3 January 2018

NEWS

Five years later

Idle No More is still fighting for Indigenous Rights

EDITORIAL

Chicken soup for the troubled soul?

Make going to therapy a New Year’s resolution

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NEWS

In transit Bus stop renovations nearly complete PAGE 6

PAGE 8 SPORTS

New Year, New Bisons Looking ahead to 2018 PAGE 15

VO L 1 0 4 · N O 1 7 · J A N UA RY 3 , 2 0 1 8 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO B A N .CO M

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Index

VOL. 104 NO. 17 January 3, 2017

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Garett Williams

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

BUSINESS MANAGER Sohni Tappia

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COMMENT

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Ryan Catte

Stop right there, thank you very much

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EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Malak Abas

We need drivers with a sober touch

me@themanitoban.com

PAGE 19

NEWS EDITOR Imreet Kaur

news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

NEWS EDITOR Shaden Abusaleh

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COMMENT EDITOR Shawn Huberdeau

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ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Olivia Michalczuk

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DESIGN

DESIGN EDITOR Bram Keast

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GRAPHICS EDITOR Kelly Campbell

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SOCIAL EDITOR Carolyne Kroeker

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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 COMMENT

Keeping tabs

Five Canadian politicians to watch in 2018

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News

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

Winnipeggers mark Idle No More five year anniversary Attendees participated in drumming, singing and a round dance to cerebrate the movement IMREET KAUR, STAFF

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ore than 50 people gathered at Portage and Main to observe the fifth anniversary of the Idle No More (INM) movement on Dec. 23.

INM started as a protest against Bill C-45 proposed by the federal government under then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper, which critics charged would undermine Indigenous rights and environmental protections by changing land management laws on reservations.

INM gained momentum when Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiskat First Nation undertook a hunger strike in 2012 to draw the attention of federal government toward Indigenous issues.

Since then, INM sparked various actions across Canada and became a broad movement encompassing issues including environmental degradation, Indigenous rights, honouring the treaties, Indigenous sovereignty, and economic and social inequality.

Event organizer Serena Hickes said INM means different things to different people.

“Food insecurity, water insecurity that may not change, lack of affordable shelter, bills that put our children at risk, our children and youth staying in foster care. The list is so long.”

As stated in the vision statement, INM aims to motivate “all people to join in a peaceful revolution, to honour Indigenous sovereignty, and to protect the land and water” and shine a light on the injustices faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada.

to our settler friends what Idle No More stands for - and it is not just one thing.”

Many issues - such as inequitable access to services, lack of access to clean drinking water, and overrepresentation of Indigenous youth in government care - must be addressed, she said.

“These are issues that need to be brought up,” Hickes said.

“It’s about showing Locally, INM has been working our province that we closely with the Bear Clan Patrol, a community-based crime prevention can gather in love organization in the North End that provides “personal security in the and protest with inner city in a non-threatening, nonsong and dance” violent and supportive way,” according to the group’s website.

- Serena Hickes, “I personally am so thankful we event organizer have such a strong relationship with the Bear Clan who work on our streets in our communities to help Hickes, who is part of the move- one-on-one with the people and let ment in Winnipeg, said it is crucial community know there is safety,” for her as an Inuit woman to partici- Hickes said.

Tyra Cox, program officer at pate. She said she feels like a guest on Treaty 1 territory, despite having Canadian Feed the Children, an lived in Winnipeg for the majority organization that focuses on buildof her life. ing sustainable community resilience Those in attendance took part in though partnerships in Canada and drumming, singing, and a round around the world, said that she has dance to show solidarity with INM, followed the work of people within which celebrates the resilience and the movement since INM’s inception resurgence of Indigenous peoples and “aligns” with it.

“I love the women who started across Canada.

“It’s not just about a round dance at the movement and also those who Portage and Main, it’s about showing identify as change makers,” Cox said, our province that we can gather in referring to Sheelah McLean, Nina love and protest with song and dance Wilson, Sylvia McAdam, and Jessica to help open the lines of communica- Gordon, who founded INM in 2012.

Cox said INM has carried fortion,” Hickes said.

Moving forward, Hickes said ward the conversations pertaining that INM is about “communicating to Indigenous rights, compelling

PHOTOS BY IMREET KAUR

Canadians and those in power to pay attention to the injustices suffered

by Indigenous populations across Canada.

“So whether that’s on the frontlines or with your families teaching about movements in a safe and secure home, you do what you can for and on behalf of the movement,” Cox said.

Cox also pointed out the importance of implementing United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), as recommended in the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

“I don’t think the government understands UNDRIP because it has not been implemented yet, and the only people trying to implement it that I have seen are other Indigenous

peoples,” Cox said.

In April of last year, a bill was introduced in the house of commons by Quebec NDP MP Romeo Sanganash which seeks to align Canadian law with the principles of UNDRIP. The bill - Bill C-262 - was debated in the House of Commons for an hour in December of last year and is scheduled to be debated for another hour in February. A vote on a second reading scheduled for March.

“UNDRIP is basic human rights and I have not seen a big movement from non-Indigenous politicians to take it on and get it implemented," said Cox. “Brown bodies see the value on basic human rights and that is who is moving the implementation forward.”

Commenting on the provincial government’s commitment to addressing the issues raised by INM, Hickes was not hopeful, noting the opposition NDP has postured a more open position.

“Sadly, I do not think any of these issues INM are on their radar," she said. "It’s sad, really, as the party in power seems the least involved in Indigenous issues."

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News

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

UCRU recommends eliminating tuition tax credits Student union collective proposes the reallocation of $1.5 billion towards student loan programs QUDUS ABUSALEH, STAFF

PHOTO BY MEGAN COLWELL

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repor t prepared b y grandparents, or spouse. Further, a secondary education and providing sometime in the future," reads the Undergraduates of Canadian provision introduced in the 1997 fed- adequate financial aid all students CFS policy statement.

Research-Intensive Universities eral budget allowed any unused credit in need.

“As a result, education tax cred(UCRU) recommends that the fed- to be carried forward to the next year.

As outlined in UCRU’s report, its are most likely to benefit those eral government scrap tuition tax only $500 million of the projected who already have enough money to credits moving into 2018. $1.5 billion tuition tax credits will go afford post-secondary education.”

The UCRU is a collective of to students in 2018. undergraduate student unions repre- “Education tax The benefits of tax credits only Canada Student senting students of research intensive come in the spring when tax returns Loans Program credits are most universities. are filed and after tuition fees have The federal government has a likely to benefit The recommendation calls on been paid. A policy of the Canadian variety of programs that help reduce the federal government to scrap the Federation of Students (CFS) points tuition costs by providing subsidies those who already Tuition Tax Credit and reallocate an out that this nearly nine month lapse to students attending post-secondary estimated $1.5 billion toward upfront means that tuition credits have mini- institutions. These programs assist have enough money grants and loans. mal impact in reducing the upfront students through upfront loans that Tuition tax credits allow post- to afford postcosts of post-secondary education. are repayable after graduation and secondary students to claim a tax Furthermore, given that uninon-repayable grants. At the foresecondary education” reduction for tuition fees paid each versity enrolment rate for students front of these programs is the Canada year. The credit is calculated by mul- - Canadian Federation from high-income backgrounds are Student Loans Program (CSLP). tiplying tuition fees by the federal almost twice that of students from The most recent review of CSLP, of Students tax rate - which is currently 15 per lower-income families, the average dealing with the 2014/15 fiscal year, cent. Universities and colleges annutax credit claimed by students from revealed that 83 per cent of the $717.7 ally issue statements to their students Logistic deficiencies the top quartile is twice that of the million distributed to approximately revealing the exact sum they may A study published by the C.D. average credit available for students 366,000 students was provided to stuclaim under the non-refundable Howe Institute in 2013 reveals that in the bottom quartile. dents from the lower quartiles. credit. on a yearly average, only one-third of For these reasons, the UCRU At the University of Manitoba, the The credit aims to both increase government investments into tuition report suggests that tuition tax cred- Front and Centre Campaign is aimpostsecondary enrolment and lessen credits go directly toward students. its disproportionately benefit students ing to raise $75 million toward scholthe burden of tuition fees on students, The remainder is claimed by support- coming from higher-income families, arships and bursaries and enhance specifically those coming from low- ing individuals. and not those who are more in need support for Indigenous and graduate income families. Any student over In the report, Wilfrid Laurier of government aid. students, research, and student expethe age of 16 attending an accredited University’s associate professor of "In order to derive any benefit from rience, among other items. institution with fees exceeding $100 economics Christine Neill empha- the education tax credits, students Under UMSU president Tanjit can claim credits. sized that the main concern with and their families must first find Nagra, the student union has comWith its current structure, any tuition tax credits is that they do not the resources to pay for tuition fees, mitted $15.9 million to the campaign. credit left unclaimed by a student meet their objective of boosting the textbooks and living expenses and This 10-year commitment has helped can be transferred to their parents, number of Canadians with a post- hope that a portion will be refunded in the creation of over 340 new stu-

dent scholarships and bursaries.

“These contributions will go a long way in making post-secondary education more accessible by decreasing the financial barrier that many students face,” Nagra said.

Moving forward

Another report prepared by Neill, for the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation, jives with the recommendation outlined in UCRU’s report.

Neill emphasizes the better role programs like CSLP can play in regards to higher enrolment rates and better access to financial aid by pointing out directions that could be followed.

The first is through increasing grants. Government grants are the largest source of funding for universities and colleges, and yet they only account for 54 per cent of government education spending. An increase in grants would enable an expansion of the post-secondary system and can therefore help heighten student enrolment.

If the financial resources committed to tuition tax credits were to be reallocated towards direct student grants, each post-secondary student could receive $1,100 annually.

VOL. 104 NO. 17 January 3, 2017

News

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Young and Arab in the age of revolutions University of Michigan professor Juan Cole, ShababLibya co-founder Ayat Mneina on the importance of youth during the Arab Spring SHADEN ABUSALEH, STAFF

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eyond Crisis: The Middle East Past, Present, Future event series hosted University of Michigan history professor Juan Cole Dec. 11 at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights for a keynote address on youth involvement in the Arab Spring.

The event series, chaired by University of Manitoba assistant professor Jennifer Dueck, organizes local events, including public panels and lectures, aimed at exploring Middle Eastern and North African historical and contemporary issues.

Leading a revolution

The Arab Spring was a series of anti-government, initially nonviolent, demonstrations and protests across the Middle East and North Africa during the first months of 2011.

The sudden mass mobilization of civilians calling for an end to longstanding regimes took many by surprise, particularly social scientists and political analysts.

A distinct feature of the Arab Spring was that it was initiated, organized, and led by Arab youth, who, in an interview, Cole referred to as “digital natives” growing up in an increasingly open and globalized world.

Cole described how the uprisings grew out of young Arabs’ frustration with the concentration of political power.

“The overthrow of the government happened in places where a ruling elite had decided to make the country its family affair,” he said. “And the youth objected to being inherited like so many sticks of furniture.”

Cole emphasized the significance of young people spearheading the uprisings, calling it an “interesting phenomenon,” particularly because this was a society that was “extremely patriarchal and children are expected to obey their fathers, and many Middle Eastern leaders adopted this rhetoric of being the father of the nation.”

In December 2010, following the self-immolation of a struggling Tunisian street vendor, Mohamed Bouazizi, in response to the confiscation of his products and harassment and humiliation experienced, protests against the Tunisian government resulted in the overthrow of then-president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali - ending his 23-year term.

Tunisia acted as a catalyst to the uprisings, as the revolutionary wave spread across the Arab world into countries like Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, and Syria. In most cases, protests were initiated and led by Arab youth.

Cole spoke of the impact social media had in driving the revolutions. He argued that while the role of social media in the uprisings has

PHOTO BY JUAN COLE

been exaggerated in Western analysis, Cole continued. “And I tell them, social media sites helped in expand- ‘Well, it would have interfered with ing the revolutionary call. their homework.’

“I mean, they were 18 and 20, and “I think that the ability of the internet to show video was impor- in most of these countries you can’t tant,” Cole said. even run for parliament until you’re He explained that alongside vid- 40. And so, in the 2030s we’ll see eos showcasing government cruelty them emerge as politicians. And against demonstrators, independent there’s no guarantee, of course, that Arab news media networks, such as they will retain their youthful idealAl-Jazeera, broadcasted such videos ism or youthful programs, but it is to millions of viewers across the Arab likely that they will, down the road, world. have an impact on policy.”

“This ability to demonstrate the brutality of the regime was important in mobilizing people to overthrow it,” “If anything Winnipeg Cole said. forged my actual On the Middle East and North contribution and I Africa today, Cole argued that while the Arab Spring may seem like a had to think outside fruitless venture seeing as how stability in the region has regressed and the box. I think goals young Arab activists set out to it was a unique achieve in 2011 remain unfulfilled, Arab youth continue to be up and moment” – Ayat active.

Mneina, Shabab “The certitude that these young people will eventually take over is Libya co-founder. incontrovertible,” he said. “I don’t personally think that they have disappeared from the scene in the way that a lot of observers suggest.”

From Winnipeg to Libya An example provided by Cole is Cole also highlighted the role the frequent university and college young Arabs living in the Western campus demonstrations that take world played during the Arab Spring. place in response to campus issues.

“The expatriate Arab youth were “I think a lot of the energy of the very important in the uprisings,” he youth has turned to very local con- said. “In some instances, they were cerns of youth, like campus policies the ones who called for the demonand tuition and so forth,” he said. strations initially because they weren’t “People ask me, ‘Well, why didn’t under the gun from the secret police.” they form a party? Why didn’t they Among such activists is Ayat try to take over the government?’” Mneina, a former U of M science stu-

dent who currently works as a policy analyst at the Manitoba Legislature.

Mneina is a founding member of ShababLibya - the Libyan Youth Movement - an international news and youth development organization that reported on the Libyan uprising during the Arab Spring from abroad using a network of on-the-ground sources.

On her involvement in the uprisings, Mneina said, “ I kind of clued in really early on in December when things were happening in Tunisia.

“We were watching closely and I was really connected to my family in Libya at the time and had kind of a Libyan network of people that I spoke to frequently.”

M neina e x pla ined t hat ShababLibya grew out of the realization that the Libyan government’s control over communication was extensive and as such, incidents of government brutality against civilians would go unreported. Mneina said that this tight grip on the media meant that “people would be killed and there would be no hope for mass protests and uprisings.”

“We said, ‘If something happens, we’re going to report it from outside.

Because we can,’” she said. “We have tools that we can use that people on the ground don’t have and the regime can’t shut us down.”

Using social media to report on what was happening in Libya, ShababLibya set up Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Skype accounts to report on demonstrations.

“The news picked up on it actually fairly quickly,” Mneina said. “And

we became this kind of middle man for them, because they didn’t know Libya, they didn’t know how to contact people, so we would give them sources, we would help get them photos and videos and then later on we’d send relatives to the Egyptian border to bring journalists in. It just kind of continued to unfold as people needed.”

Mneina explained that key to the success of ShababLibya was its ability to provide context on what was happening on the ground.

“I personally think that it’s still important to provide Libyan context about Libya from Libyans because there’s so much that’s written about Libya to the outside world by the outside world,” she said. “And you know how that can be problematic when decisions are being made and there isn’t that key narrative.”

On being in Winnipeg while reporting on a revolution taking place across the globe, Mneina said, “I was very much well aware of where I was when this all took place.”

“My location basically dictated what I was going to do,” she said. “If anything, Winnipeg forged my actual contribution because it decided where I was and I had to think outside the box in terms of how to engage. I think it was a unique moment.

“I don’t think it worked against me that I was here.”

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News

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

U of M Fort Garry bus station construction nears completion DIANA UBOKUDOM, STAFF

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

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innipeg transit service to the introduced along Dafoe Road, with campus experience especially during bus schedules,” she said.

Fort Garry campus of U of M two new eastbound drop-off loca- the cold months.

Nagra added that UMSU has been has returned to normal since tem- tions in front of actively advocatporary stops were installed along the Agriculture on behalf of “Students can once again use bus shelters to ing Maclean Crescent after construction Building and students throughof new stops started in the summer. Taché Hall. Five out the duration keep warm during cold Winnipeg winters, The temporary transit stops on heated shelters of the project as in addition to more frequently updated bus the union “voiced Maclean Crescent were taken down have been conwhen the transit terminal on Dafoe structed for the student concerns” schedules” - Tanjit Nagra, UMSU president.

Road reopened Dec. 17. westbound stops and “kept up-toAlong with the relocation, opposite Taché date on construcchanges were also made to the tran- Hall.

“Students can once again use bus tion updates.” sit station that existed on Dafoe road UMSU president Tanjit Nagra said shelters to keep warm during cold The new transit terminal with before the construction began. that both the upgraded shelters and Winnipeg winters. In addition to eastbound stops includes additional Two-way transit service has been electronic signs will improve student’s more frequently updated [electronic] pedestrian crossings to increase safety

and accessibility in these areas.

Nagra reiterated that with the new changes, student safety was of utmost concern.

“We see student safety as a top priority […] If there are any concerns I would encourage students to contact us with any feedback.”

The new bus stops will run from the eastern part of the Quad through Isbister, providing more space for buses to operate, thereby promoting a green environment on campus.

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

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The path to collective wellness begins with therapy In 2018, make personal expression a priority KELLY CAMPBELL, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY KELLY CAMPBELL

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bout a year ago, three different friends of mine attempted suicide and were hospitalized in the span of a month. I felt overwhelmed and helpless, thinking it was at least partially my responsibility to help three people I loved - all of whom were fairly angry to wake up after attempting to die to find that they were still alive - feel like life was worth living.

While this feeling of obligation seems to be a common response to a loved one's attempted or completed suicide, it does not follow that you are personally responsible.

If someone's pain is so great that they do not want to continue living, it does not matter how good a friend, partner, or family member you are.

Regardless, this reassurance often cannot compare to the power of our feelings, and our need to find justifications and sources for them. When my friends and family are sick, I find it difficult to do anything besides lie in bed worrying, eating occasionally, and visiting them in the hospital.

After a couple weeks, the stress, discomfort, and dullness of lying in bed all day feeling exhausted and

heartbroken prompted me to do something I had been putting off for years: go to counselling. I have been going on and off for about a year, and it is one of the best things I have ever done for myself and the people around me. I have become so good at managing my anxiety that this past summer I went to music festivals and actually had fun - even after arriving at one thinking I was on the brink of a full-blown panic attack - something I was not able to do previously. I'm sure other severe anxiety sufferers know that this is a big deal.

There are a lot of issues I have worked through in counselling, but the core of what I have learned is simple: the importance of non-judgmentally accepting and communicating personal feelings. Of course, this is simple only in concept. In practice, our brains are a maze of guilt traps and pathways created by past interactions and trauma. Still, even simply recognizing that patterns exist is the first step in figuring them out and addressing them.

This hasn't just been good for me, it has been good for the people

around me. Before, I would feel con- conflict from a place of compassion your ability to understand yourself sistently depressed and angry and I for myself and my loved ones. While and find non-destructive ways to feel didn't understand why. I needed a I sometimes regress - healing isn't better that work for you. In short, it reason for my feelings, and would linear and every situation is unique limits the quality of your life. often end up blaming the people I - overall, I have much stronger relaIt's okay to be angry. It's okay to be cared for the most. I would lash out tionships in every area of my life, and sad. It’s even okay to be angry and sad to those around me, scaring them and I am able to be more empathetic and when you have no right to be angry hurting their feelings. supportive to the people I love. and sad. But it’s not okay to yell, hit, As I become better at recognizing intimidate, or try to manipulate and and managing my emotions, I notice control people because you don’t You are entitled to more and more those around me who understand, want to accept, or know are not adept at this kind of regula- how to process your feelings. You are your feelings. You tion. I see myself in people who slam entitled to your feelings. You are not the door, yell at and frighten their entitled to the use of anyone else’s are not entitled to friends, all waiting for someone to ask body or soul as your bad-feelingsthe use of anyone what's wrong. They scare me, like I garbage-dump. Especially if that used to scare people, like I still some- person loves you. else's body or soul times do scare people. They remind So, for your sake, for the sake of as your bad-feelingsme of other people in my life who your friends, for the sake of your famyelled and slammed things, who had ily, your coworkers, and your life - if garbage dump no idea what or why they were feeling, you do one thing in 2018, make it be and needed someone to blame and going to therapy.

Now, I can understand that my someone to fix it at the same time. body and my brain often enter fight Being unable to manage and dis- For a place to start, visit Klinic’s or flight reactions based on past situ- cuss your feelings hurts the people Drop-In Counselling site at ations of trauma and that my emo- around you. But it also hurts you. It http://klinic.mb.ca/in-persontional reaction doesn't always make severely limits the depth, quality, and counselling/klinic-drop-in-counsense given the current situation. I durability of your social connections, selling/, or call (204) 786-8686. can take a step back, figure out the your ability to navigate conflict withsource of my feelings, and discuss out destroying your relationships, and

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

Five Canadian politicians to watch in 2018 In both federal and provincial politics, this year is going to be interesting LEVI GARBER, STAFF

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hether it be NAFTA renegotiations, Canada 150 celebrations, Bill Morneau’s ethical complications, or Brian Pallister’s New Mexico and tuition hikes - 2017 was a busy year in federal and provincial politics. With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau facing off against US president Donald Trump, recreational marijuana slated for legalization, and looming provincial and federal elections, 2018 should prove to be even more interesting.

As we enter the Chinese zodiac year of the dog, a year that some astrologers warn may be one of “transient melancholy,” allow us to put a positive foot forward by considering the top five Canadian politicians that Manitobans should be watching this year.

So, here are the politicians you should keep tabs on in 2018. And just a warning, Justin Trudeau is not on this list, as we will all be watching him anyway.

to a late Dec. 2017 Probe Research poll. Kinew also needs to tap into the frustrations growing around the provincial government’s healthcare cuts - especially in Winnipeg, where the majority of the NDP’s support lies - if he wants to make gains in 2020.

Here are the politicians you should keep tabs on in 2018. And just a warning, Justin Trudeau is not on this list, as we will all be watching him anyway

2018 is Conservative Party of Canada leader Andrew Scheer. When the cheery-faced Saskatchewan MP won the Conservative leadership race by less than a hair in May, not many Canadians knew who he was.

Now, as Scheer begins to build a public profile - he was Google’s top trending Canadian politician searched in 2017 - and his party continues its relentless attacks on the Liberal government in question period day after day, the question of whether Scheer can garner enough support to dethrone the high-flying Trudeau government in 2019 will be tested this year.

Since Scheer’s leadership win, the Conservatives have been sitting at around the same polling numbers as when they lost the 2015 federal election. In 2018, the Conservative leader will continue his question period assaults on Bill Morneau’s and the Prime Minister’s ethics. He will also spend time travelling across the country to build his “conservative with a smile” brand.

The Conservatives will be looking to pick up seats in the prairies, where the Liberal government’s polling numbers are fading. Watch for visits by Scheer to Manitoba.

From left to right (PHOTO BY): Chrystia Freeland (SEAN KILPATRICK), Wab Kinew Cameron Friesen (MIKE DEAL)

(ASHA NELSON), and

has not seemed to have much effect so far - in four recent by-elections throughout the country, the NDP gained zero seats - but Singh’s leadership is still in its early days.

In 2018, Singh will continue his national tour while his former campaign challenger, Guy Caron, will continue to do an amicable job of organizing his party on Parliament Hill. Watch for a youthful and inclusive re-branding of the NDP in 2018 under Singh’s leadership, especially as Thomas Mulcair, Singh’s predecessor, quits federal politics for good in June.

With Canadian jobs on the line and a U.S. president who seems to threaten total withdrawal about once a month, Freeland has her work cut out for her in the coming year. In 2018, Freeland will presumably become more bullish about Canada’s interests in the free trade deal. Expect trips to D.C. and Mexico City to increase, 4) Cameron Friesen especially as Mexico goes to the polls Staying in Manitoba for a moment, 5) Wab Kinew to elect a new president in July.

And NAFTA is only one of By all accounts, 2017 was a year of the provincial PC politician to watch ups and downs for Manitoba NDP in 2018 will be finance minister Freeland’s major challenges for 2018. leader Wab Kinew. The former Cameron Friesen. After last year’s Bob Rae, Canada’s special envoy to musician, broadcaster, and univer- provincial budget fell flat for fiscal the Rohingya crisis, is already calling sity administrator made history in conservatives in terms of cutting costs on the government to investigate posSeptember when he became the first - the deficit at the end of 2017 was $827 sible war crimes in Myanmar. Expect Indigenous leader of a major provin- million - 2018 will likely see Friesen 1) Chrystia Freeland some form of action from Global cut even more to work toward a bal- 2) Jagmeet Singh cial party.

The year 2018 is going to be chal- Affairs Canada in the coming weeks.

Revelations of domestic violence anced spreadsheet.

The Conservatives were not the lenging for the Trudeau Liberals in For the Trudeau government, After a year of repeatedly being only federal party to get a new leader the sphere of international affairs. Freeland will be one of its greatest charges filed against Kinew over a decade ago - that have since been among the last standing naysayers in in 2017. In October, the federal NDP Fallout from Trump’s Middle East assets in the lead up to the 2019 feddropped - and details from another financial negotiations with the federal decisively elected Jagmeet Singh, a policies, growing far-right pop- eral election. Watch for the Liberals violent incident more than 10 years government - first with healthcare bright and promising Ontario MPP ulism in Europe, ethnic cleansing in to back her actions with zeal. ago between Kinew and a Winnipeg transfers, then with the carbon tax, as their new leader.

Myanmar, NAFTA troubles, chaos As we finish the New Year’s Eve taxi driver flattened his NDP leader- and later with revenue sharing with Singh’s election was another mon- in Somalia: the list of crises Foreign bubbly and politicians get back in Ottawa of marijuana taxes - the pro- umental first in Canadian politics: he Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland action for 2018, be sure to have some ship victory party.

If Kinew’s personal history tells vincial government will have to come is the first non-white leader of a major will continue to deal with in the com- popcorn ready for another captivating us anything, however, it is that he to final deals with the feds, or else risk federal party. ing year goes on. year in provincial and federal politics. has a knack for bouncing back. In having national standards imposed Singh, however, decided not Freeland, who was promoted to 2018, watch for an energized and on Manitoba. In 2018, Friesen will to immediately run for a seat in the foreign affairs cabinet role in active NDP leader. Kinew needs to likely be making quite a few trips Parliament, choosing instead to criss- January 2017 following her successes sell his party’s vision to young and to Ottawa. cross the nation in a “Jagmeet and in negotiations of a European Union Indigenous Manitobans if he wants greet” tour to boost the NDP’s pub- free trade deal, will need to pull out to unseat the current PC provin- 3) Andrew Scheer lic image after disappointing losses all the stops for the ongoing NAFTA Speaking of conservatives, the for the party in the 2015 election. renegotiations, which are proving to cial government, which is sitting at about 40 per cent approval according first federal politician to watch in Unfortunately for Singh, the tour be challenging on the best of days.

10 Comment

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

Another year, another flawed Checkstop season in Winnipeg Innovation in designated driver programs needed to prevent rising cases of impaired driving KENNY INGRAM, STAFF

annual campaigns, due to funding in part from Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI), which budgets $90,000 annually for the non-profit group.

If Checkstop was meant to reduce the number of cases involving impaired driving, then it has been a complete failure

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

T

he Holiday Checkstop program in Winnipeg is not working. At least, not anymore.

The program was launched in 2001 with the purchase of a $120,000, custom-built vehicle, equipped with a breathalyzer, prisoner-holding area, washroom, a laptop, and most of all, good intentions.

Criticizing any program with the intent of preventing drunk driving will likely be viewed negatively by many. However, this may be precisely why few will publicly choose to do so.

The goal of eliminating impaired driving - with clear punishments for those to decide to put their own and other people’s lives at risk - is paramount. However, we must be mindful of our city’s limited resources for preventing these infractions. Every dollar needs to count.

Incidents due to impaired driving in Canada as a whole have declined

over the past 30 years. However, there now a completely outdated concept. thought, Winnipeg Police Service’s seems to be a clear trend going in The program was established in 2001, TakeAction in Schools program the opposite direction in Manitoba, when a laptop in a van was consid- details different ways of preventing where we have some of the worst rates ered state-of-the-art. With today’s impaired driving for youth. Some of of impaired driving in all of Canada. technology, one person in a 15-minute the suggestions? You can choose a In 2012, there were 432 offences line going through a Checkstop road- designated driver, take a bus or a taxi, for impaired driving over the legal block can alert over 40,000 people call a friend, or just say “no.” blood-alcohol limit of 0.08 per cent within seconds - which is exactly These are incredibly limiting and in Winnipeg, compared to the 528 what many drivers do - either to avoid poorly thought out suggestions. A offences in 2015. the roadblocks and drive impaired taxi certainly is not always finanThere are two ways of looking at whilst undetected, or just to avoid the cially possible for many, and historithe Holiday Checkstop program. If inconvenient delays that come along cally, telling young adults to “just the goal of the program is to catch with the program. say no” has not exactly been a viable a large number of impaired drivWhat we have then is an ineffec- expectation. ers, then it has been a success. Yet if tive, outdated program that at best That said, there is a nationally-run Checkstop was meant to reduce the simply catches people who have organization called Operation Red number of cases involving impaired already been driving impaired, while Nose that has been championing the driving, then it has been a complete many others can simply avoid their prevention of impaired driving. It is failure. The entire premise of the widely reported locations. a volunteer-run non-profit organizaprogram is based on the misguided It is truly baffling as to why the tion that provides free rides to anyone principle of crime deterrence - using City of Winnipeg has not focused who has a vehicle and needs to get punishment as a threat - and it clearly on the primary solution to impaired home safaely. And it works - over is not working. driving: prevention. At the bottom of 2.1 million rides have been given Not to mention, Checkstop is one of its PSA sheets, as if as an after- throughout Canada during its 33

However, due to it being a privately-run organization by volunteers, it can mean that on high-traffic nights there are significant wait times.

It is also has the serious drawback of only being available on various weekend days leading up to New Year’s Day, and only during certain hours.

What the provincial government must do is essentially use Operation Red Nose’s successful program as a blueprint of what a completely governmentally-funded program could look like. It should be year-round and tailored especially to high-traffic hours. Funds could be allocated based on the massive financial burden of impaired driving on our province, which totalled over $1 billion in 2010.

What is clear is if we as a society are going to make the prevention of impaired driving a priority, we must end the scare campaigns like Checkstop that have not been effective. Rather, we should invest in our own year-round, governmentallyfunded preventative programs which truly reduce impaired driving.

Diversions

11

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

COMIC BY ERNEST ZARZUELA

COMIC BY ERNEST ZARZUELA COMIC BY STEPHANE DOUCET

Arts & Culture

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

12

Handcrafted haven

Shopping at local markets supports local makers JEN DOERKSEN, STAFF

PHOTO BY JEN DOERKSEN

F

rom farmers’ markets in the summer and fall, to holiday markets in the winter, buying local is easier than ever with these pop-up malls offering quality handmade and independently-produced wares.

On Aug. 23, Travel Manitoba released "All roads lead to crafts: 2017 Manitoba craft shows list," that listed craft markets around the province from September to December.

Winnipeg hosted no fewer than 66 markets, with 14 taking place on Nov. 25 alone. Corey Lakusiak, a local jeweler, co-hosted her first market on Dec. 10, after over eight years of crafting and selling her work.

Lakusiak’s market, “Whole: A Mindful Holiday Market,” ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 10, and featured 18 crafters selling a variety of goods including honey, jewelry, beard oils, and pottery.

“My partner in this one, Kalee Mund, [of] Rasa Holistic, and I have been friends for a long time and

we were actually at a sale together season brought her first experience was the right spot for her crafts, but in November,” Lakusiak said. “It of being a vendor. She and her sister also noted that she had sold a number was a really quiet sale so we had a Victoria Davies create woven wall of Christmas ornaments. lot of time to sit together and talk, decor. Irene Davies tabled at The “I think if we had decided that we and throughout that day we said we Good Will Social Club on Dec. 2 were going to do this earlier, we could should put together a sale of our own for the Good Tidings market, which have probably taken more orders and of our friends and sold some more people we love stuff, and even “It’s just nice to know that your gifts or anything just and shop from all marketing a the time.” came from someone, like you’re supporting the bit longer before Lakusiak said [the market],” she the market was a makers directly and not, like, ‘The Man’” – Irene said. “We also success, after havcould have gotten Davies, co-creator of Prairie Sisters Loom ing some difficulty into some of those booking a venue bigger markets.” in the week prior to the event when included handmade and vintage Davies said she thinks bigger sales the initial space was double booked. goods, and live music. like the Luckygirl Pop Up Shop and Lakusiak said she thinks the holi“I haven’t done anything like this Third + Bird would have been better days brings out shoppers. before, this is our first foray into sell- places for her crafts.

“Essentially, it’s a handmade pop- ing our crafts,” Davies said. “So, we Both crafters also prefer to shop up mall, so you may not know exactly made an Instagram account and got local and buy handmade. “I try not to what you’re looking for, but if your some custom orders through that, shop retail,” Lakushiak said. vendors are varied, you’ll be able to and that was the first sale we’ve ever Davies said the personal touch of browse,” Lakusiak said. done.” a handcrafted gift makes it all the For Irene Davies, co-creator of Davies said she wasn’t sure the more special.

Prairie Sisters Loom, this winter market at The Good Will Social Club “It’s just nice to know that your

gifts or anything came from someone, like you’re supporting the makers directly and not, like, ‘The Man,’” Davies said. “I find those are the most special presents and people really appreciate stuff like that.”

At the same time, Davies recognizes that handcrafted items can have a higher price than similar products from a retail outlet.

“It’s an expensive time of year, so it’s sometimes hard to justify shopping local if they can get it cheaper somewhere else," she said. "And sort of pricing our stuff is where I learned the value of what something handmade is."

VOL. 104 NO. 17 January 3, 2017

Arts & Culture

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’Toban turntable Want us to review your album? Email us at arts@themanitoban.com JEN DOERKSEN, STAFF

BADBADNOTGOOD IV 5/5

of the album.

The two next tracks kick right back into what one expects from BADBADNOTGOOD. This group ADBADNOTGOOD’s fourth has mastered energetic, groovy songfull length LP is a captivating writing that holds a sense of anticipaand sometimes tense album. tion over the listener. They pull you The jazz trio grew into a quaralong on a thin string through wellcrafted musical landscapes. tet for this record, adding Leland Whitty on saxophone. The group is The addition of Whitty on saxknown for adding jazzy composition ophone in every song changes the to hip-hop and R&B beats, but IV overall tone for IV in comparison to departs slightly from hip hop to fully the band’s previous albums. The addiexplore the tion of another reed intensity that instrument plus the only they seem occasional flute or Where there are usually instrumental solos able to create. clarinet, adds comand story-like melodies, this album provides plexity and more The album starts off with room for melody to delightful vocal contributions that expands “And That, Too,” the former trio. The BADBADNOTGOOD’s sound all around a title similar group goes full jazz to songs on on this album, leavtheir previous ing behind a number album III like “Differently, Still” the theme of collaboration that of the more obvious markers of hip and “Since You Asked Kindly.” The emerges throughout the album. hop in their previous releases. They tension starts fairly high, held taut “Time Moves Slow,” featuring Sam move to an incredibly satisfying place between the keys and rhythm section. Herring, is a slow, subtle and sub- with the addition of new instruments.

An ensemble of instruments, includ- lime experience of what sounds like a The album also features a numing clarinet and synth, take turns car- breakup song. The main refrain “time ber of guest performers. Charlotte rying a conversational and relatively moves slow, when you’re all alone” at Day Wilson, Kaytranadad, Colin relaxed melody which slowly builds the beginning of the pre-chorus hints Stetson, and Mick Jenkins join those before breaking into rapid solos with towards the blunt yet endearing story contributors to the project already a hounding sense of immediacy. It of the song. Herring’s voice hits the mentioned. The track Jenkins consounds like it could put a room of ear in the right spot with the almost tribues to, “Hyssop of Love,” jumps people on edge, but in a very engag- spooky synth sound that keys player right back into hip hop. The rap gets ing way for more attentive listeners. Matthew Tavares uses for a portion steady and intense before lightening

B

Things then break out into a steadier, rolling song with “Speaking Gently,” which sounds like an extension of the first track. It sounds similar to what one might expect from the group based on their previous albums, with a consistently building level of intensity while retaining a rhythmic and bouncy groove.

BADBADNOTGOOD keeps delivering on what they do best.

The third track sticks out in comparison as it’s the first hint towards

ALBUM ARTWORK PROVIDED BY BADBADNOTGOOD

up into an airy, relaxing chorus. That nagging sense of something being around the corner does not leave the tone of the album, but Jenkins’ lyrics add additional exposition of the vague sense of suspicion toward the forces of greed and hate.

Where there are usually instrumental solos and story-like melo-

dies on their previous albums, this album provides delightful vocal contributions that expand BADBADNOTGOOD’s sound all around.

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

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Former Bison named first Indigenous Olympian in women’s hockey JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

at the 2015 and 2016 IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championships adding six points in nine games to her impressive resume.

“Growing up, I didn’t really have that female role model to look up to” Brigette Lacquette

PHOTO STILL FROM SPORTS CANADA

F

ormer Bison Brigette Lacquette be that role model for young First - in 29 career games with the Inferno. stood alongside her 22 teammates Nations kids across Canada.”

This was Lacquette’s second shot onstage during a roster unveiling by Lacquette, a native of Mallard, at making the Olympic roster. She Hockey Canada on Dec. 22 for the Man., played six games for the was a late cut in the run-up to the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, University of Manitoba Bisons in 2014 Sochi Olympics. At the time, South Korea.

2010-11, scoring one goal and adding Lacquette was in her third season Buried within this already news- five assists. with the University of Minnesotaworthy event in a hockey-mad counLacquette is currently in her third Duluth Bulldogs where she recorded try was the fact that Lacquette is the year of professional hockey, taking a 20 goals and 49 assists through 106 first Indigenous woman named to the break from time with the Calgary games.

Canadian women’s hockey team for Inferno of the Canadian Women’s The 2018 Olympic Games won’t an Olympic tournament.

Hockey League to skate with Team be Lacquette’s first time pulling on “Growing up, I didn’t really have Canada in Olympic tuneups. The the maple leaf jersey. She has reprethat female role model to look up to,” 25-year-old defender has performed sented her country at multiple World Lacquette said in a Sportsnet inter- well at the professional level, record- Championships. Most recently she view. “It’s just very special for me to ing 24 points - six goals and 18 assists snagged back-to-back silver medals

A five-foot-seven right-handed shooting defender, Lacquette possesses impressive offensive upside, showing it at every level she has played. She produced at a point-pergame clip during her rookie campaign with the Inferno - doing the same during the playoffs, and followed that up with 0.74 points-pergame a season later.

She has also shown an affinity for using her size to muscle opponents off the puck, play in the tougher areas, and as Team Canada’s Brianne Jenner noted, is part of a much faster and more athletic young crop of players.

Fellow Manitoban Halli Krzyzaniak was one of the final cuts from the team, a move that was met with a measure of disappointment on social media from Canadian fans.

Krzyzaniak was with Lacquette during the 2016 Women’s World Championship, and captured her second silver during the 2017 tournament. The former University of North

Dakota Fighting Hawks defender will now focus on her future and professional career, likely with the National Women’s Hockey League’s Boston Pride - who selected her in the 2017 draft.

Canada will be entering the PyeongChang Olympics as the favourite to win women’s hockey, gunning for a fifth straight gold medal. Since the Women’s Hockey Tournament began at the 1998 Nagano Olympics - where Canada fell short against the United States to take silver - Canada has taken gold four out of five Olympics.

This will be Canada’s first Olympics without longtime star Hayley Wickenheiser, Team Canada’s all-time leader in games played (216), goals (146), and points (318 ), who retired back in January 2017.

It will now fall on the shoulders of rookies like Lacquette, and veterans such as future hall-of-fame candidate Marie-Philip Poulin to come together and defend their country’s title. Team Canada is slated to open the tournament on Feb. 11 against Russia , though with the recent ban on Russian participation it is unclear if this will change.

Bisons finish in fourth at Wesmen Classic RYAN STELTER, STAFF

T

he 10th-ranked Bison men’s volleyball team worked off those extra Christmas calories this past weekend at the 51st annual Wesmen Classic.

Normally reserved for basketball, this year the University of Winnipeg hosted eight volleyball programs from across Canada to compete in a nonconference tournament. The Bison men’s basketball team have won the last two iterations of the basketball tournament. The Bison men’s volleyball team were unable to follow in the footsteps of their basketball brethren, finishing fourth.

The Wesmen Classic title stayed in Manitoba, however, with the University of Brandon Bobcats beating the Laval University Rouge et Or in three sets.

Manitoba opened the tourney with a 3-1 win over the Western University Mustangs. On the second day of competition, the Bisons took out crosstown rivals the Winnipeg Wesmen in a nailbiting 3-2 match.

In the second game of the day for

27th annual Duckworth Challenge at the Dr. David F. Anderson Gymnasium at the U of W.

Other Bison teams in action

The Bison women’s basketball team headed to Montreal to play a pair of games against the Université du Québec à Montréal Citadins.

The Bisons lost both games, falling 82-65 and 82-75, respectively. Taylor Randall had a combined 37 points over the pair of games.

The Bison men’s basketball team was out east at Ryerson University in Toronto for a mini training camp in preparation for the second half of the season.

PHOTO BY CHANTAL ZDAN

the herd, the Bisons fell 3-1 to the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds.

In semifinal action, the Bisons fell to the Laval University Rouge et Or

3-1. In the bronze medal game, the Adam DeJonckheere was named a Wesmen got the last laugh, dispatch- tournament all star. ing the Bisons in three straight sets to Manitoba will have a chance to hand the Bisons a fourth place finish. exact some revenge on the Wesmen Bison fifth-year left side hitter in a couple weeks, on Jan. 18 for the

VOL. 104 NO. 17 January 3, 2017

Sports

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New Year resolutions for Bison sports teams Manitoba’s clubs have much to look forward to in the New Year JASON PCHAJEK AND RYAN STELTER, STAFF

W

hen the clock struck midnight on Monday, a new year filled with new possibilities for University of Manitoba sports teams began.

Here are some of the highlights, as well as some resolutions for Bison sports teams in 2018.

Men’s hockey 2017 Highlight: Emergence of new talent New Year’s resolution: Make some noise in the playoffs

With a 9-5-2 record heading in to the holiday break, the Bisons currently sit third in Canada West, placed a comfortable five points ahead of the 7-8-1 University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.

Within those nine wins was a scrappy 4-3 victory over the second place Saskatchewan Huskies.

This year saw the Bisons lose their captain and top offensive weapon Jordan DePape due to graduation. The local product and former Kamloops Blazer scored at - or near - a point-per-game pace throughout his four seasons with the Bisons. This included 41 points in 28 games in the 2015-16 season. In his absence, Michael St. Croix (19 points), Kamerin Nault (16 points), and Zach Franko (14 points) have stepped up.

The third-place Bisons are well on their way to a playoff berth, and should look to crash-and-bang their way through the postseason.

PHOTO BY JEFF MILLER

the Prairie Division before losing in Men’s volleyball the playoff play-in game to UBC. In 2017 Highlight: Hosting the national championship, the club Canada West Final Four Football fared better, losing 4-0 to Trinity New Year’s resolution: 2017 Highlight: Another Western before rattling off a 5-1 win Stay afloat NFL product over the University of Guelph in the 2017 was a roller coaster ride for New Year’s resolution: consolation semifinal and losing 4-1 the Bison men’s volleyball team. One Regroup, reload, Women’s hockey to the University of Victoria in the of the most dominant teams in the and re-attack 2017 Highlight: Awards, consolation final, to finish sixth. country, the Bisons finished with a international attention, In the New Year the Bisons have 21-3 record and were ranked number To say the 2017 season was a disand a great record appointment for the Bison football much to improve on, and the postsea- one in Canada.

New Year’s resolution: team would be an understatement. son work shows they have potential.

Manitoba had the chance to host Championship or bust Following a rough 3-5 season in 2016, The soccer team should aim to find the Canada West Final Four back Manitoba is enjoying early suc- the Bisons dropped even further, the silver linings from the year and in March but fell just short to the cess, ranked first nationally with a tying the Saskatchewan Huskies for come back stronger in 2018. eventual national champion Trinity 12-4-0 record through the first half last in Canada West with a 2-6 record.

Western Spartans. The atmosphere in of the season. The women started A silver lining was the strong Women’s volleyball the Investors Group Athletic Centre the year with a tough stretch, playing return of running back Jamel Lyles. 2017 Highlight: Return was simply electric, with fans raucous the University of British Columbia, The 22-year-old placed third in of national champions throughout the weekend. Manitoba eventually finished fifth at nationals Alberta, and Saskatchewan in the Canada West with 110 rushes and New Year’s resolution: first three weeks of the season. 6.3 yards per rush. He also ranked Make the playoffs in Alberta.

Following a 3-3-0 record to start, the fourth in yards (691) and yards per Head coach of the women’s volFor 2018, Manitoba needs to herd rattled off nine straight wins game (86.4), and his four rushing leyball team Ken Bentley was able recoup from losing a wealth of fifthto catapult them to the top of the touchdowns were second only to Ed to bring back two former national year starters. They are nowhere near Ilnicki of Alberta. standings. champions in setter Brittany Habing last season’s success, but sit at seventh The Bisons have also enjoyed the Following the end of the 2016 sea- and middle Emily Erickson this year. in the Canada West with a 5-7 record. emergence of some new talent to go son, offensive lineman Geoff Gray Having the experience and talent of Some playoff experience will do wonalong with the veterans on the squad, turned pro with the Green Bay those two plus the continued develop- ders for head coach Garth Pischke’s chief among them being goaltender Packers, and recently signed with ment of the younger players on this young squad.

Lauren Taraschuk. The rookie has the Cleveland Browns. team, things are looking good for been phenomenal so far this season, Manitoba.

Women’s basketball posting a Canada West leading 0.96 Women’s soccer So far this season, the Bisons 2017 Highlight: Getting 2017 Highlight: Hosting the goals against average and six wins. are 5-7 and sit in ninth place in the in the win column Offensively, Manitoba has been 2017 National Championship Canada West. The 2017 calendar year New Year’s resolution: just as good, with three Bisons in and beating Guelph didn’t start out so well for the Bisons, Make the playoffs the top five in Canada West scoring. New Year’s resolution: as they won 3-0 over Winnipeg on In the 2017 calendar year, the Jordyn Zacharias is currently first in Build on this past season Jan. 7 and proceeded to go on a Bisons won nine games, with six of conference scoring, recording nine The 2017 season was a big one 12-game losing streak to end the them coming in the first half of of goals and five assists through 16 for the Bisons women’s soccer 2016-17 season. the 2017-18 season. So far this season, games, while Venla Hovi and Alanna team, who served as host for the U It’s a whole new season, and the the Bisons have already surpassed Sharman are tied for third with 12 SPORTS National Championship Bisons will aim to get back into the their win total from last year, with points apiece. in November. playoffs this year, and they have the a 6-6 record.

This time around, the Bisons are Manitoba posted a 4-7-3 record team to do it.

Led offensively by Taylor Randall, poised for further success, and there in Canada West, finishing sixth in who is averaging a team best is nothing left for them to prove except a national championship.

14.7 points per game, and Emma Thompson is not far behind, averaging 13.3 points per game. Nicole Konieczny is averaging a team best 7.6 rebounds a game, with Claire Harvey averaging 6.3.

Typically in the basement of the Canada West, this Bison team should expect a playoff appearance this season.

Men’s basketball 2017 Highlight: Run to nationals New Year’s resolution: Maintain course

Last season, not many people pegged the Bisons to make it all the way to Halifax for the U SPORTS National Championships, but Manitoba did it. After upsetting the UBC Thunderbirds in the quarterfinals, the Bisons continued their Cinderella run by beating Calgary in the semifinals at the Canada West Final Four. They lost in the finals to Alberta, but had already booked their ticket to nationals.

Manitoba lost both their games at nationals, but the fact they made it had many across Canada raising their eyebrows. Head coach Kirby Schepp has had to deal with a cornucopia of player turnover, including the losses of Keith Omoerah, AJ Basi, and Brett Jewell, but this team has been able to find ways to win.

Heading into the 2018 calendar year, the Bisons are fifth in the Canada West with an 8-4 record, led offensively by senior guard Justus Alleyn and sophomore forward James Wagner.