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Social work students decry proposed loss of lounge
Students protest repurposing of vital space
Roy Albright Obah, staff
Aproposal to repurpose a dedicated student lounge in the U of M’s social work faculty has sparked significant concern and organized pushback from students who describe the space as an irreplaceable hub for their academic and personal well-being. The Social Work Student Association (SWSA) is leading the charge against the potential change, arguing that the loss of this student-controlled area would undermine community, safety and support networks essential to their demanding program.
According to the SWSA, faculty administration informed them of the possible repurposing plan. They cited the need for more hybrid learning spaces, addressing general campus space limitations and enhancing inclusion across all university campuses. As an alternative, a smaller teacher’s lounge was offered to students. However, the association contends that this space is inadequate for the number of students who rely on the current lounge and would fail to serve its unique role as a student-centric sanctuary.
In response to this proposition, the SWSA launched a petition calling on faculty leadership to adhere to three key principles: ensure any lounge space remains accessible and reflective of social work students’ needs, engage in meaningful consultation with students and refrain from repurposing the current lounge for the intended administrative goals. At the
heart of the association’s argument is the belief that, as the petition states, “The lounge is a cornerstone of student community, learning and inclusion.”
For the students, the lounge represents a critical support system. The role of this space is confirmed by the responses collected by the Manitoban
In an anonymous email, one student framed the potential loss in stark terms. “The loss of this lounge would not just be about losing a room — it would mean losing a vital support network, especially in a program where students already experience high stress from heavy coursework and field placements and the trauma [of] social work,” said the student.
The depth of this connection is further illustrated by the voices of several other students who shared their concerns alongside the petition. For them, the lounge serves both practical and profound needs.
One student emphasized the lounge’s role in building professional and personal networks that extend beyond immediate classmates. “Having a space on campus outside of class [where] social work students are able to meet and form community allows us to create long-lasting bonds with our classmates [who] will become our colleagues after graduation,” the student explained .
For others, the space is a matter of belonging and safety. An Indigenous student shared their perspec-
tive on the faculty’s proposal.
“As an Indigenous student on campus, I use the lounge on a daily basis to connect with my peers and fellow Indigenous students. The proposed merger into the staff lounge will not be adequate enough space. I am disappointed in the faculty for proposing this and aiding in the dismissal of students and debilitating a safe space,” said the student.
A first-year student, comparing their experience to a previous degree, highlighted the lounge’s unique atmosphere. “The current social work student lounge is a great space for social work students to study, relax and connect with one another. As a first-year social work student who previously completed my [bachelors] at the U of M, this is the first time I have had access to an area such as this where I feel safe [and] comfortable [and] get to meet and talk to other students,” noted the student.
As the faculty considers its next steps, the overwhelming message from students is clear — the proposed change is seen not as a simple reallocation of resources, but as a fundamental threat to a space social work students deem essential for their academic success and mental health. They hope their collective voice will lead to a reconsideration of the plan, ensuring the lounge continues to serve as the “cornerstone” of their academic journey.
PHOTO BY ZULKIFL RAFAH / STAFF
‘Toban
news briefs
Jesse Brogan, staff
New pathway to a teaching career
The Access Program and the faculty of education have teamed up to create a new exclusive pathway for students in the Access Program to pursue a teaching career. The program is called the Blue Heron Pathway to Education. The “Hoka,” or blue heron, symbolizes the qualities that are exemplary of the role of a teacher — patience, grace, balance and determination. With teaching shortages in Manitoba and across Canada, this program aims to help to close that gap.
Sacred fire burns for 24 hours
The Winnipeg police service (WPS) held its first-ever sacred fire ceremony ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The lighting of the fire was done by Elder Mike Calder, and the fire burned outside police headquarters to honour the children lost to residential schools as well as those who survived. The sacred fire, that will be maintained for 24 hours by WPS members and fire keepers, symbolizes respect for Indigenous traditions while attempting to rebuild trust.
Man dies after boxing charity event
Robert Boyko, a man in his 50s, died after collapsing during the final round of his firstever charity boxing match in Winnipeg. Boxing Canada says a ringside doctor tried to help, but Boyko suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed
to the hospital. Boxers are screened before matches, but Boxing Canada will review its protocols.
Canadian architecture schools collab
Thirteen different universities, including the U of M, are collaborating to invent new designs and solutions to housing alienation. The universities are collectively gathering as a “superstudio” to engage with a range of knowledge and techniques to solve this problem. Housing alienation happens when commodification of residential properties prioritizes investor profits over the well-being of residents. This leaves homeowners feeling disconnected from their homes and their communities. The nation-wide event started in September, and online and recorded lectures will be ongoing through the 2025-26 academic year.
Church converts into arts venue
A 1901 church located on Logan Avenue is getting a creative transformation as it warps into a 100-seat arts venue — the Valiant Theatre. Taken on by artistic director Kelly Hughes, the space will host theatre, music, comedy, burlesque and literary events, with a strong focus on young artists. Over the weekend, fundraising for the space was done through the sale of antique furniture, books, music and collectibles. Hughes said, “We want it to be a very artist-focused place […] The old altar is now going to be the sacred altar of art.”
Proof beyond doubt
Teach-in for reconciliation confronts the realities of Manitoba residential schools
Mikaela Warkentin, staff
A s part of the U of M’s annual Truth and Reconciliation programming, this year’s teach-in covered the topics of residential schools and their impact, with a focus on a research project out of Sandy Bay First Nation. This topic was selected for this year’s teach-in to specifically challenge what Cary Miller, associate professor of Indigenous studies at the U of M, described as “an uptick of denialism.” Miller went on to share that organizers “thought it would be a good time to really engage our communities that are doing the work of looking for their lost children and deciding how to commemorate that.”
The teach-in’s panel featured Elder Linda Richard, Randal Roulette, Ian Ferguson and Jamie Nienhuysen, with Richard and Roulette both involved in the Sandy Bay community. The Sandy Bay research project is an effort shared by the Sandy Bay First Nation and the U of M, and it focuses on the lived experiences of survivors of the Sandy Bay Indian Residential School, alongside locating and memorializing the children that did not make it home. One part of this project is the physical surveys of land that, based on survivors’ accounts, is likely to contain missing children.
Ferguson, who is a professor of earth science here at the U of M, shared that ground penetrating radar offers a closer look at what exactly might be in the ground. While variables range for each case, the current site surveyed at Sandy Bay has flagged at least two features with “moderate probability of being graves.” This site had been chosen for examination following testimony shared by elders and survivors in the community.
Collecting accounts of the Sandy Bay Indian Residential School is where Nienhuysen comes in. Nienhuysen is a PhD student in the U of M’s Indigenous studies program but has also taken on the role of project manager for the Sandy Bay Indian Residential School research project. Beginning as a research assistant, Nienhuysen’s participation has shifted from the archives surrounding the school to oral histories of survivors in the community of Sandy Bay. With an intergenerational approach to her research of Sandy Bay’s residential school, Nienhuysen shared that her goal within the project is to “acknowledge the harms and injustices that
came from the school, and [recognize] the long-lasting impacts so that we could talk about this more within the community.” Nienhuysen added, “It’s still alive.”
huysen’s role in it, ties dir-
“If we’re really going to look at satisfying these calls to action, the government needs to understand the science enough to know that this is going to take time”
—
The Sandy Bay Indian Residential School research project, and particularly Nien-
Cary Miller, associate professor of Indigenous studies
ectly to the 94 Calls to Action made in 2015 by the Truth
and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, particularly calls 75 and 78, which call to have the federal government work alongside institutions and government at all levels to identify and commemorate the grave sites of children who died at
the hands of the residential school system. Call 78 offers a direct action item — for the government of Canada to fund both the National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation and individual communities in their research and development of history surrounding residential school survivors. However, other calls to action also implore the importance of archives in this pro-
Cont’d on next < page
PHOTOS BY MIKAELA WARKENTIN / STAFF
cess, particularly Indigenous access to them, which Nienhuysen has been making use of in this project. “My experiences in archival institutions have been pretty good […] The archivists that I’ve talked to, they’ve been helpful and supportive in allowing me access and helping me to locate other documents at other institutions.”
“It’s really important to talk about the way that this work contributes to community healing,” shared Miller. However, projects like this one are at risk of waning due to lack of funding. “If we’re really going to look at satisfying these calls to action, the government needs to understand the science enough to know that this is going to take time,” Miller said. With only one of the 90 acres of the residential school’s site surveyed so far, and based on only some of the interviews taken with the Sandy Bay community, this project has hardly begun
to scratch the surface. “This is going to take perhaps as much as a decade in each community. They really need to continue that funding so the work can be completed in a way that brings the community healing.”
To read more about the work being done at Sandy Bay, Nienhuysen’s thesis, “Restorying of the Sandy Bay Indian Residential School” is available here in the U of M library archives. https:// mspace.lib.umanitoba.ca/ server/api/core/bitstreams/ ec9f1129-4080-4182-8ea88e48ef4adb31/content
The 94 Calls to Action made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada are available at https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/ wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf
Uninvited speaker disputes residential school harms at U of M
Drawing a small crowd, disgraced Mount Royal professor tries to stir frustration
Jesse Brogan, staff
An uninvited speaker who denies residential school harms stormed the U of M campus outside the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) last week. This sparked sharp warnings from faculty and community members about a strategy to “manufacture a controversy” on campuses.
Sean Carleton, associate professor of history and Indigenous studies and associate head of Indigenous studies, said what unfolded is an effort to undermine truth and reconciliation, using campus spaces to manufacture confrontation, capture reactions on video and package the moment for far-right channels and fundraising.
“It is the exploitation of university space to manufacture and platform actually very harmful ideas like residential school denialism. It has nothing really to do with debate or academic discussion,” said Carleton. “It’s all about finding ways to platform these ideas that are helpful for denialists to grow their reach.”
According to Carleton, the tactic of these denialists is to fixate on minutiae and media errors to prompt doubt in listeners.
This speaker was not invited by the NCTR, but in some ways made it appear is if they had been. Carleton pointed to some of the warning signs in the speaker’s event-planning tactics, such as having a personal videographer and online fundraising, posters made to
look like the event was happening at the NCTR, and the decision to press ahead during Truth and Reconciliation week despite being offered alternative dates.
“It makes people think the university is inviting this, that the NCTR is inviting this, when in reality, it’s an uninvited protest outside. It’s a media stunt,” said Carleton.
The speaker’s debate format featured mats ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree,” with the speaker prompting others to talk while filming. The turnout was small, and the discussion was difficult to hear. Students walked by shouting and swearing, cars drove by blasting their horns, attendees got into heated verbal exchanges and elders beat on their drums.
Redhorse, an attendee of the event, is with the First Nation Indigenous Warriors Society based out of Winnipeg.
“I personally am here to make sure that my elders’ truths are heard in regard to people who believe that residential schools are a hoax,” said Redhorse. “For people to come out and say that our elders are essentially lying to get money is like a slap in the face. As a person who is of a warrior society, my job is to ensure that my elders are protected in these spaces.”
Redhorse characterized the speaker’s appearance as a stirring of the pot for clicks and warned that the speaker tries to book events in hopes
that they are cancelled so she can use that as an example of her freedom of speech being infringed upon.
Comparing the topic to denying the holocaust, Redhorse also advocated for stronger penalties for residential school denialism to avoid repeatedly exposing elders and first nations to harmful rhetoric.
“I think the big thing is that laws need to be changed in regard to residential school denialism […] It’s not something that we expect to solve the problem completely, but at least it gives a chance to fight fire with fire,” said Redhorse.
Sebastian Guimond, a student at U of M, attended the speaker’s street-side event to practice his debate skills as he is getting ready to run
for Saugeen Chief and Council in 2027. Guimond said the discussion should reflect the seven sacred teachings.
“Having a safe place to speak without any violence is a good thing,” said Guimond.
“It’s called freedom of speech for a reason, and I believe that everybody has their right to disagree with what happened within the residential school system.” He added “spreading fake news shouldn’t be tolerated anywhere. That’s where I think it draws the line.”
Guimond, who is five generations removed from grandparents who experienced residential schools, spoke about how intergenerational trauma impacts his own family and the platform affects people still healing.
“[My family] told me their stories, and it made me emo-
tional […] Having this lady here and getting her to spew darkness onto Indigenous people is the bad way of doing it,” said Guimond. “It should be aligned with the seven sacred teachings and respect.”
Carleton said as a university community we should not “take the bait.” In his view, the most effective campus response is to deprive these plans of an audience and double down on survivor-led education.
“We need to figure out ways as the university community to not take […] the rage bait, and figure out what we can do, how we can keep each other safe and how we can continue to focus on learning in rigorous academic ways,” said Carleton. “Denialism is the enemy of that.”
PHOTO BY JESSE BROGAN / STAFF
PHOTO BY MIKAELA WARKENTIN / STAFF
UMAGSA hosts orientation
Building community and confidence for new African graduate students
Roy Albright obah, staff
The U of M’s African Graduate Students Association (UMAGSA) has launched the new academic year by hosting a specialized orientation. This event was designed to equip its newest members with the practical tools needed to thrive, both on campus and in the wider Winnipeg community. The orientation, held separately from the university’s general welcome activities, aimed to provide a culturally familiar and identity-affirming space for recently enrolled African graduate students.
Israel Adeogo Abejoye, president of UMAGSA, whose leadership made the event possible, explained the motivation behind hosting an orientation separate to the general university-wide one.
He noted the initiative stemmed from the personal experiences of many of his peers upon their arrival in Canada. Abejoye said he wanted to inform newly admitted African students in a way that would be relatable.
The orientation was designed to cover five areas essential to a successful transition. These areas were, housing and living in Winnipeg, transportation and city navigation, mentorship and community building, finding campus jobs and career preparation, and navigating campus resources.
This comprehensive approach, Abejoye noted, is a core part of the association’s mission to ensure that their members “succeed academically and socially as university community members and members of the wider Manitoba community.”
Emmanuella Nti, UMAGSA’s vice president for welfare, spoke on her optimism about the event’s impact. Her presentation focused on providing resourceful avenues for students to balance academic and non-academic pursuits.
“I hoped members left the event with a better understanding of the different avenues available to them, whether in securing employment during their studies or preparing for their careers after graduation,” Nti said.
For attendee Patrick Ogbey, for whom this event was a first introduction to the community, the event lived up to its promise. “I am excited to be here at this event, to connect with fellow African students, and to be part of this welcoming community,” Ogbey said.
Despite being new to the association, Ogbey grasped the essence of the group. “The
African Graduate Students Association is a safe and supportive space where we can share experiences, ask questions, and learn how to navigate both academic and social life in Winnipeg,” he said. The orientation also served as a direct source of valuable information. Ogbey highlighted one key takeaway, “it was through this event that I realized we have access to free legal services because the association has paid for
it.” This revealed the tangible benefits of membership beyond simple social connection.
Ogbey further encouraged other African graduate students to get involved and remain active within the association. “We should continue to build and strengthen relationships, since this [will] open doors academically, socially and professionally in the long run,” he concluded. This event was only the
starting point of UMAGSA’s events for this academic year. The association has a full calendar planned to sustain momentum throughout the year, including workshops and African history month events, according to Abejoye. This shows the association’s sustained commitment to supporting its members.
The event also featured guest speakers, including executive representatives of the U of M postdoctoral soci-
ety and Rotimi E. Aluko, professor, director and Canada research chair (bioactive peptides) at the Richardson centre for food and technology research.
African graduate students who wish to connect with the association can follow UMAGSA on Instagram at @umagsa.
ISRAEL ADEOGO ABEJOYE, PRESIDENT OF UMAGSA, SPEAKS AT THE UMAGSA FALL 2025 ORIENTATION.
UCHE NWANKWO, PIONEER OF UMAGSA, SPEAKS AT THE UMAGSA FALL 2025 ORIENTATION.
EMMANUELLA NTI, VICE PRESIDENT, WELFARE OF UMAGSA, SPEAKS AT THE UMAGSA FALL 2025 ORIENTATION.
PHOTOS BY ZULKIFL RAFAH / STAFF
Research & Technology
Making AI more transparent
Measuring what people know — and think they know — about AI
Mansura Akter Meghla, staff
Ariful Islam Anik, a PhD candidate in the department of computer science at the U of M, has spent the past seven years focused on the question, “How can artificial intelligence (AI) systems be made more understandable for everyday users?”
At a broad level, Anik’s work addresses the lack of transparency in AI systems by exploring how people make sense of these systems. “Nowadays we use AI systems in different aspects of our life,” he said. “But if you think about it, despite all the use, maybe very few users […] might actually know how these systems work, what sorts of data [are used], and the decisions that might have been taken in the makings of these systems that have different impacts on the system’s performance.”
Instead of focusing on the algorithms behind AI, Anik looks at the data used to train these systems. He designs methods to share information about data in ways that non-experts can understand. “My focus is on creating or providing information that a user can understand without having [a] technical background,” he explained. “So general-purpose users […] can have an informed judgment about the system they are using, to make their interactions better.”
A recent project led Anik to create an instrument to measure users’ AI knowledge and confidence. By surveying 500 people, he developed and validated a scale that can assess people’s capacity to understand AI systems. The results revealed a surprising pattern.
“We found that people who have low self-reported AI knowledge, they under-
estimate their knowledge […] Their performance shows that they actually know more than […] they think,” Anik said.
On the other hand, the study showed the opposite effect for more experienced users.
gests people with low ability often overestimate their skills, while highly skilled individ-
“Few users […] might actually know how these [AI] systems work […] and the decisions that might have been taken in the makings of these systems”
— Ariful Islam Anik, PhD candidate in the U of M’s department of computer science.
“People who are highly confident about their knowledge, they’re overestimating [their knowledge] based on their performance,” he said. The finding reverses a well-known
uals tend to underestimate theirs.
This study is still under submission, but Anik sees it as the culmination of his PhD research. Earlier in his pro -
gram, he experimented with different ways of presenting information about data, such as narrative storytelling versus structured question-and-answer formats. Both approaches not only improved user understanding and trust but also gave people the tools to judge a system critically rather than simply accept it.
“I love doing user-centred research because it allows me to understand how people think, what they need, and how design can either
empower them or hold them back,” Anik noted. “A big part of what excites [me] about my research is […] the direct connection with users during both formative and evaluation phases, and the deeper reflection that comes with analyzing results to generate insights.”
Looking at the broader picture, he hopes his research contributes to a shift in how AI is designed and used. His vision is to keep technology human-centered by providing users with tools and information that help them decide how to use AI systems.
“In our research area, different people are involved in developing a system — developers, system designers, administration — but users are not really part of the development process,” Anik said. “My research […] tries to be the voice for the users, so they can have a good experience,” he added.
pattern in psychology called the Dunning-Kruger effect, that sug-
GRAPHIC BY EMMA GILLICH / STAFF
Linking algebra and topology
Mathematician pursues new links to address one of math’s hardest open questions
Mansura Akter Meghla, staff
A dam Clay, a professor in the department of mathematics at the U of M, studies algebra with ties to topology, the branch of math that looks at shapes and spaces.
Clay’s research centres on group theory, a field that began in the 1800s to study symmetries of objects. “If you have ever heard of a Rubik’s cube […] using groups is how you would model the movements of a Rubik’s cube mathematically,” he said. Today, group theory appears in cryptography, robotics and chemistry.
Clay extends this work by studying ordered groups. “I take groups, I add a little bit extra called an order on the group,” he said. Clay explained that he studies how the connections of topology and group theory are affected by order.
Much of his recent work has been tied to the “L-space conjecture,” a problem in low-dimensional topology. According to Clay, low dimensions — two, three and four — are surprisingly difficult to study. About 15 years ago, mathematicians observed that three seemingly unrelated properties of certain three-dimensional spaces are, in fact, equivalent. Though the connection is unexpected, evidence so far shows the three always align. “These three different values that you can calculate should end up all being equal in the end,” Clay explained.
The conjecture has held up under more than a million computer checks. Clay entered the debate because one of the three properties involves ordered groups, his specialty. “I’m trying to prove theorems and prepare results that would be useful
for people who are in this field of low-dimensional topology,” he added.
Clay has since published a book, Ordered Groups and Topology, and contributed papers that confirm the conjecture in certain cases. He is now preparing a new book on circularly ordered groups, the tool researchers have realized they needed next.
ing everybody to be able to use the tools from my area, which are really outside the usual toolkit that people in low-dimensional topology have,” Clay said.
“My goal is to make things accessible to people who come after me ”
— Adam Clay, professor and acting department head of mathematics at the U of M
“The biggest recent contributions that I’ve made are to this conjecture, and to prepar-
His path to this work was not straightforward. During his PhD, Clay initially focused on low-dimensional topology problems directly. After a year
and a half, he switched to algebra, the field he truly enjoyed. That shift led him to ordered groups, though the conjecture eventually drew him back toward topology. Clay said that it is common in mathematics for research to switch directions when a new discovery throws a wrench in previous ideas, and he writes with the hope of making the path smoother for others. “A large part of what I’m doing is trying to prevent
that experience from happening to other people,” he said. “My goal is to make things accessible to people who come after me.”
For students, he advises focusing less on grades and more on real understanding. “There are strategies for passing classes and getting good grades that don’t make a good mathematician,” he said. “Instead, focus on clear communication and really understanding what you’re doing […] Try to explain it to others, because that’s what mathematicians do.”
PHOTO PROVIDED BY U OF M FACULTY OF SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS
A quest for belonging
Imposter syndrome casts a shadow on international student life
Mansura Akter Meghla, staff
One of my fellow international classmates said to me at the very beginning of our first term, “I don’t think I belong here.” This is not an uncommon feeling among international students. I believe most people, if not every person, who moves far from home in pursuit of higher studies shares a similar mindset. They often undervalue their worth and feel the need to compensate with hard work, often not to prove something to others, but to prove to themselves that they belong, that they have earned this opportunity fair and square.
For many international students globally, including at the U of M, excelling academically is not the only challenge. Quietly, many battle imposter syndrome — feeling undeserving of their place despite clear achievements. People who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) and work or study in predominantly White environments wrestle with imposter feelings at higher rates, noted Kevin Cokley, a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.
Imposter syndrome describes the psychological experience of doubting one’s abilities, even in the face of success. It can manifest as the fear of being “found out” as being less capable than peers. While this feeling is not unique to international students, it can often be intensified by the realities of studying in a new country.
International students at the U of M may navigate multiple layers of adjustment, such as adapting to new academic expectations, communicating in a second language and living far from family and support networks. On top of these struggles, Winnipeg’s extreme cold weather and financial pressures silently add to the weight of expectations. These factors make moments of anxiety and self-doubt more acute.
In this context, a strong sense of belonging is more than comfort — it is essential. Students who feel connected to peers, faculty and campus life are better equipped to manage imposter syndrome. A sense of belonging provides reassurance that self-doubt is temporary and normal, rather than evidence of failure. Without this support, international
See Qr code for information on supports available
students may feel isolated, impacting both well-being and academic performance. At the U of M, this issue is especially relevant. Winnipeg can be an isolating environment for those unfamiliar with harsh winters. Another contributing factor might be
“When students feel they truly belong, they stop questioning their place and see themselves as part of the community.”
the smaller international student population in Winnipeg compared to larger cities. Although the community is diverse, international students often find themselves outside of campus conversations, unsure of where they fit in. Imposter syndrome matters because it affects more than confidence. It influences how students par-
ticipate in classrooms, how often they seek support and whether they see themselves as capable of success. If this insecurity is left unaddressed, it can impact students’ mental health, reduce engagement and even push them to leave programs early. Universities often address international student needs through tutoring or bursaries. Despite being valuable, these resources cannot replace the cultural and emotional support that a sense of belonging
provides. Building belonging means creating safe spaces for students to share struggles, expanding mentorship programs and training faculty to acknowledge and validate impostor syndrome.
At the U of M, many such supports are available for international students (see QR code). When students feel they truly belong, they stop questioning their place and see themselves as part of a community.
GRAPHIC BY EMMA GILLICH / STAFF
Warlocks, witches and spells
Is witchcraft a recent fad?
Quinn Mayhew, staff
Ever since I was little, I have always had an idea of what witchcraft is. I was raised with the belief that perhaps witchcraft is real. Growing up in a family with strong connections and ancestry to Ireland, Celtic folklore and legends such as The Hag of Beara, Selkies and Irish Fairies were commonplace in my house.
I have always been interested in witches. I would see them in television and movies like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Practical Magic, and I instantly became hooked on the world of witchcraft. This soon led to collecting books
on witchcraft and having my friends run around on Halloween in witch costumes.
Recently, I have seen a fad of people flocking to online spaces such as Etsy to order the services of witches to cast spells for them. Despite Etsy banning services categorizing anything metaphysical, these online witches are offering an abundance of spells via online platforms by listing their services as a form of “entertainment.”
Witches always existed around the world, and now you might even meet one in your local bookshop. Even though I have personally always been surrounded by
witchcraft, I have noticed its presence is making a comeback with the general public on social media platforms such as TikTok.
This new corner of social media, dubbed WitchTok, revolves around witchy content. Whether you are looking for how to cast a spell, dress like a witch or find witchcraft-related books, that corner of TikTok will have the answers for you.
I personally love being part of WitchTok, I think it’s fascinating. Despite not being an active member of the practicing witchcraft community, I appreciate that you can go online or to your local book-
store instead of having to find a coven like you would have had to do centuries ago, to practice witchcraft.
Chris Miller, a postdoctoral fellow of contemporary paganism at the University of Toronto, shed light on the context of the rise of witchcraft through millenials.
“Think about all these things
— The Craft, Sabrina, Buffy, Charmed — all being popular during adolescence,” he said. “Now those people are in their 30s and 40s.” In the Washington Post, Kate Morgan described this new movement of witchcraft as quite profitable. “They’re fueling a retail industry worth more
than US$2 billion, both online and off; metaphysical shops and apothecaries are thriving across the United States,” Morgan said.
Even though I have never hired an Etsy witch to cast spells for me, I’ve always wanted to. I feel like it would be therapeutic to have a witch curse someone for me, or just put out good energy into the universe.
Even though Etsy witches have become a recent fad, I believe the fundamental basis of practicing or studying witchcraft is a desire to feel more closely connected to the earth and the things we may not be able to see.
Resisting climate apathy
Manitoba must declare a climate emergency
Adam Johnston, volunteer
M anitoba has been battered by the effects of climate change. Wildfires have choked our air, floods from torrential rainstorms swamped Winnipeg after the April 2022 snowstorm and our summers have brought relentless heatwaves. Climate change is not looming — it has landed. How many more alarms do we need? Declaring a climate emergency is not symbolic, it is a moral, economic and environmental necessity. We require bold action from the Manitoba NDP government, now!
Manitoba is not bracing for climate change — we are already in crisis. Heatwaves and wildfire smoke are impacting public health, while droughts and floods are spiking food prices and displacing families, especially in First Nations and Métis communities. Yet Winnipeg’s response to this crisis trails cities like Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary, all of which have declared climate emergencies. It’s time to catch up.
Without action, Manitoba faces rising recovery costs and worsening inequality. The harshest impacts will fall on those least responsible. Ignoring the emergency means abandoning the most vulnerable.
Winnipeg and Manitoba’s aging infrastructure is buckling under climate pressure, with heatwaves and heavy rains exposing cracks in resilience, as reported by The Narwhal. Rural Manitoba is not spared either — its water systems, roads and bridges are in urgent need of repair. There is a critical need for the province to invest in climate resilient systems that not only save long-term costs in mitigation and adaptation but also ensure they protect those communities that need it the most.
Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure means building systems to withstand and adapt to the impacts of climate change. This infrastructure should be flexible, data-driven and designed with redundancy and collaboration in mind. From flood-proof roads to smart grids, resilience means using science, smart planning and inclusive partnerships to future-proof our built environment.
Indigenous entrepreneurship is a powerful climate solution rooted in innovation and land stewardship. With a projected 23 per cent growth over the next decade, Indigenous entrepreneurs are emerging as key players in Canada’s
green economy. Alongside Crown corporations, Indigenous organizations are key investors in renewable energy projects. Their deep knowledge and stewardship uphold the dignity of the lands and waters of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities across Canada.
Indigenous clean energy entrepreneurs are key to Manitoba’s climate future. Targeted government support through procurement, training, low-interest loans and tax breaks can help Indigenous renewable
energy projects reach their full potential. This is not just smart climate policy — it is a path to reconciliation and climate justice.
Winnipeg’s car-centric design is holding us back from fighting climate change. A staggering 84 per cent of
“Manitoba is experiencing the effects of the climate crisis and we need to face it head-on. This summer’s wildfires brought some of the worst air quality on record in Winnipeg. Declaring a climate emergency is the first step toward real solutions”
residents rely on private vehicles, while only around nine to 11 per cent use transit and five
to six per cent choose active transportation, according to Statistics Canada. This reliance on cars harms our health, environment and economy. Those who rely most on public transit contribute least to climate change but suffer its worst effects, such as extreme heat and overland flood risks from torrential rainstorms. We need bold investment in public and active transportation. Reinstating the 50/50 transit funding split between Winnipeg and the province, which was elim-
inated by the Progressive Conservative government in 2017, would improve service and pave the way for low or zerocost fares. Consistent provincial financing for active transportation could complete Winnipeg’s bike network and expand rural trails. Financing tools like a modest transit sales tax and a fairer property tax system where highvalue homes pay more could make a big difference.
Manitoba is experiencing the effects of the climate crisis, and we need to face it head-on. This summer’s wildfires brought some of the worst air quality on record in Winnipeg. Declaring a climate emergency is the first step toward real solutions.
GRAPHIC BY EMMA GILLICH / STAFF
To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column, and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely. In Straights, like Sudoku, no single number 1 to 9 can repeat in any row or column. But rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. Each compartment must form a “straight.” A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but it can be in any order, eg [7,6,9,8]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to see how “straights” are formed.
A letter to my nonsensical bus route
Calling for better transit over cost-cutting
Quinn Mayhew, staff
W
innipeg Transit is my mortal enemy. If you have ever ridden on any of the Winnipeg bus lines, you probably know what I am talking about. The routes that some of these buses take are like uncrackable codes. I, for one, do not understand why my bus has to go through a Walmart parking lot to get me to the U of M.
The bus, as my primary source of transportation to school, always leaves me dreading school on Mondays. However, my immense hatred for the bus didn’t always exist. It all started when they changed the bus routes.
I used to find my zero-transfer bus ride therapeutic. I would listen to music or use the time to catch up on schoolwork. Now my bus route requires multiple transfers, often resulting in me missing the bus all together.
Looking back, I should have been more grateful for my quick 40-minute bus ride instead of constantly complaining that the ride was too long. I feel like, due to my complaining, the universe decided to tack an extra hour onto that 40-minute bus ride.
On campus, there is a massive consensus that these new
bus routes are nonsensical, especially in terms of location. In my opinion, these bus routes were created by individuals who clearly do not take the bus.
For many university students, the bus is the only way to get to campus. Suddenly deciding to change previously established routes has created stress for students who depend on the bus system — I have shown up late to classes because my bus never showed up.
Even for the students who park and ride, transit is still complicated. I have a friend who usually parks and rides, and she has said that when she pulls up to Seel Station there is nowhere to park, which results in her having to park blocks away and usually missing the bus.
The bus system needs to be better. University students should not be fighting for a spot on the bus or having to take three different connections over the span of two hours to get to school. The individuals who make the bus lines need to realize it should be less about cutting costs and more about listening to the needs of the people who rely on the transit system every day.
GRAPHIC BY EMMA GILLICH / STAFF
The ‘Toban takes on Nuit Blanche
Reviewing Winnipeg’s late-night art festival
Manitoban staff
Boris Tsun Hang Leung, arts and culture editor
On Sept. 27, Winnipeg hosted Nuit Blanche, the city’s annual late-night art festival. From 6 p.m. till late, art installations, DJs and vendors filled the streets of downtown Winnipeg and the Exchange District to celebrate contemporary art.
Nuit Blanche is known as the province’s largest contemporary arts festival, and it certainly did not disappoint. Having spent my life in larger cities, I always had the impression that downtown Winnipeg was devoid of foot traffic. However, as I made my way from the Forks to the Exchange, I was struck by how lively and charming the city was even as the night progressed — Nuit Blanche showed the true potential of Winnipeg.
One of my favourite stops was the Dalnavert Museum. For the festival, speakers were placed inside the rooms of the 19th-century house to recreate sounds the occupants would have made. Visitors could hear the cook chopping food in the kitchen and the faucet running in the bathroom, for example. The soundscapes perfectly brought the historical house to life.
Another striking exhibit was an artwork by Darcy Ataman on the roof of the Fork’s parkade. Ataman embroidered the diary entries of a Ukrainian soldier onto 30 uniforms, resulting in a somber elegy to those who have experienced war.
Quinn Mayhew, comment editor
My time at Nuit Blanche was mostly spent at bars in both the Forks and the Exchange District.
Despite my exclusivity of only occupying bars during this art festival, I always immensely enjoy the atmosphere and liveliness that Nuit Blanche always brings in September.
This art festival, I feel, is both about the art and people coming together to discuss art. I know I opted to exclusively partake in the more recreational side of Nuit Blanche, but despite me making that choice, I still found I got to enjoy the spirit of the art through other people’s discussions.
Zulkifl Rafah, video editor
Last night marked my first experience at Nuit Blanche and it was magical. Winnipeg came alive as art installations lit up the night and music echoed through the streets. It was amazing seeing people of all ages gathering to celebrate creativity and culture. It is rare to see such vibrant energy here in Winnipeg, but last night the city was absolutely buzzing. Every corner of the Exchange District was illuminated by dazzling lights. Winnipeg was truly lit last night and Nuit Blanche proved how art and music can unite a community. I can’t wait for next year!
This year was my first Nuit Blanche, and I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I had fun! I was also working (check out the Manitoban on YouTube for what I was up to), so I wasn’t sure I would get to take in all the art I wanted to. However, I kind of liked having the structure and goals that working gave me — I could leave exhibits when I wanted, as long as I had collected the photos and interviews I needed.
One thing that I wasn’t expecting about Nuit Blanche was the sheer sense of community the night offered. Sure, the main attraction of the night is the art, but I found myself talking to people I
didn’t know at all while waiting to whisper a secret into a giant ear (shoutout PSST!) or helping light a group photo with my phone flashlight. Experiencing art in this communal setting really was my personal highlight of the night, seeing how others interacted with the artwork and interacting with both the installations and the community that built them. Having lived in Winnipeg for four years, Nuit Blanche has been one of the few times I have seen the city as full as I know it can be.
PHOTO BY MIKAELA WARKENTIN / STAFF
Mikaela Warkentin, editor-in-chief
PHOTO BY MIKAELA WARKENTIN / STAFF
PHOTO BY ZULKIFL RAFAH / STAFF
PHOTO BY ZULKIFL RAFAH / STAFF
PHOTO BY ZULKIFL RAFAH / STAFF
PHOTO BY MIKAELA WARKENTIN / STAFF
PHOTO BY MIKAELA WARKENTIN / STAFF
U of M students create Smile Flowers Project
Art program for newcomer youth builds identity and community
Boris Tsun Hang Leung, staff
Recently, peace and conflict studies students and sisters Cassie and Kristy Dong hosted an art exhibition at the Forks, showcasing a mural created by refugee and newcomer youth.
To create the mural, the children were given three prompts — who they are, how they get through hard times and what their hopes and dreams are. The end result was a mixed-media mural with collages, drawings and text reflecting each participant’s story.
The exhibition is a part of the Smile Flowers Project, a program created by Cassie and Kristy in partnership with the Resilia Community Wellness Centre and the Centre for Human Rights Research at U of M. Cassie , a PhD candidate researching everyday peace-building, described the purpose of the project.
“We [created] a series of artbased workshop where immigrant and refugee youth […] can come together and learn about how to use art for mental healthcare. So we engage with questions about identities, [hopes] and dreams and how they can take care of their mental health,” she said.
Kristy is a master’s student interested in 2SLGBTQIA+ and women’s rights. She explained that they have hosted eight workshops so far, and some of the activities have included Indigenous storytelling, beading and collage.
In addition, the program is one of the 100 projects funded by the Going Together grant scheme. The scheme is a joint effort between UNESCO and SEVENTEEN, a K-pop group,
and it was created to support projects that promote the well-being of young people.
The sisters commented that the art workshops were therapeutic because they allowed young refugees and newcomers to express themselves and form connections with each other.
“Sometimes we ask, ‘Oh, why did you draw the wave?’ for example, and then the student [will] talk about their
hometown and what they missed about it […] It’s a good way to be reminded of the good [memories] and things like that […] it’s healing,” said Kristy.
“It’s also [about creating] a space where they can come together. Many of them come from different backgrounds, but through the programs and through the workshops, they develop friendships and they work together on the project,”
The children are not the only ones who learned from the workshops. Kristy reflected on her own experience and the reciprocal relationship between herself and the youths.
“It’s been a very transformative experience for me as well because it is basically my first time doing a community-based project, and especially with my sister. So I had
a lot to learn, and I feel like I had a lot to learn from the kids as well,” she concluded.
For more information on the Smile Flowers Project, visit chrr.info/current-projects-2/chrr-collaborations/ smile-flowers-project/ or @ smileflowers.project on Instagram.
added Cassie.
PHOTO BY BORIS TSUN HANG LEUNG / STAFF
SISTERS CASSIE (LEFT) AND KRISTY DONG (RIGHT), FOUNDERS OF THE SMILE FLOWERS PROJECT, SHOWCASED A MURAL MADE BY REFUGEE AND NEWCOMER YOUTH AT THE FORKS.
The Bisons soccer team lost 0-3 to the Calgary Dinos on Friday, Sept. 26.
The Dinos had a good start to the game as Sarah Donick made a shot in the 11th minute [11:18], but it was blocked by Bisons goalie Holly Dyker. The Dinos struck again in the 11th minute [11:38], with Grace Moore opening the scoring with an assist from Mykena Walker.
In the 12th minute [12:53], Donick doubled the lead for the Dinos with an assist from Moore.
Bisons’ Mia Fonseca tried to spark a response in the 25th minute [25:16] with a shot on target, but Dinos goalie Lauren Houghton made a save.
In the 37th minute [37:29], Aislin Phillips converted a penalty kick to give the Dinos a 3-0 lead into the halftime.
In the early part of the second half [45:39], Bisons’ Paris Sidhu had a shot at goal, but goalie Houghton saved it.
Bisons sports recap
Bisons soccer and Bisons football lost games
Abdul-Jalilu Ahmed, staff
Sydney Arnold made a header shot for the Bisons in the 54th minute [54:34] but it went high.
In the 73rd minute [73:28], Bisons’ Evelyn Lekivetz had a shot toward goal, but Houghton made a save.
In the closing stages of the game [78:28 to 89:01], the two teams made various substitutions, but the Dinos held on comfortably for a 3-0 win.
In the second game of their weekend series, the Bisons women’s soccer team recorded a 0-2 loss to the Calgary Dinos on Saturday, Sept. 27.
The Dinos applied early pressure, with multiple scoring attempts between the 6th and 35th minutes [6:48 to 35:40], but Bisons goalie Dyker made saves to keep the game level.
At 35:45, Bisons’ Tabata Bravo delivered a shot, but it was saved by goalie Houghton.
The Dinos regained momen-
tum from [36:15 to 45:00], with efforts from Moore, Phillips and Sofia DiGiacomo, but the Bisons held firm.
The two teams entered halftime tied 0-0.
In the 51st minute [51:28] of the second half, Bianca Cavalcanti had a chance at goal for the Bisons, but her shot went wide.
The breakthrough came for the Dinos in the 59th minute [59:49], when Isabella DiPalma scored off an assist from Kaleigh Major.
In the 63rd minute [63:04], DiPalma struck again to double the lead.
In the 89th minute [89:57], the Bisons brought on Lulu Bordeaux for Arnold in an effort to change the pace of the game, but the score remained unchanged. The game ended in a 2-0 win for the Dinos.
In Prairie league standings, the Bisons have one point, with one draw and nine losses.
The Bisons football team was defeated 8-30 by the Regina Rams on Saturday, Sept. 27 in Regina, Saskatchewan.
At the 4:10 mark in the first quarter, receiver De Shawn Le Jour caught a ten-yard pass from quarterback Cole Anseeuw, giving the Bisons a 7-0 lead.
In the second quarter, Rams running back Marshall Erichsen tied the game 7-7 with a 28-yard run at 6:24.
Just before halftime, with fifty-three seconds remaining, Erichsen caught a 14-yard pass from quarterback Noah Pelletier, putting the Rams ahead 14-7 at the break.
At the 15:00 mark of the third quarter, kicker Maya Turner earned a rouge point for the Bisons, reducing the gap to 14-8. The Rams responded as kicker Ty Gorniak hit a 42-yard field
goal at the 7:00 mark, pushing the score to 17-8.
In the fourth quarter, Gorniak hit a 20-yard field goal at the 11:56 mark, giving the Rams a 20-8 advantage. At 5:11, Gorniak scored a 37-yard field goal, extending the Rams’ lead to 23-8. At the 1:56 mark, Erichsen made a two-yard run to secure a 30-8 victory for the Rams.
In the league standings, the Bisons football team has four points, with two wins and three losses from five games.
The Bisons soccer team will face the Alberta Pandas on Saturday, Oct. 4 and Sunday, Oct. 5 in Edmonton, Alberta.
The Bisons football team will host the UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday, Oct. 4, 12 p.m. CT, at the Princess Auto Stadium.
