitoba Opera is currently including Kenneth Lavallee, Dee showing Madama Butterfly, a Barsy, and Dayna Danger. Every piece previously questioned as being piece in the exhibit touches on a racist or being an example of cultural theme of political resistance in some appropriation. The opera debuted in way.

1904 and depicts the ill-fated love of a Japanese girl and an American soldier.

“When you’re Before the production run began, a panel discussion was held at the given some sort Canadian Museum for Human of platform or Rights to discuss the occurrence of cultural appropriation in the arts. privilege to be able Panel members included Madama to speak, speaking Butterfly lead Hiromi Omura, WAG curator of Indigenous contempo- for someone else rary art, Jaimie Isaac, and Sarasvàti is the difference Productions artistic director, Hope McIntyre. between exchange The panel discussion was moderated by CBC radio personality and appropriation” Ismaila Alfa, host of CBC Radio’s - Jaimie Isaac, Up to Speed and a former touring hip hop artist. At the panel, Alfa asked Winnipeg Art Gallery questions directly related to Madama curator of Indigenous Butterfly, and more generally related to cultural appropriation. contemporary art During the panel discussion, Isaac discussed some of the misconceptions of what cultural appropriation means.

“I think taking aspects of a culture “When you’re given some sort of and using it without context, without platform or privilege to be able to permission and gaining from that speak, speaking for someone else is in some sort of way. The differences the difference between exchange and between cultural exchange is having appropriation,” Isaac said. the conversations and ideas of reciIn response to Isaac’s comment procity between cultures,” Isaac said. on appropriation being speaking for Isaac helped to curate the someone else, Alfa tried to bridge INSURGANCE/RESURGANCE the gap with a more familiar example. exhibit, which features works from “Some would make the case that, if 29 contemporary Indigenous artists you’ve been given that platform, you

can use it to help speak for another theatre company, works to create the- food or geography of where an opera group. I’m thinking right now of atre that engages with social issues is located.”

Gord Downie.” like racism and sexism.

Examples of harmful appropriaDownie used his platform as a For Omura, the world renowned tion and helpful exchange came up popular Canadian rock musician soprano performing as the titular throughout the discussion. Isaac cited to create a 10-song album inspired Madama Butterfly, the difference fashion designer duo Dsquared2 as by the story of a young man named between appropriation and exchange participating in cultural appropriaChanie Wenjack, who died trying is about openness and a willingness to tion through their line #Dsquaw, to escape from a residential school. learn. She has performed in Madama while also citing fashion designer According to Isaac, Downie wasn’t Butterfly productions around the Valentino as participating in fair just speaking for others who couldn’t world, and has worked with stage cultural exchange through his colspeak for themselves. directors of different backgrounds. laboration with Christi Belcourt, a “I think with Gord Downie, he “Some directors have engrained renowned Métis artist. was speaking specifically to specific ideas about what is Western culture “That is a really good example of people. He was able to quote and state and western people in general behave, cultural exchange and not so much specific situations or politics,” Isaac and the way Asian cultures and Asian appropriation because that was said. “In that situation, you do have people also behave,” Omura said in acknowledged. It was his designs that platform or power to speak, and French, which her castmate James and her designs on his dresses and people to listen, you have to share McLennan translated for the audi- his whole line,” Isaac said. that platform.” ence. “It’s a challenge to work with “I just feel like there’s more people Creating platforms for people to directors who have very fixed ideas to be able to speak to their own culspeak for themselves in the arts has a in their mind about what Western tures," Isaac said. process, according to McIntyre. culture is or what Japanese culture is "There’s more opportunities for “At any point, we make sure they precisely. It’s important to be flexible.” people to say ‘Oh we’re really interhave the power to say no, this isn’t Manitoba Opera recognizes that ested in these Indigenous designs, working, this doesn’t make sense, different productions can have dif- so we’re interested in working with or we want this clarified. And for ferent issues in their content, and as a Indigenous designers, or Indigenous me, that’s the exchange. Where result deliberately try to create discus- playwrights or writers or curators.’ there’s willing consent about what’s sion around these works.

And I think we’re sort of past a time being used, and there’s participation “One of our missions now is that where we can say there’s no one that throughout the process,” McIntyre we use opera to provide us as a com- does this." said. munity to discuss themes and issues “And we make sure that dialogue that are relevant to all of us,” director The final performance of Madama goes beyond the stage, with panels of marketing Darlene Ronald said. Butterfly takes place Nov. 24 at like this and talkbacks and conver- “So with each opera, we look at the the Centennial Concert Hall. sations so that if there’s something story, the subject matter, the themes, that’s represented on the stage, there’s any issues and we put together a a chance for people to respond to it, number of initiatives that people to disagree, and we can learn from it.” attend. Sometimes they’re lectures, Sarasvàti Productions, McIntyre’s sometimes they’re related to culture,

VOL. 104 NO. 14 November 22, 2017

Arts & Culture

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Indigenous cinema celebration Short film by young Canadian filmmakers features at The Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival, which celebrates Indigenous creators from around the world Jen Doerksen, staff

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he Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival (WAFF) kicks off on Nov.26. The four-day festival features some of the best of Indigenous cinema.

WAFF brings in some of the biggest names in Indigenous cinema each year. Opening night screenings this year include New Zealand filmmaker Bill Morris’s The Sound of Her Guitar, a documentary about, and featuring, New Zealand songwriter Donna Dean, and a short film called Forever Young from students including Cody Bighetty and Andrew Caribou of Frontier Collegiate Institute, a northern campus that serves many remote communities.

“I’m nervous and excited at the same time because I never really thought that something like this would ever happen” Cody Bighetty, featured performer, Forever Young “I’m nervous and excited at the same time because I never really thought that something like this would ever happen," Bighetty said. "[Caribou and I are] both from a small isolated community up north.

A screenshot from the film Indian Horse (above left) that premiered at TIFF and will be shown this weekend on Saturday at the Dramatic Arts Theatre at 585 Ellice.

"It’s pretty much a big deal having come out of a small community to do something like that.”

The students involved in the project worked with Jim Compton, artistic director of the Adam Beach Film Institute to write a script, learn to act, and produce the short film. Students spent half a week taking acting lessons and production lessons before shooting the film.

“We shot this on a RED camera, which is what they shoot Hollywood movies on,” Compton said. “It’s a big set, big location find, so they got all the feel of putting together a script and shooting a script and all the work that goes into it over a two week period. And they’re just enthralled about it.”

The film depicts the struggle of a young man looking to get out of the drug business with the help of his

girlfriend. Bighetty performed as the main antagonist, Stu. He said it was a “pretty great experience.”

“The experience for me, it was daunting at first. Because I didn’t really know what was expected of me on the first few days. But after five days of acting classes and shooting the actual film, I got into the speed of things and I much rather enjoyed it,” Bighetty said.

Caribou had the opportunity to do sound for the film. “It was pretty good. I had some fun here and there.

I was just taught the basics of how to work the sound. It wasn’t that hard, I got into it pretty quick.”

For Compton, the hope is that students will come to the Adam Beach Institute for more classes after graduation.

“We collaborated with the Frontier School Division on a project to get

Above right: PHOTO from the Sound of Her Guitar

high school students, mainly grade 12 students, interested in film and television,” he said.

Some of the students, including Bighetty, are returning to Winnipeg for the opening night.

“If there’s a red carpet, I’m more than willing to walk down it,” Bighetty said.

The festival runs from Thursday to Sunday and will end with its traditional, and sold-out, Manitoba Filmmakers Night.

A number of films, from documentary, to short film, to scripted full length films will be showcased, including Indian Horse, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this year.

“It’s based on the book by Richard Wagamese, and as soon as we posted about it on Facebook we’ve been getting tons of emails asking when is

it, how can we attend,” Rajotte said.

Indian Horse will show on Saturday Nov. 25 at 9 p.m.

WAFF started out as a day of film screenings at the University of Winnipeg, according to Rajotte. Now in its 16th year, it has grown and brings in Indigenous creators from around the world.

“When we started there weren’t as many Indigenous film makers, but now we get hundreds of submissions and the quality of the work is a big change from 16 years ago,” Rajotte said.

“We’re seeing more feature films.”

All screenings for the WAFF will take place at the Dramatic Arts Centre at 585 Ellice Avenue. Tickets are available at waff.ca, and range from $5-$10. Weekend passes are $35.

Local lyrical line-up 18 local songwriters set to perform at the Fifth Annual Songwriters Extravaganza Olivia Michalczuk, staff

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ocal rock and blues musiAfter six full-length albums and lately but I can definitely remember a cian/songwriter Romi Mayes racking up many awards and nomina- time when it came a lot easier. Often has rounded up 18 talented locals tions, Mayes has proven she knows started with a good lyric that is on a for her Fifth Annual Songwriter what she is doing. Some of Mayes' napkin from a night or two before,” Extravaganza. On Dec.3 at the Park awards include receiving Songwriter said Mayes.

Theatre, some of Winnipeg’s young of the Year three times and Album “Sometimes it’s a riff that I keep and well-known musicians like Micah of the Year twice at the Western playing and it causes a phrase and Erenberg, Elise Roller, Stefanie Blondal Canadian Music Awards, a Juno then the song begins. For the most Johnson, and Jamie part, once the Buckboro will song is on the go, be sharing their it’s a side-by-side “It’s actually becoming more and more difficult event with guitar lyrical talents with their peers in front to choose 18 songwriters when I can so easily in hand and pen of loyal fans of local and paper on the think of 40 or 50 great local songwriters music. go.”

Photo provided by Romi Mayes “It’s actually The success of Romi Mayes, host of the upcoming annual songwriter extravaganza, has received off the top of my head” Romi Mayes becoming more the event is due numerous awards and nominations throughout her career including the and more difficult in part to Mayes’ Songwriter of the Year three times at the Western Canadian Music Awards. to choose 18 songwriters when I can nomination for Album of the Year, ability to round up a group of talented so easily think of 40 or 50 great local and various Canadian Music Award musicians, but the songwriters them- get out and see all the bands playing time and something that you won’t songwriters off the top of my head,” said nominations. selves are what really sell the tickets. around town so what a great oppor- see on any other local stage. “My Mayes.

Mayes is known for her power- “When you have 18 of Winnipeg’s best tunity to hear 18 of Winnipeg’s best favourite part of the night is often “It just comes down to me writing ful lyrics and impressive guitar skills, on one stage in one night for only $10, in one night,” said Mayes. some of the songwriters are meeting a list of names and asking them to be which have made her a staple in the I’d be surprised if it wasn’t successful.

The relationships between the other songwriters for the first time a part of it. The success of this yearly Winnipeg rock and blues scene.

We have so much talent in Winnipeg musicians that are evident on stage and friendships and musical collaboevent is fully credited to the songwriters.”

“I really haven’t been writing much and it’s difficult for music lovers to is what makes the event unique every rations begin,” said Mayes.

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Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Olivia Michalczuk Contact: arts@themanitoban.com

Lights, camera, dance Artist in residence Danielle Sturk explores the mechanics of the body and technology with flesh + machine Olivia Michalczuk, staff

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innipeg’s Contemporary impressive resume doesn’t end with “Flesh + machine is less technoDancers (WCD) artist in resi- dance as she also works and creates logical as it is mechanical. It does dence Danielle Sturk is collaborating with film and television. use modern technology - cameras, with local dancers to produce a piece Her films have played at more projectors, lights - to assist in supthat looks at human connectivity than 30 film festivals and been broad- porting the images and themes I am through the lens of a camera. cast on networks including CBC, the proposing in this work, but the work The world premiere of integrated APTN, and for the National Film itself is not about technology proper.” contemporary dance and camera per- Board of Canada.

Sturk said that while constructThe performance will feature the ing the piece, the dancers that she formance flesh + machine will run from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 at the Rachel moving bodies of five Winnipeg hand-picked did an amazing job at Browne Theatre. dancers as well as old technology breathing life into the concepts to Desires, intentions, and per- like cameras, lenses, dollies, and pro- create a stunning piece of work. sonality are meant to be exposed jectors, where the mechanics of the The process of creating a piece uses through the piece’s dance and cam- tool are visible, as opposed to current different methods, explained Sturk, era manipulation which explores technology that captures images, like beginning with key words and ideas interrelationships, intimacy, and smart phones. The camera is decon- and developing them into movement. public space. Sturk graduated from structed during the performance to “The flesh of a fruit, our muscles, the University of Winnipeg with a explore different ideas about how bones, organs, mollusks, a consistBachelor of Arts in film and theatre. people see each other and themselves. ency that is dense yet soft, alive, a She has performed nationally and “Our art world has been play- part of something bigger - these are internationally as a dancer and cho- ing with technology for some time responses from the dancers," she said. reographer with the Royal Winnipeg now in theatre, dance, and music "And so then, how can we move like Ballet, Anna Wyman Dance Theatre, performance. Art installation and any of these things that came up as and WCD, as well as co-founding performance art have done a lot to images?” and co-directing Graffiti Tango explore the meeting of these ele“After the dancer works a physical dance company in Montreal. Sturk’s ments,” said Sturk. improvisation with one of the ideas,

we go further: if having flesh means form without words to tell the story. being alive, then it also means being Sturk said that contemporary dance mortal. So how does movement show should not have to be understood mortality? We explored how the parts but felt, like listening to a foreign of the body, the flesh, the mecha- language. nisms, would move if they started to “We don’t need to concentrate on break down.” the words, or try to understand what Sturk said the piece can appeal to a they are saying specifically, but listen wide audience because we all are part to the cadences, the singing of it, the of a society that is caught up with its emotion in it,” she said. own image. It would also be attrac“That provides us a certain tive to someone who is curious about understanding of what is being how technology affects humans. communicated.”

“The piece can appeal to anyone who has not thought about the insides Tickets can be purchased for $20 of their technology, the invisible for students/seniors and $29 for sending of signals in their phones adults. Buy online at www.brownand computers, and who would enjoy papertickets.com or call the WCD seeing us take apart, play with and Box Office at 204-452-0229. put together parts of a machine that captures our image or shares it,” said Sturk.

“It appeals to a generation that use[s] this technology naturally, as an extension of themselves.”

Contemporary dance is an art

VOL. 104 NO. 14 November 22, 2017

Arts & Culture

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Sports

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Sports Editor: Ryan Stelter Contact: sports@themanitoban.com

Manitoba keeps rolling with a pair of wins over Lethbridge Jason Pchajek, staff

could not put the game away.

During the shootout, the Bisons finally got one by Anderson.

Zacharias came in on the right side, stepped left and put a shot lowblocker on the Lethbridge goaltender. Dyck stopped all three shots she faced in the shootout, and the Bisons took the game 1-0.

“I haven’t played in a while so it felt good to get a win” - Rachel Dyck, Bison goalie

Jordyn Zacharias (#27) scores in double overtime to give the Bison Women’s Hockey club a winover the Lethbridge Pronghorns at Wayne Fleming Arena.Nov. 17.

photo by Joe Oczerklewicz

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“It was a tough game,” said Dyck, who faced only 11 shots in the game.

“I haven’t played in a while so it felt good to get a win, but it was also very lopsided so it was tough to stay in it for the long-haul, but I just found ways to stay focused.”

he fourth-ranked University the game, despite a stout performance Bisons goalie Rachel Dyck. of Manitoba Bisons women’s in goal from Pronghorns’ goaltenDespite starting the overtime hockey club hosted the University der Alicia Anderson. Manitoba was on the penalty kill, the Bisons kept of Lethbridge Pronghorns for a pair finally able to sneak one through in the pressure high. Anderson had to Saturday of weekend games. The Bisons con- a shootout for a 1-0 win. make multiple key stops, includThe Bisons and Pronghorns were trolled the pace of both games, and Coming into Friday’s game, ing flashing the leather to snag an back at it Saturday afternoon, with despite solid goaltending from the Anderson was stating her case to be Alanna Sharman backhand, and then the home team taking the game 2-1 Pronghorns they were able to sweep Canada West’s top netminder. She a Jordyn Zacharias shot in the final thanks to some heroics by Zacharias. led the conference in save percentage minute. At the other end, Dyck was the weekend series.

Lethbridge got on the board at 0.960 and saves with 378 through 11 rarely tested during the first extra first with a goal from Tricia Van Friday games, and it was on full display on frame.

Vaerenbergh in the first period. She The Bisons pelted the Pronghorns Friday night. Anderson stopped all 33 This trend continued into the carried the puck through the neutral goal throughout regulation and into shots fired her way during regulation, second overtime. Lauryn Keen got zone, entering the Bisons’ zone on overtime, having complete control of while her team only sent 11 towards a great look on a clear breakaway but the left side with plenty of space. Her

wrister from the faceoff circle went top-corner on Dyck’s glove side.

Manitoba evened things up in the second thanks to Zacharias. Keen passed the puck from the point down low to Sharman, and she threaded the needle to her teammate in the slot.

Zacharias got enough wood on it to put the puck high-glove on Anderson.

The goal lifted Zacharias past teammate Venla Hovi for first in Canada West scoring and top in the the conference with six.

Zacharias added her seventh in the final frame to put the Bisons ahead. Sharman sent the puck crosscrease to Zacharias, and she dropped to a knee, and lifted the puck over the Lethbridge netminder.

After not being able to score in regulation Friday, the Bisons moved the puck around a little more to beat Anderson Saturday.

“Just moving the puck laterally, trying to get more bodies in front of the net so she can’t see it, making her bite so you can go around,” Zacharias said.

With the sweep this weekend, the Bisons take hold of first place in Canada West with a 9-3 record.

The Bisons will be on the road next week, as they travel to Calgary to take on the Dinos on Nov. 24-25.

Men’s volleyball splits Griffins, women’s volleyball get the sweep Ryan Stelter, staff

Jack Mandryk (#9) sets for Dustin Spiring (#12) in the Bisons first match at the Investors Group Athletic Centre on Nov. 17.

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he University of Manitoba volley- set, and the Griffins closed the gap to ball teams hosted the MacEwan 22-21, but the Bisons came away with University Griffins over the week- a 25-21 win. The second set was much end. The Bison men split their series tighter. The Griffins pulled closer at against the Griffins, while the women the end, scoring a pair of points with swept to even their record. the Bisons at 24 but, after a timeout, Adam DeJonckheere smacked home Men the 25th point. The third set saw the On Friday, the Bisons won three Bisons cruise to a comfortable 25-17 closely fought sets. Manitoba led 16-13 win. at the technical timeout in the first On Saturday, the Bisons dropped

photo by Joe Oczerklewicz

a tough five setter. The first set was plagued with service errors on both sides of the ball, but it was the Griffins who managed to hold onto a lead all the way through to win 25-20.

DeJonckheere had six kills in the first he finished with 27 on the night.

The second set went ridiculously long, but Manitoba managed to come away 32-30 victors after a MacEwan net violation. MacEwan stormed out

of the third set, taking an early lead Abbott smacked home 16 kills. and not looking back, winning 25-15. on Saturday, the Bisons needed Manitoba knotted the game back up five sets to finish the sweep of the by winning the fourth set 25-20.

Griffins. Manitoba led 16-12 at the A prolonged fifth set went in technical timeout in the first set and favour of the Griffins, giving them held on to win 25-16. The second their first win of the season. set was won by the Griffins, then “We made so many errors it was Manitoba took the third set, and after unbelievable,” said head coach Garth nearly coming back to win the fourth, Pischke. “In the first set we made this game was destined for a fifth set.

19 errors, the other team scored 25 The fifth set was a heart-pounding points, so if you’re going to give the affair, with multiple lead changes, but game away like that it just gave them the Bisons managed to win 15-12. confidence.”

“We held firm and stayed in the The Bison men are now 2-6 on the fight,” said head coach Ken Bentley. year, and sit in eighth place in the “That was a really big achievement Canada West conference. for our team.”

The Bisons are now 4-4 and sit in Women ninth place in the Canada West .

The women, like the men on Friday, dropped the Griffins in The Bison volleyball teams head straight sets. Manitoba won a closely to Kamloops on Nov. 24-25 for a fought first set 25-23. In the second set two-game set against the Thompson Manitoba come away 26-24 winners Rivers University Wolfpack, after scoring three straight points.

The Bisons won the third set handily 25-16. Cassie Bujan finished with a team best 17 digs, and Kearley

VOL. 104 NO. 14 November 22, 2017

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Bison Briefs Women’s basketball sweeps Cougars, men’s basketball swept, men’s hockey falters in Lethbridge Ryan Stelter, staff

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his weekend the University of Manitoba men’s hockey team were swept on the road against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.

The Bison basketball teams were in Calgary to play the Mount Royal University Cougars. The men lost two tough games, with the women coming away with a sweep to extend their winning streak to three games.

The Bisons lost again in overtime Saturday, taking two of a possible four points out of the weekend. After a clean scoresheet in the first frame, Manitoba and Lethbridge exchanged goals in the second. It was the final 20 minutes again where most of the scoring happened.

Lethbridge grabbed a 2-1 lead early in the third through Justin Valentino, but Joel Schreyer evened the score Men’s hockey slips for Manitoba minutes later with his up in Lethbridge first of the season. Valentino scored Bison head coach Mike Sirant has his second of the game to make it 3-2 been Manitoba’s bench boss for 21 Pronghorns. Kamerin Nault, who seasons, and certainly knows the par- is appearing to have a flair for the ity in the Canada West conference. dramatic, scored with four seconds The lowly Lethbridge Pronghorns are remaining to tie the game. last in the Canada West but proved Maxwell scored 17 seconds into to be a tough opponent for the Bisons. overtime to give the Pronghorns their After two periods Friday, the second overtime win over the Bisons.

Pronghorns and the Bisons were Manitoba sits in fourth place in locked at one goal apiece. Bison the Canada West with a 6-4-2 record, Channing Bresciani scored his second one point back of the third-placed and never recorded a sweep, but they goal of the season early in the third, University of Calgary. It will be a cru- dusted off the broom this weekend igniting a goal rush. Lethbridge’s cial weekend coming up for Manitoba against the Mount Royal Cougars.

Spenser Jensen answered back on when the Dinos come to town on Taylor Randall led the way for the power play a few minutes later. Nov. 24-25. the Bisons on Friday night, scorJust over a minute after that, Bison ing 15 points, five assists, and two forward Michael St. Croix put Bison women’s basketball rebounds in the 91-63 win. Emma the Bisons ahead again. Mitchell dominate Mount Royal, Thompson had 14 points, and Claire Maxwell tied it up for Lethbridge men get swept Harvey had 12. and sent the game to overtime.

Yes folks, you read that headline Saturday was more of the same In the first period of overtime, right. The Bison women’s basketball for the Bisons in a 79-53 win over Ryon Moser scored his first goal of team have three wins this season, and the Cougars. Nicole Konieczny led the season to give Lethbridge a 4-3 it is only November. The Bisons won the way, notching a double-double, win. four games in the whole of 2016-17, scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Top: photo provided by Adrian Shellard. Above: photo provided by Eoin Colquhoun

Manitoba is now 3-5 on the year, and sits in 12th place in the Canada West.

The men were not as successful, falling just short in both games. On Friday, the Bisons lost a 83-81 heartbreaker in overtime. Usual suspect Justus Alleyn led the way for the herd, notching 20 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. James Wagner was right behind him with a doubledouble, 19 points, 11 rebounds, and one assist.

On Saturday the Bisons lost another close game, falling 80-77.

Alleyn and Wagner once again led the Bisons, scoring 27 and 24 points, respectively. With the pair of losses, the Bisons fall to 5-3 and sit in sixth place in the Canada West.

The Bison basketball teams will host the University of Brandon Bobcats on Nov. 24-25 at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.

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Sports

Sports Editor: Ryan Stelter Contact: sports@themanitoban.com

A star in the making Lauren Taraschuk has become a name to watch in the Canada West Ryan Stelter, staff

photo provided by darren steinke

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wo months into Lauren that ended on Nov. 11 in a 2-1 win over Taraschuk’s U SPORTS career, the Regina Cougars. and she’s already one of the top goalHaving not allowed in a goal for ies in the country. almost four games, it didn’t get into Taraschuk sports a glistening 1.15 Taraschuk’s head.

Goals Against Average, which is fifth “I never actually think about in U SPORTS. She also has a .944 shutouts because then that’s when it save percentage in five starts this sea- doesn’t happen for me is when I think son. Taraschuk is most recently com- about it before the game,” she said. ing off 147:08 minute shutout streak “I think playing the second game I

had an idea of what Regina was like, so it wasn’t as nerve wracking as the first game was. I think seeing myself pull a shutout in the first game it was like, ‘OK, I can actually do this.’”

Taraschuk started playing the game of hockey at four years old, starting out on defence. She made the switch to goalie after watching her brother play.

“I think just really sticking to my “I watched my brother play hockey and I watched the goalies and I abso- game and doing what I do best,” she lutely loved it,” she said. said. “And just staying calm in the net Taraschuk, a graduate of J.H. and taking it every shift, every period Bruns Collegiate in Winnipeg, and just not overthinking it and not played for the Winnipeg Avros last doing too much.” season, sporting an impressive 0.92 Coming to play for the Bisons was GAA and .962 save percentage. As a fairly easy decision for Taraschuk, a rookie, Taraschuk didn’t expect to even though she did have some other play a lot this season and has been schools look at her. focused on making the most of her “I knew pretty much over half the opportunities - which she has done team coming in just playing with and thus far. playing against girls but I think the “Finding where I fit in and real- attraction was the program and how izing I am behind a fifth-year goalie well developed and organized it is,” and just not getting in my head about she said. not playing every single game because “Everyday I love coming to the I did play a lot last season,” she said. rink. It’s so much fun doing what I “Really being patient and taking the love, it’s like at home, it couldn’t get ice time that I get and really making much better.” it worth it.”

This Bison team has rattled off Playing behind Rachel Dyck, seven wins in a row to put them in Taraschuk has been able to earn a few first place in the Canada West, and starts in place of the Canada West Manitoba should be looked at as all star. The pair have become close, a threat to usurp the University of according to Taraschuk, although it Alberta's crown to win a national title. was a bit uncomfortable to start.

“I think really just believing that “At the beginning it was awkward, we do have a chance and we have the it wasn’t the best but I think we’ve skill to be able to win it,” Taraschuk really come to realize that we can do said. a lot for our team and just staying in “I think we really do if we truly it together,” Taraschuk said. believe and put in the work that “Not really competing against each we have to in order to win that other but doing it for our whole team championship.” and just being good friends on and off the ice, we’re pretty close.”

Taraschuk attributes her success so far this season to sticking to what got her to this level.

Fantasy football mailbag Michael Bell, volunteer staff

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elcome to the mailbag edition of our latest fantasy football lecture. The mailbag is always fun.

That's the good news. The bad news - nobody emailed any questions. It's understandable, it's a busy time of year. However, I think I know my students fairly well, so I have a pretty good sense of the kind of questions I would have received. So let's begin: Q: In the fantasy playoffs, do you subscribe to the “always start your studs” philosophy, or do you play matchups?

- Kevin, faculty of agricultural & food sciences - animal systems

bination of studs and players with juicy matchups. After all, the goal is to score more points than your opponent, isn't it?

Q: Where is the faculty of fantasy football located on campus? - JeanPaul, faculty of arts - philosophy A: Currently, we are not located on campus, but we're looking to set up shop there sometime in the future.

Possible locations include the loading dock area at the back of UMSU photo provided by keith allison University Centre or taking over a booth at the Greenhouse Cafe.

A: Great question, Kevin. I'm a Q: Hi Fantasy Prof. Our league has a bit of both. Of course, you should Week 17 fantasy Super Bowl. A good dance with the ones that brought idea or straight crazy? - Tyler, not a you, as the saying goes. But I'm not real student, I just hang out at IQ's opposed to benching a stud in a hor- and play pool all day. rible matchup. For example, I actually A: Hi Tyler. Definitely straight crazy. benched Julio Jones in a quarter final Many teams sit players in Week 17. last year because I knew he was going Change your fantasy Super Bowl to to get very little points. I was right, Week 16, like most leagues in the and I won my playoff game. But the universe. matchup has to be really bad. This Q: Random, non-football related year, be wary of starting any receivers question. How do you feel about two against the Jaguars. On the flip side, flavours inside one nacho chip bag? don't be afraid of a juicy matchup Wendell, computer science - artificial either, say against the Browns. For intelligence me, the ideal playoff lineup is a com- A: Not a fan, Wendell. Call me old

school, but one flavour. If I want to mix, I'll do it on my own. And I choose the flavours!

the fail army. In fact, the number one pick overall usually has a high bust or injury rate. What I've been preaching to this class is research. Scout the preseason. Watch some games. Read A few more weeks the team beat writers. How you win your league is finding the gems after until the end the first round.

Q: Why is fantasy football such a sucof the fantasy cessful industry? - Chelsea, Asper football regular school of business A: First of all, the game of football is season. Things are extremely entertaining. It's fast, it's about to get much physical, and - to me - very strategic.

Football is a like a game of chess more dramatic. with extremely large chess pieces. But Enjoy the ride. fantasy football is a form of escapism, which is always healthy. Bottom line: people enjoy fantasy because someQ: Why were the first round picks in times reality, as the phrase goes, bites. this year's fantasy draft such busts? - I hope that answers your question, Jon Snow (not my real name), school Chelsea. of dental hygiene Well, that's it for the mailbag ediA: The first round seemed to be tion. I could have listed many more a landmine of busts and injuries, questions, but I think we've addressed didn't it? Antonio Brown seemed to some important issues here. A few be the only player to live up to the more weeks until the end of the fanhype - and more. But if you look back tasy football regular season. Things through the years, you'll find that a are about to get much more dramatic. lot of first round picks were soldiers in Enjoy the ride.

VOL. 104 NO. 14 November 22, 2017

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Ken Dryden takes aim at headshots NHL Legend tells story of deceased pro to highlight need for change Jason Pchajek, staff

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f Ken Dryden called the shots, behaviour, and suicide. The cause headshots would no longer be a of CTE is widely considered to be part of hockey. repeated head trauma, and has been He said he hopes this sentiment linked to the deaths of Wade Belak, will be shared by anyone who reads Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien, and his newest book, Game Change: The Todd Ewen.

Life and Death of Steve Montador and the Future of Hockey.

“It really is the idea of trying to “It’s no hits to the convey the stakes in terms of head head, no excuses,” injuries,” Dryden said. “So instead Ken Dryden, NHL of it being a player that’s out of the lineup for a couple of weeks and then Hall of Famer back, it’s what’s the life effect, what happens when you do have head injuries.”

“I thought that what the whole disIn the book, Dryden tells the cussion needed was something that story of Steve Montador, a 12-year was pretty comprehensive,” Dryden veteran of the NHL, best known for said. “Starting with the person, and his time with the Calgary Flames. so anyone that’s a decision-maker Montador was found dead in his would know the effect of the decihome in February 2015, just four days sions they took.” before his wife gave birth to their son.

For Dryden the answer is clear: “In the last couple of years in par- create a black-and-white rule to stop ticular in his career he had a series of hits to the head. No more intent, no concussions,” Dryden said. “He had more excuses, and no more headshots. a few others at scattering moments “Part of it comes back to what in his life, probably starting when kind of hits happen,” he said. “It’s he was about 12, but nothing terri- no hits to the head, no excuses. It’s bly notable or something he or his not whether your head was down a parents paid any major attention to.” little bit or up a little bit, or whether Following his death, Montador it was with your shoulder, you elbow, was diagnosed with chronic trau- or a high stick.” matic encephalopathy (CTE), a According to Rule 48 of the degenerative brain condition linked National Hockey League Official Rules, to depression, dementia, impulsive “a hit resulting in contact with an

Kevin Dryden, NHL hockey legend sits down with the Manitoban.

opponent’s head where the head was the main point of contact and such contact to the head was avoidable,” constitutes an illegal check to the head. However, referees must determine if the hit was intentional, or if the victim put himself in a vulnerable position.

For Dryden, this is simply not good enough.

“Right now there are at least two rules in the NHL that don’t offer wiggle room,” he said. “One of them is in terms of the shooting the puck

over the glass, if you’re in the defensive zone you can’t shoot the puck over the glass or else it’s an automatic penalty.”

Dryden also used the puck-overglass rule as a response for anyone who would complain the new rule would be too much of a disruption.

“What happened initially was all kinds of arguments,” he said. “And what happened a month after that?

No more arguments, you go right to the box, player adapts, coach adapts, teams adapt, and you get on with the

photo by asad aman

game, no big deal.”

Dryden said he knows that changes need to be made, but it’s now up to the NHL to set the tone, and everyone else will adapt.

“Gary Bettman is the commissioner,” Dryden said. “If things are going to be much different about this in the next five years, it’s going to be with Gary Bettman as the commissioner.”