18 January 2017

news

Federal support Grant replaces textbook tax credit Page 4

comment

December bombing Copts face violence and discrimination in Egypt Page 10

comment

Aid for Aleppo The war in Syria and what we can do to help Page 9

Vo l 1 0 3 · N o 1 9 · J a n ua ry 1 8 , 2 0 1 7 · w w w.t h e m a n i to b a n .co m

Index

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VOL. 103 NO. 19 January 18, 2017

Editor-in-Chief Craig Adolphe

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

Business manager Kiefer Sheldon

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Advertising Coordinator Daniel Parys

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Editorial

Managing Editor Lauren Siddall

me@themanitoban.com

News Editor Garett Williams

news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

News Editor Levi Garber

levi@themanitoban.com/ 474.6770

Comment Editor Shawn Garbutt

comment@themanitoban.com

science & technology Editor Malak Abas

science@themanitoban.com

arts & Culture Editor Tobi Nifesi

arts@themanitoban.com

Sports Editor Ryan Stelter

sports@themanitoban.com

Copy Editor Sarah Doran

copy@themanitoban.com

Design

Design Editor Bram Keast

science

sports

A new moon origin story

Almaty-bound

Moon may be made of smaller moons page 15

Pair of Bisons headed to 2017 Universiade in Kazakhstan page 21

design@themanitoban.com

Graphics Editor Kelly Campbell

graphics@themanitoban.com

Photo Editor Miguel Yetman

photo@themanitoban.com

Design associate Kellie Huynh graphics associate Aldo Rios pHOTO associate Chantal Zdan pHOTO associate Star Roxas pHOTO associate Megan Colwell

Reporters

News Osho Samuel Adetunji News Diana Ubokudom News Seamus Hamilton-Pattison Columnist Jeremiah Kopp Columnist Shaden Abusaleh arts & culture Olivia Michalczuk arts & culture Emelia Fournier Sports Kellen Taniguchi Sports Jason Pchajek Copy Joseph Gonzalez

Volunteer Contributors news

Voting made easy

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UMSU gets on board with online elections

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News

News Editors: Garett Williams & Levi Garber Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Hundreds of Winnipeggers to march in solidarity with Women’s March on Washington Diana Ubokudom, staff

graphic provided by women's march on washington winnipeg

H

undreds of women will assem- Clinic, Black Space Winnipeg, Student Association (WGSSA) and “It’s really important that we show of people who are willing to rise up ble in downtown Winnipeg and the Immigrant and Refugee event co-organizer, said it is critical them that we care here up north – against hateful language,” she added.

Canadian movements support their show them in numbers how much Saturday to walk in solidarity with Organization of Manitoba.

Raposo agreed, saying the time the hundreds of thousands expected “A lot of it is sparked by Trump’s American counterparts. we care.” has come to take action against hate. to attend the Women’s March on election and the hatred fuelling all of Raposo explained why she felt it “Honestly I think that people recWashington in the American capi- his campaigns, speeches, and slogans was important to help organize and ognize when you have a person in tal the day after Donald Trump is in the form of racism, sexism, trans- "I think it's really take part in the event. power – with a lot of power – who has inaugurated. phobia, Islamophobia – everything,” “I'm marching on behalf of all my proposed to do a lot of really hateful important that we In what is being reported as poten- she said.

LGBTTQIA friends who have a things and who can do a lot of really tially one of the largest protests in “Everybody has a unique and hard time living in the states now hateful things, that it’s time to take show them that U.S. history, nearly 200 groups have diverse reason for why they want to and for anyone here in Canada who’s action,” she said. we care here up signed on to the main even as sup- march and why they would like to be going to be travelling to the States,” “If this happened in any other porting partners. Additionally, at a part of it,” she added. she said. country, I would be marching still.” north – show them least 64 sister marches – including “Winnipeg is really focusing on the McMechan said that while the in numbers how the Winnipeg action – are being minority groups. All of our keynote march is building off of an American The Women’s March on Washington organized in 32 countries in solidar- speakers are either people of colour, movement, the underlying issues are – Winnipeg begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, much we care” – ity with the leading event. or queer, or any marginalized group global.

Jan. 21 with speeches in Portage Place folElizabeth McMechan, Aly Raposo, women’s represen- in the community.”

“I think it’s really important for lowed by a march to the U.S. consulate at tative for the Arts Students Body The Winnipeg event will feature issues like this that we consider it to the corner of Portage Ave. and Main St. co-organizer be a global issue,” said McMechan.

Council and co-organizer of the blessings and words from elder Mae Winnipeg march, said the event is Louise Campbell and will feature “It shouldn't matter where the person inspired by Trump’s hate-fuelled Amal Shire, Cynthia Fortlage, Joan is coming from.” campaign, during which the pres- Dawkins, and Johise Namwira as “I think international support is “I hope that this brings attention ident-elect was repeatedly accused speakers. really important for these groups in to any other sort of hate culture that's of misogynistic and racist behavElizabeth McMechan, co-founder the United States who might have a developed anywhere else in the world iour. Other main organizers of the of the University of Manitoba really long road ahead with the new so that we can work on it together and event include the Women’s Health Women’s and Gender Studies government,” she said.

I hope it creates a really powerful base

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News

News Editors: Garett Williams & Levi Garber Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Education and textbook tax credits discontinued in favour of bolstered student grant program CFS commends move toward direct, up-front support for post-secondary students Diana Ubokudom, staff

photo by miguel yetman

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federal government move eliminating some post-secondary tax credits in lieu of more direct financial support is being both welcomed and criticized by Manitoba students.

Beginning Jan. 1, the education and textbook tax credits, which could be claimed by both full- and parttime students, have been eliminated in exchange for up-front funding through a bolstered Canada Student Grants program.

The education tax credit provided a non-refundable credit of $400 per month for a full-time student and $120 monthly for students enrolled part-time. The textbook credit was worth $65 per month for full time and $20 per month for part time students.

A tuition tax credit offered by the federal government will remain unchanged.

Liberal MP Terry Duguid, who represents the U of M’s Winnipeg South riding, said in an email that the move to drop the tax credits was motivated by the increasing cost of

post-secondary education. low-income families are eligible for “For too many Canadians, rising $1,800, an increase of $600. costs have made post-secondary eduThe tuition tax credit was not cation increasingly out of reach,” he affected by the changes and unused said. education and textbook credits can “It is harder and harder for middle- be carried forward for the 2017 year class families to save for their kids’ and beyond. education, while many lower-income families are not able to save at all. At “Students need the same time, the federal government spends billions each year on up-front financial non-refundable tax credits that offer help at the beginning little direct help for students when they need it.” of their school year, Duguid said other income tax not at the end” – provisions, including exemptions for scholarship, fellowship, and bursary Michael Barkman, income, will remain unaffected. chairperson, CFS-MB He said the government is taking a more targeted approach by boosting Canada Student Grant amounts available to students. The Michael Barkman, chairpergrants climbed to $3,000 from $2,000 son of the Manitoba chapter of the for full time students coming from Canadian Federation of Students low-income families and to $1,200 (CFS), commended the move toward from $800 for middle-income family direct support. students. Part-time students from “CFS has always advocated for an

increase in grants because students need up-front financial help at the beginning of their school year, not at the end,” he said.

“It is important to note that tax credits, such as the textbook credit, are not up-front and the student must bear the brunt of the cost long before the tax credit can be claimed.”

Barkman encouraged the federal government to continue to adopt policies that provide direct financial assistance to students and increase access to post-secondary education.

“It is imperative that the government continues to invest in students up-front and lessen the financial barriers that prevent many people from accessing post-secondary education,” he said.

Adam Pawlak, University of Manitoba Students’ Union vice president internal, said that while some changes to the student grant program are positive – including revamping the eligibility criteria and bumping the minimum salary threshold before

student loan repayments are required to $25,000 – the credit eliminations are a letdown.

“It is disappointing to see them get cancelled as I feel they are very beneficial for individual students and Canadian families,” he said.

Pawlak said the credits could be claimed by nearly all Canadian students with a taxable income and noted students could transfer unused credits to relatives, which enabled them to finance their own education.

Pawlak further added that the government can support students by sharpening its focus on the economy and creating job openings for graduates.

“The next focus by the federal government should be providing students who graduate a good, growing economic environment so there are many innovative, high-paying jobs available for youthful citizens.”

VOL. 103 NO. 19 January 18, 2017

News

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University under fire for offcampus housing issues U of M master’s students propose solutions, city counsellor criticizes administration for lack of action Seamus Hamilton-Pattison, staff

T

he University of Manitoba is facing continued criticism from neighbouring communities for its lack of action in dealing with a number of allegedly illegal rental units housing students.

On Jan. 11, a dozen city planning master’s students from the U of M presented a report on land use, zoning, illegal housing, and rental challenges within the neighbourhoods surrounding the university’s Fort Garry campus, with a particular focus on the Fort Richmond and University Heights areas.

The Fort Richmond-University Heights Neighbourhood Association, which was formed in 2016 with support from Janice Lukes, city councillor for South Winnipeg-St. Norbert, is working to combat the illegal conversion of single-family homes to rooming houses largely used for rent to U of M students.

Residents complain of uncut lawns, too many cars parked in too little space, and noisy parties. The rooming houses are hastily renovated, and many of them are poorly maintained, ugly, and unsafe, residents say.

In addition to highlighting issues within the communities immediately surrounding campus, the presentation also focused on possible solutions – and their implementation – to issues further raised in the study.

“They had some really good shortterm and long-term solutions,” Lukes said.

“The biggest roadblock there is university inaction, but they don’t feel it’s part of their problem.”

Since taking office in 2014, Lukes has been pushing for solutions to the lack of legal housing available to students.

There are 1,316 residence beds on campus, including 140 at the affiliated religious colleges of St. John’s and St. Andrew’s. The last residence built at the U of M was Pembina Hall, which opened in 2011 and largely offset the loss of bed spaces resulting from the closure of the Taché Hall residence.

In 2016, Developer Rise Real Estate presented its proposed project to construct a 14-storey apartment complex at the corner of Bison Drive and the Pembina Highway. The development would bring more than new 200 new rental units to the area.

Further strategies to increase affordable housing highlighted by the presentation team include mandating at least 10 per cent affordable housing for residential units in the to-be-developed Southwood lands property adjacent to the university.

The U of M took over ownership of the property in 2011 with plans to develop more than 4 ,000 multidwelling units, along with retail and hospitality space.

Lukes has previously spoken out

photo by megan colwell

about university inaction on the issue, claiming the U of M has been uncooperative and is at least partly responsible for driving up demand for cheap rooming houses as it increases the number of international students on its rolls.

“I think it’s maybe a sense of losing a little bit of control of the direction that your neighbourhood – the one you’ve lived in for decades – is taking” – Michael Wakely, U of M city planning master’s student “I think morally and socially it’s appalling what’s happening to the students and the university should care about that,” she said. “This is students’ safety. It’s great to bring in all these students, it’s wonderful. The community has no problem with the students, it’s the landlords.”

“It’s easy to say ‘it’s not our responsibility’ as the university, being an educational institution, but what about for the students’ sake? It’s horrific.”

International student enrolment at the U of M has nearly doubled since 2010 to more than 5,000 in 2016, accounting for 16.9 per cent of total enrolment.

John Danakas, the U of M executive director of public affairs, said the

university has met several times with Lukes and community members to discuss off-campus housing.

“We intend to continue that dialogue,” he said. “At the same time, we don't see the value in assigning blame on a complicated matter, or in stereotyping groups of students.

We do see the value in working with partners to address concerns and needs, and we are more than willing to continue to do so.”

Lukes’ suggested the university reach out for support and “make some applications to the federal government.”

“I do not see the university doing any movement to that at all,” she said.

“What I do see them doing is building a beautiful, fancy building and smart park, and internally funding it and taking loans for that.”

“I guess, to me, their priorities are mixed up.”

Proposed solutions

Strategies proposed by the study include density benefit incentives for developments within the Southwood property, including: affordable housing initiatives, alternative parking solutions that make use of available space rather than constructing more, incentivizing the construction of secondary suites, and promoting the university’s Homestay program, which merges English lessons with immersion in an English-speaking home.

“We came into this with the understanding that because we don’t live there, we don’t know the issues as intimately and we don’t live with the same emotional connection to the neighbourhood,” master’s student Michael Wakely said following the presentation.

“We’re trying to get a sense from

the community, based on their opinions, and that’s why this kind of meeting is really important.”

The presentation also touched on strategies to encourage more interaction and conversation between residents and students, including the creation of a “town and gown committee” comprised of members of the neighbourhood association, the University of Manitoba Graduate Students’ Association (UMGSA) and the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU).

“I think morally and socially, it’s appalling what’s happening to the students and the university should care about that” – Coun.

Janice Lukes, South Winnipeg-St. Norbert The students recommend the UMGSA and UMSU circulate an online student housing survey to identify the number of students living off-campus in non-family housing situations and to collaborate with the neighbourhood association to determine how many illegal rooming houses operate in Fort Richmond.

“I think what needs to be done is both the student body and the neighbourhood have to be at that table when a local area plan is formulated and insist on affordable housing for students,” said Wakely.

Wakely noted other universities

create arms-length development agencies for projects similar to the U of M Southwood initiative.

“Hopefully that agency will be savvy enough to the situation but you can’t rest on your laurels and have that be sorted by them,” he said. “You have to have action.”

Following the presentation, the floor was opened for questions with many of the nearly 80 residents in attendance sharing their concern with the number of students they claim are occupying single rooming houses throughout the neighbourhood and the resulting noise complaints and by-law violations.

“I think it’s maybe a sense of losing a little bit of control of the direction that your neighbourhood – the one you’ve lived in for decades – is taking,” Wakely said.

“They want their voice and I think their frustration is with the university because there hasn’t been a very productive relationship there [...] I think, given the opportunity, the residents are very willing to work with students and very willing to work with the university.”

Wakely emphasized that the responsibility to address the issues is shared and requires an equal effort from university administration, the student body, and homeowners to obey city by-laws and safety regulations.

“Residents, unfortunately, are kind of stuck in the middle and they react the way that I think any normal human being would react,” he said.

“We’re doing this with the hopes of starting some kind of conversation anew.”

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News

News Editors: Garett Williams & Levi Garber Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

2017 UMSU general election set to go online UMSU council approves electronic voting Osho Samuel Adetunji, staff

photo by megan colwell

T

he University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) voted at its regularly-scheduled meeting Jan. 5 to approve purchasing software from online ballot specialists Simply Voting for the 2017 UMSU elections.

The deal is yet to be finalized but UMSU president Tanjit Nagra said she is hopeful the move from paper ballots to online voting will boost turnout at the polls, which has been slipping in recent years.

She noted that despite a nearrecord number of candidates who ran in the 2016 election, the number of UMSU members who cast ballots decreased from the year before.

“The biggest thing is that we want to engage students in the voting process,” she said. “It is their right as a member of UMSU and we want to make it easy on them as well.”

Four slates of candidates and an independent ran for the UMSU executive in the 2016 campaign but only 3,760 of nearly 20,000 eligible voters cast ballots.

Nagra added that the online system opens voting to students who are off-campus during the election period, something unavailable in previous years, while at the same time reducing the ecological footprint of elections.

online voting system that manages secure online elections for more than 1,000 organizations, including 15 Canadian university student associations. The University of Toronto Students’ Union and the Students’ Society of McGill University are among Simply Voting’s clients.

UMSU’s move to electronic vot“The biggest thing ing brings the U of M in line with a number of other university student is that we want to associations that have dropped paper engage students in ballots, including the University of Victoria, the University of British the voting process” Columbia and the University of – Tanjit Nagra, Calgary.

Nagra said the software – which UMSU president is expected to cost the student union close to $5,000 – will be in place for “We want to move in a more eco- the upcoming election. friendly way and be more sustainable “This is more of a test run year, and I think if we can get more of the obviously, to see if the students like campaigning and such online, the the software or not,” she said, adding, better,” she said. “We can save more “We would like to see if it increases trees and we can, hopefully, engage voter turnout, if the students are in more students in the process.” favour of it.”

Simply Voting is a web-based The University of Manitoba

Graduate Students Association (UMGSA) moved to online voting in 2011 and reported an immediate increase in voter turnout.

Jessica Whattam, the chief returning officer for the 2016 UMGSA general election, said allowing remote voting opened up the elections to students too busy to make their way to a polling station.

“Many graduate students are quite busy between research, writing, conducting their studies, creating their pieces, et cetera,” she said.

“Many may not have had time to get out to any specific voter station, especially for those who may have been off-campus or even out of the province. Offering the voting online opened the availability for students to vote whenever they had access to an internet connection.”

Whattam noted that the online software makes tallying votes simpler and returns quicker results than paper ballots. However, she acknowledged challenges, including some students

who registered late for their programs being left off the voter list or voting links ending up in junk mailboxes.

Nagra said the system will be evaluated following the 2017 UMSU elections, which will take place in March.

She added that UMSU also amended its election by-laws to eliminate floor campaigning during the election, which she said will ratchet down election-period chaos for students.

“I think this is a way to beat the lines and a way that they can continue on and go to classes and continue on with their day-to-day school life without being disturbed by the craziness of elections,” she said.

“Hopefully students are in favour of the new process.”

Editorial Editor-In-Chief: Craig Adolphe Contact: Editor@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

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Staying calm, cool, and collected post-UMFA strike Be kind and don’t let stress create fault lines in your relationships Shawn Garbutt, staff

graphic by luis mamani rojas

T

he end of the U of M strike has brought with it many changes.

Two exam schedules, deadlines sprinkled throughout late December and early January, and a new winter term that begins almost immediately after the end of the fall term. Of course, the new academic schedule has thrown many a wrench into the gears of our daily lives.

Even if you are one of the few lucky winners of the two-month break, for those who had no strikeaffected classes, it’s still important to remember the situation most students

are currently finding themselves in. (including myself) were left walking on campus, Dec. 23, had to spend It’s no easy feat to adjust as quickly about in an unblinking haze – post- Christmas Eve Eve with befuddled as most students have to the drastic strike reality has careened at break- professors who hardly wanted to schedule changes and all entailed by neck speed into the show up to their own it. Meanwhile, it’s easy to forget the academic fast lane. classes.

At the very least, impact it has on stress levels in an While campus was So, take some environment that’s already hostile a ghost town during there’s solidarity time to yourself and toward mental health. Ivory tower the strike, it’s now decompress. Don’t in suffering aside, academia is no cakewalk. become inhabited let the looming The U of M, through the academic by ghosts – disenshadow of a deadschedule reshuffle, has brought cam- chanted students, line crush your spirpus into the twilight zone. After sus- doing the impossible by actively jug- its. To crack under pressure is okay pending the term for three straight gling schoolwork, jobs, social lives, – shattering, less so. Taking care of weeks – when total limbo was and more. Students with a dull gleam yourself so these fault lines don’t show achieved and thousands of students to their eyes, taking in a wintry day up is essential. Not only do you owe

this to yourself, but also those around you, so get over the cringing that goes along with buzzwords like ‘self-care’ and simply care for yourself.

Now that the university has returned to its daily grind, it’s more important than ever to be mindful of your community and the value of the people that make it up. The post-strike phase is the best reminder that people are stronger together; at the very least, there’s solidarity in suffering.

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Comment Comment Editor: Shawn Garbutt Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Take the time to learn about Syria Conflict in the Middle East demands our response Shaden Abusaleh, staff

T

he Syrian conflict, one of the deadliest humanitarian crises of our time, has become synonymous with death, gore, and sheer hopelessness as war-torn images of Syrian cities dominate our front pages.

After nearly six years of fighting, between 300,000 and 450,000 people have been killed, more than two million are injured, and more than 65,000 have been ‘disappeared.’

13.5 million Syrians are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance, and over half of the country’s prewar population – over 12 million Syrians – have been displaced from their homes both within and outside of Syria, with more than half being children. These numbers are so large that it’s easy to become detached from the horror of the situation.

The world has done a very good job at numbing itself in response to never-ending breaking news on the refugee crisis, airstrikes, and most recently the fall of Aleppo. As this crisis drags on, one may feel lost, not knowing where to begin when it comes to understanding such a complicated and convoluted situation.

But it is important that we take steps in learning and educating ourselves about the crisis. As we’ve witnessed in Aleppo, the silence of the world has cost too many lives and destroyed what was once a vibrant cosmopolitan city overflowing with rich history and cultures.

Most date the beginnings of the Syrian conflict back to the early months of 2011, when a group of teenagers were arrested and tortured in the southwestern Syrian city of Deraa for graffiti. The graffiti featured messages in support of the Arab Spring — a series of anti-government protests and uprisings that spread across the Middle East in countries such as Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, and Libya. In response to a slew of peaceful demonstrators demanding the release of the boys, the authoritarian Syrian regime, led by Bashar Al-Assad, brutally cracked down on civilians, killing and imprisoning protesters.

Struggles for freedom and economic worries mixed with public anger over harsh government retaliation on peaceful protesters, adding to the demonstrators’ resentment of the oppressive Syrian government. The successful toppling of the Tunisian and Egyptian regimes fuelled hope among Syrian protesters, who continued to risk their lives as they flooded the streets calling for justice and liberty from a regime that had oppressed them for over four decades.

As months of peaceful protests were continuously met with military attacks on civilians, soldiers began defecting from the Syrian military, joining civilians to form the Free Syrian Army, and taking up arms to overthrow the government. This is how the conflict first became weaponized, making room for the involvement of interventionist foreign powers.

graphic by aldo rios

To understand the Syrian crisis, it the situation in Syria and increased is easiest to think of it in three levels. the death toll. For example, Russia, The first is the conflict between the which is integral to Assad’s hold Assad regime’s forces and the reb- on power, has been blocking UN els who oppose the regime (who are Security Council resolutions critidivided into multiple groups, radical cal of the Assad regime and since and moderate, that include local and 2015 has been launching airstrikes foreign fighters with fundamental targeted at Syrian rebel forces – airdisagreements). There has also been strikes which always seem to find the rise of Kurdish groups in Syria their way into Syrian homes, hosseeking autonomy from the Syrian pitals, and schools. Despite internastate. tional criticism, Russia continues to be a key ally to the Assad regime. As history has taught us time and time The situation may again, militaristic foreign intervention as a tactic to pacify humanitarian seem hopeless, but crises never works.

There has been international this should not be outcry in response to the crisis as an excuse for us haunting images and videos of refugee rubber boats capsized in the to remain idle Mediterranean Sea or infants being pulled out of destroyed buildings The second is the conflict with continue to draw the world’s attenDaesh or the Islamic State (ISIS), tion. However, international response which is a battle-ridden militant has not been enough. The most promgroup that has risen out of the rub- inent example has been the situation ble of the decade-long war in Iraq. in Aleppo.

The third level is foreign intervenAleppo, which is the oldest contion. It is difficult to pinpoint who tinuously inhabited city in the world, is backing who, but while the Assad has been stuck in the middle of the regime is supported by Russia, Iran, whole conflict. During the end of and Hezbollah (a Lebanese militant November, the Syrian army launched group), countries such as the United an offensive on Aleppo to regain conStates, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, trol of the rebel-held eastern part of and Jordan have backed moderate the city. This bloody end to a long rebel groups diplomatically and battle culminated in what officials logistically by supplying them with have called a civilian massacre by proweapons to fight forces loyal to the government forces during a siege on Assad regime. At times Turkey, Saudi the city.

Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan have supUndoubtedly, it’s difficult to ported Islamist groups as well. reduce what is happening in Syria to Foreign powers have involved words printed on paper and there’s themselves in the conflict for differ- much more to the conflict which has ent reasons, and their involvement, been left out, but what the Syrian criwhich has prioritized violence over sis has taught us is that we cannot be diplomacy, significantly worsened disillusioned with the idea that prob-

lems ‘over there’ are just that and have no effect on our lives right here. The crisis in Syria has had horrible global spillover effects: from the European migrant crisis, to the assassination of the Russian ambassador in Turkey, to the surge in ISIS-backed attacks across the world.

The UNHCR, Unicef, and the International Red Cross are among the bigger, more well-known charity organizations working to relieve the plight of refugees. There are also smaller organizations doing equally incredible work that we should support, such as the Migrant Offshore Aid Station, Refugees Welcome, Karam Foundation, and Hand in As history has taught Hand for Syria.

We can advocate, fundraise, and us time and time use social media to call attention to the Syrian crisis and the suffering of again, militaristic the Syrian people. Lastly, we can take foreign intervention action within our own city to help.

We don’t need to travel abroad to the as a tactic to pacify shores of the Greek islands or refugee humanitarian crises camps in Iraq, Turkey, or Lebanon to help Syrian refugees. Manitoba has never works received over 1,000 newcomers, some of which are still struggling to live The international community has stable lives, and so the least we can do failed the Syrian people and we must is support them into their transition act. While our attention to the Syrian to their lives here in Winnipeg. crisis may only come in doses, rubber We can volunteer for organizaboats carrying fleeing refugees drown tions working with newcomers in at sea, Aleppo remains a warzone, Manitoba, such as the Immigrant refugees across the world continue to and Refugee Organization of suffer from this brutal and cold win- Manitoba, Newcomer Employment ter, and ISIS-backed attacks continue and Education Development Services relentlessly. The situation may seem Inc., and Manitoba Start, among othhopeless, but this should not be an ers. From running a clothes drive, to excuse for us to remain idle. starting up grassroots programs for First, and most importantly, we newcomers, to even sponsoring a must continue to educate ourselves Syrian refugee, there's so much we because the more we know about can do to help; it all starts with getthe crisis, the more we will under- ting informed. stand its underlying causes and the more we are able to spread the world and mobilize to help those in need.

Monetary aid is also crucial because donations are one of the only ways that many organizations working to help refugees are able to continue doing so.

10 Comment

Comment Editor: Shawn Garbutt Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Canada’s global peacekeeping role undermined by lack of attention to Egypt Karas Elbardisy

graphic by aldo rios

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ate manifests itself in many forms. It can be bigoted beliefs, rude behavior towards a subset of society, systemic mistreatment of a group, or genocide. While hate in society must be addressed, it seems that Canada deals with it in a hypocritical way. While Islamophobia in the West is condemned, Christophobia – discrimination against Christians – in the Middle East is ignored. Either both are problems, or neither is a problem.

Hate is hate.

dozens injured from a bomb blast at the St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo, home of the Coptic Patriarch. To put it into perspective, this is akin to attacking a church in Vatican City. While this deadly tragedy has Coptic Christians around the world in mourning for the memories of those lost, this assault has broader implications for Copts as the minority indigenous population of Egypt.

The word “Coptic” is derived from the Greek word for “Egyptian.” The Coptic People are the direct descendants of the ancient Egyptians, who We only fight hate converted to Christianity in the early first century. They are an ethno-reliwhen it is convenient gious minority and are distinct from the majority Arab population; Copts for us or when it have their own culture, language, and pertains to groups way of life. As can often occur with minority groups, however, Copts that influence the have consistently faced systematic electoral process discrimination and oppression from their government.

This latest attack is hardly the first Canadians have long considered time Christians have been killed in this country a peacekeeping nation. Egypt. In 2010, in Naj Hammadi, Canada has involved itself in count- extremists shot and killed six less peacekeeping missions and efforts Christians church-goers and one to ensure that people all over the security guard following the adjournworld are given adequate protection. ment of a church’s Christmas service.

However, more recently, Canadians No one was arrested or convicted of have started to get involved only the crime. In 2011, on New Year’s Day, where it is politically expedient. a car bomb killed dozens of people in On Dec. 11, a vicious terror- an Alexandria church. Once again, ist attack left 25 people killed and no one was convicted for this hate

port him in that endeavour. During the legitimacy of Morsi’s ousting, our last federal election, Trudeau he is a scapegoat for these acts of prided himself on dispelling xeno- hate. Discrimination existed under phobic rhetoric and commentary. As President Anwar Sadat, Hosni Canadians, we rightly fight against Mubarak, Morsi, and now Sisi. The and condemn Islamophobia and other Cairo bombing was an act of bigotry forms of xenophobia. We believe that and racism. Plain and simple. all people are equal and that hate Canada is globally recognised for based on race, or any other basis, is its peacekeeping efforts. We pride ourselves on our cultural mosaic and contrary to our values.

So how is it that we stand idly by we believe in upholding freedom of as Copts are massacred? Could it religion, expression, and association. be that we only fight hate when it is In ignoring the atrocities that happen The Egyptian convenient for us or when it pertains to the Coptic people, Trudeau, and government has, for to groups that influence the electoral the Liberal Government, are ignorprocess? ing what makes us Canadian. years, systemically This apathy and ignorance, unfortunately, isn’t limited to our political discriminated leaders. Just a day before the Dec. 11 against the Copts bombing, Kenneth Roth, the executive director of Human Rights Watch, tweeted “Egypt’s Copts discover after Typically, governments and the backing [Egyptian President] Sisi’s media respond to this terrorism by coup that his persecution isn’t limited condemning attacks against the to the Muslim Brotherhood,” with Copts while ignoring the root of the a link to an article by Foreign Policy. problem. The response to the most This kind of rhetoric frames Copts recent attack has been even more dis- as responsible for their own perseappointing and disheartening. There cution. While this tweet was subsehas been no official condemnation quently deleted, other posts bearing by the government of Canada. Why the same sentiment remain on his account. Roth's ignorance about the is that?

Justin Trudeau has fast-earned a situation in Egypt is concerning to reputation as the champion of the say the least. I am appalled to think downtrodden and persecuted. He has that he has any role to play within not hesitated to bring Syrian refu- Human Rights Watch. When did it gees to Canada since the moment he become okay to justify hate? took office and I commend and supRegardless of your stance on

crime. In May of 2011, 23 Copts were killed during a protest.

These are only a few well known examples, as many of these attacks go unreported by western media. The Egyptian government has, for years, systemically discriminated against the Copts. Tragically, the Coptic community has faced over 1300 years of persecution.

Science & technology 14 Science & Technology Editor: Malak Abas Contact: science@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Study suggests a new possible purpose for the appendix The appendix may be a storage space for good bacteria in our bodies Malak Abas, staff

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photo provided by Ed Uthman

he purpose of the appendix has remained an enduring mystery to scientists. New research, however, presents a new theory: the appendix provides a secondary immune function.

What this means is that appendices would theoretically catalyze (accelerate) immune cell response and release good bacteria into your body if your immune system becomes depleted. This would give the appendix a useful purpose as a reservoir for healthy gut bacteria.

The appendix was previously considered a vestigial organ, and relatively useless. However, it isn’t alone – other parts of the human body, such as wisdom teeth or the coccyx, are remnants from millions of years of human evolution, and serve no real purpose within the present-day human body.

The study, which was led by scientists at the Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, used an international team of researchers who looked at 533 species of mammals and whether or not they had an appendix, and then created a genetic tree to map the evolution of the appendix throughout said species.

What they found was that the healthy gut microbes. This can hapappendix has had a storied evolution pen for several reasons, including history, and has evolved anywhere antibiotic use, which can result in between 29 and 41 times, which the trillions of microbes of bacteria suggested that the appendix had a within our digestive system to be more useful purpose than researchers flushed out. This can be harmful, as it leaves us more susceptible to already knew.

Researchers also found that ani- infections. The theory here is that mals with appendixes had a higher the appendix contains good bacteria concentration of lymphoid tissue in that can flood our guts, should this the cecum. The cecum is where the ever happen. appendix stems T he st udy from, and lymwas also able to The appendix was phoid tissue is disprove several theorized to set previously considered hypotheses put off an immune forth previously. reaction when the a vestigial organ, and Severa l prev ious studies have body is put under relatively useless attempted to link stress. the appendix to “This finding suggests that the appendix may play dietary or environmental factors, but an important role as a secondary these genetic trees did not show any immune organ,” the team wrote in connection. a press statement.

This study supports previous “Lymphatic tissue can also stimu- findings, including a 2012 study that late growth of some types of benefi- suggested people were more likely to cial gut bacteria, providing further recover from severe gut infections if evidence that the appendix may their appendix had not been removed serve as a "safe house" for helpful previously. gut bacteria.”

The study also suggests that the appendix could use its reservoir of bacteria if we were to lose our own

Possible new treatment for tooth decay could encourage teeth to repair themselves A drug being tested to treat Alzheimer’s disease has been shown to improve dentine production Malak Abas, staff

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ew research has shown promis- Alzheimer’s therapy. While being ing evidence that a drug origi- tested on mice, it was shown to nally used to treat Alzheimer’s disease stimulate stem cells in the tooth, and could simulate tooth regrowth to the improved dentine production. Teeth point of repairing cavities. are innately already able to use stem The drug is called “tideglusib,” cells to make small repairs to their and it has already been tested exten- inner pulp, but are only able to create sively as a possible component of a small layer of dentine – not nearly

The sponge, which is biodegradable “In addition, using a drug that has collagen, then broke down over the already been tested in clinical trials course of six weeks, and was replaced for Alzheimer’s disease provides a by dentine, thus healing the tooth. real opportunity to get this dental This discovery could revolution- treatment quickly into clinics.” ize restorative dental treatment. The This is not the first time King’s current go-to procedure for repairing College has released research on cavities, which fill the hole with met- alternatives to current tooth fillings. als or plastic, never fully restore the Another research group has suggested repairing teeth by applying tooth’s mineral level. a mixture of different minerals into cavities or cracks in teeth using an While being tested electric current.

Researchers believe that because on mice, it was the drug has passed clinical trials for other uses, they are looking at a relashown to stimulate tively quick three-to-five-year period, stem cells in the assuming it passes human clinical trials, before the drug could be used tooth, and improved to fix cavities on a commercial scale. dentine production While the clinical trials concerning Alzheimer’s have proven that photo provided by Conor Lawless tideglusib can be taken safely by enough to repair advanced tooth “The simplicity of our approach humans, the study (which was pubdecay. makes it ideal as a clinical dental lished in Scientific Reports) plans to Researchers at King’s College product for the natural treatment first attempt this procedure on rat London then tested the drug’s effec- of large cavities, by providing both teeth, which are approximately four tiveness by putting a sponge soaked pulp protection and restoring den- times the size of mice teeth. Human in the drug into 0.13 millimetre holes tine,” Paul Sharpe, the lead author trials are expected to begin later this in the teeth of mice, and covering of the study, said in an official news year. the sponge in a protective coating. release from King’s College London.

VOL. 103 NO. 19 January 18, 2017

Science & Technology 15

New research says the moon may be comprised of smaller “moonlets” that crashed together millions of years ago Malak Abas, staff

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here did the moon come from?

According to new research, the moon may have been created by many “mini-moons” crashing together.

The previous belief was that the moon was formed as the result of a singular collision between a Marssized asteroid and Earth, which caused debris to enter the Earth’s orbit, which in time coalesced and became the moon we know now.

This study, which was published in a Nature Geoscience article, theorizes that the moon we know now was a result of many smaller collisions with asteroids spread out over millions of years graphic by Aldo rios

This new study, which was pub- the moon. lished in Nature Geoscience, theoThese collisions would have been rizes that the moon we know now is with bodies ranging from one tenth the result of many smaller collisions to one hundredth the mass of the with asteroids spread out over mil- earth. The debris would then become lions of years. The study utilized com- “moonlets”, or smaller versions of the puter simulations, which researchers moon, as they cooled. used to examine nearly 1,000 possible The original theory had always scenarios that could result in the crea- come with some controversy, because tion of the moon. What they found while in some aspects the idea of a was that it would take approximately singular crash makes sense – for 20 small-to-medium sized collisions example, the chemical composition to gather the debris needed to form of moon rock is nearly identical to

that of Earth rock – but it also leaves unanswered questions. While moon rock is similar to Earth rock, it also has no trace of a second planetary body or of the big asteroid that supposedly collided with Earth. Along with this, small collisions were much more common in the early solar system.

This new theory comes from researcher Ralucu Rufu and professor Oded Aharonson of the Weizmann Institute’s Earth and Planetary

Sciences Department in Israel, who argue that the original theory of the moon’s origin requires too-specific conditions, and this new theory gives the moon more time to have formed.

“The new scenario does not require finely-tuned initial conditions, and if the smaller moonlets, as we think, were drawn into the same orbit, they could have merged over millions of years,” writes Ruhu, on the Weizmann Institute’s official website.

The “finely-tuned initial condi-

tions” refer to the fact that for the simple-impact theory to be plausible, it must be assumed that the asteroid was a very specific size, and hit the Earth at a very specific angle.

While the possibility of the moon having a different origin story is interesting , even the scientists involved agree that much more research is needed, especially on the merging process.

Diversions Graphics Editor: Kelly Campbell Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

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graphic by Abbas Khudair

graphic by kellie huynh

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Arts & Culture Arts & Culture Editor: Tobi Nifesi Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

New Third Thursdays initiative showcases University of Manitoba’s creative community Emelia Fournier, staff

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n Jan. 19, a coalition of ning a radio show. The Gallery of cial opportunity to appreciate and University of Manitoba’s arts Student Art will hold a reception with inspire the creative talents being institutions led by UMFM, are kick- free snacks for its current exhibition, groomed at the university. ing off a new monthly event called Synthia’s Closet by Ione Thorkelsson.

Third Thursdays to celebrate cre- At the Ceramics Club, visitors will be “We produce world ativity on campus. Running from 12 shown the process of making ceramic p.m. to 3 p.m. the third Thursday of products. The Manitoban will present class art, music, and every month in the school year, this a walkthrough of the process of proevent was inspired by the Exchange ducing a newspaper from storyboard performance here. It District’s First Fridays and is set to to print. doesn’t get talked To close the event, after all workfeature special performances and showcases by student artists. shops and exhibitions have been about enough” – For the inaugural edition of concluded, there will be an informal Sara Enns, marketing the event, UMFM, the Gallery mixer at the Hub for those who want of Student Art, the School of Art to discuss art. coordinator Gallery, the University of Manitoba From award-winning musicians for UMFM Ceramics Club, and the Manitoban to internationally renowned visual will all be involved and hosting spe- artists, there is a sizable population of talented people that are associated cial programming.

UMFM will be offering a radio with the University of Manitoba, but “We produce world class art, music, production workshop, entitled “How who haven’t yet been recognized by and performance here. It doesn’t get to Make Great Radio,” which will the campus community. Sara Enns, talked about enough,” Enns said. “I cover key concepts about radio show UMFM’s marketing coordinator and was at the Museum of Contemporary preparations, the experience of being lead organizer of Third Thursdays, Art in Los Angeles and their gift shop on air, and technical aspects of run- believes this showcase presents a spe- had a set of Marcel Dzama art cards.

graphic provided by sara enns

Marcel Dzama is a U of M graduate, The first Third Thursdays event and is a well-known contemporary will take place on Jan. 19 from 12 p.m. artist in the global community.” to 3 p.m. at different venues on the “I want to see more groups on cam- University of Manitoba’s Fort Garry pus get involved. I’ve talked to a few campus. Artistic groups on campus interother organizations about getting ested in participating or showcase their involved and there is a lot of excite- talents at future Third Thursdays should ment around the idea,” said Enns. contact Sara Enns at sara@umfm.com Enns said that in the future, more for more information. activities like walking tours of permanent exhibits and studios, interactive art projects, and live music at unconventional venues will be included in the programming for Third Thursdays.

UMSU’s Frost Fest is set to entertain campus community The student union’s annual event will feature performances from local artists and bands Olivia Michalczuk, staff

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n Jan. 21, the University of Manitoba Students’ Union, will be hosting the second annual Frost

Fest, a winter orientation event meant to showcase a variety of local talents to the university’s campus community.

This year’s Frost Fest will use UMSU businesses IQ’s and the Hub Social Club as venues and will feature live performances from local artists and bands.

The lineup will include local DJs and musicians like the Barefoot Brotherhood (featuring Myles Dancho and George Semchuk), DJ KeesSH, Myazwe, and Those graphic provided by umsu Liabilities. Events will commence at 9 p.m. at the Hub and 10 p.m. at IQ’s. Muzo.

Although the January event is a Muzo, a local hip-hop artist, is “Hip hop is a very competitive scaled back version of UMSU’s Frosh excited to be performing at the Frosh sport – you have to be ready to Fest, which occurs every September, Fest. He believes that, for local hip compete.”

Frost Fest presents an opportunity hop artists, opportufor students and nities to perform at staff to come out events like this are and be entertained “There is no denying that there is a lot of few and far between by local artists and and when they do talent in Winnipeg. We are a very small city music. Through come up, it is importhis initiative, so we constantly have to prove ourselves tant to make a lasting UMSU hopes to impression on the – that we deserve to have the share of the liven up the camaudience. Frost Fest pus community market” – Muzo, local hip hop artist is an opportunity for and encourage local artists to share support for local what they have been artists. working on, and Muzo takes this He encourages other local artists opportunity seriously. to step up their game to put Winnipeg Tickets for the upcoming Frosh Fest “There is no denying that there is on a more competitive market and put are available for sale at the Answers a lot of talent in Winnipeg. And this hip-hop artists in our city on the map. booth on the first floor of University statement is not only limited to hip “Compared to other bigger cities Centre. hop but other genres too. We are a we are pretty much in the struggle. very small city so we constantly have There is not a lot of exposure or aveto prove ourselves that we deserve to nues to showcase your music,” said have the share of the market,” said Muzo.

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Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Tobi Nifesi Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Sports Sports Editor: Ryan Stelter Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

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The 2026 World Cup expansion’s effect on Canada Expanded playing field could potentially benefit the Canadian national team Kellen Taniguchi, staff

graphic by jen goertzen

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eginning in 2026, the FIFA with nations such as the USA and States, Costa Rica, and Mexico World Cup will feature 48 teams Mexico dominating. With the expan- have qualified for every single Hex, fighting to be on top of the soccer sion to 48 teams, CONCACAF could showing their dominance in the world, instead of the usual 32. Canada potentially hold up to six slots for the CONCACAF. With the expansion is part of the Confederation of North, 2026 tournament. You don’t have to of the World Cup, it seems that the Central American and Caribbean be good at math to see that Canada teams that make the Hex would have Association Football (CONCACAF). has a better shot at qualifying with six a better chance to qualify for the big Canada has only qualified for one slots available, compared to just three. games. Since Canada hasn’t qualified World Cup, and that was way back for the Hex since the 20th century, in 1986, so the expanded playing it is likely that the Canadians will field could potentially benefit the miss out on the World Cup if they Canada has only Canadian national team. Although can’t make it to the Hex. However, qualified for one the event is expanding, still just under the Canadian men’s national team one-quarter of the teams that attempt is on the rise.

World Cup, and that to qualify will actually make it to the was way back in 1986 The team’s future big dance.

In the current format, the There is some promising up and CONCACAF teams hold just three coming young talent that Canadian of the 32 World Cup slots, with the Canada hasn’t reached the final teams could field in the future. A possibility of a fourth team quali- stage of CONCACAF qualifica- player such as Cyle Larin, who parfying via playoff with a team from tion, also known as the Hex, since ticipated in Canada’s latest attempt to the Asian Football Confederation. 1998. The Hex is where the top six qualify for the World Cup, is only 21 Canada has struggled in the teams in the region compete for the years old and should be a major part CONCACAF qualifying rounds, final World Cup spots. The United of the team moving forward. Larin

scored 14 goals in 32 games dur- host due to hosting the 2018 games in ing his 2016 campaign for Orlando Russia, and Asian countries are also City in the MLS. Also, Winnipeg off the table, as Qatar will play host natives Marco Bustos and Kianz to the 2022 games. European nations Froese are both currently playing for will only be able to host if teams from the Vancouver Whitecaps and were the other regions are unable to subinvited to the 2016 men’s national mit a successful bid. There are other camp. Just starting out their young nations that could host in 2026, but careers, Bustos only played three the latest reports have CONCACAF games for the Whitecaps in 2016, and associations co-hosting the event. As Froese only played in five, but both of now Canada, USA, and Mexico were able to find the back of the net are all linked to the 2026 games, and once. Canada may be growing some if Canada successfully becomes a host young stars that could lead them to country, then they will make a rare a 2026 World Cup berth, or maybe World Cup appearance as they would even earlier. automatically qualify as a host.

Plan B

Qualifying through competition is not the only way that Canada could find themselves in the 2026 World Cup, as they are one of the nations currently favoured to host the event.

By rule, European teams are unable to

VOL. 103 NO. 19 January 18, 2017

Sports

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International call up for two Bisons Alanna Sharman and Erica Rieder selected to represent Canada in Universiade Jason Pchajek, staff

photo by Miguel Yetman

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very Canadian hockey player, Canada.” young or old, dreams of pulling Wearing the maple leaf is a dream on that maple leaf sweater. Very few of many young hockey players, someathletes are lucky enough to get that thing not lost on Sharman. opportunity, and two University of “It’s definitely an incredible feelManitoba Bisons will do just that in ing,” she said. “I’m definitely looking the coming weeks. forward to it.”

Forward Alanna Sharman and Likewise with Reider, the chance defenseman Erica Rieder will both to dress for team Canada is the represent the University of Manitoba chance of a lifetime. at the International University Sports “It’s my first time wearing the Federation (FISU) games this winter maple leaf but, I’m incredibly in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The tour- excited to go, especially going with nament – which runs from Jan. 28 [Sharman],” the defenseman said. to Feb. 8 – is the 28th edition of the “It’s gonna be an awesome experience.”

Winter Universiade, and will see 122 Both Sharman and Rieder were Canadian hopefuls representing their invited to the tryout in Calgary, country. although neither knew that the other “It hasn’t hit me yet,” Sharman said got an invite. regarding her selection. “I’m sure I’ll “I texted Jon [Rempel] and asked be nervous when I get there but I’m if anyone else made it, hoping that looking forward to this weekend and [Sharman] would’ve made it,” Rieder next weekend of Bisons and then I’ll said. “Then she texted me and was start thinking about it.” like ‘please tell me you made it.’” Both When asked if she was nervous players are ecstatic to be experiencing about the Universiade, Rieder let out this together. a laugh.

Sharman currently sits second in “Yeah, I’ll be honest, I’m nervous,” Bisons’ scoring, tallying seven goals she said. “It’s not every day you get and 14 points in 15 games. Rieder, to go overseas and play with Team meanwhile, sits third amongst

Bisons defenders with four goals and 10 points in 18 regular season games heading into this week’s matchup against the Lethbridge Pronghorns.

“We’re really proud of what they’ve been able to do and how they’re going to represent our program,” said Bisons head coach Jon Rempel. “I was fortunate to be a part of that in Spain two years ago and it was a really cool event.”

Sharman’s offensive ability is one ing for a comeback. After taking of the strongest aspects of her game, home gold in the first three tournaand Rempel was quick to point that ments since women’s hockey was introduced. Team Canada came up out.

“Offensive creativity is probably short of the four-peat, taking home her strongest suit,” he said. “She can a silver medal in 2015. do things with the puck in small The two Bisons will be joined by spaces that most kids can’t, extremely a number of fellow Canada West unselfish with the puck and the best talents. Jaycee Magwood from practice habits on the team.” the University of Regina, Kaitlin Rieder is a really strong player on Willoughby from the University of the Bisons blueline, and extremely Saskatchewan, and Alex Poznikoff hardworking. from the University of Alberta – all “Erica is just a force,” Rempel said. top 10 Canada West scorers – will “It’s not every “She’s one of those kids that I think join the red and white along with day you get to go comes along very, very rarely in your Kylie Gavelin and Alexis Larson of coaching career. Big, strong, she’s a Regina and Kelly Murray of UBC. overseas and play gym rat, an incredibly strong leader.”

Sharman and Reider will get right with Team Canada” Rempel was part of the coaching to work on day one of the tournament, staff during the 2015 Universiade in when Canada squares off against – Erica Rieder, Bison Spain, where Canada came home China in the opener. The rest of the defenseman with a treasure trove of medals. round robin schedule has Canada Athletes wearing red and white took facing Great Britain on Jan. 30, and home five medals in the six events host Kazakhstan on Feb. 1. Teams “Any time you get to put on the at the games, with bronze in alpine from Japan, Kazakhstan, the United maple leaf and play for your country, I skiing, short-track speed skating, and States and Russia will also be vying don’t care what level you play at, it’s a men’s hockey, adding silver in both for the gold medal. huge honour. They deserve it, they’re curling and women’s hockey. a huge part of our program and when On the women’s side, Sharman they go that’ll be a challenge for us.” and Rieder are part of a group look-

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Sports

Sports Editor: Ryan Stelter Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Bison women’s hockey split weekend series with UBC Thunderbirds Jason Pchajek, staff

photo by Star Roxas

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week after earning a split in Regina to open the second half, the seventh-ranked Bisons were back home for a pivotal series against the top-ranked UBC Thunderbirds. The Bisons won 2-0 on Friday night, but fell 4-3 on Saturday afternoon.

Friday

On Friday night, penalty trouble kept the Bisons quiet for most of the game, but a 4-on-4 goal was enough to change that and the Bisons added

an insurance goal for a 2-0 win.

The teams traded chances for most of the first, with the Bisons applying a good deal of pressure. Winger Alanna Sharman got the home team in front during a 4-on-4 stretch, using the extra space to her advantage. An outlet pass from Lauryn Keen was almost picked off by a Thunderbirds defender, but Sharman snagged the puck at centre for a breakaway chance.

She roofed the puck with a wrister over goalie Tory Micklash’s glove to

put the Bisons up 1-0.

No goals were scored in the second and or third periods. The Bisons had a great number of chances in tight on Micklash, but couldn’t get anything past the UBC goaltender.

Sharman was stopped but drew a penalty late in the third, which allowed Venla Hovi to put the Bisons up by two. The Bisons went circle-tocircle with passes, and ended with a pass by Alexandra Anderson going in front to Hovi. The Finnish forward got just enough on it to tip the puck top shelf, sealing the 2-0 Bisons win.

Rachel Dyck recorded her 4th shutout of the season with the victory.

In her return from injury Sharman picked up the game-winning point, and her seventh of the year.

“It’s hard to replace the minutes, the positivity, and the work ethic,” head coach Jon Rempel said postgame. “The work is what makes her such a good player because she doesn’t stop and she doesn’t quit.”

was stopped by Bisons goalie Dyck, but the puck couldn’t get cleared and wound up on the stick of Haneet Pahar at the side of the goal. She tapped it into the yawning cage to put UBC up 1-0 at the 1:51 mark.

“We’re there, again we have to be consistent in our approach to weekends. We have to be ready to play” – Jon Rempel, Bison women’s hockey head coach

lead to two.

The Bisons drew closer in the second thanks to Alana Serhan. Winger Karissa Kirkup picked up a loose puck, letting a shot loose towards the UBC net. Serhan got just enough of her stick on it to tip the shot by Boughn, making the game 3-2 UBC. After Nicole Saxvik restored the two-goal lead for UBC, Anderson responded for the Bisons in highlight fashion. Manitoba got the puck low in the UBC end and a pass from Courtlyn Oswald found its way to Anderson in front. Anderson picked up the puck, spun around to avoid two UBC defenders and roofed a backhander on Boughn.

That’s as close as the Bisons got, with the Thunderbirds taking the second game of the weekend series 4-3.

“We weren’t ready and they were,” Rempel said postgame. “I liked our fight and compete to not let it get away on us.”

When asked about the main takeaway from the weekend, where his team earned a spilt on the topranked team in Canada, Rempel urged consistency.

“We’re there, again we have to be consistent in our approach to weekends. We have to be ready to play,” he said.

This was followed up by another goal by Pahar four minutes later. The Thunderbirds got another, this time Saturday off the stick of Emily O’Neill who Following a hard-fought win sent a one-timer low blocker-side on Friday night, the Bisons were back Dyck to make the game 3-0 early. on the ice Saturday looking to sweep Before the period was over, the weekend series against the power- Manitoba got on the board. Hovi house UBC Thunderbirds. The herd broke into the UBC zone on the closed a major deficit, but a late goal right side, using a side-step move to was enough to put them away 4-3. get inside towards the slot. She fired The Bisons came flying out of the a wrist shot on goal which found its The Bisons will be at the Wayne gate, but an early UBC goal stopped way through Ameila Boughn’s five- Fleming Arena again for a series against their momentum in its tracks. A shot hole, sliding in to cut the T-Birds’ the Lethbridge Pronghorns on Jan.20-21.

Bisons split against UBC Thunderbirds in men’s hockey Ryan Stelter, staff

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fter earning their first home sweep of the 2016-17 season, the Bison men’s hockey team traveled to Vancouver to play a two-game series against the UBC Thunderbirds. The Bisons lost a close one on Friday 4-3, but won on Saturday 4-2.

The Thunderbirds were nipping at the Bisons’ heels for the sixth and final playoff spot heading into the weekend. This was a critical weekend for both teams, as they are currently separated by only three points in the Canada West.

Friday

photo by megan colwell

Friday was the Winter Classic for UBC, and 5,036 fans came out to watch the Bisons and the T-Birds battle. The Bisons wanted to spoil the party, and they started out great with Nick Zajac scoring halfway through the first. Jordan DePape added one on a power play early into the second but it was downhill after that for the Bisons.

In a span of four minutes, the Thunderbirds struck three times – twice on the power play – to make it 3-2 for the home side. The ’Birds

added another power play goal with three minutes to go in the second to make it 4-2 after 40 minutes of play.

Shaq Merasty scored with two minutes remaining in the third period, but it was not enough. The second period collapse was good enough to send home the 5,036 fans in attendance happy. Brett Stovin had two assists on the day, tying him for the team lead of 12 with Remi Laurencelle.

Merasty has now scored in his last three games, earning five points in that stretch Saturday

The Bisons were looking for redemption on Saturday after a poor showing on Friday night. Manitoba came out strong in the first period, leading to a 4-2 victory. The Bisons

left no time to waste on Saturday, with Stovin scoring 74 seconds into the game. Quinton Lisoway scored 96 seconds later to make it 2-0 for the away team.

Justin Augert scored his ninth goal of the year to make it 3-0 for the Bisons after one period of play. The ’Birds cut into the Bison lead halfway through the second via Austin Vetterl.

Merasty scored his second of the weekend to restore the three-goal lead in the third period. Merasty has now scored in his last three games, earning five points in that stretch.

He’s also tied with DePape for the team lead with 17 points.

With the split this weekend, the Bisons move into fifth in the Canada West with a 9-10-1 record. This weekend’s series against the Pronghorns will be pivotal as they are both tied with 19 points, but Manitoba has more wins, so they hold the tiebreaker. It will be a good chance for the herd to get some breathing room and push for finishing high enough in the standings to be able to host a playoff series.

VOL. 103 NO. 19 January 18, 2017

Sports

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Men’s volleyball wins 12th straight, women’s win streak halted Ryan Stelter, staff

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his weekend, the University of Manitoba volleyball teams hosted the UBC Thunderbirds. The men brought their winning streak to 12 with a sweep, while the women had their four-game winning streak snapped after getting losing both games.

Garth Pischke, head coach of the third ranked Bison men’s volleyball team, made history on Saturday, winning his 1300th game Garth Pischke, head coach of the third-ranked Bison men’s volleyball team, made history on Saturday, winning his 1300th game. He now holds the North American all-time coaching match win record for men’s volleyball. Pischke holds a winning percentage of 78 per cent and has the most overall wins as a coach in U Sports history.

photo by Star Roxas

aged a 15-12 third set victory, which the 3-1 match victory. heading into this weekend, includ- day individually for Kearley Abbott, gave them their 11th straight win.

The Bisons served a lot better in ing a pair of wins over local rivals however, as she led Manitoba in kills, Devren Dear had 20 kills on the this match, with nine aces compared Winnipeg, the Bison women’s vol- digs, and aces. Abbott has the fifthevening, leading everyone on the to UBC’s three. Dear had a season- leyball team were hoping to keep that best hitting percentage in the Canada court. UBC only made 10 errors high 27 kills on the night; Adam momentum going.

West, sitting at .276 on the year. in total, while the Bisons made a DeJonckheere smacked home 15 of The Bisons’ win streak was stalled Despite a poor showing this whopping 18. In the fourth set, the his own. DeJonckheere has a .327 hit- when they took to the court against weekend, the Bisons have shown Thunderbirds made no errors at all, ting percentage on the year, which is UBC. On Friday, the Bisons lost 3-1 vast improvement from last season.

Men combined with their set-best 19 kills. good enough for third in the Canada (25-18, 21-25, 25-9, 25-16). Their 25-21 Currently they are sitting at a 6-8 The men’s volleyball team were On Saturday, with head coach West. He has also cracked the top 20 second set victory was their only set record and in a playoff position in red-hot heading into this week- Pischke gunning for the history in career kills in the Canada West victory of the weekend. The Bisons the conference. end, and continued that trend on books, the Bisons came out with a with 981. were dominated in every aspect, with Both Bison volleyball teams host the Friday, winning in five sets over the 3-1 win. In another closely contested Dear is chasing history as well the ’Birds managing 14 service aces Thunderbirds. It was a hard-fought fight, the Bisons won the opening this season, as he is third in all-time and a total team hitting percentage Calgary Dinos at the Investors Group battle, as the Bisons jumped out to set 25-23. Then in a back-and-forth Canada West points with 1352.5 in his of .323.

Athletic Centre on Jan. 20-21. a 2-0 set lead, but the Thunderbirds second set, with neither team hav- five year career with the herd.

Saturday was worse for the herd. clawed their way back to make it 2-2 ing more than a two point lead, the They dropped all three sets against and had all the momentum heading Thunderbirds won 29-27. The Bisons Women the Thunderbirds as UBC completed into the fifth set. The Bisons man- won the next two sets though to take Riding a four-game win streak the weekend sweep. It was a good

Bisons trample Cougars in weekend sweep, extending winning streak to four games Kellen Taniguchi, staff

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his weekend, the University of third frame, with the Bisons expand- the time for the Cougars. Manitoba netted another 13. game up early on. The teams continManitoba men’s basketball team ing their lead to 17 entering the final was able to hit 12 three-point shots, The first quarter opened with the ued to exchange chances throughout took on the Regina Cougars in a two- quarter. Manitoba led by as many as including Alleyn and Basi hitting two teams playing some competi- the frame, but the Bisons were able game series. The Bisons won 93-81 on 20 points, but later the Cougars went five each, compared to Regina’s six. tive ball, and the Cougars were only to go on a late 13-0 run, to give them Friday, and completed the sweep with on a 9-0 run, cutting the lead down Those numbers able to take a big 61-44 lead entering the final an 84-75 win on Saturday. With their to just 10 points with just over six speak volumes a slim 17-15 quarter. The Cougars made a push, current streak, the Bisons bring their minutes to play. The herd answered about how the lead into the as they put up 31 points in the final Shots fell 52.5 per record back to 6-6. back with a 9-1 run, and that was herd managed to second frame. quarter, but the Bisons were able to cent of the time for enough to hold on for a 93-81 victory. win the game.

Neither team score enough points to hold a lead and Friday Manitoba was led by Basi second half, was able to go win the game. Alleyn scored 16 of his the Bisons, and just On Friday, the Bisons cruised to who converted 12 of his 19 points.

Saturday on a big run 22 points in the second half, and Basi 37.5 per cent of the victory against provincial rival Regina Justus Alleyn led Manitoba in On Saturday, in the second added another nine. The pair led the by a score of 93-81. The game began points with 21, AJ Basi netted another the Bisons comquarter, but Bisons’ second-half charge. time for the Cougars pretty competitively, with Regina 19; Ilarion Bonhomme (12), Joey pleted the weekthe Bisons taking a 20-14 lead by the end of the Nitychoruk (11), and James Wagner end series sweep, were able to The Bisons are on the road again, as first quarter. The Bisons responded (10) all got into the double figures as they defeated the Cougars 84-75. distance themselves enough to take a they travel to B.C. to take on the Trinity in the second, keeping things close as well. The Cougars were led by The win was Manitoba’s fourth con- 33-28 lead into halftime. Bonhomme Western Spartans on Jan. 20-21. before they closed out the half on a Brandon Tull, who was able to score secutive victory. and Nitychoruk led Manitoba to their 9-0 run, taking a 10-point lead into 16 points, and Alex Igual, who put up Alleyn once again led the Bisons halftime lead, as they each put up halftime. Alleyn led the herd, scor- another 13 for the home side. in scoring with 22 points. Keith seven points in the first half. ing 11 of his 21 points in the first half.

Shots fell 52.5 per cent of the time Omoerah also contributed, with 16 Regina made things interesting The teams played a pretty tight for the Bisons, and just 37.5 per cent of points on the day, while Nitychoruk in the third quarter, as they tied the