4 December 2019

NEWS

“Offended and betrayed”

Prof says severance offered after sexual harassment complaint

COMMENT

EDITORIAL

Looking back

Hungry to learn

Photos that defined 2019 PAGE 8

Feed kids for a better education outcome PAGE 10

NEWS

Fragile finances International students face additional hardships PAGE 6

VO L 1 0 6 · N O 1 6 · D E C E M B E R 4 , 2 0 1 9 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO B A N .CO M

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Index

VOL. 106 NO. 16 December 4, 2019

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Malak Abas

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

BUSINESS MANAGER Alice Teufack

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ADVERTISING CO-ORDINATOR Pauline Calinisan

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EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Matthew Doering

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NEWS EDITOR Garett Williams

SPORTS

garett@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Youth revolution

NEWS EDITOR Ty Brass

ty@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

COMMENT EDITOR Kenny Ingram

Young Bisons need time to grow

comment@themanitoban.com

PAGE 17

arts@themanitoban.com

ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR Grace Paizen SPORTS EDITOR Jason Pchajek

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COPY EDITOR Matthew Doering

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DESIGN

DESIGN EDITOR Kellie Huynh

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VISUAL CONTENT EDITOR Quincy Houdayer

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

REPORTERS

ARTS AND CULTURE

NEWS Gillian Brown

Hot diggity dog

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

Local rescue group hosts monthly playgroup PAGE 14

VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTORS

A “volunteer staff” member is defined as a person who has had three volunteer articles, photographs, or pieces of art of reasonable length and/or substance published in three different issues of the current publishing year of the Manitoban. Any individual who qualifies must be voted in by a majority vote at a Manitoban staff meeting. Elected representatives and non-students may be excluded from holding votes as volunteer staff members in accordance with the Manitoban Constitution.

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

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

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

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

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News

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

Professor feels pushed to resign after filing complaint Grievances after sexual harassment complaint against faculty member will go to arbitration MALAK ABAS, STAFF

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

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U of M professor said she feels workplace harassment in itself.”

In an emailed statement, U of M “offended and betrayed” after being offered several severance pack- spokesperson John Danakas said the ages from university administration university would not speak about the after filing a sexual harassment com- case. plaint against a fellow faculty member “The university cannot speak to that was later substantiated. specific personnel matters. The cirClea Schmidt, a curriculum, cumstances described do not align teaching and learning professor in with university practice.” the faculty of education, has been Schmidt said she began receiving working at the U of M since 2004 severance offers for her during the and was promoted to professor in 2017. grievance process, after her comSchmidt filed a sexual harassment plaint had been substantiated by the complaint against another faculty university. She said she filed four member in December 2017. grievances because there were four In June 2018, after a formal inves- separate issues concerning how the tigation, U of M administration case was handled. accepted an investigator’s decision Filed grievances and formal substantiating Schmidt’s sexual har- complaints are two separate proassment complaint. cesses. While a formal complaint Schmidt said it was then that she involving sexual harassment would began to receive severance offers from be filed under the Respectful Work the university that she said increased and Learning Environment policy, in monetary value. grievances are filed through the “It wasn’t upon my making allega- University of Manitoba Faculty tions of sexual harassment that I was Association (UMFA), against unifirst offered a severance package — it versity administration and require was once the allegations were for- an arbitration panel. mally substantiated that university The grievance process also includes administration began offering me a negotiation process and Schmidt severance packages,” she said. said she has filed several requests “They’ve made several offers that through her UMFA representative. have increased each time, and I have She said her personal requests had to communicate to university have included a paid term where she administration that I consider these did not teach but offered to keep on repeated severance offers a form of other responsibilities she held, which

included graduate student supervision and re-search obligations.

Schmidt went on medical leave in April and May 2019, but said she felt the additional time off would be beneficial to her overall health.

“This would help me recover some

“I’ve had to be very clear that if I was to resign my position as a full professor in this institution, I will initiate that conversation” — Clea Schmidt of the lost time fighting this case,” she said, “it would help me get back on an even keel, it would help recover my well-being.”

Schmidt said it was then that administration countered with proposed “exit packages.”

“That was when they first introduced the idea of a six-month severance package, and since then, the idea’s come up a few more times,” she said.

“And they’re up to two years’ salary

in terms of the severance, that was their most recent offer, so it’s escalated as time has gone on.”

She suggested this was, at least in part, due to her vocal criticism of the university’s approach to dealing with sexual violence. When the sexual violence report was released to the public in October, Schmidt was one of several people who spoke critically of the university administration during the question period.

“There’s reason to be concerned that the university is attempting to silence criticism,” she said.

Danakas said while the university “might” offer severance during a grievance negotiation, there is no obligation for the university to present or decline any offer and pushed back on the accusation of silencing.

“The grievance process is an entirely unique process, and talking about severance to silence, that’s not anything that the university is involved in,” he said.

“It may be involved in a negotiation to resolve a grievance.”

Schmidt has been featured on the university’s official news site, UM Today, since the complaint.

Schmidt said all four of her grievances were denied by the university, and that they have now been pushed to arbitration.

Her arbitration case will not be

heard until October 2020.

“We’re in this period waiting for arbitration, but the length of time it takes to arbitrate matters is part of the problem,” she said.

Schmidt says the most recent severance offer was “within the last month or so.”

“I’ve had to be very clear that if I was to resign my position as a full professor at this institution, I will initiate that conversation,” she said.

“But their repeatedly offering these to me is not appropriate.

“I’m a survivor of sexual harassment at this institution.”

Schmidt said the university has not done enough to educate, survey and protect faculty mem bers in their work on approaching the issue of sexual violence on campus.

“When you read that report, and all those recommendations, it’s very student-centred, and I think that’s to protect the brand,” she said.

“The students are the clients in this scenario, and we don’t want to turn off the clientele.”

She said her experiences have left her feeling skeptical of the sexual violence report and the restorative processes being taken on by the university.

“Trying to compel me to quit rides contrary to the university’s stated claim that it’s going to do better.”

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News

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

U of M celebrates inaugural Indigenous students’ month November events draw positive response from students KAYLA LARIVIERE, STAFF

PHOTOS BY ALLY GONZALO

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he U of M celebrated its first annual Indigenous students’ month in November.

Those who identify either as Indigenous or non-Indigenous were invited to participate in various student-led activities and events, including Indigenous-focused discussions, a lecture series, performances and workshops across the Fort Garry campus.

Alicia Kubrakovich — UMSU’s Indigenous community representative and female co-president of the University of Manitoba Indigenous Students’ Association (UMISA) — said “We wanted to do something similar to Indigenous awareness month [which occurs in March] but not take over the idea.”

“There’s a lot of success, especially in our Indigenous community — it’s time that we start honouring a lot of our students here,” she added.

T h r o u g h o ut N o v e m b e r, Indigenous student groups — including UMISA along with the Womxn’s Council, the University of Manitoba Indigenous Concerns on the Environment (UMICE) group and the Métis University Students’

Association (MUSA) — tabled every co-president who now serves as treas- from the start. and non-Indigenous students who Wednesday in UMSU University urer for the Canadian Federation of “The purpose of UMICE is to can attend by contacting UMICE Centre. The tabling aimed to engage Students — Manitoba. connect with students, culture, land, and registering. students in the community and Kubrakovich said she was shocked wildlife, elders and to grow the raise awareness of resources such as by the turnout for the panel “as soon Indigenous community in the envi- Student discussions UMISA and MUSA to advocate as we opened the doors.” ronment department,” said Galvin.

Kirsten Fleury — female cofor, and give a sense of belonging to, “I just remember looking into the UMICE hosted Baanizhaawe Nov. president of MUSA and a research Indigenous students. crowd and there was a lot of people 13. The word means to cut meat and assistant for Michelle Driedger, a Kubrakovich said she has already and I was so surprised,” she said. “I’m fillet fish in Anishinaabemowin. The professor in the department of comnoticed an increase in memberships still in awe.” event was the “first event of its kind munity health sciences — held a Nov. and volunteers in the student groups to ever happen at the University of 20 talk in Migizii Agamik discussing since tabling wrapped up.

New student groups emerge Manitoba,” said Galvin. the research project she is involved The environmentally-focused UMICE worked with Elder Ron with, which focuses on Métis health UMISA hosted an Indigenous women’s leadership panel discus- UMICE is a new student group this Guimond to teach students and staff and wellness. sion at IQ’s Café how to skin a deer Fleury’s research is being comand Bil liards and make differ- pleted in partnership with the “It’s time that we start honouring a lot of ent cuts of meat. Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) Nov. 19. The panel included Wendy The student group and involves hosting culture camps for our students here” — Alicia Kubrakovich, also brought in Indigenous youth. The camps allow Whitecloud, Indigenous community representative for director of the Gena Chartier youth to spend a week living on the academic support UMSU and current UMISA female co-president who taught how land and learning about harvesting, to clean and fil- food, storytelling and music from program in the let whitefish and Elders and community members. faculty of law at In a statement, Fleury — who is the U of M; Stephanie Scott, direc- year and is open to both Indigenous goldeye. The full-day activity saw tor of operations at the National and non-Indigenous students. students across various faculties, Métis — said she chose this work Centre for Truth and Reconciliation; President Taylor Galvin shared in a including engineering and social “because I wanted to be able to gain Nikki Komaksiutiksak, an Inuit statement that she started the group work, take part. research experience with a project throat singer who testified at the “to introduce traditional practices to UMICE will be hosting a tradi- that would allow me to work with Missing and Murdered Indigenous environmental science and studies tional feast, which will include the people and communities as opposed Women and Girls inquiry in 2018 and students at the university.” deer meat, today at 5 p.m. in Migizii to pursuing a more traditional science Alannah Mckay, a former UMISA Galvin said she saw a lot of interest Agamik. It is open to both Indigenous research project that would be based

VOL. 106 NO. 16 December 4, 2019

News

with workshops, lectures, performances and more

PHOTOS BY ALEX DECEBAL-CUZA

in a lab setting.” assistant for Mamawipawin, said in a Fleury’s presentation had about statement that “It’s incredibly impor13 people in attendance. She said she tant for students to have a space to was happy to share her knowledge and discuss these topics on campus, as it experiences as a student. can sometimes connect the things we “People seemed to genuinely be learn in the classroom to our experiinterested in what I had to say, and ences as Indigenous peoples.” there were very thoughtful conver“Education can also unfortunately sations and questions that came up remove us from our communities, during the question and discussion which is why the series has also tried period,” she said. to incorporate the experiences rel“It was also nice to have the chance evant to community-based work and to share my experience with research struggles,” he said. and my experience as a student, and “We think this is especially relevant, how research led me to connect with as students often seek higher educamy identity as an Métis woman.” tion to better their own communities.”

Mamawipawin is an Indigenous In November, the discussion governance and community-based revolved around Indigenous sovresearch space at the U of M. ereignty, paying attention to the It was established in 2011 and violent events happening in Bolivia, was the first of its kind in the coun- Chile and Ecuador. Monkman said try. The department created a Miyo he hopes to see new faces becoming We’citowin series which started in involved and always welcomes stuOctober 2019. dents to the table.

It is a monthly student gathering Other notable events that took which focuses on bringing students place were the Spirit of the Bison, together to share their thoughts and Métis awareness Mondays from interests in current government and MMF Bison Local and UMISA political issues relating to Indigenous Womxn’s Council ribbon skirt workpeoples. shop in collaboration with the office Dane Monkman, lead research of Indigenous engagement.

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News

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

International students increasingly strapped financially Changes to health-care coverage exacerbate already difficult situation GILLIAN BROWN, STAFF

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n the spring of 2018, Manitoba announced it would stop providing universal health care for international students.

Last year, the fees were covered by the university, which negotiated an international student health-care agreement with Blue Cross and StudentCare that ensured students had access to the same level of coverage previously offered by the province.

This year, international students were left on their own.

UMSU international representative and fourth-year Nigerian student Victoria Nwabuisi said the bridge agreement was welcomed but still left international students in a difficult position.

“We appreciate that [the U of M covered the first year] but what happens the next year? You just hang [international students] out to dry,” she said.

Nwabuisi said she felt the fight for health care was one international students were left to fight on their own.

“I felt like it was a battle that we were trying to fight by ourselves because a lot of people go with the stereotype of ‘International students are so wealthy, they have a lot of money [and] we can afford to use them as cash cows and make them pay for everything in this province,’” she said.

“But that’s not OK because even if people are cash cows, they shouldn’t

be milked until they’re dry — it’s inhumane.”

Health care costs for international students come to $1,210 a year — $865 for health insurance plus the standard $345 for the UMSU health and dental plan. Tuition fees are generally at least three times as much than domestic students.

Add on textbook costs, recreation fees and the U-Pass and international students are paying more than $19,000 a year before housing and food is even factored in, leaving many international students financially insecure.

As the Manitoban reported last week, food bank usage at the U of M is surging in recent years. Demand in

2019 has already surpassed 2018’s just over 700 visits with operators expecting to surpass 800 by year’s end.

The issue is not confined to campus. Winnipeg Harvest director of client services Grace Weigelt said that while the not-for-profit does not have firm data — because it does not ask if users are international students — anecdotal evidence shows demand rising.

“I can say we have seen lots and lots of international students who can only work part time, which isn’t enough to cover their bills plus tuition,” she said. “Some of them, it’s because now they’re not getting the health benefits — so now they’re having to pay that, which is making it tight.”

Nwabuisi noted international students also make up a greater percentage of holiday hamper users, which she said could be driven by numerous factors.

“Maybe they feel like they’re not going back home so they want to feel a little loved and just feel like they will be receiving some form of support from their community,” she said.

“It [could be] something extra to make their Christmas special,” she said, “or maybe they need this food because they are unable to afford to buy food.”

According to Nwabuisi, the financial insecurity can be only partially credited to the health care cuts.

“It’s not just health care — it’s the cost of an international student being in this province,” she said. “Housing is going up [in cost]. Tuition is going

up.”

Nwabuisi said that when she first enrolled, tuition was between $10,000 and $12,000 a year, but has since risen to between $16,000 and $20,000. A University 1 undergraduate student who started in the fall of 2019 will pay $16,300 in tuition alone compared to $4,800 for domestic students.

Nwabuisi said people question why financially insecure individuals travel abroad for their university education but noted that, in addition to rising costs in Manitoba, the financial and economic realities of the families and relatives supporting the students are subject to change.

To manage the rising costs, Nwabuisi said students can not be left to rely only on themselves and their relatives. She said they need sustained support from the university community and UMSU that goes beyond just words.

She noted that the university’s international centre, which offers different resources and support for the students, is consistently facing funding cuts and called on the university to follow through on its rhetoric.

“I don’t know how it would play out for the university itself to not only on paper say, ‘We appreciate international students, we want to promote a very diverse culture,’ but to put their money where their mouth is on these types of issues,” Nwabuisi said.

“You say you want to promote a diverse culture, you say you appreciate international students — then let us feel that in this community. Let us feel heard.”

Sexual violence policy consultation draws discussion Plans to implement 43 recommendations to be ready within six months AMIRA TEKLE, STAFF

U

MSU, in conjunction with the was centred around student per- Nakagawa. “There needs to be a lot “I don’t think that the confidential- data that students who have moved U of M’s office of human rights spectives on the recommendations. more conversation about it, there ity will be respected [in this system],” to attend the UM are more likely to and conflict management (OHRCM), The OHRCM plans on having an needs to be a lot more implementa- said Nakagawa. have witnessed or to have someone held a sexual violence policy consulta- amended Respectful Work and tion strategies with it. It’s really conInternational student Chimdinma disclose incidents of sexual violence tion with students Nov. 21 to discuss Learning Environment policy and cerning to see that they’re trying to Chijoke — an UMSU board member when the survivor is also a UM the policy recommendations laid out Sexual Assault policy (to be renamed expedite this within a year.” representing the University College student.” in an independent report contain- the Sexual Violence policy) firmly in Nakagawa also expressed concern Residence Students’ Association Chijoke expressed hope for the ing over 40 recommendations to be place by fall 2020. regarding student confidentiality and (UCRSA) and member of the UMSU upcoming Sexual Violence Resource implemented within six months.

A number of interested stu- confusion over who a student can or governance committee — attended Centre, slated to open in early 2020.

The report — titled Responding dents attended t he consu lta- She would like to see it cater to the to Sexual Violence, Harassment and the consultation, tion to speak on unique experiences and cultural per“I do not think the university is really wellDiscrimination at the University of as well as Joel behalf of residence spectives of international and resiManitoba: A Path Forward — was Lebois and Faye prepared for this” — Phoenix Nakagawa, faculty and international dence students. released in August and outlines 43 Brandson from students.

“There are a lot of students with of agricultural and food sciences student recommendations to improve the the OHRCM and “Residence,” as dynamic experiences,” said Chijoke. university’s Respectful Work and several UMSU it pertains to stu- “Students in different years could be Learning Environment policy and executives. dent accommoda- coming from cultures that address Sexual Assault policy in order to betPhoenix Nakagawa — a student should report to as it pertains to rec- tion on campus, is mentioned a total sexual violence different from how ter serve the best interests of students, in the faculty of agricultural and food ommendation 32, which recommends of 26 times in the U of M Campus it is addressed in Canada.” staff and faculty. sciences — spoke up a number of that “the UM adopt a policy that Climate Survey on Sexual Violence “I wonder if programs will be made The university announced its times during the consultation, detail- would require anyone in a supervisory released in January 2019. According available to cater to those kinds of acceptance of the recommenda- ing her concerns about the acceler- or management position at the UM to the survey, 17.5 per cent of sexual students and transition them into tions back in September, as well as ated timeline the U of M intends to who receives a disclosure of sexual assaults on the university’s campus how sexual violence is treated here its commitment to having plans for follow on the implementation of the violence to document this in a form took place in a student residence as opposed to how it is treated back implementation prepared within six recommendations. to be sent to the Office of Human building. where they come from.” months.

“I do not think the university is Rights and Conflict Management The survey found that “many The consultation’s discussion really well-prepared for this,” said (OHRCM).” qualitative comments support the

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

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VOL. 106 NO. 16 December 4, 2019

Editorial

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A year in photos In an eventful year, here are five photos we’ve published that stood out QUINCY HOUDAYER, STAFF

1. Global climate strike

and killed by Winnipeg police in February.

On Sept. 27, more than 10,000 Protesters gathered outside police headquarters Winnipeggers gathered at the Manitoba leg- calling for answers and justice, demanding to islature and marched in a global climate strike. know why he was killed. It was the third policePeople across Canada marched, with hundreds involved shooting of 2019. of thousands marching in Toronto, Ont., and Montreal, Que., including Prime Minister 4. Orange Shirt Day powwow Justin Trudeau and climate activist Greta This photo, published in a feature on powThunberg. The march was led by children and wows in 2019, is from the 2018 Orange Shirt drummers, with protesters calling for bold and Day, when a powwow was held on grounds meaningful environmental action. where a residential school once stood. Orange Shirt Day was first held in 2013 and serves as 2. Hong Kong protests a reminder of those harmed by the impact of Pro-democracy protests erupted in Hong residential schools.

Kong in June after a bill was introduced in the country that would allow extradition to 5. The U of M’s presidential search mainland China, something that critics fear More than two dozen members of the would undermine independence and fair pro- University of Manitoba Faculty Association cess in Hong Kong. Students here at the U of (UMFA) lined up outside university senate M stood in solidarity with their friends and chambers as president David Barnard walked family back home, standing outside UMSU past them on the way to a meeting. Members University Centre wearing masks and hold- of UMFA were protesting what they called a ing signs. Tension developed after pro-China “closed, secretive” process to find the next U of protesters stood near them with a Chinese flag. M president. Michael Benarroch, former dean of the Asper school of business, has since been 3. Police shooting of named the 12th president of the U of M.

Machuar Madut

Machuar Madut, a 43-year-old South Sudanese man living in Winnipeg, was shot

PHOTOS 1 AND 2 BY ALEX DECEBAL-CUZA PHOTOS 3, 4 AND 5 BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

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

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School food programs needed in an equitable society Neglect for such an urgent issue is emblematic of a short-sighted federal government KENNY INGRAM, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY ERNEST ZARZUELA

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anada is facing a huge crisis and are not at all ready to learn. when it comes to early-educaThis is an obvious barrier to a tion learning. proper education. Students who are Though education is a guaranteed thinking about how hungry they are right of everyone in Canada from simply will not learn as easily or effeckindergarten to Grade 12, the effect tively as a student who is properly of the education will vary widely stu- nourished. dent to student. This is because some Research into this phenomenon are set up for success, while others are bears out these facts. Studies pubdestined for failure. lished in the Archives of Pediatrics and As of 2017, nearly 10 per cent of Adolescent Medicine and the American children in Canada lived below the Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that poverty line. And while in theory this students who come to school hungry should have little to no effect inside are more likely to perform poorly in the classroom — a place where eve- subjects like math, and in turn will ryone gets a universal education and be more likely to repeat grades, arrive the assistance they require — this at school late or miss classes entirely. could not be further from the reality. Conversely, these studies found that When a child gets to school, they students who ate a school-provided are expected to sit down and be ready breakfast had a higher chance at risto learn. This seems obvious for most ing in academic achievement. people — it’s a school after all.

Similarly, a recent pilot program But currently in Canada, one in in Winnipeg found similar results. five kids — over a million students Breakfast2Go, a Winnipeg Harvest nationwide — are continually at risk program, was introduced last year of showing up on an empty stomach to Mulvey School in Wolseley. The

school found an increase in attendance with fewer sick days, students achieving in test scores, a boost of students’ self-esteem and an overall improvement in student behaviour and attentiveness.

The societal impact of this crisis is startling The data is overwhelmingly clear that students do better when they’re not hungry.

Yet it seems that Canada is doing little to combat this issue.

The current situation is a multifaceted issue that negatively affects society in countless ways.

Students that do not do well in school but would be perfectly able to given the proper opportunity represent the government’s neglect to see

a bigger picture. to ensure a student’s academic success, It is the job of the government to not undermining it. ensure that Canadians are supplied In 2016, Statistics Canada found with the basic needs necessary to that 340,000 Canadians between 25 build their own life — basic equity and 34 did not graduate high school. and equality of opportunity.

That’s 340,000 people who are unable In this respect, the federal govern- to get a higher education or a line ment has failed millions of Canadians of work that requires a high school for years. diploma.

While many could have been desHow many of these people could tined to get good grades, graduate have graduated and been given a high school, go on to higher learning better opportunity for success had a and become successful, a success in federal program guaranteeing school this respect is far less likely for these meals been introduced years ago? countless students when any oppor- Unless a universal program like this tunity to get there is stifled. is introduced, we will simply never The societal impact of this crisis know. is startling. When a person perfectly Until the government truly repcapable of doing a high-level job is resents Canadians in a healthy socionly qualified to do entry-level work, ety — where childhood poverty is it is an entire loss of opportunity. entirely eradicated, where no student In the last 20 years, the number of would show up hungry to school in people working for minimum wage the first place — it has a responsibility has doubled. In a new era of ram- to ensure that children are actually pant automation, the government educated in places of learning. should be taking every possible step

HOLIDAY HAMPER TOY WRAPPING DAY!

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12 Comment

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

Suggestive ads bear cultural consequences for women Nine Locks Brewing’s misogyny just another example of marketing that subjugates women

MEAGAN HUGHES, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY ERNEST ZARZUELA

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ontroversy is often used in mar- ing advertisements for Clairol hair keting for the purpose of grab- colour products for women in the bing consumers’ attention. But the 1950s and 1960s. The ads depicted choice to use provocative phrases or women smiling and laughing in the content in advertising can have social company of men. There is a clear culconsequences beyond simply offend- tural link that has developed between ing some consumers. this phrase and its various iterations Nine Locks Brewing Company and women.

— located in in Dartmouth, N.S. — Catherine Murray, a server recently came under media fire as a recently employed at a bar in Halifax, result of the marketing for its “Dirty N.S., has spoken publicly about how Blonde” beer. the marketing of the “Dirty Blonde” Advertising for the beer has beer affected her job. When some included slogans such as “Everybody customers would order the beer, they loves a dirty blonde from Dartmouth” would make suggestive and inapand “Blondes have more fun.” What propriate comments toward her as may appear to some as simply cheeky a blonde herself, saying things like phrases are part of a more profound “Do you come paired with the beer?” problem — the objectification of and “I’d really like a dirty blonde, if women in media and advertising for you know what I mean.” the sake of being provocative. The ads The offending ad campaign has explicitly use the gendered spelling of since been removed from circulation. the word to refer to a female. This is Shaun O’Hearn, president of by no means unintentional when it Nine Locks Brewing, has publicly has been used so many times in the apologized for offending consummarketing of products. ers, though he does not agree that The phrase “Is it true... blondes the ad campaign was misogynistic have more fun?” was used in market- or inappropriate.

O’Hearn was also quick to point out that the ads did not directly depict women. But even though women were not directly pictured in the ads, the content still played on phrases and cultural tropes — like the jokes that depict blondes as unintelligent or promiscuous — with connotations that can easily lead people to thinking or assuming that the ads were making a reference to women.

The objectification and degradation of women has been normalized Nine Locks and other companies should know better than this by now.

Selling a product should never come at the expense of anyone’s well-being, and we need to understand the cultural implications of the branding used for a product.

The importance of respectable representation of women in the media is as important as ever to help reinforce a healthy paradigm shift toward a more gender-equal society.

The #MeToo movement has helped bring awareness to the struggles women face with sexual violence and has helped the modern feminist movement gain more traction. The droves of women who have come forward to support women’s rights and unite as survivors have created a powerful voice for women to feel strong and heard.

In a culture that reaps the consequences of toxic masculinity — where the objectification and degradation of women has been normalized, where one in four women will experience sexual violence in their lifetime — this movement is a necessity.

By allowing the wants and needs of women to be trivialized, we are putting more women at risk of hurt and trauma. Objectification takes away from the fact that women are living, breathing human beings

deserving of respect.

Earlier this year, Gillette released a commercial which directly referenced the #MeToo movement and called out the effects of toxic masculinity on our culture. The ad created an uproar of polarized reactions from people on social media.

It is encouraging to see an attempt to bring attention to these important issues.

We are in need of a cultural shift toward progressive thinking rather than reinforcements of the same oppressive marketing tactics that we have grown accustomed to.

The messages that businesses put forward influence people, whether we are cognizant of the effect or not.

It is imperative that businesses and advertisers think critically about the themes that are projected out into the world and the effect they will have.

By continuing to objectify women’s bodies as a marketing tool, we are taking steps backward regarding our progression toward a genderegalitarian society.

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

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

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Furry fun for a fantastic cause Boston terrier and pug dog rescue group holds monthly playgroup open to all GRACE PAIZEN, STAFF

in particular needed all the special medical attention they required for their unique medical needs — flatfaced dogs often have breathing problems and purebreds are prone to severe allergies.

“There was a demand for it,” Klym said. “There was a lot of people looking for these breeds, but they weren’t quite sure where to go, and how to find them and we thought, ‘Well, if there’s dogs that need help, let’s start a rescue and focus on these two breeds and help them find their forever homes.’”

The BTPRSM takes in dogs that are either surrendered by families that can no longer care for them, or are strays. Its initiative is to get the dogs healthy, sort out any of

“If there’s dogs that need help, let’s start a rescue and focus on these two breeds and help them find their forever homes” — Jessica Klym, BTPRSM president

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GRACE PAIZEN

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lthough the U of M brings in dogs from time to time as a student mental health initiative, there is a largely unknown way in which students can interact with furry friends on a monthly basis. The Boston Terrier and Pug Rescue of Southern Manitoba (BTPRSM) holds monthly

dog playgroups where you can interact with dogs of the pushed-in-face variety — many of whom will gladly sit in your lap for a while —while supporting a good cause.

Jessica Klym, president of the BTPRSM, said the playgroups only cost $5 per family and that the

rescue provides water for the dogs and “snacks and refreshments for the humans.”

Founded in 2009, the BTPRSM was started because Klym and the other founding members felt there was a need for a Boston terrier and pug specific rescue. These two breeds

All of the money raised by the BTPRSM goes directly to the vet care of rescues, specialized diets — as some dogs have allergies or sensitive stomachs — and specialized medications.

“Other dogs are in our long-term care program, that require medications daily, and they’re usually quite pricey,” Klym said.

In order to raise funds to rehabilitate the rescued pooches, the BTPRSM does everything from cash calendars to chocolate bar sales.

“The most popular is probably our […] wine raffle,” Klym said, “we have people donate wine and then we sell tickets and we have a first, second and third prize and the winners win bottles of wine.”

However, BTPRSM’s biggest even of the year is at the Manitoba Pet Expo, held annually at the beginning of June.

“That is probably our largest fundraiser of the year,” Klym said, “just because it brings in so many people and that’s also the same time we hold the wine raffle, so that is a good time of the year for us for funds coming in.”

As for the dogs, the BTPRSM holds its monthly playgroups indoors through the winter months at doggy day camps, and at outdoor dog parks in the summer months.

Klym said the BTPRSM asks that families bring only their wellbehaved and well-socialized dogs that are up to date on their vaccines to the playgroups. But if your dog is shy, there is a smaller cordoned-off area if your dog needs time to transition into the bigger play area.

“It’s an hour and a half of some fun time just to sit and watch dogs play and interact,” Klym said.

“We look forward to having anybody come out.”

the dogs’ behavioural issues — if needed — and then find the dogs forever families.

Though the rescue is Boston terrier and pug specific, Klym said it doesn’t discriminate.

“We have taken in all sizes and shapes of dogs from your small little chihuahua to the largest dog we’ve probably taken in was a mastiff cross,” she said.

There is also a subdivision of the rescue — the Manitoba Basset Hound Rescue — that was established in 2013 when one of Klym’s friends reached out to the BTPRSM The next BTPRSM playgroup to rehabilitate a rescued basset hound. is Dec. 15 from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.

“There was definitely demand for at the Thomas Ave. location of a basset rescue in Manitoba,” Klym Sprockett’s Doggy Day Camp. For said, “and we were the ones that more information on the BTPRSM, championed it and said ‘let’s take on go to bostonpugrescuemb.com or basset hounds.’” check out their Facebook page.

VOL. 106 NO. 16 December 4, 2019

Arts & Culture

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Squirrelly Dan’s gots a few words about Christmas K. Trevor Wilson of 'Letterkenny' fame releases holiday comedy album ZACHARY SIGURDSON, STAFF

album complete with Christmas at Rumor’s.” and the great Canadian humourists, misadventures, satirical songs and According to Wilson, the it came out of storytelling,” he said. a refreshing take on the “war on “It came out of people sitting Christmas” — on Dec. 6. around, trying to keep warm and “If you’re struggling “If you’re struggling with being distracting each other from the cold nice to others on Christmas, you’ve with funny stories […] We know with being nice missed the point,” Wilson said. we’re going to be stuck in doors with Wilson came up with the idea of each other for six months out of the to others on year, so you have to at least pretend making a Christmas album last winChristmas, you’ve ter when he was shooting Letterkenny to be civil.” in Sudbury.

Wilson described Canadian missed the point” “I was […] driving around with humour as somewhere in between — K. Trevor Wilson my then girlfriend, now fiancée, British and American, but added that cranking the Christmas station on Canadian humour also comes from the radio and singing along to all the having “the Indigenous art of storysongs,” he said. famously bitter Winnipeg winters telling as part of our natural identity.”

“She was like ‘You should put have a lot to do with our need to laugh However, at its heart, Wilson out your own Christmas record, if — especially at ourselves. believes our humour centres around you’re just going to sing all the songs “I find whenever I go to Manitoba, the stereotypical Canadian “niceness” anyways.’” it’s a good time because you guys have that comes out as sarcasm.

Wilson then called up Comedy a sense of humour about yourselves, “Sarcasm is the great Canadian art Records, put together a team and you don’t take yourselves too seriously, — being nasty without actually being recorded the album throughout the you know what’s weird about you and nasty,” he said. summer. In fact, Wilson’s album you’re fine with it and that’s a cool ALBUM ART PROVIDED BY K. TREVOR WILSON was mainly recorded in Winnipeg thing,” he said.

— which holds a special place for Wilson attributed the unique here are few Canadian come- Dan in the acclaimed comedy series Wilson.

Canadian sense of humour to the dians with as much heart and Letterkenny.

“Winnipeg is one of my favourite history of comedy and storytelling Christmas with a K drops Dec. 6 on holiday cheer as K. Trevor Wilson.

In the spirit of the holidays, places to club,” he said. “My first fes- in Canada. digital, vinyl and double LP through The award-winning comedian is Wilson will be releasing Christmas tival was the Winnipeg Comedy Fest “If you look way, way back into ktrevorwilson.com, comedyrecords. most famous for his role as Squirrelly with a K — a Christmas comedy […] I recorded my last two albums the starting of humour in Canada ca and independent record stores.

T

Let them eat cake Cake tribute band, Pie, set to play two shows at The Handsome Daughter in December KAELEN BELL, STAFF

Miss Higgins, Sweet Alibi and JD Edwards Band — came together about nine years ago, bonded by a genuine love for a sometimes-genuine band.

“You can have your cake and hear it too” — Daniel Jordan, Pie lead singer

PHOTO PROVIDED BY PIE

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he kings of off-kilter, dumb-inthe-smartest-possible-way alternative rock Cake stands among the likes of the B-52s, Ween and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard — bands whose goofiness belies a beating human heart, whose music garners a fervently devoted fan base willing to dig past the slapstick.

Counting himself among those most devout fans is Daniel Jordan, member of Red Moon Road and frontman of Pie, the Cake tribute

band performing their annual holiday show at the Handsome Daughter Dec. 13 and 14.

The possibilities for bad wordplay are near endless, but Jordan perhaps puts it best —“You can have your cake and hear it too.”

These holiday performances, which include a custom Cake-ology cake, have become something of a Christmas custom for Pie, a chance to come together with like-minded music fans.

Jordan — billed as both “vocals and cake distribution” — said the show has become “part of my holiday tradition.”

“And I’m hoping it does for other people, because it has nothing to do with the holidays, clearly, but it feels like a celebration and kind of brings up some of those same warm fuzzies, for me anyways.”

The band — comprised of members of Royal Canoe, Red Moon Road, The F-Holes, Little

“I’d say that everybody in the band has their own story and their own love affair with the band Cake,” Jordan said.

Jordan’s personal love for Cake began as a kid coming into his own as a musician — so saying “Yes” to fronting a tribute act was a no-brainer.

“Fashion Nugget was one of the five albums that I learned how to play drums to when I was younger, so I just knew Cake,” he said.

Knowing Cake, as Jordan explained, means having a deep understanding of Cake’s music.

The members of Pie pride themselves on their ability to recreate these songs to a T, including bells and whistles not typically found in live versions.

This year’s first performance will see the band playing Cake’s fanfavourite sophomore album, Fashion

Nugget, in its entirety.

“We have more members in Pie than Cake does, so we’re able to do all the overdubs from the album, and we have samples running and stuff like that,” Jordan said. “We take it a little too seriously I’d say.”

Pie’s dedication to particulars is borne partly from their own love for the songs, but is also — crucially — in service to a passionate and diverse fan base.

“It’s pretty amazing,” Jordan said.

“It’s one of the very few shows I do where I look around the room and there’s no unifying factor between age or status or class or anything like that, beyond the love of the band.”

After nearly a decade of playing Cake songs, Jordan said he still hasn’t grown tired of it.

“It’s an absolute blast to sing them on stage,” he said, because “everybody knows them and they sing along with you.”

He added that “after all this time I’m still finding new Cake songs to appreciate.”

Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Jordan was more or less made to interpret John McCrea’s brand of wry speak-singing.

“That’s the only band I could ever be a lead singer for,” he said.

“It’s talking in sarcastic monotone, which is something I’ve done a lot of.”

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Arts & Culture

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

The most wonderful time of the year for holiday classics The ‘Manitoban’ discusses the best and worst of holiday movie fare ARTS AND CULTURE STAFF

It’s that time of year again — holiday movies will be on every channel of the dial for the next month. But what makes a holiday movie a holiday movie? Is The Nightmare Before Christmas a Halloween or a Christmas film? Sure, Meet Me in St. Louis gave us “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” but the film also goes through all the seasons pretty evenly. Also, what’s with The Sound of Music always being played on television around Christmastime? And how on earth did It’s a Wonderful Life — a film about a guy who struggles with suicidal thoughts for two hours — end up a Christmas classic? With this in mind, the arts and culture team at the Manitoban gave our best and worst movie picks of the holiday season.

Best: ‘Home Alone’ (1990)

Kaelen Bell, reporter Best: ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ (1965)

Worst: ‘Jack Frost’ (1998)

The Polar Express is the This seems like too obvious Christmas movie that’s a choice and, in many ways, typically associated with the Grace Paizen, editor it is. There’s not a ton to be notion of the uncanny valley Best: ‘Rudolph the Redgained by recommending this — but back in 1998, Troy Miller Nosed Reindeer’ (1964) movie — it’s one of the, if not took a trip to the valley and Rudolph is a holiday clasthe most, ubiquitous holiday returned with arguably more sic. A background story of movies of all time. unnerving results.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed However, in 2019 it feels Michael Keaton stars as a Reindeer? Yes, please! like the right choice. It’s the man named — in a gorgeously Especially when Rudolph is holidays, and rather than go understated coincidence — an ultra-cute stop motion aniedgy and ironic with Black Jack Frost, who dies in a car mation doll.

Christmas or feed into the crash and proceeds to possess The stop motion animaendless debate of whether Die a snowman after his son blows tion is a treat, especially when Hard is a Christmas movie — a magic harmonica powered by Rudolph’s actual light blub of the answer is it doesn’t matter love. Got it? a nose goes off. I am so thankHowever, it’s not the con- ful this film wasn’t shot durand I don’t care — I’m going with a lovingly animated, feel- fused tone that pushes Jack ing our current gloomy era of good piece of nostalgia.

Frost into nightmare territory. over-CGI. The world is an increas- Keaton’s snowman-spirit And it’s not just the type ingly hot and scary place, so vessel is a creature of unholy of animation that makes this I’m willing to embrace the origin, featuring questionable movie age well, the double holidays in all their saccharine design choices that include exposure in the film of snow— but still funny, intelligent lifeless shark eyes and a gaping, flakes falling holds up 55 years and heartwarming — glory. toothless mouth — and also on. It makes me wish proWhat I want for Christmas the voice of Michael Keaton. ducers and directors would this year is disheveled and A Jim Henson creation, advocate more for these old scrappy Christmas trees, a jazz Jack Frost is more Skeksis than techniques that keep films soundtrack, a lack of adult per- Muppet, and by the end of the fresh for the ages. spective, kids absolutely bust- movie you may find yourself Also, the music is specing it down on the dancefloor genuinely rooting against him, tacular. Burl Ives singing “A and some simple, illuminating if only to have him gone from Holly Jolly Christmas” and life lessons. your television screen. You’ve “Silver and Gold” is nostalgia been warned. at its finest. And “Jingle, Jingle, Jingle” and “We Are Santa’s Elves” are great pick-me-ups.

Again, because the timbre of the original music was so solid, the songs still sound fantastic.

Worst: ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ (1964)

Sure, I love this movie. It’s

I will say until my dying day that Home Alone is a genuine holiday classic. Yes, those traps would have killed them.

Yes, Macaulay Culkin could have called the police. So? Home Alone is marvellous, heartfelt and sincere. Yes, it takes complete sadistic joy in two criminals (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) getting absolutely destroyed by the masochistic machinations of a nine-year-old.

W hen it comes to Christmas, we’ve all been Kevin at one point or another.

Sure, he’s a bit whiney and helpless. In a huge extended family, you can often be left by fantastic on technical levels — the roadside, unsure of what to cinematography, music. But if do and no matter what you do, you actually pay attention to you’re doing it wrong. We’ve the story, you kind of wonder all felt our family was against if the creators weren’t on the us and we’ve all dreamed of devil’s lettuce at the time of having the total freedom to conception. let our childhood fantasies run First, this movie borderline wild. We’ve also all dreamed advocates for bullying and goes of turning our house into a to the mattresses over gender fortress against a couple of stereotyping. Rudolph’s dad bumbling idiots. We’ve all — Donner — is a dick, bul- needed to be reminded how lying not just Rudolph about much we need family and how his nose, but being mean to necessary it is to overcome our Mrs. Donner about her own son. And yes, that’s right, Mrs. Donner doesn’t even have a first name.

Can we also talk about the stupidly-long eyelashes on Rudolph’s girlfriend, Clarice?

We can’t tell she’s female enough with the pink bow in her antlers and the baby kitten voice? Really?

Oh, and I guess we’re supposed to overlook that Santa and Mrs. Claus live in a castle.

Elves as serfs anyone?

I will also never understand the whole elf-dentist subplot.

It’s just so wild. Like, sure, I get that we’re supposed to root for him too because he’s an underdog, but I feel like he was a cheap fix for how the film resolves the objectively terrifying abominable snowman.

This movie may literally be the best worst holiday film of all time.

childhood fear of that weird stranger down the road.

Worst: ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ (2000)

I love this movie too — most of us do. When the original 30-minute animated one wasn’t enough, we watched Jim Carrey in a green furry suit become the personification of every grumpy introvert.

You all know the grand meme tradition that came out of this movie. This is an institution for snarky millennial humor.

“Four-o-clock, wallow in self-pity. Four-thirty, stare into the abyss.”

But seriously, who green-lit this? The continual sex jokes — re-watch it and you’ll see — and the unending, uncanny valley nightmares that are the Whos of Whoville and the baby Grinch. Jim Carrey is iconic in this Dr. Seuss-land acid trip, but it’s no wonder Taylor Momsen became a satanic rock goddess.

How did this happen?

What did they put in the holiday punch? Yet we roll with it because Jim Carrey goes on a soliloquy on the consumerism of Christmas.

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

Patience is a virtue, even in hockey Youthful Bisons squad needs time to get going, small tweaks could help JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

Slightly more consistent scoring has come from the back-end, where fourth-year defender Jenai Buchanan has become a welcome replacement

Offence will come, but you cannot teach comfort and experience

PHOTO BY DAVE MAHUSSIER

I

t happened fast, but the moment Yet, with 17 goals through 15 was felt by everyone in attendance. games, the club is on pace for 29 on During a Nov. 16 tilt against the the season. This would put the Bisons University of Saskatchewan Huskies, last among teams in the conference Chloe Snaith curled into the high last season. In 2018-19 the University slot and fired a shot low past the out- of Calgary Dinos finished dead-last stretched foot of Huskies netminder in the conference with 32 goals.

Camryn Drever. The goal horn blasted — echoing off the walls of The problem: Wayne Fleming Arena — drowned An abundance of youth out by a collective exhale by fans and The current U of M Bisons team is media alike. a young one. Heading into the final It was four games since the last weekend before the holiday break, the time Snaith had scored for the Bisons, 23-player roster featured 10 rookies but more concerning, the two Snaith and three second-year players. goals bookended a four-game scorThe lone fifth-year up front is veting drought for the once offensively- eran goal-scorer Jordyn Zacharias, dominant herd. yet she has struggled to find the back The U of M led Canada West in of the net in her senior season. She goals during the 2018-19 season with entered the final weekend before the 81 — six more than the second-place holiday break with a single goal, but University of Alberta Pandas — after notched the game-winner in overplacing second in 2017-18 and 2016-17 time Nov. 30 against the University with 66 and 84 goals respectively. of Lethbridge.

for Erica Rieder — the strong and highly mobile former captain and defender for the U of M. Buchanan currently sits with two goals and five assists on the year, leading the Bisons in scoring.

Fellow defender Snaith has five points — two goals and three assists.

Emilie Massé leads the Bisons in goals so far this season, but her offensive output has dried up after a blazing start to the season. The thirdyear forward had four goals in the first five games of the season, yet has not bent twine in the 11 games since.

The reason for this lack of scoring is quite simple — the Bisons are not currently built to score goals. The team is too young and inexperienced.

The chemistry is being built, and there are flashes of a dominant offensive juggernaut on the ice from time to time, but at present the young roster does not have the consistency and fluidity of play to put up the scoring totals of Bisons teams past.

This is not to say the herd is not generating chances — far from it — but players on the team are simply

not capitalizing on chances they get, nor are they generating many highdanger scoring opportunities.

Offence will come, but you cannot teach comfort and experience. Yet there are still things to be done to give the U of M a better chance at scoring goals.

The obvious solution: Patience and tinkering

The best the U of M can do now is wait. It takes time to get used to the speed, strength and skill of Canada West hockey and with the number of rookies and inexperienced secondyear players on the roster, time will be the best teacher for the Bisons.

This is not to say there is nothing head coach Jon Rempel and his coaching staff can do to fire up the offence.

Rempel has already done a good job of letting the leash drop on his defenders — namely, Buchanan — who have the skill and skating ability to lead the offence from end to end, so pushing Lauren Warkentin — who has shown her own scoring touch — to do the same is essential.

Snaith has already showed her scoring skill, but Brielle DacquayNeveux has yet to register a point on the year. Allowing both to show their creativity and skill on the forecheck should also factor into Rempel’s plans moving forward.

The line of former St. Mary’s Academy teammates Kaitlyn Chatyrbok, Kate Gregoire and Halle Edwards has been buzzing, but has not produced much offence thus far.

With Gregoire and Edwards as rook-

ies and Chatyrbok used to a more defensive role, patience is again key for this line starting to produce.

Leave the three together, let them build off their built-in chemistry and goals will surely follow.

Finally, there is the elephant in the room — the fact Zacharias is not lighting the lamp with nearly the efficiency she used to. She finished second on the team in goals last season with 12 goals, first on the team in 2017-18 with the same total and first in the 2016-17 season with 11 goals.

So, what happened? Well, for the past two seasons Zacharias has been the shooter.

She has consistently played with the likes of Venla Hovi — now behind the bench for the U of M — and Alanna Sharman, two players who drove play at both ends of the ice. Hovi was an ultra-skilled forward who dominated the competition with her Olympic experience, while Sharman was tenacious and forceful when it came to gaining the puck.

Those two pushed the puck up the ice and toward the net, while Zacharias was the finisher. Now, she is on her own and does not drive play like Sharman and Hovi did.

To this point, nobody on the Bisons has emerged to fill this particular void. Massé and newcomer Polina Goncharova have shown glimpses of this ability, but short of bending U Sports regulations to get Hovi back on the ice, Rempel needs to bring out the blender and find a solution.

Until then, patience is all the Bisons need.

A taste of things to come with two solid wins for Bisons U of M looks like old self in sweep of University of Lethbridge ISAIAH WAGNER AND JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

Losers of eight of its last nine games, the U of M Bisons women’s hockey team did its best John Wick impression over the weekend, telling the rest of Canada West, “Yeah, I’m thinking I’m back.” With a pair of convincing wins over the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns, the Bisons head into the holiday break on a heater.

at zero at the end of the period. The herd looked to strike first in the second, but after a quick snap from the U of L’s Alli Borrow beat Schubert, they fell 1-0.

The U of M turned up the heat but could not even the score, heading into the third looking for the equalizer.

Early in the third period a scrum ensued in front of the U of L goal and Friday third-year forward Mekaela Fisher The U of M entered Friday’s action jumped onto the puck, scooping it with a monkey on its back. On a two- into the yawning cage to tie the game game losing streak the club looked at one apiece. to right the ship against a resurgent Then, a beautiful backdoor pass Pronghorns team. from Jenai Buchanan allowed rookie Getting the nod in net was fifth- Kate Gregoire to tap it in to give the year net minder Amanda Schubert. U of M the 2-1 lead with just under She finished the game with 18 saves three minutes left to play. on 19 shots in a 3-1 U of M victory.

The U of L pulled the goalie with The game started out as a fast- 30 seconds left to try and tie the game paced, even-tempo tilt between the back up, but Fisher skated the length U of M and the U of L in their first of the ice before sliding it into the meeting since early October. empty net, sealing the victory for the The teams traded power plays in Bisons. the first period, but neither could find Rookie forward Sarah Dennehy the scoresheet, leaving the game tied was happy with her team’s

performance. spark for the herd.

“Our team had a great weekend, As Ashley Nothof stepped back we played with confidence and strong onto the ice after serving a holding in the d-zone […] I think our team minor, Jordyn Zacharias walked into really started to work together and the zone and sent a blast toward the grind to pull off two huge wins,” U of L goal. Lethbridge netminder Dennehy said.

Alicia Anderson flashed the leather Veteran presence was felt all over and picked the puck out of the air to the ice Friday for a young Bisons team. negate the chance.

Fifth-year Schubert held the fort in Then, with Ashlee Hodgegoal and fourth-year Buchanan set Hirschfield in the box for tripping, up the eventual game winner. the Bisons sent a flurry of shots on “Our leadership group really leads Anderson. The veteran netminder by example which really helps us was unfazed, keeping her team alive rookies out,” said Dennehy. as the horn sounded to end the period.

The pressure continued early into Saturday the second, where a Gregoire shot With a win already in the books was tipped on by Kaitlyn Chatyrbok. over the weekend, the Bisons The puck slid along the goal line and were looking for more against the Anderson pounced to swipe the loose Pronghorns Saturday and finished rubber out of her crease. off the calendar year with a 2-1 overThen, after yet another U of L time win. penalty, the U of M struck.

The flash and flow found late in With Madison Porter in the Friday’s game had evaporated in the box, Anderson stopped a shot by first period Saturday, but a few power Dennehy but the puck popped right plays late in the frame provided a onto the stick of Gregoire in the slot.

Anderson dove to make the stop, coming up short as Gregoire shoveled the puck by for the 1-0 Manitoba lead.

Porter made up for her mistake late in the frame with a goal of her own. She picked up a loose puck on the doorstep and snapped a shot by Erin Fargey to knot the game 1-1 heading into the intermission.

Neither club could get one to go through the rest of regulation, and in overtime Jordyn Zacharias had the dagger.

The fifth-year poked the puck past a U of L defender, beat her with a burst of speed and raced in on Anderson. Zacharias went to the backhand and snuck the puck fivehole on Anderson for the 2-1 overtime win.

Following the holiday break, the Bisons will hit the ice in Calgary, Alta., Jan. 3 and 4 against the Mount Royal University Cougars. Puck-drop is 8 p.m.

CST for game one and 3 p.m. CST for game two.

18

Sports

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

Bison Briefs JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

Men’s hockey

A tumultuous year now ends with promise as the Bisons men’s hockey team split the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns over the weekend.

The power play was rolling for the Bisons Friday in a 3-1 win over the Pronghorns.

Brady Pouteau had the only evenstrength goal of the game for either side, as he potted his second of the year to give the U of M a 1-0 lead in the first. Devon Skoleski and Jeremey Leipsic both scored their fourth goals of the season, both on the power play,

before Dalton Sward struck shorthanded for the U of L in the third.

Tyler Brown made 24 saves on 25 shots for the U of M in the win.

The trend of the men’s hockey team splitting weekends continued Saturday in a 6-3 Pronghorns win.

Leipsic had his second goal of the weekend in the third period, after Dylan Thiessen and Jonah Wasylak scored for the herd.

Men’s volleyball

The Bisons men’s volleyball team trampled a struggling opponent to get back on the winning track over

the weekend, sweeping the now 2-9 MacEwan University Griffins to close out 2019.

The Griffins put up a good fight Friday, but the Bisons were too much to handle in a 3-1 U of M win.

The herd grounded the Griffins early with a 25-16 opening set win, but MacEwan University clawed back 28-26 in the second set to tie the match. The third set was a long one — the Bisons took it 31-29 — and then finished off the Griffins with a 25-20 fourth set to win the match.

The U of M kept the ball rolling Saturday with a 3-0 win to complete

the weekend sweep. A 25-11 first set win set the tone for the match, the Bisons doubled-up in the second with a 25-16 win and closed the game with a 25-18 third set.

Women’s volleyball

While the men got back on the winning track, the women ran into a MacEwan University Griffins team on a roll and were swept away over the weekend.

Game one of the weekend was rough, but the herd showed fight in a 3-0 loss to the Griffins Friday.

Things did not start off well for

the herd, as the Griffins walked to an opening-set win at 25-11, following up with a 25-18 second-set win to put the U of M on the ropes. The Bisons battled back to make it tight, but the Griffins took the third and final set 25-22 to win the match.

The U of M kept up the fight Saturday, keeping things tight despite being swept off the court for the second night of the weekend 3-0.

The Griffins edged out the herd in set one, 25-23, took the second set by the same score to put the U of M up against it and closed the match with a strong 25-20 third set for the win.

VOL. 106 NO. 16 December 4, 2019

Sports

19

Speed and strength the keys to WHL success Teen rookie Carson Lambos excelling in faster game thanks to training ISAIAH WAGNER, STAFF

T

he game of hockey is evolving, and the training of players has evolved with it.

It is becoming a game that requires more speed and skill, rather than just brute strength. The typical hockey player used to be described as big, tough and toothless, but this has now morphed into fast, finesse and flash.

With the top players in hockey

were high for the local blueliner, and early on he is having an exceptional season. Lambos gives credit for this to his previous teammates.

“Taking the step into the WHL was made possible because I have been able to play with some really experienced players,” Lambos said.

“Learning from those guys made the step up so much smoother.”

Lambos’s game has developed quickly over the course of his short junior hockey career because of his skating, skill and strength.

The game of hockey is played at a fast pace and being an exceptional skater will help you in different situaPHOTO BY ZACHARY PETERS tions, something the rookie defencebeing Connor McDavid, Nathan man believes is extremely important.

“The most important skill to work Mackinnon and Sidney Crosby, the importance of speed in particular is on is the skating,” Lambos said.

“Everybody at this level [is a] fast paramount.

Just ask 16-year-old Winnipeg- and strong skater so in order to have success you have to be able to skate born defenceman Carson Lambos.

Lambos is currently a rookie with the pace of play at this level. defenceman for the Winnipeg Ice of Things like defending, gap control the Western Hockey League (WHL). and joining the rush on offence gets Taken second overall in the 2018 easier the better you skate.”

Being a faster, stronger skater WHL bantam draft, expectations

gives the player the most important seven assists — through 20 games tool to be able to play the game at the with the Ice this season, Lambos has highest level. shown he has the skill to go along This speed is nothing, though, with his speed. Those 11 points leave without the skill to actually play a Lambos tied for eighth in team scorposition effectively. Skill gives the ing and second among Ice defenders player the ability to make plays at top — even better considering his status as a rookie.

With his development and production, the Winnipegger is build“Things like ing toward a strong placement when defending, gap NHL clubs come calling. Lambos is currently ranked 13th overall for the control and joining 2021 NHL entry draft the rush on offence The transition to the WHL can be difficult for any player. Coming into gets easier the better the league at age 16, rookies are often faced with young men — some as you skate” — Carson old as 21 — who are more physically Lambos, Winnipeg developed than they are, so hitting the gym and bulking up was imporIce defender tant for Lambos.

“Getting stronger in the gym is really important,” Lambos said.

“Playing against some older guys, speed, and the faster the game, the more skill is required. This includes working out helps me physically batshooting and stick handling, both tle and compete with them. Power vital in order to produce goals. from skating and lots of conditioning With 11 points — four goals and comes from the gym.”

A leisurely stroll up the mountain

Bisons beat up on Cascades to end 2019 JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

Cascades, Jaskarn Bajwa sank a free throw and the Bisons then sank eight straight free throws to claim the win.

Women’s basketball

A tight match turned into a romp Friday as the Bisons kept rolling while the UFV offence stalled in a 78-63 win for the herd.

The Bisons took an early lead and the Cascades kept pace, not allowing the Bisons to pull away PHOTO BY ALEX DECEBAL-CUZA

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here was a resounding call of “Timber” over the weekend as the U of M Bisons basketball clubs cut down the visiting University of the Fraser Valley Cascades. The men’s club came away with the weekend sweep, while the women earned a split.

— only improving on the lead with a 26-17 second quarter to take a 46-32 lead into the half.

Coming out of the break, UFV threw everything they had at the U of M. The visitors shot 50 per cent from field-goal range and 60 per cent from three-point range in the third quarter, but the U of M kept its offence rolling Men’s basketball with 23 points to keep things tight.

The U of M started the weekend in The Cascades put up 28 points dominant fashion, with a solid open- in the third quarter, and the Bisons ing half helping to bury the Cascades countered and kept the edge 69-60 in a 93-86 win. entering the fourth quarter. UFV The game got off to a roaring start again outscored the U of M — this for the herd — who outscored the time 26-24 — but the herd held on Cascades 20-15 in the first quarter for the 93-86 win.

UFV made a stand in game two of the weekend Saturday, but a strong fourth quarter from the U of M swung the game back in an 80-74 Bisons win.

The Cascades held a slim edge in the first half, outshooting the Bisons and building a slight 39-37 edge when the buzzer sounded. UFV looked to pull away in the third, with a Parm Bains jumper giving the club an 11-point lead before the U of M responded.

The herd cut down the lead to five at the end of the quarter and turned up the heat in the fourth. A James Wagner jumper made it 73-72

Things started well for both sides in the opening quarter. Manitoba took an early lead and the Cascades kept pace, not allowing the Bisons to pull away. A pair of Deanna Tuchscherer free-throws tied the game 13-13 and UFV built a lead of its own, but a late layup by Keziah Brothers tied things back up at 20-20.

In the second quarter, the Cascades started to fall, but the club’s shots toward the hoop did not follow suit.

UFV went 4-15 from the field and missed all five three-pointer attempts to muster only eight points in the quarter. Meanwhile, the U of M seized the opportunity and built

a 33-28 lead heading into halftime.

Coming out of the break, things only got worse for the visitors. The Cascades again failed to sink a three in the third quarter and shot just 29.41 per cent from the field, while the U of M was lights-out, going 75 per cent from beyond the arc and 71.43 per cent within it.

The Bisons outscored the Cascades 26-19 in the third quarter to take a 59-47 lead, eventually walking off the court with the win.

However, Saturday was less than ideal for the herd, as UFV stormed back to split the weekend with a 76-65 win.

It was the home side holding the edge early Saturday, with the U of M up 33-32 at halftime. The Cascades outscored the Bisons 17-15 in the third quarter to take back the lead, then buried them in the fourth.

Deidre Bartlett sank a shot from range to give Manitoba a 58-57 lead, but Fraser Valley went on a 10-point run to open up the gap again. Emma Thompson had a three of her own late, but UFV again squashed the moment with a run to end the game with the win.

Following the holiday break, the Bisons will be back on the court Jan. 3 and 4 in Edmonton, Alta., to face the MacEwan University Griffins.

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