6 December 2017

News

Setting its own course

How effective is the province's climate change plan?

news

comment

A guide to mental health

Disdainful Manitoba

For students by students Page 5

Page 3

The ‘not in my backyard’ attitude hurts progressive politics Page 11 comment

Bangin' bots The dangers of objectification Page 10

Vo l 1 0 4 · N o 1 6 · D e c e m b e r 6 , 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. 16 December 6, 2017

Editor-in-Chief Garett Williams

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

Business manager Sohni Tappia

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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

News

shaden@themanitoban.com/ 474.6770

Beyond rights and wrongs

comment@themanitoban.com

Comment Editor Shawn Huberdeau arts & Culture Editor Olivia Michalczuk

Treaty implementation and the resurgence of relationality

arts@themanitoban.com

page 4

sports@themanitoban.com

Sports Editor Ryan Stelter Copy Editor Evan Tremblay

copy@themanitoban.com

Design

Design Editor Bram Keast

design@themanitoban.com

Graphics Editor Kelly Campbell

graphics@themanitoban.com

Photo Editor Asha Nelson

photo@themanitoban.com

Social Editor Carolyne Kroeker

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

Sports

Zooming Zacharias

Editorial

Jordyn Zacharias has rocketed to the top of the Canada West page 19

Democracy, interrupted Communities loss is corporate gain page 8

Michael Bell Will Gibson Joe Oczerklewicz Scott Lercher

Erin Meagan Schwartz

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News

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

Provincial climate change plan broken down at town hall meeting Manitoba’s climate plan claims to make province “the cleanest, greenest, most climate resilient province” Diana Abasi-Ubokudom, staff

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anitoba Eco-Network, alongside organizations such as Climate Change Connection, Manitoba Energy Justice Coalition, and Wilderness Committee, gathered for a town hall to discuss the province's f ive-year Made-inManitoba Climate and Green Plan at the University of Winnipeg Nov. 28.

The plan, which claims to make Manitoba the “cleanest, greenest and most climate resilient province,” names four specific pillars which the province intends to focus on to achieve this goal: climate, jobs, water, and nature.

“Personally, I’m concerned about what happens after five years. That’s my caution.” - Curt Hall, project manager, Climate Change Connection Climate

“The Prairie Climate Centre has got some information out there showing that we’re going to get a lot more water when we don’t necessarily want it, and we’re going to have a lot less water when we actually need it,” she said. “And so they do recognize that water distribution and storage is going to be a huge issue for us in the future as far as agriculture.”

The Prairie Climate Centre aims to make climate change meaningful and relevant to Canadians by explaining and communicating future impacts of cliamte change through maps, videos, reports, and web content.

Bezte also added that water was “the great connector” in the sense that land use practices had direct impacts on water supply. She said that this was important to note, given that our water retention capacity has decreased by a considerable amount over the years.

With regards to water treatment in the province, Bezte said more data collection is required before attempting to address the issues in the province and implementing the Climate and Green Plan regarding the water pillar.

Nature

Curt Hull, project manager for Eric Reder, the Manitoba camClimate Change Connection, dispaign director for the international cussed climate and jobs and provided NGO Wilderness Committee, insight on some of the actions the emphasized the importance of provincial government hopes to take maintaining a functioning ecosysregarding these two sectors. tem through conservation, and how Climate Change Connection this impacts on other pillars of the focuses on climate change in two Climate and Green Plan. ways: education and solution.

“We need conservation because Top: Teresa Looy, compost program coordinator at the Green Action Centre, speaks to a full house at a town “We work with teachers, and hall on climate action Nov. 28. Above: Representatives from organizations like the Green Action Centre, functioning natural ecosystems, wilschools, and students, and young Manitoba Eco-Network, and Manitoba Wetlands spoke about potential green climate action. derness, nature, those are the things people, and businesses. We give pre- photos by asha nelson that support all the pillars,” he said. sentations to anybody to listen to us.

“Everything that we work on is inside And then we also work on solutions,” Beginning next year, the provin- regarding the effectiveness of the pro- basic needs of water, food, transpor- functioning natural ecosystems. Our Hull said. cial government plans to implement vincial government’s plan compared tation, and shelter without relying water, our climate, it gives us our “When it comes to solution, we a $25 per tonne carbon tax that will to the federal government’s plan five on fossil fuel. This, he said, can be healthy communities, and nature is work at varying depths in all of remain at $25 for the course of the years from now. the thing that we have to pay attenachieved by creating climate jobs. the sectors associated with climate five-year period. This move stands “Personally, I’m concerned about “Starting with food, more local tion to.” change solutions.”

Reder said that although no spein contrast to Ottawa’s timeline for what happens after five years. That’s food. We’re an agricultural province “We work with transit, we work carbon pricing, which mandates my caution,” he said. “I can accept but we're an agricultural exporting cific target had been set with respect with the provincial government in provinces to introduce a minimum that argument, but then after five province,” he said. “We export stuff to nature conservation, “jurisdictions the sustainable development depart- $10 per tonne carbon tax beginning in years the federal government is going then we bring it back processed.” around the world have agreed on the ment, renewable energy, hydro, we 2018, an amount which must increase to be twice as much as we are. Will “Ultimately, we’ve got to get to a target of 17 per cent protected area work with agriculture, we work to $50 per tonne by 2022. there be a shock to our system when point where we stop expanding the by 2020.” with First Nations, we work with all Hull said he was “ecstatic” about we try to catch up?” natural gas distribution system.

However, Reder noted that the kinds of people,” he added. “As many the province’s move to put a price “When it comes to transporta- plan is limited, insofar as there are aspects of solution as we can think of on carbon emissions, referring to the Jobs tion, there’s all kinds of aspects to many important groups, such as or are aware of, we get involved with move as an “essential step” to dealHull noted that addressing issues this, but one of the most important Indigenous communities, whose in some way.” ing with climate change and moving concerning climate change would when it comes to jobs as a benefit here, voices were excluded.

Each of the four pillars outlined away from “our dependence on fossil open doors to more job opportuni- electrification of our transportation in the plan is further supported by fuels.” ties in the process. system,” he added. “There’s lots of four keystones: clean energy, carbon Hull added that the provincial “If we effectively address climate, jobs and opportunity that comes pricing, sector emissions reductions, government’s decision to follow a we’re also going to be reaping benefits from that.” and adaptation. different route on carbon pricing in terms of jobs because there’s a lot Hull said that of the four key- grew out of the province's belief that of work to be done here and people Water stones supporting the climate pillar, more revenue could be realized in the should be paid for the work that’s Candi Bezte, water program manthe most important is carbon pricing, beginning of the five-year plan that required,” he said. ager with Manitoba Eco-Network, which he said will generate the rev- could then be used for further reducSpeaking on how to make the addressed the plan's water pillar and enue needed to support other build- tions in fossil fuel emissions. province the most climate resilient, gave an explanation on how water ing blocks.

However, Hull expressed concern Hull said this involved satisfying our supply could be affected in the future.

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News

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

Treaty interpretations: beyond state-based mechanisms of rights U of M lecturer shares work on treaty implementation and Indigenous-state relations Qudus Abusaleh, staff

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niversity of Manitoba’s department of native studies hosted university lecturer Gina Starblanket on Nov. 29 as part of their weekly colloquium series, “Revisions and revitalizations: Native studies in the future.”

Starblanket, a member of the Star Blanket Cree Nation in the Saskatchewan portion of Treaty 4 territory, presented her work that examines the intersection of treaty implementations and Indigenousstate relations, and looking beyond state-based mechanisms of treaty rights and recognition.

“When Indigenous people took treaties it was a way of bringing newcomers into our pre-existing relationships with the creation and teaching them how to live on this land. That was a responsibility we had as students of this land” - Gina Starblanket, U of M lecturer “My dissertation research broadly takes up this move that I have noticed and that I think is a really significant shift in Indigenous political mobilization over the years where Indigenous people are increasingly drawing on our own nationhood,” Starblanket said.

“This shift that I'm taking up and describing involves the ways in which many people are looking beyond state-based mechanisms of rights and recognition,” she added.

“So this paper, or this work, explores how this shift in context and specifically the move away from colonial methods of engagement and colonial ways of understanding treaties as land sessions, as transactions - impacts Indigenous peoples’ positions within complex networks of interrelationship, such as our treaty relations.”

Treaties

Starblanket noted that the nature of the relationships that bind Indigenous people to treaties has gained distinctiveness by becoming an inherited relationship. Still, she highlights that there remains a responsibility for Indigenous people to shape treaties.

“This [narrative] puts Indigenous people in the position of being dependant on Canada for the recognition and protection of our rights,” she said.

“It reproduces that colonial dynamic.

It denies Indigenous peoples’ sovereignty and political rights as independent nations under international law.”

Reviving relationality

Above: U of M lecturer Gina Starblanket examined the intersection of treaty implications and Indigenous and state relations as a part of her dissertation. photo by asha nelson Below: A pictograph drawn by Chief Paskwa representing the nature of treaty relations following the signing of Treaty 4 in 1974.

as understood by their Indigenous signatories.

“The [left] panel,” she said, “also includes an image of a horse tied to a stick with the words ‘No Good’ written under it. This may refer to the notion that treaties were not meant to restrict Indigenous peoples’ movements or traditional ways of life.”

Another item in the pictograph is the stretched-out arms of the two side-by-side figures illustrated in the first row of the right panel and the downward facing arm in the subsequent years. Starblanket said the outstretched arms have been interpreted to reveal the impression Indigenous signatories had of negotiations being the treaties themselves, hence the living dynamic they attributed to treaties.

Starblanket said in the years that followed it became clear that Crown representatives had no interest in meeting on a yearly basis to continue negotiations and renew the relationship, hence the illustration of the downward facing arm.

“When Indigenous people took ing, and growing relationship that treaties it was a way of bringing new- is greater than the sum of its parts.” comers into our pre-existing relationThis narrative, which Starblanket ships with the creation and teaching regards as the prototype of the origithem how to live on this land,” she nal treaty negotiations, provides a said. “That was a responsibility we dynamic framework that produces had as students of this land.” mechanisms of peaceful coexistence “So we cannot simply break them in a non-hierarchical fashion. This […] when they no longer suit us.” framework, she suggested, enables Indigenous-Crown treaties long the preservation of both the culture pre-date Confederation. Starblanket and legal authority of Indigenous said the historical relativity of treaty- communities.

Treaties as land surrenders making, one of Canada’s “oldest poliOn the other hand, Starblanket tical institutions,” is one that should The Chief Paskwa said the narrative of treaties being not be ignored because of the ways Pictograph the surrender of land and legal jurisit has been repressively narrated by In her dissertation, Starblanket diction in exchange for a fixed set of the state. examined archival records of rights has been long maintained by “Doesn’t that give the state a lot Indigenous written and oral histo- Canadian society. more control in defining how it is ries that give meaning to the context “This assumption is reflected in we understand our own institutions?” surrounding treaty negotiations. One the description of treaties, offered she asked. such record she examined is a picto- by Indigenous and Northern Affairs “Rather, what we need to do is to graph made by Chief Paskwa after Canada, which suggests that at their think consciously and critically about Treaty 4 was signed in 1874. base, treaties were land surrenders on the implications of such dissociation,” The pictograph is split into two a huge scale,” Starblanket said. she continued. “We have a task as different parts. The first panel on the “It's not just the government treaty partners to figure out how we left is interpreted as representing the that holds this position,” she added. are going to inhabit them in a way nature of treaty relationships. The “Some of the introductory textbooks, that maintains our integrity and our panel on the right reveals the extent and even the textbook that I'm using vision of what they should represent.” through which this relationship for Native Studies 1220, they describe manifested itself in the years lead- treaties as the great land surrender Indigenous treaty ing up to 1877. treaties.” interpretations Starblanket proposed that analyzStarblanket suggested that this Starblanket said she grew up in ing the document can reveal signifi- narrative “of containment” is one that a community where treaties repre- cant elements of the nature of treaty is static and frozen in time, foreclossented “the birth of a living, breath- negotiations and their interpretation, ing the possibility of change.

“To me this fundamental distinction in understanding treaties, either as relationship frameworks or as fixed term transactions, lies at the root of many of the primary issues in the Indigenous-state relationships today,” Starblanket said.

She said that despite the federal government's continual reference to a nation-to-nation relationship, “there remains a disconnect between the theoretical acknowledgement of treaties as relations and the way in which they are enacted in Canadian law and policy.” “[Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada] never allowed for the notion that [treaties] did not represent sales and surrenders of land,” she said. “It doesn't integrate the Indigenous perspective on the fundamental nature of the underlying relationships,” she added.

“That’s one of the biggest limitations of rights-based frameworks or of the ways in which treaties have been taken up in terms of the court's interpretation of treaty rights that are recognized by the Constitution Act in 1982.”

Starblanket referred to some of her work with First Nations communities in Saskatchewan to highlight that the resurgence of relationality - understanding and being aware of one's own perspectives as embedded within social structures - starts with Indigenous communities realizing the treaty interpretations of their ancestors.

“As Indigenous people, living our traditional laws is not dependent on the recognition by the Crown but involves looking to our values and principles to inform our contemporary actions and interactions," she said. "So treaties can be evoked in really significant ways to inform how a person or a community enacts its own jurisdiction and legal principles in its engagement with external parties.”

VOL. 104 NO. 16 December 6, 2017

News

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ASBC committee takes on campus mental health Wellness Committee to launch Break the Stigma campaign next semester Imreet Kaur, staff

UMSU hosted Students Night of Procrastination over four nights at the Fort Garry campus, from Nov. 27 to Nov. 30.

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he Arts Student Body Council not, and the remaining 23 per cent (ASBC) Wellness Committee said they were unsure.

“I think it’s great that 54 per cent released a resource guide on Dec. 4, which pertains to mental health ser- [of the survey respondents] are aware vices available to students on- and of the services,” she said. off-campus.

“We definitely want to increase The ad-hoc committee created that number [of students aware of the earlier this semester focuses “on services], because 23 I think is still a the promotion of mental health very significant number,” said McFall, and accessibility for arts students, referring to the students who did not as well as students at large,” said feel comfortable seeking assistance Carly McFall, a volunteer for the for mental health services.

At least half of the survey particicommittee.

The committee conducted a men- pants said they have some sort of contal health survey which examined fac- nection with disability. On a scale of tors affecting access to mental health one to five - one being very good, five services, compiled the resource guide, being very bad - survey participants and plans to launch the Break the were asked to rate how the U of M is Stigma campaign next year to realize currently doing with regard to mental it’s mandate. health services on campus and 42.3 McFall said that the committee per cent of the participants ascribed conducted the survey “to get a feel of a rating of three to the efforts. how students at the U of M are doing Speaking on behalf of the comin regard to [reaching] accessibility mittee, McFall said the university services, mental health services on administration should do more in campus.” “getting students to become aware of One of the questions asked stu- the services that they provide as well dents if they feel comfortable seeking as [spreading] awareness for organiout assistance on campus. Of the 366 zations off-campus as well.” responses, 54 per cent of the particiMcFall said the committee will pants responded saying that they feel focus on reaching as many students comfortable, 23 per cent said they did as it can to improve these statistics.

“So each member on our team was able to select an organization, either on-campus or off-campus, which focuses on mental health and accessibility,” and mentioned that the organizations selected will be included in the resource guide.

“We want to do a print edition and an online edition as well.

It will take a bit of time going up but it is an important goal this year and next semester our focus will be on Break the Stigma campaign”– Carly McFall “We want to do a print edition and an online edition as well,” she said. “It will take a bit of time going up but it is an important goal this year and

next semester our focus will be on Break the Stigma campaign.”

McFall also added that through the campaign, the committee aims to partner with other organizations on campus to reach out to students at large but will focus on arts students.

UMSU’s take

Allison Kilgour, UMSU VP advocacy, echoed McFall’s sentiments and said there are resources available to students on campus.

“But there is always more that can be done,” she said. “One of the biggest problems is the lack of awareness about supports and services that are currently in existence.”

"UMSU has been partnering with different U of M offices through our campaigns and initiatives to better promote these services to students, and will continue to advocate for additional resources that our students need,” she added.

Kilgour said that Long Night Against Procrastination, a way of supporting students academically, was re-branded this year to Student Nights Against Procrastination (SNAP).

SNAP expanded the event over

photo by asha nelson

four nights, from Nov. 27 to Nov. 30 and at several locations on campus to support students by providing them with space to study for end of semester examinations and cope with assignment deadlines.

Kilgour said this year “included more programming and assistance for students through educational workshops, tutoring sessions, an earlier start time, and stress-relief activities throughout.”

“We are still advocating for increased access to libraries, but this requires additional staff and security to ensure student success, and most importantly student safety,” she said.

Kilgour said UMSU introduced “Empower Me,” a support line within the health and dental plan which provides students with 24-hour access to professionals and psychologists in various languages as it is important for UMSU to promote student health and well-being on campus.

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News

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

Winnipeggers respond to reports of slavery in Libya All Against Slavery - Tous Contre L'Esclavage formed to mobilize action Qudus Abusaleh, staff

the resources to make these changes a reality and that’s where we play a catalyst role.”

Community responses

Hussein Abdallah, program coordinator at African Communities of Manitoba Inc., voiced his concern that human trafficking and slavery still constitute a reality in many parts of the world.

“We are standing here in 2017, reminding people that black lives matter. Why do we need to remind people? Because injustice is still around. Slavery is still around,” he said.

A demonstrator holds sign reading “Our dignity is violated in Libya.”

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photos by asha nelson

“We don't only ask for the rights of the group we belong to. Any human being, any individual, any group, any community, if their rights are being abused we are hurt” - Humaira Jaleel, Amnesty International Group 19 co-chair

group of Winnipeggers have the internet, so there is no reporting organized in response to a tools,” Maréga said. mobile phone video, obtained by Magéra said that the campaign CNN, of men being auctioned off accounts for the insufficiency of in Libya. “naïve idealism” by focusing on four The video, which has been met different axes of action. with international outrage, shows a The first axis is mobilization. man in font of a group of presumed “Mobilization shows action that migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. people are bitter, that people are “400, 700, 800,” says the man in the pissed off, that people care, that they “Because slavery is not over. This video. “Big, strong boys for farm are using empathy to exercise solidar- journey isn’t over.” work.” ity,” Maréga said.

“We are not free until they are The global outcry following the “We intend to do rallies, we intend free, we have to fight for our rights release of the vide has resulted in to host marches, we want to do town because if they don’t have rights, we Libya’s UN-recognized Government halls with politicians around Canada,” don’t have rights.” of National Accord - the interim he continued. “But also, we want to Amnesty International Group 19 Libyan government - to pledge an have synergy with all the movements co-chair Humaira Jaleel pointed to investigation into the alleged aucthat are like us.”

Libya’s political fragmentation as the tioning of African refugees and ecoTo coordinate their plans with context which allows for the auctionAll Against Slavery - Tous Contre L’Escalvage rallies outside of the nomic migrants. existing movements and organiza- ing of men for slave labour.

In response to the grim circum- Canadian Human Rights Museum on Saturday, Nov. 25. tions that provide the means to spark “Armed groups, including some stances endured by kidnapped refuaction on issues like modern day slav- operating under Libya or Libya’s rival gees and economic migrants, who the flotilla human traffickers rely on.

Maréga said the travel impedi- ery, the group has connected with government, have abducted people on cross into Libya en route to Europe, They have also urged NGOs to stop ments faced by migrants and their Black Space Winnipeg, Amnesty account of their origin, opinion, and Winnipegger Ben Maréga began an offering assistance to stranded boats. consequences has allowed for an International, and the Canadian perceived political or tribal affiliaonline conversation with friends and This has put pressure on Libyan increase in human-trafficking in Museum for Human Rights. tions,” Jaleel said. community members that quickly authorities, who lack the capacity, Libya and across the region.

The second axis is education and “Rising criminality in the absence grew into a bilingual action campaign equipment, and training to carry “Young kids who travel with their “sensibilization.” Magéra said a gath- of a justice system has given rise to called All Against Slavery - Tous out policing and safe rescue on the mom and dad, and then the dad is ering is being planned for Thursday at abductions of these civilians for ranContre L’Esclavage. open water. separated from the rest of the family,” Université de Saint-Boniface where som. While waiting for their families As a consequence, it is estimated Maréga said. “If he does not have professors and students will discuss to pay up they are kept in swamped Libyan slave trade that 700,000 migrants are stuck in enough money to pay for the rest of the issue. conditions and when the ransom is Libya is one of the main tran- Libya, with many being held inside the travel, then he’s going to be sold The third axis is social action, not paid, they are [sold] for forced sit points for migrants attempting hostile detention centres. into slavery.” which looks toward the building con- labour.” to reach Europe by crossing the Maréga said he knows people who nections with international organizaJaleel emphasized the role of colMediterranean. Almost 145,000 have attempted to migrate to Europe All Against Slavery - Tous tions that have action plans similar lective action in addressing the situContre L'Esclavage people have attempted this danger- by boat. to Magéra’s group. The fourth axis, ation in Libya. ous trip in 2017 alone. Over 2,700 have “I have friends that I grew up with Maréga said the inspiration to which Magéra said is crucial, is politi“We don't only ask for the rights drowned. that have actually took that way, create the campaign stemmed from cal follow-up. of the group we belong to,” she said.

To account for the unregulated where they were going to Mali and a lack of global media attention and “We’ve got to make sure that we “Any human being, any individual, waves of immigration, European from Mali to Algeria or Mauritania,” political action on the issue. do our due diligence,” he said. “But any group, any community - if their countries such as Italy have been he said. “And then they would go He attributed this to the regions’ at the same time [...] we want to take rights are being abused we are hurt.” working to protect their coastlines by either Morocco to try to get into restricted visibility in reporting. it to the next step where we have intercepting migrant-carrying boats Spain, or Libya to try to get into “The people that are usually in organizations [and] governments headed for their shores and destroying Portugal.” those regions don't have access to that are backing up and that have

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

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Shrinking horizons for local media lessens democratic engagement Communities left in the dark as profits trump product Garett Williams, staff

A reimagining of a late 1800s cartoon, the journalist cowboy.

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ocal media in Canada is in crises - and that's bad news for everyone.

Last week, Postmedia and Torstar - the country’s two largest newspaper companies - announced they had swapped almost 40 community and commuter newspapers, with intentions to close nearly every one.

Postmedia acquired 22 community papers and two commuter dailies from Torstar - including Winnipeg’s Metro, which has already ceased production. In exchange, Torstar took on 15 community papers and two commuter dailies.

No money was exchanged. Neither company ever had the intention of investing in the papers. The apparent idea was to create area monopolies so each company could relieve itself of its newly redundant operations.

Torstar reported it expects to realize between $5 and $7 million in savings.

Postmedia is closing down all but one of its new papers and a weekend edition. Torstar shuttered all but four.

All told, 32 papers are no longer going to press in what Ryerson University school of journalism professor John Miller called a “cruel, cynical” move.

The Competition Bureau is inves-

tigating the transaction, but it’s a little like closing the barn door after it has burned to the ground. It won’t address the fundamental problem: too few already own too large a stake in Canadian media.

graphic by ernest zarzuela

Commission - further examined turn to - the prioritizing of profit over When Sun Media peddled its the Canadian media landscape and product has a more pronounced effect doomed television startup Sun TV, found a scenario “clearly and directly on small communities and towns. it force-fed national columns from contrary to the public interest.” The As advertising revenues fall and Ezra Levant and Brian Lilley - who commission recommended limiting newspapers struggle to profit from went on the cofound the far-right daily newspaper ownership to five online delivery, it is the newsrooms Rebel Media - into its community papers and the break-up of existing that see the most severe cuts. And papers. Rather than build a brand, it regional monopolies. while some small cities have radio or turned readers away.

These communities The warnings were not heeded. television to fill the void, most do not.

It is easy enough to blame local Postmedia - which is now controlled The Globe and Mail or Huffington readers for abandoning their papers. have lost a crucial

by American hedge funds - owns Post are not about to send reporters After all, if there were enough subdemocratic check more than 125 papers, including more to cover city hall in Barrie, Ont. – scribers, the papers might not be than 60 in Ontario. It has another which lost its paper of record for more forced to fold. But a more honest and balance 34 papers in Alberta. In cities like than a century - the Examiner - on appraisal is that as news organizaCalgary and Edmonton, it operates Nov. 27. The National Post likely won’t tions grow larger and their focus Media concentration in Canada both major dailies: the Calgary Herald, have reporters attend a police services turns away from local coverage, it is has been cause for concern for more the Edmonton Journal, and each city’s board meeting in Orillia, Ont. the papers that abandon their readers. than four decades. In 1970, senator respective Sun tabloid - whatever These communities have lost a It was a stronger focus on local Keith Davey formed the Special credibility might be applied to them. crucial democratic check and bal- news, not weaker, that was called for.

Senate Committee on Mass Media And the company is showing more ance, and they can’t turn online to When the closures were to investigate media ownership “pass- and more that quality journalism no replace this coverage. Facebook gos- announced last week, the news only ing into fewer and fewer hands” and longer fits into its business model. sip threads and municipal releases appeared on the front page of two ultimately reported that “this country Even its flagship National Post is so lack the critical examination that major dailies - the Globe and Mail should no longer tolerate a situation struggling for attention it trotted underlines an informed constituency. and the Winnipeg Free Press. where the public interest in so vital a its founding father and resident exRather than develop a network of It was the largest single day clofield as information [is] dependent on convict Conrad Black onto Facebook strong community reporters feeding sure of Canadian newspapers in the greed or goodwill of an extremely to elucidate a defence of American the local news back to the major cen- history and so few were unaffiliated privileged group of businessmen.” president Donald Trump. tres, the media conglomerates work to the companies concerned that it A decade later, the Royal While such foolishness is easily in reverse. Local news is replaced by hardly registered in print.

Commission on Newspapers - avoided on the broad scale - there wire copy. Regional commentators And that is how local media is commonly known as the Kent is no shortage of national media to are replaced by national voices. silenced in Canada. With a whimper.

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

The PCs should have been more transparent about tuition hike legislation Having spent months at the legislature, it became clear government lives in shadows Levi Garber, staff

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fter waking up early on the morning of Nov. 10 and scrolling through Twitter to catch up on news from the night before, I stumbled upon a tweet from an NDP MLA that had me doing a double-take.

Rob Altemeyer, the MLA for Wolseley, tweeted that the provincial PC government passed Bill 31 at 2:25 that morning - or night, depending on where 2:25 a.m. falls on your day/ night spectrum.

The bill will allow universities to increase tuition by five per cent plus the rate of inflation annually and will relax restrictions on course-related fees.

The optics of passing such a significant piece of legislation in the hush of a cold November night, with no one to bear witness save those partaking, are questionable indeed The vote was part of an all-night marathon that saw nine pieces of legislation passed between 7:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m.

Although no parliamentary rules were broken by holding the nuit blanche session, nor was our democGraphic by Ernest Zarzuela racy put at risk from such a move, the optics of passing such a significant One afternoon, during the U of vided us with our first major oppor- Manitoba. The PCs never specifi- 31 was being introduced that Monday. piece of legislation in the hush of a M faculty strike - which allowed me tunity to prove we were able to do cally campaigned to lift that cap, nor The legislation was introduced cold November night, with no one to sit in the legislature’s press gal- that. In the lead up to the strike, the did they say they would if they were along with seven other bills on the to bear witness save those partaking, lery daily, as all my classes were can- Pallister government issued a wage- elected, but with all their talk of fiscal same day. The provincial government are questionable indeed. celled - Pallister accused the NDP’s freeze directive across all public- responsibility and “cleaning up the was rushing to get all the bills they This, at a time when the provin- then education critic Wab Kinew of sector jobs. That directive included NDP’s mess,” the writing was on the had been working on introduced that cial government has come under fire “peacocking for students.” On other professors at the U of M. proverbial wall.

Monday so it could be voted on by the for their handling of students who occasions, the premier would ranAmidst a three-week strike, the end of the session. opposed the legislation, only deepens domly bring up Kinew’s past as a rap faculty association cried foul and Political reporters were inundated concerns that the PCs are not giving musician to embarrass him during submitted an unfair labour practice with demands from their editors to Every question I students a fair opportunity to partici- question period. complaint to the Manitoba Labour get stories written about each one. got in on tuition to pate in decision-making.

I was at the legislature, witnessing Board. All the while, students were Attention that could have been On Nov. 9, a group of students this flippancy day after day, because put out of class and forced to reconcile directed toward Bill 31 was split either the premier staging a peaceful sit-in outside the I felt students needed to know what lost course time well into what should between legislation on ride sharing or Wishart was premier’s office were escorted out was going on in the halls of power have been the holiday break. and marijuana legalization that was During press scrums at the time, tabled the same day. of the legislature. During question of our province - on account of the dodged or denied period on Nov. 10 - hours before the fact that the goings on at the legis- Pallister repeatedly responded to I reported from the legislature government voted on Bill 31 - Pallister lature have a direct effect on U of M the simplest of questions about the regularly between October and referred to the peaceful protest as a students now more than any time ongoing dispute with platitudes like: Every question I got in on tuition March last year. I continuously “rebellion.” in decades.

“I will not negotiate in public,” and to either the premier or Wishart asked whether the government was Students concerned about access After the PCs were elected in “we were elected to fix the broken was dodged or denied. That is, until planning on allowing universities to to affordable education, albeit pas- 2016, it seemed clear that significant finances of the province and that’s March of last year. increase tuition. Not until the day sionate, are not equivalent to the changes to provincial funding for what we’re going to do.”

Studying for a midterm on a they introduced Bill 31 did I get a Métis provisional government of 1870 university students and programs He still uses that last one on a Wednesday afternoon, I learned solid answer on the issue. or the Rebel Alliance from Star Wars, were coming. regular basis. the government was planning on The provincial government should Mr. Premier. There is no “rebellion” We knew those changes would Following the strike’s resolution, introducing a piece of legislation have been more transparent about going on. affect most U of M students, so the I decided to begin pressing the pre- the following Monday that would the details of their plans to increase Pallister’s words hardly surprise Manitoban got a membership to the mier and his education minister, Ian allow universities to raise tuition. tuition. me, however. legislature’s press gallery. We got Wishart, on the possibility of univer- Immediately I emailed and called as The Washington Post’s dreary Last year, I spent months cover- the membership to stay as close as sity tuition hikes. many contacts at the legislature as I motto is “democracy dies in darkness.” ing the provincial government at the possible to the decisions being made The previous NDP government could for an advanced copy of the bill. If the PCs continue to hold all-night legislature for the Manitoban. In that on education issues and, to the best placed a cap on tuition increases in I also contacted student union voting sessions and keep journalists time, I heard the premier regularly of our ability, hold the politicians to 2011, tying them to the annual rate offices across the province. Other in the dark on their legislative plans, use colourful and downright strange account for those decisions. of inflation, which usually hovers than speculation, no student union then worries over just how open this language to attack his opponents.

The faculty strike last year pro- between one and two per cent in officials told me they were aware Bill government is will persist.

10 Comment

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

Without properly addressing sexual violence, robot sex will be just as violent Shawn Huberdeau, staff

ing the limited availability of sexual partners for certain demographics of society. Yet there is nothing positive in obscuring and neglecting the reality of material and symbolic violence enacted on women in mainstream pornography, that which would likely be additionally transposed onto a robotic sisterhood.

As Audre Lorde said, you cannot dismantle the master’s house with the master’s tools. In this case, you cannot beat the dom with the dom’s paddle

Graphic by kelly campbell

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obots are coming - in more ways disturbing consequences: a meta- through their objectionably objectifythan one. analysis of 22 academic studies over ing depictions.

Advancements in artificial intelli- seven different countries found that Research today - linking back to gence, says U of M associate professor the consumption of pornography is experimental work conducted in the of philosophy Neil McArthur, are “associated with an increased prob- 80s on the impact of pornography on such that soon sex robots will not be ability of the use or threat of force to the prevalence and acceptance of rape just a sci-fi wet dream but concrete obtain sex.” and sexual violence - suggests sexual fixtures of human reality. Call them violence is not an anomaly but a normality in mainstream pornography. sexbots: an endearing nickname that What would may well one day enter a roster that For instance, 88 per cent of popucurrently includes pet names such as lar pornography includes gagging, behaviour toward ‘babe’ and ‘honey.’ slapping, and choking. Some critics “Pass the sugar, sexbot?” claim that these numbers come to women look like Except this already happens in fruition by ignoring the difference should every man the fantasy lives of men everywhere, between “regular” porn and BDSM where the ‘sexbot’ is a human woman. porn.

However, this is simply begging hold prisoner in his With the virile rise of pornography the question. closet eerily robotic - children aged as early as nine are Feminists have argued for decades being exposed to explicit material, that sexual inequality between men depictions of his where boys aged 12 to 17 are the largand women is embedded in politifemale peers? est consumers - people everywhere cal, economic, and social inequality are witness to degrading, dehumanbetween men and women. Sexual izing depictions of women as mere behaviour does not exist in a vacuum There are passages in Robot Sex: - to suggest so would be to deny the sex objects geared toward the goal of male orgasm.

Social and Ethical Implications - a material reality of women’s existence That is, pornography is rampant recently published book co-edited in society, which includes widewith the subjection of women, be it by McArthur - that claim sexism, spread violence at the hands of men. through sexual means. misogyny, and pornography are not Therefore, sexual violence remains Depictions of women in popular, so linked. Truthfully, there have been problematic even if the aggresmainstream Internet pornography studies that demonstrate pornogra- sion is being exhibited in BDSM not only consistently fails to address phy as a positive tool for developing pornography. women’s sexuality but ignores its sexuality: be it in navigating one’s One should be suspect as to existence altogether. Only 17 per cent orientation, increasing intimacy with whether tropes such as the feminine of mainstream Internet pornography a partner, or learning how to have submissive would even exist were shows woman actors as they experi- safer sex. we not in a culture that defiles and ence orgasm. In this paradigm, heterYet these benefits are marginal, demeans women’s human status osexual sex merely happens to women. even irrelevant, when compared to through means not exclusive to but This objectification of women has the effect pornography has on women including pornography.

Clearly, women are already seen as sexbots in pornography. Yet there is reason to believe the introduction of actual sexbots would not only compound a pre-existing problem but introduce an issue in its own right.

We can assume sex robots would be subject to the same sexual marketplace that runs mainstream pornography - an entirely libertarian one, subject to little content regulation and driven nigh entirely by the lust of the everyman.

Sexbots - or, women, sexually robotized - will become the simulacrum upon which an ideology of sexual violence will be mapped with frightening resemblance to reality.

Given the data that links pornography with sexual violence, there is reason to doubt the “outlet” thesis: that sexbots instead of humans would receive the brunt of violence. Given the predominance of sexual violence in contemporary society, one could flip the causal arrow in this equation and wonder whether such an “outlet” would actually channel and enhance sexual violence.

Yet we also have reason to distrust this technology along humanitarian concerns. What would behaviour toward women look like should every man hold prisoner in his closet eerily robotic depictions of his female peers?

It is easy to celebrate the rise of sex robots under the guise of “sex positivity,” or egalitarian concerns regard-

Even if the hotly contested research that claims pornography is not correlated with violence turns out to be true, the onus remains on propornographers to justify the practice of consistently depriving women of their agency in pornographic media.

They must further explain and offer justification for why so much pornographic media displays hostile aggression toward women.

Nor does debunking the anti-porn violence argument offer any acceptable answer regarding the problem of how women are dominantly represented as vehicles for male sexual pleasure, lacking sexuality in their own right, and further dolled up as mere objects for male use.

Furthermore, we ought to be highly skeptical regarding the prospects of pornography - or a liberating wave of sexbots for women - as changing for the better given the current grip of male dominance in the sex industry and our socio-political landscape generally. A minority of women successfully producing humane depictions of women in pornographic media is but a ripple against a tidal wave of male-designed, male-oriented depictions of women as the sexual cattle of men.

As Audre Lorde said, you cannot dismantle the master’s house with the master’s tools. In this case, you cannot beat the dom with the dom’s paddle. We must take a firm political and legal stance against the current subjection of women in society and end the pornographic practices that enable this very subjection. Sexbots would be just another practice to abolish.

VOL. 104 NO. 16 December 6, 2017

Comment 11

Opponents of long-term addiction recovery centre victim to NIMBYism Progressive politics require empathy Kenny Ingram, staff

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anada is in serious trouble, and it is petty politics that’s preventing a solution.

In 2016, more than 5,800 people were hospitalized in order to treat opioid toxicity. That translates to 16 Canadians being admitted per day, a 20 per cent increase from the previous year. Again in 2016, at least 2,816 Canadians died from opioid overdoses.

If you’re thinking this has no effect on you because you haven’t experienced it personally, think again.

A Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction study conducted in 2002 examined the total cost substance abuse enacts on society and found that illegal drugs account for $8.2 billion. Since hospitalization over opioid poisoning has jumped 53 per cent in the past decade, that number could easily be over $12 billion.

It seems most of us can agree that a more serious approach must be taken toward rehabilitation for those struggling with drug addiction. It’s the execution of this approach that seems to polarize people, which brings us to the St. James-Assiniboia area.

Sportscaster Scott Oake is attempting to aid in the opioid crisis - proposing the opening of a long-term addictions treatment centre on the site of the shuttered Vimy Arena. It

would be in memory of his eldest son, Bruce, who died in 2011 from a heroin overdose. Through funds donated to Oake’s non-profit organization, Bruce Oak Recovery Centre, the end goal is the creation of a $14 million, 50-bed facility aimed at longterm treatment.

realities of drug addiction and its treatment.

Both St. Charles Coun. Shawn Dobson and Assiniboia MLA Steven Fletcher have cravenly opposed the project, and their allies in opposition have made the whole process unnecessarily stagnate. Those against the project care more for their houses than their co-citizens’ health, jusPerhaps a more tifying opposition with appeals to self-interest, arguing a recovery facilfitting license plate ity would drop the value of surroundslogan would be ing properties. They have also spread the nonsensical idea that recovering Disdainful Manitoba drug users will bring a groundswell of criminal activity into the commuIn order to do this, however, Oake nity. These are easily contradicted needs city council to vote - two-thirds with facts from case studies from all in favour - to transfer the land from over the globe - including, recently, the city to the province, which is in Calgary. No concerns voiced by setting up a sticky situation. To get the opposition have materialized. re-elected, these politicians require Unfortunately, people who believe votes from their constituents, which these blatant falsehoods have no includes those suffering from “not in interest in facts. my backyard” (NIMBY) syndrome.

These unfounded concerns bring Symptoms include refusing new to light a constantly recurring theme proposals because the developments in Winnipeg: NIMBY syndrome. I will occur too close to the NIMBY get flashbacks to 2011 when Habitat patient in contravention to their nar- for Humanity proposed affordable row self-interest. housing for low-income families in It is politicaly obvious that it’s Winnipeg’s Riverbend neighborhood, much easier for politicians to pander near where I live. People were in a to those with unfounded concerns panic when the idea was first brought than it is to educate them on the forward - complainants expressed

photo by quincy houdayer

concern over their property values, along with “crime, drugs, drinking parties, and pimping.” Sound familiar? Yet, over four years since the affordable housing’s successful construction, none of those concerns materialized whatsoever. Still, communities obviously aren’t learning from these developments. Perhaps a more fitting license plate slogan would be Disdainful Manitoba.

The underlying issue in a case like this is the uniting force behind many opponents of social progressivism, which is simply a lack of empathy.

The failure to empathize with those who struggling with drug addictions, for instance, is holding back the political momentum of projects that aim to ameliorate problems surrounding drug use. This heartless approach to politics is in part respon-

sible for Canada’s detrimental gradualism on social issues like these.

The politics surrounding the disastrous war on drugs have prevented any kind of significant solution to them from coming to Canada. If politicians are going to continue to cater to the selfishness of their voters, we will see the war on drugs continue to fail, and we as a society will suffer even further. We must learn from countries like Portugal, who have put people over politics on these issues, and are a much more productive country because of it.

Until Canadians face the facts and our politicians approach issues like drug addiction in a seriously empathetic manner, the problems surrounding them are only going to accelerate.

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

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comic by scott lercher

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

Fashion finds inspiration in tradition Local designer makes and manufactures clothing inspired by French and Ojibwe ancestry Olivia Michalczuk, staff

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ocal designer Andréanne Dandeneau, is taking elements of her heritage to create a modern francophone/Indigenous clothing line out of her shop and adjacent factory in South Osborne.

Dandeneau is of French and Ojibwa ancestry and was born in St. Boniface. After completing one year at the University of Manitoba, Dandeneau moved to Montreal to continue her post-secondary education at a French speaking school. In 2004, Dandeneau graduated from one of Canada’s top design programs, LaSalle College’s International School of Fashion, Arts, and Design.

Dandeneau is now the owner of her own fashion label VOILÀ, which is carried in stores in Regina, Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, and Chicago.

Dandeneau includes graphic elements of indigenous and Métis design such as Catherine's Vine, a stylized version of her great-greatgreat-grandmother's Métis flowered embroidery. To reflect her franco-

phone heritage, she uses regal jewel a direct copy of the regalia worn in tones and chic European-inspired ceremonies or powwows. Powwow dancers must make their own regalia. designs.

However, Dandeneau said it does They must not buy it or pay someone not need to be obvious to mean that it to make it. If an Indigenous designer is francophone or Indigenous design. who would commercially make 100 “Whether my designs have graphic copies of the same regalia for profit, elements or not, the fact that I am I would consider that to be cultural Métis and, according to the Canadian appropriation, because it would show constitution, I am an Indigenous per- a lack of respect and honesty for what son so whatever I design I consider the elders consider a sacred element Canadian and Indigenous.” of their culture,” she added.

On the heels of a recent panel disDandeneau includes information cussion at the Canadian Museum for about the designs on the tag of her Human Rights Classroom on Nov. 2 clothing and says that her brand is about cultural appropriation in the about comfort and pride with timearts, Dandeneau expanded on just less designs made with high quality what she believes defines cultural fabric. Her goal is “to educate women appropriation, and what does not. to buy less but buy better [quality].”

“If a non-Indigenous writer, singer, She also said it is important for or designer is truly inspired by an Indigenous designers to be the people element of Indigenous culture and who incorporate Indigenous culture acknowledges the source or inspira- into their designs. tion and in some ways honours the “In these times where fake news Indigenous culture, I believe it's and knock-offs for profit seem to be more prevalent, the embracing of acceptable.”

“To me what is off limits would be the seven sacred teachings are more

Photo by Asha Nelson

important than ever,” she said.

“If my Indigenous inspired clothing make non-Indigenous women feel good inside and out, I have contributed to honouring my indigenous

culture and contributing in a small way to the betterment of humanity.”

Faith Healer returns to Winnipeg

Collaborative Constellations

Faith Healer back in Winnipeg as they wrap up a North American tour

National music tour brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists

Olivia Michalczuk, staff

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aith Healer, an indie pop Though the burgers are not up duo hailing from Edmonton, to Faith Healers’ standards, local will be playing Dec. 20 at The music on their radar including local Handsome Daughter. noise punk band Tunic, and the The band has been touring local band they would most like across North America since Nov. to tour with is none other than 16, and Winnipeg will be one of 60s pop group Chad Allan & The the last of 35 stops, with only three Expressions, which incuded locals more shows until Faith Healer Allan Kobel and Randy Bachman. wraps up the tour on home soil.

Faith Healer was originally the name for lead member Jessica “We had a great Jalbert’s solo act, an alias she cretime last time we ated to avoid being labelled as just a singer/songwriter. Since then, were in Winnipeg, member Renny Wilson has joined it’s always a treat to the band to form a touring duo that released their first full length be there” - Jessica album, titled Try ;-), which was released on Sept. 8 of this year.

Jalbert, Faith Healer Faith Healer most recently played in Winnipeg on Sept. 11 of this year and say they are happy They are currently touring with to be back. The album also has a fellow Edmontonian rock artist Winnipeg connection - the second Cecil Frena, who is set to release song was written here. his album The Gridlock on Feb. 9 “We had a great time last time next year. we were in Winnipeg, it’s always a “We’re on tour with Cecil treat to be there. I wrote ‘Light of because he’s an old friend from Loving’ when we were there in 2016, our hometown in Edmonton. He’s so it’s sweet to be able to perform it done a lot of touring and has put there,” Jalbert said. together a great string of DIY dates After a visit to Salisbury House, all over America, a lot of places co-owned by singer of Winnipeg Canadian bands often don’t seem rock group The Guess Who, “Rene to play,” Jalbert said. says Burton Cummings’ nips ain’t “So far it’s been very cool and so hot, though,” Jalbert added. enlightening, we’ve seen some

unique sights.”

With a majority of the Canadian music industry being in Montreal and Toronto, living removed from the action has made Canadian musicians more inclined to move to those cities. Jalbert, however, has decided to stay in Edmonton.

“It’s hard to stick around when the winters are like they are, and the industry is a bit separated from the rest of North America’s industry. I’m sure Winnipeggers can understand,” she said.

“I’m sticking around though, my family is here and it’s a beautiful place, plus I get to tour a lot so it doesn’t really matter to me where I live.”

Wilson, the other half of the duo who now resides in Montreal feels differently about his hometown.

“All I’ll say is I’m glad to have gotten out.”

Faith Healer will play The Handsome Daughter Dec. 20.

Tickets are $10 at the door.

Jen Doerksen, staff

M

usic and literary event New “We shared something very speConstellations is bringing cial on the stage each night and Indigenous and non-Indigenous every show brought us closer and artists together for a national tour willing to share that much more,” featuring some of Canada’s great- he said. est artists.

Dutcher writes music in his The tour began on Nov. 23 in nation’s Wolastoqey language in Saskatoon, and will be wrapping an attempt to help revitalize the up to a sold out crowd on Dec. 20 language. in Toronto. In that time, over 50 “There are fewer than a hunartists will perform on stages across dred speakers of the language Canada. New Constellations is a and most of them are among series of shows which includes not the elders,” Dutcher said. “My only musicians, but also writers and hope is to encourage other young poets who come together for a night Wolastoqiyik to speak and help save of song and storytelling. this language - it is who we are.”

The tour stopped in Winnipeg In each city, the tour hosts on Nov. 27 at the West End workshops in the afternoon for Cultural Centre. The line up Indigenous youth before performfeatured local musician John K. ing in the evening. Each workshop Samson alongside touring artists has mentors, either from the tour or including July Talk, Elisapie, Mob from the community. In Winnipeg, Bounce, Miriam Toews, Jeremy Red Rising Magazine and Boogey Dutcher, and others. the Beat mentored indigenous Dutcher, an Indigenous vocalist youth in writing, making music, and composer, said he’s thrilled to and photography. be a part of this tour.

The tour came from the minds “I don't think any of the art- behind Revolutions Per Minute, an ists knew what to expect in terms Indigenous music label, and The of how the tour would shape up,” Basement Revue, a music and literDutcher said. “We were all com- ary variety show. ing from different genres of music and brought different experiences to the table as Indigenous and nonIndigenous artist[s].”

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Arts & Culture

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

Comedic bluff callers Local comedic game show tests competitors’ ability to fib Jen Doerksen, staff

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innipeg comedians are finding more ways to make audiences laugh with a live game show called Pants on Fire, where teams try to call each other’s bluffs.

The goal for performers is to guess whether the opposite team is lying in each of three rounds. In the first round, each team member takes turns reading a statement off a card and answering questions from the opposite team. The questioning team then decides if the comedian is lying, and the truth is revealed.

For their most recent show on Nov. 28, Angie St. Mars from local sketch group President Bear comedy, and Aaron Pridham of Free Snacks comedy faced off as captains of their respective teams.

Also playing the game were comedians Elissa Black Wolf Kixen and Aaron Merke, who joined Pridham’s team, while St. Mars had Jesse Bercier and Johanna Burdon on her team. The evening was hosted by

RobYn Slade of Outside Joke.

“I like the concept of lying through your teeth and trying to make it believable,” Kixen said about the evening.

“I like the concept of lying through your teeth and trying to make it believable” - Elissa Black Wolf Kixen, WOKE Comedy “Just because in society […] it’s such a taboo subject, of lying and not lying, in the instance of a game where you’re supposed to lie and make people believe your lies, it goes against everything you’re morally taught,” Kixen said.

In the second round, a person’s photo is shared on the projector for all to see, and each team member has to explain how they know this person. The opposing team then asks questions to determine who is telling the truth. The third round is a speed round, similar to the first but team members are only permitted one question.

Paul Little is the co-producer for the show, alongside Leah Borchert.

“The biggest basis is a particular British game show that I sort of stumbled upon on YouTube about a year-and-a-half-ago and bingewatched,” Little said, referring to the British comedy series called “Would I Lie to You?” “I thought right away, this could work in a live format, and it could be tweaked and work really well especially with improvisers, and other comedians,” Little said.

He said he began to share the idea until enough friends wanted to be

involved that it became possible to Kixen said she appreciated the produce. format of the show, and that she “We were able to start really talk- would participate again.

“In improv, and just in comedy, the ing about how are we going to put this show together, who are we going point is to get your audience on your to get as hosts,” he said. “That all side, you know, through any means started happening in spring this possible,” Kixen said. “But I’ve never year.” just flat out lied and made things up The first edition took place just for the sake of a game.” on Aug. 17, 2017. Little says they “It was one of the few shows I could are hoping to host the show on a take my kid to, and he really enjoyed monthly basis. it, too.”

“It’s not the same as anything else out there, and basically you’re seeing seven performers at once but not in a The next production of Pants on Fire way where any one outshines anyone is expected to take place around the else,” Little said. holidays in December. Information “You might see in a big improv on the date of the next event will be troupe not everyone gets stage time. posted at www.purpleroom.ca But with the game show everyone is given their turn and the chance to ask questions and get in a good joke or a good line.”

“I think it’s a good way to see a bunch of different comedic perspectives in one big hour show,” he said.

VOL. 104 NO. 16 December 6, 2017

Arts & Culture

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

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Bisons split T-Birds to close first half Jason Pchajek, staff

photo by joe oczerklewicz

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itans collided this weekend at Wayne Fleming Arena, as the fourth-ranked University of Manitoba Bisons took on the second-ranked UBC Thunderbirds in women’s hockey. The two sides traded scoring chances all weekend, with the Bisons closing out their first-half schedule with a split.

Friday

UBC had a tough test entering the weekend, taking on the Canada West-leading Bisons, who were on a nine-game winning streak and owned a 5-1 record on home ice. The home team battled hard, but were unable to solve the UBC goaltender Tory Micklash, losing 3-0 on Friday night.

The two sides traded chances throughout the first period, but it was the visitors getting on the board first.

During a UBC powerplay, Brielle Bellerive tipped a point shot on goal, swiping the puck down low. The puck snuck under the pad of Bisons goaltender Lauren Taraschuk to give UBC the lead.

Tardif added empty-netters to seal marker in the first period. Erica snagged the pass and blasted a shot the game 3-0 for UBC. Rieder powered a shot on goal from top-corner on Micklash, sealing the The tale of game one was the point, which Micklash was able game for the Bisons.

Manitoba’s anemic powerplay, which to keep out. The rebound popped “It felt really good,” Hovi said, was unable to convert, going 0-for-6 out to the left side of the goal where all smiles post-game. “I think we during the game.

Warkentin was waiting to put the deserved to win today. We had so many opportunities, I was like ‘We “I didn’t think we made the right Bisons up 1-0. adjustments on the powerplay,” said UBC came storming back, tying are not going to get past this without “I think we deserved Bison head coach Jon Rempel. “I the game before the first period was getting just those two points.’ It felt thought the powerplay was too delib- out. On a powerplay chance, Hannah really good, we deserved it.” to win today. We erate today, sort of took our time too Clayton-Carroll’s shot was stopped The goal was extra sweet for had so many much instead of moving the puck by Rachel Dyck of the Bisons. The Hovi, as she awaits word from Team with speed and efficiency like we puck flew up and was lost before it Finland about a chance to suit up for opportunities” have been all year.” came down and bounced into the the Finnish national team at the 2018 Venla Hovi, Bison goal, knotting the game at one.

Olympics.

The score held for the rest of regThe win puts the Bisons 10-1-0-0 forward Saturday ulation, with the two powerhouse in their last 11 games, and they enter The herd and T-Birds were back squads needing overtime to settle the holiday break still clinging to The Bisons pressured the on the ice for a Saturday matinee and things. In the extra frame, Venla first-place in Canada West.

Thunderbirds hard, throwing as much it was the Bisons who prevailed in Hovi ended the game with a powrubber on goal as possible through- overtime by a score of 2-1. erplay marker.

Manitoba will be back on the ice Jan. out the game, finishing with 16 shots.

The Bison powerplay finally got Alanna Sharman moved the puck 5-6, when they head to Edmonton Micklash stood tall for her team, rolling in the second game of the from the left faceoff dot to Hovi wait- for a weekend series against the while Emily Costales and Celine weekend, with a Lauren Warkentin ing just beyond the high slot. She University of Alberta Pandas.

VOL. 104 NO. 16 December 6, 2017

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Bison men’s volleyball split Saskatchewan, women swept Ryan Stelter, staff

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he University of Manitoba Bison volleyball teams wrapped up the first half of their regular season against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies over the weekend.

The 10th-ranked men split their weekend series, winning 3-1 on Friday and falling by the same score Saturday. The women had a weekend to forget, being swept by the Huskies losing 3-1 on Friday and 3-1 Saturday.

Women

attack errors with 11. Abbott also had 16 digs, Cassie Bujan finished with 12.

“We had plenty of chances to win that match,” Bentley said. “It’s just a general disappointment, this is our last weekend, we’re at home, great opportunity to get above .500 we’ve had such a good term and this just wasn’t good enough today.”

“We got to think of the next play and that’s it and can’t be running around with a big smile after the big play we just made it’s the next one that counts” - Garth Pischke, Bison men’s volleyball head coach

On Friday, the Bisons did not appear to show much compete, losing 3-1 to the Huskies. The first set didn’t start out so well for the Bisons, who were down by as much as 10-2 and 21-11. They made a bit of a comeback, Habing had 10 of her own.

With the pair of losses, the Bisons but the Huskies took the set 25-20. In a bit of a strange second set, where the are 5-7 heading into the December Bisons scored 18 straight points, they break and sit ninth in the Canada West. crushed the Huskies 25-7.

“We were fortunate there. Emily Men [Erickson] served the ball on a rope there and got them in a bad rotation,” On Friday the men grabbed the said Bison head coach Ken Bentley. only victory for a Bison volleyball team this weekend, winning 3-1.

“That very rarely happens, whether you win the set 25-7, or 25-23 it counts Manitoba squeaked out a first set vicSaturday was another tough out- tory 25-23 after a huge block by Dylan for one set.”

The Bisons led the third set until ing for the herd, losing the opening Sutherland to end the set. Sutherland, the technical timeout, but the set set, bouncing back again to win the making only his third start at setter, tightened up after that, with the second but losing two straight to finished the night with 31 assists and teams exchanging points. Ultimately give the Huskies the sweep. Allison six digs, as well as a service ace.

“He served really well, he blocked the Huskies took it 25-20. The Alcock had a team best 10 kills, with Huskies won the fourth and final set sisters Josie and Kearley both right really well, and he set really well too by 25-21. Kearley Abbott had a team behind her with nine each. Bujan so I was happy with that,” said Bison best, 12 kills, but also had the most led the way with 13 digs, Brittany head coach Garth Pischke.

photo by Chantal Zdan

Another tight second set fin- extending their win streak to three ished 25-20 after the Bisons opened games. The fifth-year left-side hitter things up after the technical time- finished with 10 on the night. out. Manitoba tripped up in the third, On Saturday, the Bisons had leading 16-15 at the technical timeout their win streak snapped with a 3-1 before the Huskies pulled off a 25-21 loss. The Huskies took the first two set victory to stay alive. sets, with Manitoba taking the third “We let them back in it with hit- in an attempt to make a comeback. ting errors on our part and lack of However, Saskatchewan did the concentration, so you got to realize same to the Bisons as Manitoba did you can’t think of the score or the out- to Saskatchewan the night prior and come because once we do that we’re finished the herd off in the fourth. in big trouble,” Pischke said. “We got Manitoba now has a 5-7 record and to think of the next play and that’s it sits in seventh in the Canada West. and can’t be running around with a big smile after the big play we just The Bison volleyball teams open up the 2018 calendar year in Vancouver made it’s the next one that counts.”

Manitoba took the third set 25-22 on Jan. 5-6 against the University after a laser bolt of a kill from Adam of British Columbia Thunderbirds.

DeJonckheere ended the match,

Bison briefs Bison men’s hockey sweeps UBC on the road, Bison basketball sweeps UBC Okanagan Ryan Stelter, staff

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he University of Manitoba men’s hockey and basketball teams invaded the west coast and came out victorious.

The men’s hockey team earned a valuable sweep of the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.

Bison basketball teams were four hours east in Kelowna, beating up the UBC Okanagan Heat, with the men and women both earning sweeps.

Men’s hockey clip Thunderbirds

With the University of Calgary slipping up against the University of Lethbridge, the Bisons claimed sole possession of third place in the Canada West. Manitoba is two points up on the Dinos with a 9-5-2 record, going 7-1-2 in their last 10 games.

Manitoba’s offence was on fire this weekend, putting up 13 goals over the two-game series. Kamerin Nault continued his torrid pace, putting up three goals and an assist, to bring his total up to 16 points in 16 games.

Nault is now second in the Canada Manitoba won 80-51 on Friday, and West in goals. His linemates, Zach 76-64 on Saturday. Manitoba was Franko and Michael St. Croix, also blessed with the return of Rashawn feasted on the T-Birds this weekend. Browne after he missed a game St. Croix played the part of play- against Brandon last weekend due maker, notching four assists over the to injury. Browne had 13 points, five weekend. St. Croix leads the Bisons rebounds, and two assists on Friday. with 19 points in 16 games. Franko Manitoba held the lead all game added three assists over the weekend, on Friday, and dominated in the bringing his point total to 14. paint, scoring 32 points to UBC Captain Brett Stovin apparently Okanagan’s 16. likes playing UBC, as he scored his On Saturday James Wagner led first goal since the Oct. 8 3-2 win over the way again for Manitoba, scorthe T-Birds. Stovin scored not once, ing 22 points, seven rebounds, and but twice in Friday night’s 7-3 win, one assist in the win. Once again he added two assists in the 6-3 win the Bisons dominated in the paint, on Saturday afternoon. scoring 40 of their 76 points.

The Bisons are in tough to start the The pair of wins moves 2018 calendar year, with the Canada Manitoba’s record to 8-4, good West leading University of Alberta enough for fifth in the Canada Golden Bears coming to the Wayne West.

Fleming Arena on Jan. 5-6.

The women had an equally good weekend, winning 69-45 on Friday Bison basketball and 68-43 on Saturday. The Bisons douse the Heat have now won six of their last seven The men’s basketball team brought games, with their record moving their winning streak to three with a to 6-6, and sit in ninth place in the sweep of the UBC Okanagan Heat. Canada West. The basement dwell-

photo provided by cary melon

ing years of Michele Sung’s team appear to be over.

Nicole Konieczny led the way for the Bisons on Friday, scoring 16 points, seven rebounds, and one steal. Emma Thompson and Taylor Randall both had 10 points in the win. On Saturday, Randall stole the show with 25 points, three rebounds, and four steals. Randall is averaging

a team best 14.7 points per game.

The Bison basketball teams open 2018 with a pair of games against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns on Jan. 5-6 at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.

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Sports

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

Hitting the books Bison track athlete Oyinko Akinola shares how he came back this season after academic ineligibility Ryan Stelter, staff

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yinko Akinola knows all about the trials and tribulations of being a student athlete.

A captain of the Bison track and field team, Akinola was forced to red shirt last season due to academic ineligibility. But the third-year high jumper managed to get his grades back up and was eligible to run again this year.

Two years ago, Akinola, studying political science at the University of Manitoba, was struggling in a few courses. He retook them in the summer, but was unable to get the grades necessary to compete, relegating him to the bench. on the team and stuff like that but “I was training, watching my team- you need to get things done outside mates compete, I did travel to a few of the track to be able to compete on meets but it wasn’t really the same. It the track.” was like you’re there, but you’re really Akinola, a native of Lagos, not with the team,” the 22-year-old Nigeria, worked with an academic said. advisor to get his grades up, and it It was a bit of a wakeup call for the paid off. The time off from the team graduate of Dakota Collegiate, who also helped him schedule his time has been competing in track and field better. for seven years.

“Obviously I had a lot more time “It kind of put things into perspec- to study because I wasn’t travelling a tive, you got to realize you’re still lot and have the same responsibiliat school before you’re an athlete” ties has my teammates did,” he said.

Akinola said. “It’s really fun being “Time management and stuff like that,

good at that, that just translates to to get.” other things in their lives and someWith his success in the classroom, times it really doesn’t,” he said.

Akinola is not taking track any less “You have to hone your skills in seriously. every aspect of your life.”

“I’m in the weight room every day, Even with the U of M host- it’s just I know how to balance it better now,” he said.

Being a captain, a role Akinola takes very seriously, he said he is look“You have to hone ing forward to ushering in the next your skills in every generation of Bison track stars.

“It’s just really good to be able aspect of your life” because I’m going to be out of here in the next couple years, to be able to - Oyinko Akinola, photo provided by bison athletics watch these kids grow and mature,” Bison track athlete he said. you realize those are things you need Akinola offered up some advice to do. You need to be able to set a to the young faces on the Bison team, schedule for yourself and do what ing the Canada West Track and and any student athlete in general. you need to do.”

Field Championships this spring, “You still got to do your school, Akinola said it was a combination Akinola said it was finishing his sports are going to be there,” he said. of things that led to the dip in aca- degree that motivated him to do “I’m on a scholarship so if you don’t demic performance, including bad well. do school, you don’t get your money. study habits, poor time management, “I obviously need to get my There are certain things that come and the bane of many students - pro- degree, that was more motivation into play and you need to be able to crastination. Akinola said success on than the Canada West champion- know what you need to do and make the track does not always translate to ships,” he said. “It’s great being on sure you get it done. success in the classroom. the team, I missed being on the "If you need help, go get help, don’t “That’s the thing with athletes we team but I had to realize you’re be ashamed, just go get help - it’s assume 'cause we’re good at we do, going to make a living off your your life.” our main focus is athletics and we’re degree and that’s what you need

What football has done for me Bison offensive lineman Anthony Daley shares how football and life are connected in so many ways Anthony Daley

photo provided by jeff miller

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y name is Anthony Daley and I just finished my final year as a member of the University of Manitoba Bison football team.

I was invited by the Manitoban to write an article on something to do with football, so I’m choosing to talk about why more people should be involved in sports and use some of my experiences in football to give some examples of how sports have helped me in other ways.

Communication, teamwork, leadership, competition, hard work, failure, love, intelligence, toughness, friendship, brotherhood, passion, and trust are all characteristics that football has in common with life. I think that the lessons I have learned in football have taught me how to handle situations in the real world better.

I started playing different sports when I was five and have played football since I was 14. I’m now 24 and just finished my second and final season as a member of the Bisons.

Now, I know there are stereotypes around football players being big dumb meat sticks, and I’m not saying that isn’t true in some cases.

But there is so much more to us than a desire to hit people until they don’t want to play anymore - one of my desires, at least when I play. I think football teaches you how to deal with the many challenges you encounter along your journey in life, almost like the challenges you face throughout a game.

Football teaches you how to work with others, whether it's your teammates, family members, or co-workers. It teaches you how to respond to

adversity; maybe a guy grabbed your facemask and dragged you down and it should have been a penalty but the ref didn’t see it. It teaches you how to be a part of a team, whether on the field, in the classroom, and even in the workplace. It teaches you how to be accountable and to hold others accountable, and understanding what is expected - making sure you do your part and your teammates do theirs.

It teaches you how to be unselfish, such as running your route hard to open up another receiver, or how to trust your team, similar to trusting a loved one or family member, and how to perform under pressure, such as meeting a deadline for work or school.

Along with all of that, one of the most important things that football does for you is builds relationships that will last a lifetime. I’m speaking of personal experience when I talk about this.

There are a lot of ways I could try and explain why more people should get involved with sports in some capacity. However, I think the best way to explain it is to just tell stories of past experiences I’ve had through football that made an impact in my life away from the sport.

A friend and former teammate

of mine from five years ago drove from Edmonton to Calgary to watch us play. We haven’t seen each other much over the last few years and we sometimes didn’t talk for months, but whenever we did we picked up right where we left off. Our common goal with football brought us away from our homes to B.C. where we met and now that we’ve taken different paths, we remain connected.

We were not only teammates but also co-workers, so you can imagine how much time we would spend together over a season. Football and any other sport in general really brings that type of connection out.

This is only one example of the kinds of friendships I’ve made on my football journey. To all my friends who may be reading and thinking of a similar situation I’ve had with them, don’t be sad I picked just one. I could never forget all the connections I’ve made and how each one has helped me at some point in my life. To anyone who can relate and can think of my situation like this, then maybe it’s time to see what that long-time friend is up to.

At the end of the day what I’m trying to say to everyone reading this is that sports can change lives. It's

changed mine not only because of the friendships I’ve gained, but the life experience I’ve gained in how to deal with people and work as a team.

I was always a good kid that never caused more trouble than any other.

I put all my effort and concentration into football and I am forever grateful for the lessons I’ve learned along my journey.

I believe my life has changed and the structure, discipline, and competitiveness has made me a better person. Football taught me at a young age that I had to prioritize, and if I wanted to play and have fun I had to work for it. I moved away to play and missed countless birthdays and family gatherings; being in B.C. for five seasons during the summer meant that I couldn’t spend my birthday with my family.

My priorities were different than non-athletes at my age. I feel like football has made me stronger mentally and now when I deal with something difficult I don’t panic. Thank you for reading and although there is more to sports than just what I talked about, I’m glad I’m able to scratch the surface on something that is potentially life changing for some people.

VOL. 104 NO. 16 December 6, 2017

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On the MVP track Jordyn Zacharias is leading the Canada West back in her natural position of centre Jason Pchajek, staff

photo provided by joe oczerklewicz

Zacharias of the Bison womJordyn en’s hockey team is playing her way

Winnipeg-born forward is one point shy of tying her U SPORTS career into the MVP conversation in the high of 15, showing a massive jump first half of the season. in progression from her first season Heading into the second half as a Bison last year. of the season, Zacharias leads the “Honestly, I had a little bit of a Canada West with nine goals and rough start, I didn’t score my first five assists through 16 games. If you goal until the fifth game, maybe had talk to Zacharias about her year, one or two assists before then, so it she seems to be enjoying the good came at me pretty hard but I’m happy bounces and is quick to highlight to be where it is,” Zacharias said. the contributions of her high-scoring Zacharias spent the past summer linemate, Alanna Sharman. working at the Mini-U program at “It’s been a pretty unreal year so far, the University of Manitoba and noted I mean obviously it has to come with a less is more approach to off-season a little bit of luck but also some skill training. too,” she said. “I’m pretty happy with “Honestly my time was a little where I am, playing with Alanna more limited,” she said. “I wasn’t Sharman and I feel like we comple- skating which is different, last ment each other well.” summer I skated twice a week and Sharman is currently in a three- this year I took that off and mostly way tie for second in Canada West focused on the gym.” scoring with 12 points - three goals When Zacharias wasn’t working, and nine assists - through 16 games. she was playing slo-pitch, which Zacharias came to Manitoba despite an early injury helped keep after playing 2015-16 in the NCAA her muscles working during the with the University of Connecticut. off-season.

There she scored six goals and six “Well I fractured my tibia at the assists for 12 points in 18 games. The beginning of the summer so that

probably wasn’t smart,” she said with Manitoba started the season a laugh. with a heavy schedule, playing the “I think playing slo-pitch is a University of British Columbia great way to use different muscles. Thunderbirds, University of Honestly you get some quick starts Alberta Pandas, and University of out of it, when you hit the ball you Saskatchewan Huskies. Following have to book it to first base so your that they went on a tear which feet are always moving and it’s a good has them and Zacharias atop the way to keep up some cardio.” conference.

Zacharias mentioned that it has not been uncommon for her to dabble in other sports throughout her life.

“It’s been a pretty “I think it’s great to play other unreal year so far, I sports,” she said. “Even when I was growing up I would take some time mean obviously it off in the spring to play softball, has to come with a lacrosse, whatever and yeah I love playing different sports and I think little bit of luck but it’s beneficial.”

Aside from the off-season changes, also some skill too” Zacharias is taking each day the same - Jordyn Zacharias, as she always has, both on and off the ice. However, being a year older and Bison forward more experienced is paying off.

“I guess the really big change on the ice is having a little bit more con“It feels great,” she said. “Honestly, fidence,” she said. “Taking a little bit who wouldn’t, right? But it’s nice to more time with the puck rather than see that my hard work is paying off, giving it away right away.” but also it’s even better to see how

good our team is doing.”

Manitoba seems poised for a trip to the national championship after falling in the second round last season, something Zacharias said she feels could be in her squad’s future.

“What we’re doing is working pretty well,” she said. “The difference I think from last year to this is year is we just want it a lot more. Our biggest thing is when we’re down this year we’re able to come back and score some and win it, rather than last year when we were down we kind of just left it there.

“Because we are going to play some tougher teams like UBC, U of A, where we might be down. Just being able to stay positive and come back, I think staying positive on our bench and in our dressing room is going to be huge.”

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VOL. 104 NO. 16 December 6, 2017

Gearing up for the fantasy playoffs - part two Michael Bell, volunteer staff

photo provided by keith allison

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ell, it's the last class of our Introduction to fantasy football here at the FFF, or the faculty of fantasy football. Next up is the final exam - the fantasy playoffs. Some of you may ace the exam by winning a championship. Some of you may fall just a bit short. But no matter the outcome, you'll need to prepare your team. Here's a quick reminder of a few things fantasy owners need to see to:

Does your team have balance and depth? If one of your studs falls to injury, do you have a replacement?

Do you have a "next man up?" Very important.

Do you have options if one of your studs or fringe players has a brutal matchup? Again, your playoff lineup should be a mixture of studs and players with cupcake matchups.

Maximize your points for the win.

Do you have your lucky charm

ready to go? Mine is a Winnipeg Jets hockey puck from the 1.0 era. I take it out when I need it. If you don't have a lucky charm, don't worry about it.

And some of you may not believe in that stuff anyway. For some, luck, as Han Solo would say about the Force, is “a lot of simple tricks and nonsense.”

But I still like having that 1.0 Jets puck around. I find it comforting.

As owners, all we can do is put our team in the best position to win. We prep as much as we can and just let the players play. But are they ready?

Perhaps you need to deliver a classic rousing speech to your fantasy team in the locker room.

You could do Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday: "Either we heal as a team, or we are going to crumble. Inch by inch, play by play, ‘till we're finished [...]

Beause we know when we add up all those inches, that's going to make the #$%&ing difference between winning

and losing, between living and dying!”

The fantasy football season is a Maybe replace inch with decimal journey, passing through great obstapoint here. cles and great rewards at different Or you could do a little Kurt moments. Think of one of the most Russell from Miracle: difficult Mario Kart tracks you've “Great moments are born from ever raced on. There's a book writgreat opportunity. And that's what ten by the legendary Hall of Fame you have here tonight, boys. That's Green Bay Packers coach Vince what you've earned here tonight. One Lombardi called Run to Daylight! game. If we played ‘em 10 times, they The title refers to that moment when might win nine. But not this game. players have the football cradled in Not tonight.” their arms and they've eluded every Or there's always the "win one for defender. All that's left in front them the Gipper.” But maybe some of your is a clear path to daylight. players, or even yourself, might not This is the final lecture of the class. know who the Gipper is. Confusion I understand your “real” classes take is not the emotion you want when priority. But I hope these lectures you send your players onto the field. have been a pleasant diversion. With It's been an exciting and chal- this series of articles, I've tried to prolenging fantasy season. So many vide some fantasy insight with a little injuries to top stars. But we've seen humour mixed in along the way. I some new ones break out, like Carson hope you've had as much fun reading Wentz. And we've seen some old ones them as I've had writing them. Best continue to dominate, like Antonio of luck in your fantasy playoffs, and may you all run to daylight.

Brown. AB should be an Avenger.