2 December 2015

MANITOBAN the

THE OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA STUDENTS’ NEWSPAPER

NEWS

The sweet sound of silence Stop the Cuts protest sees low turnout Page 3

FEATURE

Something to write home about The winners of the Manitoban Literature Competition Page 10-13

ARTS & CULTURE

Brocabulary 101 U of M student explores contemporary slang in research study Page 21

VO L 1 0 2 · N O 1 6 · D E C E M B E R 2 , 2 0 1 5 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO B A N .CO M

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Index

VOL. 102 NO. 16 December 2, 2015

EDITORIAL

Stuck in the middle

A reflection on lack of vision for higher education in Manitoba page 8

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Craig Adolphe

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

BUSINESS MANAGER Adam Owczar

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Michelle Arentsen

ads@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Lauren Siddall

me@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

NEWS EDITOR Garett Williams

news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

ARTS & CULTURE

Down the rabbit hole

MTC takes on Alice Through the Looking Glass

COMMENT EDITOR Evan Tremblay

comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

FEATURES EDITOR Dana Hatherly

features@themanitoban.com/ 474.6770

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR Chantelle Dubois

science@themanitoban.com/ 474.6529

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Seamus Hamilton-Pattison

arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

SPORTS EDITOR Mike Still

sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

page 19

COPY EDITOR Tom Ingram

copy@themanitoban.com/ 474.6520

DESIGN

DESIGN EDITOR Bradly Wohlgemuth

design@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

GRAPHICS EDITOR Bram Keast

graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

PHOTO EDITOR Carolyne Kroeker

photo@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

GRAPHICS ASSOCIATE Kelly Campbell GRAPHICS ASSOCIATE Jondell Coombs PHOTO ASSOCIATE Chantal Zdan

REPORTERS

NEWS Ethan Cabel NEWS Osho Samuel Adetunji NEWS vacant SCIENCE Malak Abas ARTS & CULTURE Olivia Michalczuk ARTS & CULTURE Tobi Nifesi SPORTS Andy Che ASSISTANT COPY EDITOR Sarah Doran

VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTORS

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A preview of Breaking the Chains of Gravity

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A reflection on the UWSA's reaction to Canadian Armed Forces on campus

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A review of Sweet Alibi's new album

SPORTS

Looking back

Devon Hanel Ryan Stelter Arden Raaen Chris Macalino Travis T.

A mid-season update for the Bisons

page 26

Design Design Editor: Bradly Wohlgemuth Contact: design@themanitoban.com / 474.6775 Graphics Editor: Bram Keast Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775 Photo Editor: Carolyne Kroeker Contact: photo@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

105 UN IVERSITY CENTRE U N I V E R S I T Y O F M A N I TO B A WINNIPEG, MB R3T 2N2

Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #589160 A “volunteer staff” member is defined as a person who has had three volunteer articles, photographs, or pieces of art of reasonable length and/or substance published in three different issues of the current publishing year of the Manitoban. Any individual who qualifies must be voted in by a majority vote at a Manitoban staff meeting. Elected representatives and non-students may be excluded from holding votes as volunteer staff members in accordance with the Manitoban Constitution.

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

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

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

All contents are ©2015 and may not be reprinted without the express written permission of the Editor-in-Chief.

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News

News Editor: Garett Williams Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Protesters challenge budget cuts, fee hikes Anti-cuts coalition and international student movement combine forces in rally held last week DANA HATHERLY, STAFF

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crowd of University of Manitoba Jennifer Black, vice-president community members demon- unit 1 of CUPE 3909, recited a strated their dissatisfaction over the poem about the commodification of school’s budgetary process at a rally post-secondary education and the held last Tuesday afternoon. corporatization of the U of M campus, Participants protested budget cuts which some demonstrators blame to faculties and departments and an for backing what they consider to be increase in tuition fees for interna- misled priorities by the university’s tional students. The U of M’s 2015-16 administration. budget included cuts of up to four per “At best you are capital, at worst cent for academic and administra- you’re a cog,” Black told the assembly. tive units and an 18 per cent hike to Fine arts student and Manitoban the fee differential for international contributor Kelly Campbell launched undergraduate students. her sculpture called Continuous The participants were mostly affil- Kerplunk, based on the children’s iates of the University of Manitoba game.

Student Action Network, interna“Kerplunk is a succinct metaphor tional students studying at the U for the current state of neo-liberal of M, the Canadian Federation of labour and education,” reads the Students-Manitoba, the University description of Campbell’s project. of Manitoba Faculty Association, “We are told to support ourselves and the Canadian Union of Public while the ground we stand on is taken Employees (CUPE) Local 3909, out from under us.”

Unit 1, which represents student After the series of presentaacademic workers. Other concerned tions, protesters proceeded to the students – including a handful from Engineering Atrium where the demthe University of Winnipeg – mem- onstration dwindled down to about bers of faculty, and non-students also 35 people outside the entrance to the participated. university’s regularly scheduled board The rally started in front of the of governors meeting at 4 p.m.

Gallery of Student Art in University “There is no evidence that budget Centre at 3 p.m. Some 60 people cuts are the necessary result of a pargathered for presentations about the lous financial situation, rather, these anti-cuts campaign and international cuts are a matter of choice – a choice student movement. Speakers were to prioritize capital and marketing generally critical about a lack of spending over the quality of educonsultation and notification by the cation,” reads a letter signed by the university prior to slashing the budget Student Action Network. The letand raising student fees. ter was addressed to the meeting’s

chairperson, Patricia Bovey, U of M president David Barnard, and the university’s board of governors.

“There is no evidence that budget cuts are the necessary result of a parlous financial situation, rather, these cuts are a matter of choice” – Student Action Network letter to U of M’s board of governors “We further call for full transparency of university finances and increased public funding for postsecondary education,” their letter continued. It went on to call for better treatment of international students, and for the university to restore funding to previous levels and halt all plans for further cutbacks.

The letters were distributed to the rally’s attendees, and were intended to be handed to board members on their way into the meeting. Barnard strolled into the meeting without being handed letters or dealing with any other direct confrontation.

Retaliation

Over the course of the rally, between speeches, artistic displays, and a performance by students from the faculty of music, protesters made collective calls to “stop the cuts” and denounce tuition hikes for international students.

“We are not cash cows,” shouted the demonstrators.

At one point, their cries were met with retaliation by a handful of engineering students from the 400-level balcony above the atrium. Equipped with drums, a tuba, and a guitar, the engineering students played to the tune of “Solidarity Forever,” an old labour hymn, briefly overwhelming the planned events of the rally.

Members of the University of Manitoba Engineering Society said their interruption was not directed against the anti-cuts coalition or the international student movement, but rather, it was their way of making some noise and marking their territory in the engineering building.

“We heard noise, and we retaliated,” one of the engineering students told the Manitoban.

Further possible scale backs

Faculties and departments are already grappling with the current round of cuts and may be bracing for further scale backs, whereas international students felt the blow of the 10 to 18 per cent increase in tuition differentials at the start of the aca-

demic year – an uptick which has led to $7.6 million in new revenue for the university.

Total tuition costs for the academic year rose for both domestic and international students, starting from different baselines. The cost for a three-credit hour course in arts went from $320 to $326 for domestic students, whereas the rates for international students climbed from $1120 to $1246. Domestic students attending the Asper School of Business –who paid the most per-credit among U of M students – were charged $437 for a three-credit hour course, compared to $1,670, for international students, up from $428 and $1,501, respectively, from the previous year.

Evangel Ekine, an international student in his final year of labour studies, voiced his displeasure with the different treatment faced by international students at the U of M. “Everybody in this society and community seems to accentuate the ideal of inclusion, and you come to university and you see everywhere this disconnection and separation,” he said.

“The hikes could be continued, and depending on what it could be by next spring, I would say that it’s not something that any international student wants to deal with.”

PHOTO BY DANA HATHERLY

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News

News Editor: Garett Williams Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Nigerian students’ scholarships in limbo State-sponsored students left more than $500,000 in debt after government agency fails to pay DANA HATHERLY AND GARETT WILLIAMS, STAFF

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s many as 50 University of Manitoba international students are facing an uncertain academic future after the Nigerian state-run agency sponsoring their education suspended services in November.

The Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) – which sponsors more than 1,200 students from the Nigerian state to study abroad – owes the U of M approximately $575,000 in back fees and winter 2016 tuition costs, according to numbers provided to the Manitoban by the school.

According to news reports, the agency suspended operations Nov. 20, three days after employees of the agency protested the non-payment of more than seven months’ worth of salaries. The university has had no contact from the agency in more than two weeks, said a spokesperson in an email delivered Nov. 30.

A report from PM News in Nigeria said the institution will cease operations until a peaceful resolution is reached in the labour dispute. In addition to its overseas scholarship program, the development agency works with local governments to improve food security and supports agricultural development, along with other initiatives.

The agency made Canadian headlines in recent weeks after CBC News reported it owes more than $2.5 million in outstanding tuition fees for 246 Nigerian students sponsored at 14 Canadian universities.

The University of Regina, which took in 124 students through the program last year, is owed $1.3 million in unpaid funds, more than any other Canadian university, according to the report. U of R officials told the CBC they are confident the agency will clear its debts and they expected no disruptions to the academic schedule

for affected students.

The U of M, however, took a harder line. Under university policy, students two terms in arrears cannot register for a third.

“No student should ever be put in a position where they need to justify their right to an education that has been promised to them, and that they so rightly deserve” – Rebecca Kunzman, vice-president advocacy, UMSU

received, students who paid out-ofpocket will be reimbursed but the U of M. The university’s email said that while a deadline to settle outstanding fall fees to avoid de-registration from the winter term hasn’t been set, a cutoff point will be necessary, in fairness to students who have personally taken on their fees and the student body as a whole. Students dropped from registration could see their international student study permits lapse.

Gift Amadi, a third-year political studies student, told the CBC he was given notice he had 30 days to clear his balance. He also noted the agency hasn’t funded his $1,100 monthly living allowance in nearly a year.

Oyindamola Alaka, president of the University of Manitoba Nigerian Students’ Association, said the university is not going far enough to accommodate the foreign students.

“The U of M is putting so much pressure on students, but the students are not at fault,” she said. “It’s not their fault that the government stopped paying for their scholarship.”

“This agency is not really doing what it’s meant to do, and it’s not only in Canada,” she added, referring to students in the U.K. and the U.S who, she said, have also had their university funds withheld by RSSDA. The university has received tuition payments from some RSSDAsponsored students, who as international students are charged nearly four times the going rate for domestic students.

In November, the agency paid the university $252,000, which clears winter 2015 fees. However, balances remain outstanding for summer and fall 2015 and for students already registered for winter 2016.

The school has been working with the affected students, many of whom have been scrambling to cover the outstanding fees by their own means, by developing payment plans and offering extensions, said a spokesperson for the U of M. “The university has been and is continuing to allow the affected students grace periods that other students are Empty promises not granted, due to this extreme situAfter extensive recruitment and ation, to allow the students caught in approval processes, selected students this situation the time to catch up, if – mostly from poor or underprivileged possible,” said the statement. families – were promised post-secInvoices are still being sent to ondary scholarships from the govRSSDA. When and if payment is ernment-funded RSSDA. Students

expected the scholarships would not “Enough is enough,” he said. only cover the full cost of university “Something needs to be done before tuition up until graduation but also something drastic happens to their living expenses. stay here in Canada.”

“The U of M is putting so much pressure on students, but the students are not at fault. It’s not their fault that the government stopped paying for their scholarship” – Oyindamola Alaka, president, University of Manitoba Nigerian Students’ Association

UMSU responds

Rebecca Kunzman, vice-president advocacy for the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU), said in an email statement to the Manitoban that the union was originally approached by the sponsored students in the summer of 2015 when they were unable to register for courses due to their outstanding balances.

“RSSDA has withheld payments for the students’ tuition, as well as living expenses for over a year, and has thus degraded their relationship with the university and jeopardized the students’ ability to continue with their studies,” Kunzman said in her statement, adding the students “have been forced into an extremely unfair and difficult position by their sponsoring agency.”

Kunzman said UMSU has directly However, in addition to having supported the students with hardtheir tuition go unpaid by the agency, ship funding, and connected them to students have not received remit- resources to assist them with managtances for some time. The agency ing their finances. She said they are has withheld more than $3 million working with students to negotiate in living allowances to students at with the university to come to a fair universities across Canada. resolution to address their situation.

Students have been getting partShe said the students’ union will time jobs or working additional hours propose a motion calling on the to make ends meet. However, under agency to resolve its outstanding the study permit program, inter- balance to the university at its next national students can earn only a regular council meeting Dec. 3. limited income. Some have received “No student should ever be put in contributions from churches, as well a position where they need to justify as family and friends. their right to an education that has Evangel Ekine, a Nigerian student been promised to them, and that they in his final year of labour studies at so rightly deserve.” the U of M who is studying under the sponsorship program, decried the situation that left Nigerian students to fend for themselves.

Winnipeg students to take over CFS leadership Former UMSU president, current UWSA president elected to two of organization’s three top positions OSHO SAMUEL, STAFF

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wo Winnipeggers have been tion Nov. 25. The elections installed elected to the leadership the Winnipeggers into two of the team that will steer the Canadian organization’s three top positions.

Federation of Students (CFS) Vice-chairperson Anne-Marie Roy, through the next year at the associa- a former member of the Student tion’s annual national general meet- Federation of the University of ing in Gatineau, Que. last week.

Ottawa, will remain in the position Incumbent national chairperson for a second term. and former University of Manitoba Arte told the Manitoban about Students’ Union president Bilan Arte her excitement with the victory and was elected to her second term head- the continued opportunity to serve as ing up the federation, while Peyton the number-one CFS representative Veitch, president of the University in Canada. of Winnipeg Students’ Association “It feels great,” she said. “I'm (UWSA), was voted in as treasurer excited to keep working with at the association’s leadership elec- Canada’s student movement and am

grateful for the renewed opportunity 2016 and told the Manitoban he wants to do so.” to open the doors of post-secondary After spending much of her first education to a wider audience. year at the helm of CFS working to “I believe that education is a right deliver students to the voting booth, for all and by serving Canada’s stushe said she will focus her next term dent movement as treasurer, I can be on holding the new federal Liberal a part of the fight to make our public, administration, under Prime Minster post-secondary system truly public,” Justin Trudeau, to account. he said.

“I was passionate then about getVeitch highlighted his achieveting students to the ballot box,” she ments as president of UWSA, which said. “Today, I’m redirecting that pas- include spearheading a fossil fuel sion to ensure the Trudeau govern- divestment campaign, bringing ment lives up to the commitments it mental health issues to the top of made to Canada’s students.” the University of Winnipeg’s agenda, Veitch is due to take office in June resulting in the hiring of three new

full-time councillors, and participation in a lobby campaign that led the provincial NDP government to strike interest fees from student loans.

In his new position, he said he plans to push similar initiatives at the national level.

“I am excited to work with students across the country in responding directly to the new federal government,” he said. “I want us to ensure that Prime Minister Trudeau not only keeps his promises to the youth of this country but also takes greater steps towards ensuring accessible education for all.”

VOL. 102 NO. 16 December 2, 2015

News

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Outstanding CFS fees remain unpaid by UMSU Canadian Federation of Students-Manitoba expects outstanding fees will be paid in coming months ETHAN CABEL, STAFF

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he University of Manitoba Federation of Students-Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) is (CFS-MB). As such, the CFS bases still in the process of determining its estimates of how much UMSU is how much they owe to the Canadian withholding on the university’s enrolFederation of Students (CFS) in ment statistics. outstanding fees after a protracted dispute prompted the union to withhold up to $650,000 from the national “No formal organization. agreement has been The dispute between the two groups revolved around possession reached, but we of the Web domain name umsu.ca.

However, that dispute has since been are close and will resolved, with the domain transferred seek to reach one to the union in March. Despite this resolution, UMSU continues to with- as soon as possible” hold outstanding fees from the CFS. According to Jeremiah Kopp, – Jeremiah Kopp, UMSU president, the dispute now president, UMSU has to do with the amount owing.

During an October council meeting, Kopp said UMSU estimates the Earlier this year, the Manitoban amount at $450,000, while the CFS reported that the amount owing was pegs it at roughly $650,000. likely as much as $640,000. The fees While Kopp told council that include national CFS fees for the differences over the amount owing 2013-14 and 2014-15 academic years, as were settled during the CFS national well as fees owed to CFS-MB for the annual general meeting held on Nov. same period. Fees from the fall term 22, a resolution has proved elusive. of the 2015-16 academic year, which “No formal agreement has been have been collected by the university, reached, but we are close and will were not included in this estimate. seek to reach one as soon as possible,” According to Michael Barkman, Kopp told the Manitoban in an email. chairperson for CFS-MB, those esti“CFS has now supplied us with mates have not changed substantially. what looks like accurate numbers “From our point of view, with the at first glance, based on two and a numbers we got from the University half terms of outstanding fees. Our of Manitoba’s website in terms of finance staff will review the quotes enrolment, it should be somewhere and provide their feedback. If both in the neighbourhood of $600,000,” parties’ assessments correspond, we he said. “But they are still figuring it will proceed with payment.” out, based on their own calculations, UMSU collects fees from students at UMSU.” for both its own operations as well Barkman emphasized the imporas fees intended exclusively for the tance of having the U of M pay fees CFS. These funds are then trans- to the national organization and its ferred to the national union and its regional counterpart. regional counterpart, the Canadian “Almost 10 years ago now, stu-

ILLUSTRATION BY BRAM KEAST

dents voted democratically to join the national movement of students and since that time the U of M has been really critical to the success of our campaigns, such as the last federal election campaign and the elimination of interest rates on student loans [in Manitoba],” Barkman said. “I think that the issue will be resolved in the coming months.”

Feud continues

Despite arguing that there is no tension between UMSU and the CFS, Kopp responded to questions about the union’s response to campus budget cuts by deriding the national organization.

The University of Manitoba will make another round of budget cuts

after trimming four per cent from the operating budgets of most departments. These cuts amounted to $14.4 million out of the university’s $701 million operating budget.

The cuts have sparked protests on campus criticizing the university’s budget practices as endangering quality post-secondary education.

“These rallies are largely populated by external organizations like the CFS, organizers from the University of Winnipeg, students who identify as socialists and anarchists, and faculty that are heading into collective bargaining in the new year,” Kopp said in an email. “They are intent on sowing confusion and misinformation about the university’s budget process and its impacts on the student

body for political gain.”

“Thankfully, the majority of university students take a more analytical and comprehensive view to the present financial climate because I am only interested in working constructively towards solutions, not scoring political points.”

Barkman did not respond to these specific accusations, saying only that opposing budget cuts is an important cause for students at the U of M and that CFS-MB will continue to be actively involved in protests and other activism.

“We have always advocated for accessible, affordable, and quality post-secondary education so the issue of the budget cuts fits within all of those areas,” he said.

Vote to censure U of M over economics dispute delayed six months With resolution in sight, CAUT gives school time to reach agreement GARETT WILLIAMS, STAFF

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he Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) has given the University of Manitoba a six-month reprieve on a vote to censure the school surrounding a deepseated dispute within the economics department.

At its regular council meeting in Ottawa Nov. 27-29, a motion to censure the U of M was punted to the organization’s regular spring meeting following positive signs the school is nearing a resolution to a rift within the economics department reaching back nearly a decade.

The issue came to a head in a CAUT report released in January

detailing academic disputes between so-called “heterodox” economists, who favour critical approaches to the discipline, and “orthodox” or mainstream economists, who study the aggregate behaviour of individual buyers and sellers in the market economy.

The report claims that the heterodox faculty members have been marginalized within the department and their academic freedom has been violated through a series of decisions stretching back to 2006.

In May, a letter was forwarded to U of M president David Barnard from CAUT executive director

David Robinson warning the school “It’s not off the table,” he warned. would be censured by the organiza- “It’s deferred for six months. It’s under tion if appropriate steps weren’t taken the recognition that there is some to settle the dispute. progress being made but, at the same Following a promising meeting time, we want to make sure the uniwith Jeffery Taylor, dean of the fac- versity understands that unless there’s ulty of arts at the U of M, last week, a resolution to the problem then the Robinson recommended council motion of censure comes back.” delay the vote to its late-April meetIn October, the Manitoban ing, giving the school time to quell reported that a resolution was taking the dispute. shape to keep the warring depart“We essentially put it in abeyance ment united under one roof by housuntil then with the hope that there ing two semi-autonomous streams in will be a resolution to the matter,” a single department. said Robinson following a vote which An earlier proposal to split the he said overwhelmingly supported his department was panned by Robinson, recommendation. who said the fracture would result in

the eventual dissolution of the heterodox unit.

Censure motions are rare and have been passed by CAUT only twice in more than 30 years, most recently against First Nations University of Canada in 2008.

If the motion passes, the association will request that all its members refrain from taking jobs and participating in activities at the university, including speaking and attending conferences at the U of M.

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News

News Editor: Garett Williams Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

U of M professor appointed to Order of Canada Distinguished professor and palliative care researcher Harvey Max Chochinov receives Canada’s top honour OSHO SAMUEL ADETUNJI, STAFF

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ANGELA SAJ

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new feather was added to the cap of University of Manitoba professor and international palliative care leader Harvey Max Chochinov after he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada last month.

Chochinov, who earned both his undergraduate degree and PhD from the U of M, was officially appointed to the Order of Canada in a ceremony at Rideau Hall Nov. 18, where he was honoured alongside more than 45

other Canadians.

A distinguished professor of psychiatry at the U of M and director of the Manitoba Palliative Care Research Unit at CancerCare Manitoba, Chochinov has made great strides in research on palliative care.

He holds the only Canada Research Chair in palliative care, is a recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and the Order of Manitoba, all in recognition of his medical research.

Chochinov was recognized as one of U of M’s brightest scholars in 2009 when he was awarded university’s highest research honour, the Dr. John M. Bowman Rh Institute Foundation Award. For more than two decades, he has focused his on diverse psychiatric spheres of palliative medicine, including depression, desire for death, the will to live, and dignity at the end of life.

The multiple award-winning researcher told the Manitoban about his feelings with respect to his induc-

tion, which he described as a humbling experience.

“I felt most honoured and deeply humbled,” he said. “Certainly, attending the ceremony was a moving experience and being included amongst a group of extraordinary Canadians who were inducted at the time was a quite profound and deeply humbling experience.”

He highlighted some traits he said carried him through his journey to recognized research excellence – passion, commitment, team work, and a sincere care for patients and families who are in the midst of life-threatening illnesses.

“I care about my work, my field, passionately,” he said. “Doing good research in end of life care is perhaps the best way of trying to make sure we understand the experience of people towards end of life.”

“It is only by having a deep understanding of these issues that one would be able to have better ways of

approaching people to enhance their quality of life as they are approaching their final day, weeks and months of life.”

He noted his accolades are the fruits of strong, collaborative relationships across research disciplines, saying “I feel it is very important to have multidisciplinary teams and teams that work well together and respectfully with one another in order to take this work forward.”

He offered the Manitoban encouraging words and advice to young researchers in the university community.

“Care about what you are doing,” he said. “Choose an area of research that is intellectually stimulating and is going to capture your attention for a long period of time. Be reflective and thoughtful about your work, never sacrifice excellence – these are all important attributes for people who are going to be successful researchers.”

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

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Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right Little hope to be had for higher education in Manitoba TOM INGRAM, STAFF

unlikely anything will change. But who’s going to make them do that?

U of M’s Student Action Network

GRAPHIC BY JONDELL COOMBS

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t’s been a little over a year since the University of Manitoba announced that it would be trimming budgets by up to four per cent in order to square up a funding shortfall. This kicked off a series of protests featuring cooperation between the Canadian Federation of Students, the nascent Student Action Network (SAN), and other campus unions.

There has also been more uneven and ambivalent participation from the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU), who largely follow the administration’s line that the budget cuts are unfortunate but unavoidable.

There is a veritable rogues’ gallery of people trying to influence the future of higher education in Manitoba. Sadly, at the one-year mark it is clear that not one of these players has a clear and plausible vision of what this future might look like.

Administration and the provincial government

I feel bad for the U of M administration sometimes. They’re blamed almost exclusively for a reciprocal system of which they are only one half.

International students are justly outraged at the hike in tuition dif-

ferentials, but the province must share some of the blame. The university has to balance its budget. Costs rise tremendously each year, and the province’s operating grant increases have been less than promised. Increasing enrolment is only feasible up to a certain point, and increasing tuition on domestic students is not possible.

It’s not easy to come by $7.6 million – the province’s policies have forced the university to choose between raising the differentials and radically re-evaluating its goals and priorities. Their choice should surprise no one.

Of course, this is not to exonerate the administration. They’re playing an absurd game of chicken with the province, insisting on making cutbacks rather than even the slightest emergency changes to the way they pursue strategic priorities.

The university is running a massive fundraising campaign that will not be used to offset these cutbacks, but to pay for a whole new slate of strategic and capital projects. These projects are typically of the flashy and politically desirable sort. Meanwhile, ordinary undergraduate education is seen as an embarrassing vestige.

Anyone taken an intro arts course

recently? You could learn more by repeatedly bashing yourself over the head with a gardening trowel.

Some courses are taught by video now – the students file into a lecture hall to watch Professor Panasonic expound on biology or some such. I took “Introduction to Leisure Travel” as an online course. Whatever gets the cattle through the abattoir.

Some courses are taught by video now – the students file into a lecture hall to watch Professor Panasonic expound on biology or some such The university, top-heavy with bosses, continues to make shocking operational and strategic choices, while the province herds it along poorly chosen paths using shortsighted policy. Until at least one of them gets their act together, it’s

in on political woo-woo.

UMSU

Under Jeremiah Kopp’s presidency, UMSU has been more interested in procedural shenanigans, frivolous campaigns, and capital projects than in advocacy for the academic interests of its members.

As I’ve said before, Kopp’s measured, co-operative responses to university administration are more befitting the role of a university vicepresident than a union leader – who should act as an external check on the institution, whose job is to ensure that boards, committees, and strategic plans don’t run roughshod over his members’ interests.

In fact, as UMSU president, Kopp seems more interested in dodging his membership while pursuing his preordained projects. The most egregious example is the recent fee hike motion, which also included a number of long-term changes to the union’s accounting practices and a plan to fund child care and financial aid for indigenous students. The motion was not announced publicly before the meeting at which it was carried. This means there was no time for serious analysis of the proposal before the vote was called.

A contingent of councillors discussed tabling the motion – which has time-sensitive items, but no shortterm deadlines – and Kopp responded with the outrageous insinuation that they were trying to kill the motion out of latent racism. In the end, the fee increase and other changes were passed with virtually no oversight.

A union whose executive officers see their job primarily as navigating around the inconvenient rabble is a union that does not function properly.

There are good people at UMSU, but the institution takes on some of the character of its leaders. This year is a transitional period that will affect the way UMSU behaves for years to come, and if things continue as they have been, this is not good news.

If you put together complaints about the dumbing down of higher education and the policies of our lefty-loosey government with the standard progressive complaints about accessibility, transparency, and accountability, you’d think you would have grounds for a broad coalition between left and right. You would think wrongly.

The Student Action Network (SAN) was formed by concerned students in order to create a progressive, demonstrative student presence at the U of M. Well-intentioned but hopeless is the ticket here. The group has married a concern for the quality and nature of higher education with the bizarre idea that acting in a democratic manner means running a nonhierarchical organization.

If the Nov. 24 “Stop the Cuts” rally is anything to go by, the crackpot political theories aren’t working out well for them. On Jan. 27, the SAN – in collaboration with the Canadian Federation of Students-Manitoba and the campus unions – held a rally outside a board of governors meeting that drew hundreds of students, faculty, staff, and interested off-campus parties. It was an exciting event that galvanized the movement.

Last week was a comparative embarrassment, with turnout at a fraction of the January rally. There was practically no presence from any of the major campus unions. No one had prepared enough material in advance to keep the chants going, and the crowd fell silent and even sat down for agonizing stretches of time. The security services officers could hardly restrain themselves from laughing.

The new student movement has an artistic bent, with sculpture, poetry, and music taking a major part in the proceedings. My favourite bit was the slam poem that suggested that the To sum up… structure of the classroom – in which The province sets nice-sounding students sit quietly and face the front, policy that puts the university in while the instructor (the one with unanticipated double-binds. The uniall the knowledge) tells them what’s versity makes no attempt to escape what – is oppressive. these binds, while UMSU refuses Perhaps most embarrassing, the to exert even the slightest pressure rally was briefly disrupted by a band on them to do so. The SAN is too of engineering students with brass busy talking about how teaching is instruments and drums, who played inherently fascist to effectively do a parody of “Solidarity Forever” and anything at all. shouted at the protesters to leave the But for the limitations of space building. The protesters were able to and time, I could get into even gorier cobble together a halfhearted “hell details about higher education in this no, we won’t go” chant before the godforsaken province. Manitoba’s engineers disappeared into an eleva- flagship university is in trouble, and tor, but there was none of that old it’s clear that no one has a plan to time religion in it. save it.

The SAN’s inability to effectively make even the symbolic gesture of a rally solidifies the widespread belief that only a few loose cannons care about these issues. Meanwhile, the non-hierarchical concept limits their credibility in the eyes of sympathetic people who are not willing to go all-

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Comment Comment Editor: Evan Tremblay Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

The lack of meaning in Christmas Like Westernized yoga, Christmas serves as a vessel for consumerism EVAN TREMBLAY, STAFF

W

hat do yoga and Christmas Soul and sanctity go together; you can ever be wrong, since there have in common? Both are it is hard to have a strong sense of is no yardstick greater than yourself ancient, both are deeply spiritual, and sanctity without a concept of the soul. to compare actions and motives to. both have been swallowed by the gap- Without a sense of sanctity, a sense No sins, since there is nothing at the ing wound that exists in place of our that some things are more special, opposite end to balance them out: a collective soul. Our consumer culture important, true than others – there is moral freefall that looks a lot like our has rendered the most beautiful fruits no reason to treat any event or prac- economic system – scary, predatory, of human endeavour, living spiritual tice differently. utterly empty. traditions, into experiences engaged Trees, silence, wilderness, simpliin for personal pleasure. city; when we do not ignore them, we Remove all the Things that were the epitome of bastardize them, commodify them. the sacred – the mastery of the body Anything that was once sacred is presents, all the by the soul, the celebration of the treated with the same shoddy lack of decorations, all mercy of the divine – are profaned, care we show consumer goods made and not innocently so. To innoin China. “All that is solid melts into the things that cently profane yoga would be to do it air,” said some guy with a beard. unmindfully. To innocently profane We know this, in our hearts. We bear no relation Christmas would be to ignore it. But see that those things which were an to “the meaning instead, both these have been defiled unending source of light and guidby consumerism: emptied of their ance to earlier men – to whole culof Christmas,” original meanings, they have been tures through thousands of years – is and what do you re-filled with the most disgusting scarcely enough to keep our sense aspect of our culture. of emptiness at bay. Remove all the have? Not much The body is nothing more than a presents, all the decorations, all the shell for the soul: I suspect there is things that bear no relation to “the a high degree of resistance to that There is no reason not to make meaning of Christmas,” and what sentiment among the yoga-pants Christmas into a shopping holiday, do you have? Not much. wearers (so eager to adorn their since that is our main source of hapChristmas is about mercy, someshells). I suspect there is an equally piness, and we do not remember that thing we do not value because we poshigh resistance to it among those we once knelt and prayed for some- sess so little of it. Christmas is about eager to exchange cheer-generating thing other than happiness. There is forgiveness, something we are so far and forgiveness. presents (what use does the soul have no reason not to commodify yoga, gone that we do not admit we even All spiritual traditions are greater for presents?). But it is an old senti- since everything else in our society need. Christmas is about the birth than, and exist above, material things. ment; one as consistent across reli- is bought and sold, and a series of into the world – into possibility – of There is a reason it was an offence to gious traditions as the denunciations motions should be no different. eternal love. In the end, that’s what have money-changers in the temple. of materialism.

There is also no reason to think all spiritual traditions are about: love There is a reason yoga in India looks

GRAPHIC BY KEEGAN STEELE

nothing like yoga in North America.

Until we understand this, Christmas will continue to be a once-a-year intensification of what yoga is every day: children using holy books as toys.

Solidarity with what?

Why Erdoğan’s Turkey deserves scrutiny DEVON HANEL

The recent downing of a Russian or just outright frustration, Western for a constitution that grants greater the government are seized, cartoon- Turkey’s heavily disproportionate Su-24 jet by Turkish forces over leaders must have towards the presidential powers. ists are prosecuted for the crime bombing of Kurdish forces over Syria is the first time a NATO mem- Turkish president at the moment. of satire, publishers of the work of ISIS targets. Turkey has primarily ber has destroyed a Russian aircraft Despite this, Turkey is a NATO Noam Chomsky face prosecution, the focused on hitting the Kurdistan since the 1950s. Given the complex, member, and U.S. President Barack editor of a daily newspaper is per- Worker’s Party, which Erdoğan sees Turkey, under the fractious conflict that is the Syrian Obama has expressed the United sonally threatened by the president, as Turkey’s “primary threat.” Turkey centralized rule of and even a 16 year old is arrested for has admitted to attacking positions civil war, such a move could have States’ support for “Turkey’s right to proved catastrophic. This is especially defend its sovereignty.” daring to insult Erdoğan’s integrity. in Rojava (the Kurdish autonomous Erdoğan and his true considering the authoritarian Meanwhile, NATO Secretary None of this should come as a sur- region in Northern Syria) held by right-wing Justice and uncompromising nature of both General Jens Stoltenberg has said prise from the regime of the man who the People’s Protection Unit, a force Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Turkey’s that NATO stands “in solidarity with said: “I am increasingly against the with which the U.S. coordinates. and Development Recep Erdoğan, neither of whom is Turkey.” But what kind of governInternet every day.”

Erdoğan’s brutal response to the Party, has keen to appear weak. ment is it that Western powers feel Importantly, thanks to the efforts Kurdish question, therefore, is not Putin has demanded an apology the need to express such solidarity of journalists from the newspaper limited to the borders of the Turkish followed a from Turkey, while Erdoğan has with?

Cumhuriyet (two of which are cur- state. repressive counter-demanded an apology from Turkey, under the centralized rule rently being charged for espionage), In an article in the Guardian, Russia. Erdoğan is quoted as saying of Erdoğan and his right-wing Justice we have evidence that the Turkish David Graeber described Rojava domestic policy “those who violated our airspace are and Development Party (AKP), has National Intelligence Organization as a “bright spot” in the region, one coupled with the ones who need to apologize.” The followed a repressive domestic policy has been supplying arms to Islamist engaged in a “remarkable democratic violation in question lasted all of 17 coupled with a capricious foreign rebel groups in Syria. experiment.” The Kurds of Rojava are a capricious seconds. policy. Elected president in 2014, There would also appear to be not only an effective fighting force, foreign policy Also bear in mind that Turkey following 11 years as prime minister, evidence (retrieved by U.S. Special but also an emancipatory one seeking violated Greek airspace 2244 times Erdoğan has sought to increase the Forces) indicating an “undeniable” autonomy, equality, and self-deterin 2014 alone. But it’s worse than that; power of his office. link between Turkey and ISIS oil mination. Solidarity ought to be lent in 2012, when Syria downed a Turkish Last year, Haşim Kılıç, then head The AKP’s authoritarian rule is operations. In addition, it is known to those Kurdish forces that, despite F-4 fighter thought to have entered of the constitutional court, accused most visible in the country’s restric- that innumerable foreign fighters Erdoğan’s foreign policy, continue to Syrian airspace, Erdoğan made the Erdoğan of threatening the rule of tion of free speech and the press; have crossed Turkey’s porous border fight fascism by their attempt to carve following remark: “a short-term bor- law in Turkey and the very survival Reporters without Borders ranks to join ISIS. All of this gives weight out a free society. der violation can never be a pretext of the judiciary. Just this month, after Turkey 149th out of 180 on their to the view that Turkey supports, or for an attack.” the AKP regained a majority govern- Press Freedom Index. This is a regime has at least turned a blind eye to, ISIS. One can only imagine the unease, ment, Erdoğan reiterated his demand under which TV stations critical of This information helps to explain

Features Features Editor: Dana Hatherly Contact: features@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

A way with words The Manitoban presents the winners of the literature competition

10

ourLove() ARDEN RAAEN

public boolean ourLove(Person me, Person you) {

// this is something I must do // a Person you and a Person me // to show the world what ourLove() can be

LAUREN SIDDALL, STAFF

T

o write is to create a world outside of one’s own, to transcend one’s place in time and space. Good writing allows others to do the same, to escape the blustery Manitoba winter and final exams looming over your head.

Grab a coffee, get cosy, and let yourself escape. Or at the very least, read something other than your textbooks.

The Manitoban literature competition was open to all residents of the province over

the age of 18. There were two categories for submission: poetry and prose. Following the submission deadline, our esteemed panel of judges read and reviewed all the entries while the authors of the works were kept anonymous. The winners are Arden Raaen for “ourLove()” and Travis T. for “Reconnecting.”

Here are the top two entries for each category from the competition.

me.myLove = true; you.yourLove = inLoveToo(); // inLoveToo() returns false or true // because I can’t force love upon you

if(you.yourLove == true) {

print(“I’m happy I’m with you.”); }

else if(you.yourLove == false) {

// there are errors in your result // I don’t understand, how can it be?

// I will show you why you love me

while(you.yourLove == false) {

// I will change the errors in your result

// I must fix them until it becomes true

// I must fix them because I love you

boolean sameInterests = checkInterests(me, you); // we must find what interests us two // so I’ll checkInterests() for what overlaps // but if there’s nothing, then I must adapt

if(sameInterests == true) {

print(“I confess, I love you.”); you.yourLove = inLoveToo();

// we leave this loop once yourLove is true }

else if(sameInterests == false) {

// that is no problem, I’ll change my faults

// I’ll adapt to like what you like to do me.interests = interestsOf(you); } }

}

}

// you now love me like I do you // we can show the world ourLove() is true // if anyone questions ourLove() we’ll say // that ourLove() is true, it was made this way

return true;

GRAPHICS BY JONDELL COOMBS

VOL. 102 NO. 16 December 2, 2015

Features

Man Journey: Notes On ‘The Origin of Species’ by Charles Darwin CHRIS MACALINO

Introduction note: Remember to keep reading on and on and on ...

The last word of the section is a clear sound: manifest.

It’s like saying or declaring victory for all the world to hear, his love for dogs and how far dogs have come.

two, He doesn’t seem to be speaking ‘f actually’ or the voice, the author is non-fatalistic as writer “Where was I?” -Is the question I’m looking for.

Once the hate passes these strong words begin to sound vivacious, he was excited to tell everyone the good news.

Now -- that’s what I /always say when I continue reading!

Aside: Throat Ocean was one of the most sensitive “sob stories” in my generation written in hyper narrative as a postmodern novel and I wrote it lol.

Party line: “If you could have one thing about

yourself, last forever, what would it be?”

He would prefer a rock than a pack, of clover cigarettes.

Even if the clover cigarettes are from China, keep them.

And don’t bring them up.

Party line:

“...and If it was just a single protein strand in your DNA, what would it be?”

Cause of Variability note:

He follows through,

every time the reader wonders “why?”

And leads on

keeps us guessing

while all four

hands are full

“Help me, lift this up from the other side”

The nature of organisms

are put before

The nature of conditions

the argument is not behind

like strange sweetness The rhetoric I gather is: “When conditions have been controlled or are under control and plants seem to be predictable, then Where does its new character come from, strange, no?”

“Love is like a birthmark, only two people in the world have the same one!” xox

Aside:

If I were in a poker game with Charles Darwin, I would not mention clovers. He might be allergic to them.

He would not want to hear about how I began reading his book, while looking after lucky charms.

He’s more interested in bigger and greener things like turtles.

Listen, I would not just talk about clovers all together.

He jests without mockery and this reader is coming along, having a sense of humour wallops here’

GRAPHIC BY KELLY CAMPBELL

Effects of Habit note: So he’s using a lexicon which is when a school has its own dictionary.

So when he says “aboriginal” he’s not exactly talking about the peoples of America.

He’s using the word “aboriginal” in his own original way as a guy who believes chickens taste better fresh.

When-ever someone uses a lexicon, it’s usually a good idea to not pretend like you don’t know what they’re saying.

Get it?

I can see why the actor who played Darwin also played Chaucer, what was the actor’s name?

(Oh yeah, Paul Bettany!)

But I’m only upset by the idea that he didn’t end the section, heading with, a preposition.

It would have been so much better.

Although, it’s nice we didn’t all starve to death... Chicks-lexicon!

(Remembering my sister’s copy of GIRL TALK by L.E. Blair.)

Characters of Domestic Varieties note: Verging on verses he adamantly goes to say “it has been difficult” for everyone but we did it.

We domesticated dogs and that is a cause for celebration.

He had a farm: Dear Mister MacDonald, How much would it cost for you to raise a chicken especially for me? I want you to feed the chicken lots of butter, flour, herbs, and also spices. And talk to the chicken, making sure to be nice. You might even take the chicken out for a walk in the park some days. Then, with all that, tenderness, the chicken will be nice and tight, so plump and juicy! I want to cook and eat a nice, tight, fresh chicken like that! So how much for one of those super food poultries? Can you quote me a price? By the way, I want to come to your farm and pick which one I want, it might take a couple of visits to choose but I want to know what I’m eating. When I’m at your farm, maybe you could hold the camera and take a picture of me beside the big chicken, kind of like a sly used car salesman.

Love, Pherlan

Aside:

I thought I already knew a lot about Charles Darwin, thought even that it might be easy...

But my regard for him has changed from genius to proclaim-er.

And the word “transform” got to be very singular -And the comic books I grew to love get on touchingly.

I wanted to know if I was right; that survival had little to do with selfishness but unity.

I don’t want more anymore just a classmate who will study and transform with me.

Is it you, my age, no longer upset?

12

Features

Features Editor: Dana Hatherly Contact: features@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

Reconnecting TRAVIS T.

It has been a while since I have seen my uncle. I’m hesitant to contact him because I feel less respectable, less worthy of his time. But I also feel forced to reconnect because I have no other way to reconcile the damage that I’ve caused.

And so this is where I stand in my life – by a phone. A payphone. Looking up for strength before looking down to search out my uncle’s number in a large, white phonebook, convincing myself, eventually, to give in to the patter of my mind: just do it! Just fuckin’ do it!

Quit being weak!

But then I consider how easily I could stretch this loose change a long ways. I could take this dollar seventy-five in quarters, dimes, and nickels to the VLTs, double up to five bucks, and then call up buddy to go halves with me on a— I rub a quarter with a nervous, clammy, oxygendeficient thumb and forefinger. And then I “just fuckin’ do it.” The quarter clinking its way around in the slot before bottom banking on the others in this device. I begin dialing, moving slow making sure to get the numbers right. The ringing begins. I’m fretting. I’m frozen.

Two rings in and I motion to slam the phone, but then I hear my uncle’s direct voice holler and echo in this halfbooth — “Hello!” he answers, hell- emphasized, with a snapping closed o, as if the word were less than a word.

I cringe, but I react soon after with a hesitant, “Uh, hey. Uncle… It’s me.”

“Me who?”

“Jack – uh – Jackson.”

His tone and phonic flow level out together from here on out. The conversation is short and then it’s over. I’m feeling better – bigger. Proud of this trivial achievement, this progress, for it is a testament to the person that I think I am becoming. Baby steps, I tell myself, goofily, in glee. And then I get my act together and race over to his place in my mother’s lemon.

Here, there is never much talk. I just show up in a car once in a while and it becomes the center of attention, relieving most of the social inadequacies that we compile together as one. We work for hours on cars, me as his gopher – go-fer this, go-fer that – his helper, at his service. I never really learn much; we’re both just grateful for the company.

I begin to notice this time, however, that his

He is able to check that the battery is healthy with his little car battery load tester device, similar to the bioelectrical impedance device that measures fat percentage, knowing that this car, this patient, is old, with lots off abused miles fueled using cheap, simple, unleaded calories that burn unforgivingly, leaving rusty, fatty deposits in and around the places that help it, and us, tick; too, he gets the resting heart rate (HR) from this device, I assume, for it is much like a finger pulse monitor revealing HRs in volts, not beats per minute – Should he not have done this first, when he was checking the vitals?

He falters not, I rebuke. Just a natural hiccup, a habit not seen as negative in an already imperfect world — it just is. And so he continues on. It’s the car’s motor recruitment patterns that are all wrong, again, that I have altered and burned through the careless misuse of its mechanics. He asks for tools as he crawls under the car and extracts its wires, its nerves, bit by bit, from the engine all the way to rear brake lights.

He scalpels, snips, and splices pieces here and there, then re-covers each mended bit in new plastic flesh, heating it up with his heat gun, and voila, I think he thinks. “That should do it!” he says.

But he’s duped and so he continues on down the nerves of the car, continually revealing bits here and there that are problematic, problems of which he declares to be the actual problem until he realizes again that the problem persists.

Still, he just scratches his stubble and furrows his brow before trying again and again. Placid, he shows only mild irritation from time to time, usually only when he hurts himself, or when his wife asks him a question, or when a tool goes missing. “It was just right here!”

GRAPHIC BY KELLY CAMPBELL he’ll say about the tool from beneath the car, and then a minute later, after we pace around looking for it, I will notice that it is in his back pocket, stuck to his ass, mechanical work is much like the work of a doctor. He right where he left it; other times it stays missing until begins his assessment by attempting to diagnose the he doesn’t need it anymore, put down somewhere problem through questioning. Then he checks the vitals: unconsciously in a place so asinine – the fridge, for he checks the fluids with his dipstick-like swabs, and instance – that he feels slightly embarrassed into taking with his light flashing into greasy orifices; he checks another sip of his beer to calm his own overworked the Engine Control Unit (ECU), its blood pressure (BP) nerves. perhaps, with a little machine that plugs in under the After each sip, he says something quirky – for steering wheel to reveal a numeric code linked to the instance: “If only cars could be serviced with a beer!”

Christmas-lit dashboard and all of its sensory Service – which is a sign, I think, that he feels his drinking is Engine warnings; and then he engages his acute ears, his frowned upon, not because he’s a drunk or anything, but, natural stethoscope, listening for any extraneous rattles rather, because it’s booze and it’s Canada, a different over the “purr” of the engine as he starts, revs, and drinking climate than he’s used to. Growing up in the then test drives it, the car, correlating and disconfirming Azores, alcohol was pretty much cheaper and safer to sounds to and from the hypothesized diagnosis in his drink than water, and so it was, in a sense, their soda, mind that he has not yet revealed. their cultural beverage of choice. My effete, millennial I think he conjectures that the car is shorting thinking concludes that his post-sip quirks are simply his out somewhere, thus causing it to stall inconveniently in paternal understandings re the stigma of the absentee intersections and whatnot – leaving my little agoraphobic sipper. guardian scared and alone in the chaos of traffic, wanting He continues slicing open myelin sheaths and nothing but to just get home, to be alone in solace, in her snipping out burned and frayed wires, re-splicing them as basement with her smokes and her wildflowers and her he goes. We continue on until he has solved the problem downtime. I can tell that he is thinking that it’s a short – he more satisfied than I, more proud, knowing full well by the way that he is folding back the different layers of that it is better to give than to receive. I feel that our the car’s wires (as if his tools are his surgical instruments connection is reestablished now. Without any awkward slicing through protective coverings – tissues, fascia, mentioning of my recent disappearance, either, or of fatty myelin sheaths). A ground must be feeding power his sister, my mother, that refuses to speak to any of her to another wire where it shouldn’t be, somewhere in family, including him, regardless of all of his goodness its peripheral nervous system, wreaking havoc in the toward her. junction box, it’s central nervous system.

There was, however, a slightly animated grunt Yup, it’s weak nerves, I confirm. I’ve driven the of acknowledgement – You’re alive!? – during that brief car too hard and fried its circuitry as a result. All the phonic transmission preceding this encounter, a signal tension applied by the pressure of my foot has resulted that he may have wondered whether or not I was alright in the vehicle’s burnout, and so the dirt-encrusted during my time away – perhaps, it could be said, this filaments need to be rewired, redirected, in order to grunt was a shock of disappointment, but for some correct the malfunctioning altered motor recruitment reason or other I recognized this grunt as regard. patterns that the vehicle is exhibiting.

I leave feeling loved. Cared for — reconnected.

I watch him; he thinks hard, seemingly searching out the root of this problem – he knows I’m to blame, but he doesn’t say anything. He’s quiet, rubbing his stubbly chin, which is disproportionately loud in the still air of his garage. I imagine that he is ruling out a checklist of possibilities in my defense: a) it’s not a weak stomach nor its colons – the fuel tank or the exhaust; b) it’s not a weak heart nor is it the SA node or the Purkinje fibers – the engine or its alternator; c) it’s not a damaged endocrine system – the battery’s juices... etcetera, etc.

VOL. 102 NO. 16 December 2, 2015

Features

Pilaka Colaka ARDEN RAAEN

The bar is packed. Everyone laughs while they nurse their beers and down their shots. The bartender is on duty, attending only to the drink orders slurred towards his general direction. People spit. People spill.

No throw up yet.

It isn’t yet midnight. Still, too late to be stuck here alone. “Let’s just leave,” my hands keep saying. The nerve of some people makes you nervous. But it’s just the body, not the mind. The mind has to focus on only one thing.

I walk up to the bar, waiting for people to move. It’s a queue with no line.

How could anyone handle it?

Not properly, I suppose.

It’s my turn. Let’s just leave –

“What are you getting?”

The bartender is brusque, matching his expression. Heavy, but more fat than muscle. We know each other, but he still wears the smile of a slave. His look is very much expected.

“I’ll get a –”

“Lemme guess, pilaka colaka?”

“Yes. Pilaka colaka, virgin. Please.”

Please leave.

The bartender is unhappy. He spits with force, unlike anyone else. Doesn’t matter. He sets a blender on the counter and scoops some ice, pouring it in with pineapple juice and something else. The blender, barely audible, revs up, crushes the ice, then stops. The drink is poured, sloshing around in an odd-shaped glass, then topped with a cherry. I hate cherries.

The bartender hands the drink over.

“That’s $7.” “Here’s $10. Thanks.” I walk away.

There’s an empty seat in the back corner of the bar, well away from the crowd but not the noise. I sit, against my will. All I can think of is the bartender, and my friend who hasn’t shown up.

Where is that bainchod? He was supposed to be here a half hour ago.

I drink the colaka. It tastes excellent. At least the bartender is good for something.

I stop drinking and look up. “Hey hey hey, what took you?”

“Polish. Amake thamte holo jate polish amare pich na ashe.”

My friend stands there. He looks like he’s hiding drugs. Or maybe it’s all the drugs around him. His hands are clenched tight in the pockets of his black sweater, matching his black sweatpants. I know what’s bothering him.

“Ingreji, Mohan.” It’s less suspicious.

“Right, right.”

“And of course the cops are going to follow you, you’re wearing all black. Did you tint your car windows, too?”

Mohan disapproves.

He’s about to sit down, but I get up. I’m done with my drink, anyway.

“You wanna leave?”

“Of course, buddy.”

The bar is no longer inaudible. It’s probably time for people to start throwing up. I gag a little, remembering once walking up to a bathroom urinal and finding chunks spewed half in the drain, half on the floor. Please, let’s just leave.

I exit through the front doors, Mohan following closely. We walk down the street. No one follows us. I look behind me; Mohan’s eyes dart each and every way.

The streetlights and his stress are too apparent.

“It’s OK, buddy. It’s karma.”

“You sure?”

“Yes, you’ve heard what’s happened. Let’s go down a quieter street, where it’s not so bright.”

We walk for a couple blocks, silent and unseen.

“When the lights are off.”

The shadow disappears. It morphs into a man who looks out his window, before closing the blinds. The lights go off, and our hands warn us it’s our last chance to leave.

“Let’s go.”

I sneak back to the street, looking for a rock by the side of the curb. I find one and walk back towards the house, tossing the rock in the air a couple times, just to gauge its weight.

Mohan disapproves.

“On my mark, buddy.”

I position myself on the lawn.

The grass is freshly cut, perfect for a game of cricket. I breathe in, enjoying the moment. I only hope I don’t bowl the rock right into the ground.

“3, 2, 1, . . .”

I throw the rock. The upstairs window shatters, pieces of glass falling onto the lawn. I hear a yell, followed by heavy footsteps. The living room light doesn’t even turn on when the front door swings open.

OK, we have to leave.

“Now, now, now!”

Mohan, hands in his pocket, pulls out a firecracker and lights it. Like a grenade, he aims for the man’s feet. It explodes, and I hear another yell.

“Go, go, go!”

Mohan sprints, I’m not even GRAPHIC BY JONDELL COOMBS sure which way. I try to folAfter ten minutes I stop, right in front of a smaller runlow, crossing a street into a down house. The paint is peeling, the roof is stained backline. Sirens are off in the distance; Mohan hops a brown. Unmistakable. backyard fence. We stop, hide behind the fence, and hear

At least there’s a tree on the lawn. That’s nice. a police car drive past. I can tell it turns onto the bartend “This is the place.” er’s street, and I know we have to keep running. Mohan

“Right, right.” Mohan looks around, surprised. agrees. We book it, sticking to the backyards, hopping “It looks like karma has already been here.” fences until we’re a safe distance from the scene.

“Haha. You know, you’re funny when you’re not

We reach a street where bright lights shine. I pissing your pants.” walk to a streetlight. It’s right by the bar. I collapse.

“What can I say?”

“Are you OK?”

“That this is worth it.”

“Better than ever.” I am finally liberated, and I

His mood reverts. He is silent for a moment, laugh. eyes fixed on the house.

Mohan sits beside me. “I get it, I really do. But “Why?” should we have done that?” He’s no longer shaking.

“Because we have to stand up for ourselves. The “Why not?” shit we’ve been through? We weren’t denied to live here, “It gives him more reason to hate us.” and we shouldn’t be treated like it.”

I understand Mohan, so I think before I reply.

“Right, right,” Mohan says. “How long do we “No, it gives him more reason not to fuck with us. I work wait?” with him. He knows me, so he probably knows we were

“An hour.” at his place. But he can’t do anything. If he blames us, I’ll

We wait. We stay away from the streetlights, blame him. What’s worse: broken glass, or a hate crime? keeping to the sidewalk opposite the house. No one

“Look, Mohan. You won’t get in trouble, if that’s walks near us, but there’s no need to be diligent because what you’re worried about. He’s not even tough, and he we’re invisible in other ways. doesn’t even know you. If you saw how he treats people

The hour goes by, and my body tenses. I keep like us, and, shit, how he acts, I think you would comshaking, my heart offbeat, but I stay quiet when a dark pletely understand. This is karma. I’m just showing him car pulls onto the block. We hide behind a large tree. The what everyone thinks about him. Because he lives here, car drives close to us, and parks. After a couple minutes, he thinks he’s a good person. But because he was born a man exits the vehicle. He looks around, suspicious, here, he thinks he’s better than us.” then locks the car door. He walks to the front door, open- Mohan sits still, internalizing. He stares for a ing and closing it abruptly. I watch as the living room light while, then nods his head. turns on, then off again with footsteps slugging upstairs.

“So. He’s really that bad.”

A light turns on upstairs, and a shadow covers the ceiling.

“Mohan,” I said. “O ekta bainchod.”

“Let’s get closer.”

“Ingreji, buddy. You speak it just fine.”

Mohan follows me. We cross the street. I keep

“Haha, Ingreji. Right, right.” watch. Satisfied, we crouch by the tree on the man’s

I pause, anger surfacing. Then, words come to front yard. The shadow paces back and forth, the light me. staying on.

“Pilaka colaka? What a fucking racist.”

Mohan taps my shoulder. His hands are shaking.

“When?”

Science & technology 14 Science & Technology Editor: Chantelle Dubois Contact: science@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Notes from the Star Field Preparing for UNISPACE +50 CHANTELLE DUBOIS, STAFF

PHOTO BY CHANTELLE DUBOIS

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n Nov. 19 I attended one of several planned high-level preparatory meetings in anticipation of UNISPACE +50 to be held in 2018. The UNISPACE conferences are organized by the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS), with the intent of bringing nations together to collaborate and discuss the benefits and potential of space technology with respect to socioeconomic development.

UNISPACE began as a three-part conference series, all held in Vienna: UNISPACE I in 1968, UNISPACE II in 1982, and UNISPACE III in 1999. In 2004, UNISPACE III+5 was held to review the results of the recommendations from the previous UNISPACE conference.

The focus of each UNISPACE conference is very indicative of the era they were held in.

In 1968, the focus was on how to use the benefits of space for all of humankind, how to benefit developing countries, and international cooperation. These three points would remain part of the UNISPACE discussion in the future.

In 1982, maintaining the peaceful use of outer space and preventing an arms race were two of the main focuses.

In 1999, the focus shifted more towards protecting the Earth’s environment, space environment, and natural resources.

The Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), the organization I am interning with, was created during UNISPACE III as a means to engage youth in space activities and provide their perspective on current space issues.

The SGAC holds an annual

event called the Space Generation Congress, which is meant to be an opportunity for students and young professionals to discuss topical space issues and have the results of these discussions reported to the United Nations. This serves as an opportunity for them to learn about the current state of the space sector, and to give the United Nations the input of the youth in the sector.

the legal subcommittee, and the Most presentations seemed to science and technical subcom- repeat information I had already mittee meetings. These reports heard before in some form or another. summarize the recommendations They seemed to be mostly updates and results from the annual Space on current issues or activities. The Generation Congress, the activities biggest issues seem to be the lagging of the SGAC’s project groups, and of space law, policy, with respect to other updates on the progress of the technology, and ensuring equal access organization. to space.

The preparatory meeting was focused around the four pillars of space as a driver for sustainable devel- Even just using opment: economy, society, accessibilThe focus of each satellite data, a ity, and diplomacy. Each pillar had UNISPACE conference one or two speakers and a moderator. country can monitor Among the speakers were is very indicative food resources, study representatives from the United Arab Emirates Space Agency, the of the era they climate change, or European Global Navigation were held in respond to disasters Satellite Systems Agency, Eurisy, the European Space Agency, Sierra Nevada Corporation, McGill UNISPACE +50 will mark the University’s Institute of Air and One concept that was new to 50th year since the first UNISPACE Space Law, and the International me was that equal access to space conference, and will be another Committee on Global Navigation does not mean physical access alone. opportunity to review the outcomes Satellite Systems.

Access to space also includes access to of the previous conferences and to The meeting was opened by a data obtained from space technology, once again open the discussion on presentation by the director of the which can still be incredibly useful current and future developments in United Nations Office of Outer for nations which do not have their the space sector. Since UNISPACE Space Affairs, Simonetta Di Pippo. own satellites or launching capabiliIII+5 in 2004, a lot has changed in the She explained the four pillars of the ties. Even just using satellite data, a space industry. meeting and their context. country can monitor food resources, I attended the meeting as part of The United Nations has 17 sustain- study climate change, or respond to the SGAC delegation. The SGAC able development goals. One of these disasters. was granted permanent observer goals is revitalizing global partnerOnly a week before this meetstatus in 2001 with UNCOPUOS, ship for sustainable development, ing was held, the U.S. Senate affording them the privilege to attend joining governments, civil society, passed the 2015 Spurring Private all of the committee’s meetings. and the private sector to strive for Aerospace Competitiveness and However, unlike member states, sustainable development.

Entrepreneurship Act (SPACE Act), permanent observers generally are The space sector is a perfect plat- with one of its more interesting segnot permitted to contribute to a dis- form for this, with government agen- ments being the granting of rights cussion unless called upon, do not cies, commercial entities, and private to celestially mined resources to its have voting power, and cannot pro- individuals now all participating in citizens. The topic came up many pose resolutions. space activities. There is a potential times during the meeting, with one The SGAC gives statements at for space to be a means of socioeco- delegate comparing the reception of three of the UNCOPUOS annual nomic sustainability, and the four space mining to how remote sensing meetings: the general assembly, pillars focus on how that is possible. was perceived.

Remote sensing was originally a technology used for reconnaissance missions, and when the technology moved from military to commercial use, there was some resistance and a lot of concern over potential misuse.

However, remote sensing is one of the most beneficial space activities today.

I found it to be an interesting comparison, and it really made me look at the SPACE Act a little differently.

I really appreciated the optimistic comparison.

Having only read about UNCOPUOS meetings before, it was interesting to see one in action.

I was told this meeting was less formal than a typical UN meeting, as it invited a lot more open discussion and questions among member states.

Overall, the mood seemed positive.

The next high-level preparatory meeting is scheduled to be held in mid-November 2016 in Dubai.

Although it is still quite a few years away, I look forward to UNISPACE +50 in 2018. It’s hard to say if I’ll be able to attend, but it will be a great opportunity to show how much the SGAC has grown since its inception.

I feel as though the SGAC has certainly achieved its purpose.

It is also certainly very nice to see cooperation remains important among nations when it comes to using the benefits of space for humankind.

Chantelle Dubois is currently interning with the Space Generation Advisory Council in Vienna, and will be writing about her experiences in the Notes from the Star Field series for the Manitoban.

VOL. 102 NO. 16 December 2, 2015

Science & Technology 15

Dementia Hack Toronto event focuses on technology-based solutions for patients with dementia CHANTELLE DUBOIS, STAFF

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his November, three graduate students from the department of electrical and computer engineering attended Dementia Hack in Toronto, focusing on technology-based solutions for patients with dementia.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, hackathons are usually 24- to 72-hour events where programmers and inventors work together in selfassembled teams to develop techbased solutions to problems.

Sometimes non-technical participants are also invited to provide other necessary disciplines to solve a problem. An example would be Hacking Health, which partners health caregivers with developers to come up with tech-based solutions to health problems.

Hackathons can cover a wide range of themes including general healthcare, humanitarian efforts, and

space exploration.

Ahmad Byagowi, Paul White, and Cassandra Aldaba were sponsored by the U of M Biomedical Engineering lab to attend.

The hackathon had four categories for submissions: solutions for a diagnosed individual, family caregiver, clinician, and researcher.

The U of M team selected to develop a solution for a diagnosed individual, and focused on developing a method to help enable patients to brush their teeth.

“People with dementia have a hard time following a sequence and they forget [what they are doing] quite often”, Byagowi explains.

Their project involves the use of a device called the ArduIMU V4, which Byagowi and White helped developed.

The small device has various sen-

sors which can track the position of the user’s toothbrush, toothpaste, and glass, and helps them keep track of what they are doing, while providing feedback on the next step in the task.

This project could also help a patient with dementia complete other similar tasks.

This project was selected based on some of the team members’ own personal experiences with the struggles of individuals with dementia.

While the team did not win in their category, they found the experience to be valuable.

“It was very interesting to see how the group came up with the idea, and [to see that idea] turned to a real prototype,” Byagowi told the Manitoban.

The winning projects include an app to help individuals with dementia to navigate and travel independently, an application for a family caregiver

to track dementia-related behavior to help them manage and understand it, an app which provides a caregiver with personal care information for patients, and a care management system for researchers to collect big data.

Runner-up projects include an interpersonal video feed for constant communication between family and patients, a home monitoring system to track a patient, and a bubble pack which indicates to caregivers if a patient has taken their medication.

The U of M team worked with Zahra Moussavi, who holds the Canada Research Chair in biomedical engineering and serves as director of the biomedical engineering program. Her work primarily focuses on detecting early signs of Alzheimer’s using virtual environments that patients use to navigate inside a house.

Moussavi’s work was inspired by

PHOTO BY AHMAD BYAGOWI

her mother’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, turning the course of her career. Her hope is to one day open a centre for healthy brain aging.

Diversions Graphics Editor: Bram Keast Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

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ILLUSTRATION BY BRAM KEAST

COMIC BY SARI HABILUK

COMIC BY SARAH WALKER

COMIC BY ANTHONY LABONTE

VOL. 102 NO. 16 December 2, 2015

Diversions

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THE

IVORY BUFFALO Student association petitions university for mandatory major in indigenous studies Proposal would add only two years to undergraduate degrees MURV BERKLEY, STAFF

The University of Manitoba Students’ Association (UMSA) is calling on the university senate to pass a motion that would make a major in native studies a requirement for graduation.

The motion would require completion of 60 credit hours’ worth of courses taken through the department of native studies, on top of their normal faculty-specific requirements, before any student can receive

their diploma.

Normally an undergraduate degree would take a minimum of three years to complete but because the major is being added to another degree, electives and any other graduation requirements should already be covered. As such, the student union argues the additional courses could be completed in as little as two years.

The change would take effect for any

ILLUSTRATION BY BRAM KEAST

students starting at the university in or after the 2016-17 academic year.

UMSA president Calvin Bergeron said the decision to push for the change came after student leaders assembled for a comprehensive weekend seminar covering the history of the relationship between First Nations communities and European settlers.

“This is literally this least we could do,” said Bergeron.

UMSA’s aboriginal representative Bill Lamonte told the Ivory Buffalo he was taken aback by the scale of the motion when he first saw it.

“It’s OK, I’m not opposed to it or anything. But honestly, we were just asking for the one course,” said Lamonte.

Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Seamus Hamilton-Pattison Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

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Sex in the city An informative introduction to Winnipeg’s sex shops SEAMUS HAMILTON-PATTISON, STAFF

PHOTO PROVIDED BY BOUND & DETERMINED

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dult stores have been around for ages, but whether through apprehension or simply the feeling of not knowing how or where to start, it’s not uncommon to find oneself over the legal age, never having set foot in one of these places.

Until last week, I was part of that demographic. It was in the hope of educating myself (and hopefully some of you, dear readers) that I chose to dive face-first into Winnipeg’s sex shops and tour three local establishments: Osborne Village’s Smitten, the St. James St. location of Adam & Eve, and Taylor Ave.’s Love Nest.

What I found in each was a positive, welcoming atmosphere with both staff and management dedicated to providing customers with a fun yet educational environment to explore their sexual preferences.

According to Cheryl DePaulo, manager of Smitten, an increasing number of people are beginning to realize this.

“Everything’s a lot more mainstream,” DePaulo told the Manitoban.

“You’ve got TV shows that are talking about toys and advertising them, which has people coming into the store that normally wouldn’t.”

Linda Zuzanski, president of the Love Nest, cited registered nurse, media personality, and sex educator Sue Johanson as an early driving force behind growing sexual education and awareness in Canada.

“She was the woman who started the birth control pill movement back in the 70s in Toronto,” said Zuzanki.

“She got known all across Canada and the universities as a sex educator.

She started a radio show back in the

education. We’re here more to help than just sell,” Chlopecki said.

“We’ve had a few seminars, we’ve had them on the female orgasm, knowing yourself. Last year, we had one for Fifty Shades of Grey on Valentine’s Day on rope-tying, the right way of doing it. Our next one starts December 3rd and that’s on percussion play [...] it’s like, the floggers [whips] and the proper ways to use them safely, how to bring them into the relationship. We want people to be safe before just buying it and trying it.”

The erotic drama Fifty Shades of Grey, in both novel and movie form, has gained pop culture infamy for not only its writing – one critic called it “a sad joke” – but an inaccurate portrayal of the relationship that occurs within BDSM practices.

However, Chlopecki told the Manitoban she believes there’s a silver lining to Fifty Shades of Grey.

“More people are more interested to get to know the real, behind Fifty Shades story. That’s why we do seminars on the proper ways, the safe ways,” she said.

“I think Fifty Shades did open a lot of eyes. It’s not just behind locked doors. It had bad ways of doing it, but it did make people want to be more educated.”

Regardless of the particular, defining aspects of each shop, all staff and management expressed a genuine, profound enjoyment of the business.

“It’s a fantastic job,” said DePaulo, who has been working in sex shops and boutiques for 10 years.

“You get up looking forward to going to work in the morning [...]

You never know what a day of work is going to hold in this type of industry.

It’s a lot of fun, I get to talk about sex all day.”

Zuzanski, who has been in the sex shop business for 28 years, agreed wholeheartedly.

“It’s fun helping people. Everybody that comes in here is happy, or sad because maybe their body parts aren’t working 100 per cent. So, because it’s this kind of environment, it’s fun to help them.”

“I’ve loved lingerie since I probably shouldn’t have,” said Byra, also a 10-year veteran of the business.

“Once you get a taste of this industry, once I realized how comfortable I was and how comfortable I make customers feel, you can’t put a price tag on that. I don’t care if they spend $5. When they tell you they drove out of their way to come and see you because of the service they receive, that is the biggest bonus ever.”

80s [Sunday Night Sex Show]. We’d This includes, but was certainly not have customers come in on a Monday limited to, packing dildos designed or Tuesday morning and say to us for “comfortable, all-day wear.” ‘do you have that toy that Sue talked DePaulo also stated the imporabout last night?’” tance of education to Smitten, pointEach establishment displayed ing out an entire wall displaying an acute awareness of the need to free pamphlets, with titles rangacclimatize newcomers to their line ing from “Choosing a vibrator” to of products. According to Adam & “Sexual Intimacy and Aging” to “Sex Eve sales associate Joanne Byra, this Toy Care” to “Finding the Female was exemplified by the very layout G-Spot.” of their store.

“The lingerie’s first, then your “We have a lot of lotions and lubricants, then your smaller toys that, like [fellow sales training in sexual associate] Tracy said, don’t look like education. We’re big phallic penises. If people are shy, they don’t have to go past that point. here more to help They can stay up here,” said Byra. than just sell” – With slight variation, each shop was laid out in this manner. From the Tracy Chlopecki, entrance of each location, I could see sales associate, the aforementioned “accessible” sex items displayed in plain sight. Upon Adam & Eve venturing further into the store, sensual lotions and lingerie would be gradually replaced by larger, realistic dildos and vibrators, as well as fetishZuzanski also cited education as specific sections (like the wall dedi- an imperative aspect of Love Nest, cated to BDSM/bondage gear that pointing out a stand near the front could be found in each shop). of the store that displays a variety of A positive demeanour and tactical documents pertaining to the health layout was shared by all three loca- benefits of masturbation, the power tions, but my sources at Smitten, the exchange and lifestyle employed in Love Nest, and Adam & Eve each role play and BDSM, among many spotlighted a different focus or spe- other topics. The stand also included cialization of their shop. business cards for drop-in health clin- For more information about According to DePaulo, Smitten ics, as well as copies of Outwords, a the stores in this article, please prides itself on its support of free magazine for the LGBTTQ* visit www.adamevewinnipeg. com, www.areyousmitten.com, Winnipeg’s LGBTTQ* commu- community and its allies. nity, dedicating a kiosk to rainbow Another Adam & Eve sales asso- or www.lovenestonline.com. flag-emblazoned items year-round. ciate, Tracy Chlopecki, cited the DePaulo also stated Smitten is the store’s emphasis on sexual education, only shop in Winnipeg that consis- as well as the store’s self-identification tently carries merchandise specifically as a sex “boutique,” rather than a shop. geared to transgender individuals.

“We have a lot of training in sexual

VOL. 102 NO. 16 December 2, 2015

Arts & Culture

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Promising the moon Local prog-rockers Moon Tan set to release new cover song, embark on winter tour OLIVIA MICHALCZUK, STAFF

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innipeg progressive funk/ rock trio Moon Tan looks like they’re from another planet and sounds like they were plucked from a hidden gem in your dad’s vinyl collection.

The trio parades their tight pants and long, flowing hair that, by midshow, is stuck by sweat to face paint representing three separate moon phases. Beams of light bounce off their “moon goggles” as they play powerful rock songs from their latest album New Age Renegade.

In the words of vocalist/bassist Adrian Dyer, “your body, mind, soul, and loins will explode with ecstasy.”

The band was conceived by drummer Nicholas Kula in the hopes of creating a cover band. Through word of mouth, Dyer and guitarist Brady Mitchell fell into place.

The three decided that original music would be the way to go, and after fruitless Kijiji ad attempts to find a frontman and vocalist, Dyer assumed the roles himself.

Moon Tan released New Age Renegade earlier this year and the reaction has been positive, landing them gigs at shows and festivals across the province.

“People really dig it. It adds a different dimension to our songs,” said

Dyer of the band’s latest release.

“At a live performance, people unconsciously have to decide which sense to be captivated by: visual or auditory. The album gives listeners a chance to catch any tasty licks they may have missed at the show due to overstimulation or inebriation.”

Moon Tan’s live performance is enhanced with an appearance that is especially unique in Winnipeg, as the band has frequently performed alongside folk and indie groups.

“At times the contrast really makes us stand out on a bill, as we always deliver high-energy performances,” said Dyer.

“It also makes the other artists stand out contrast-wise. It’s a winwin situation for everybody. We can’t grow beards, so folk wasn’t an option for us.”

The rock trio is committed to putting on an unforgettable performance, pulling inspiration from the energy and stage presences of bands like Genesis, Alice Cooper, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

“We want to create that same emotion in our audience members when they watch or listen to us,” Dyer told the Manitoban.

“We are committed to putting on one of the most stimulating, enter-

taining live shows people have seen from a local band. We feel that our stage appearance, musical chops, and energy really give the audience the feeling that they’re at a ‘performance.’

Fans recognize that, and they appreciate it. Bottom line, we want to give people their money’s worth.”

With the success of their album, Moon Tan is planning a Western Canadian tour over the course of December, finishing up with a homecoming show at the Windsor Hotel on Saturday, Dec. 12.

“To be a real Canadian band, I think it’s something you have to do at least once,” said Dyer of the tour.

“We keep a large candle under the seat in case anything goes awry with the van. We’ll be releasing a ‘Spirit of the Radio’ [by Canadian prog-rock legends Rush] cover video, and we are hitting the road promoting it. Also, we’re overdue for a string of shows out west, it’s always a great time.”

The band’s plan to hit the road with Moose Jaw-based rock trio Johnny 2 Fingers and the Deformities arose after bonding over the love of rock and Italian cuisine.

“We have an unspoken kinship that is beyond words, space, and time. They play rock and roll, we do too. [Vocalist/guitarist] John took

PHOTO BY ZY PHOTOGRAPHICS

us under his wing in Moose Jaw and newest video, yet to be unveiled,” said showed us an awesome restaurant Dyer. with spectacular pasta,” said Dyer.

“We are dedicated to continually “We were discussing doing some- improving our live show, making it thing like this for a while and finally more entrancing and engaging than our schedules lined up enough for ever, both sonically and visually, and this gruesome twosome tour to be we will never stop doing that. For all unleashed upon the west.” of you on the Moon Tan ride: buckle This is just the beginning for up, it’s gonna get crazy.”

Moon Tan, and they don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.

Moon Tan, Johnny 2 Fingers, and the “At the moment, we have been Deformities will be joined by Sapphire working hard on new material that Empire for their homecoming show we think fans will really enjoy. We in Winnipeg. Cover is $10 at the door, have a few surprises up our sleeve, and music is set to begin at 10:15 p.m. and we’re really excited to share our

Alice in the Peg Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre presents a fun classic with an all-Manitoba cast TOBI NIFESI, STAFF

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he Royal Manitoba Theatre Manitoban.

“There are few jobs you can go Centre (MTC) is administering a The play covers the well-known to and just play all day. It’s tremenhealthy dose of fun to Winnipeggers story of Alice, a seven-and-a-half- dously tasking work but we have so over the next three weeks. This pre- year-old girl, who explores a fantasy much fun and the cast is absolutely scription comes by way of a debut pro- world through a looking glass. amazing,” said Tristan Carlossi, who duction of Alice Through the Looking The world through the looking doubles as both Tweedledee and Glass, a play based on Lewis Carroll’s glass operates on strange logical Tweedledum.

Through the Looking-Glass. principles, wordplay come to life, and “People who’ll come to see the Renowned Canadian playwright pure nonsense. show would also tap into their sevenJames Reaney adapted the Alice in Gwendolyn Collins, who plays and-a-half year-old self. This is the Wonderland sequel for stage produc- the main character Alice, had to turn kind of show that people see and want tion in 1994. Since then, the play has back the wheel of time and tap into to come play with us onstage.” been performed on several stages. her much younger seven-year-old self The production’s all-Manitoba cast In Canada, the most recent per- to get in the right frame of mind for is a noteworthy feature. It reflects the formances of the play were a produc- the role. belief in the proficiency and potential tion at Ontario’s Stratford Festival “The director really wanted the of actors in the province and bodes in 2014 and another at this year’s seven-year-old to come from me. So well for the future of Winnipeg Charlottetown Festival in Prince what I – Gwen as a person – was like theatre.

Edward Island. at seven-and-a-half [...] instead of try“A lot of the actors are my friends Jillian Keiley, artistic director ing to pretend to be seven-and-a-half,” and it’s really cosy. This is such a great bring ourselves into it,” said Carlossi. at Canada’s National Arts Centre, said Collins. opportunity for Manitoba actors,” The show promises to be a fun teamed up with the MTC to bring “I went to my parents’ place and said Collins. experiences for all ages. That being the show to Winnipeg. Keiley, who is was going through photos, and I tried The creativity and experience of said, the show’s original director also the original director of the show, to remember things that happened to the production crew gives this show Jillian Keiley believes there is more worked with an all-Manitoba cast for me [at that age] and what that felt like. a unique and authentic edge. The to the show – enough to interest an the Winnipeg production.

The most helpful thing was taking artistic team consists of people who existentialist.

“We did the show at Stratford away the adult qualities and finding have worked behind stages all over “There are deeper philosophies and ran it at the National Arts what’s at the core.” the country. in the book and in the show about Centre. Steven Schipper, who is the The wonders displayed on the “Although [the show’s] been done existentialism, ontological things, artistic director here, saw the show stage translate into an exciting expe- many times, every time this creative mathematics, and there’s a lot of at Stratford and said ‘I would like rience for both actors and the audi- team does it, it’s a brand-new show. It commentary on religion.” you to come to Winnipeg and our ence. Everything about the play oozes does have a freshness and likeness to own actors to do it,’” Keiley told the an infectious sense of fun. it because we were given the ability to Alice Through the Looking Glass

PHOTO BY ROBERT TINKER

will be performed on the MTC mainstage from Nov. 26 to Dec. 19. Tickets for the show start at $26 plus GST. For show times and ticket information, call the Royal MTC Box Office at 204942-6537 or visit www.royalmtc.ca

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Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Seamus Hamilton-Pattison Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Ask Her Talks African and Canadian activists call Winnipeg to action in the fight against AIDS OLIVIA MICHALCZUK, STAFF

“Transmission is still a huge problem, especially among youth – university students and high school students.

So it seems as though the world is quiet about HIV and AIDS, but it is still there. That’s the most important thing for people to understand.”

PHOTO BY OLIVIA MICHALCZUK

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n Nov. 25, the Metropolitan word poetry piece.

Enter ta i n ment C ent re A prevalent theme throughout hosted the second national stop for the night was that voices of African the Stephen Lewis Foundation- women were often ignored when it sponsored Ask Her Talks in conjunc- came to the discussion on AIDS. tion with World AIDS Day on Dec. 1. The problem with that is that in subFive women from Africa and two Saharan Africa, women and girls from Canada provided a stimulat- account for almost 62 per cent of new ing and thought-provoking presen- infections. tation discussing the role of women AIDS is the biggest killer of adoin the fight against HIV and AIDS lescent girls in South Africa, and girls in Africa. between the ages of 15 and 24 are five The women speaking were activ- times more likely to contract HIV ists from Ethiopia, Kenya, South than boys of the same age category.

Africa, and Zimbabwe, two of whom “It seems that people have stopped are HIV-positive themselves. hearing about HIV and AIDS. The Canadian award-winning actress media has stopped talking about HIV and gospel, blues, and jazz singer and AIDS like they used to. But in Jackie Richardson hosted the night actual fact, the HIV pandemic is still and special guest “Britta B.” Badour affecting people,” said speaker Kidist from Toronto performed a spoken Belete.

looking after them, who are primar- the spotlight. ily grandmothers.

“What I have seen is that people As founding executive director of are really listening to what myself and grassroots organization Developing my fellow speakers are saying. And it Families Together in Ethiopia, Belete seems like they are questioning – they underlined the importance of com- are asking themselves: ‘We have to do munity development and creating a something, are we doing enough?’” network of grandmothers who are said Belete. often heads of the family when chil“It’s too early to know for sure, but A prevalent theme dren are orphaned due to AIDS. it seems people are listening and The Ask Her Talks aim to inspire learning. In some cases, they didn’t throughout the people to start helping in the fight have much information about HIV, night was that voices against AIDS in Africa. According and this talk is helping them to to the speakers, the way to do that understand that still the battle is not of African women effectively is by helping the women yet won, and that there are still many, who are experts in their communities many people who need their support.” were often ignored and know what those communities Richardson closed the night with when it came to the need the most. a message for all in attendance.

“We suggest people contact “I did promise you inspiration and discussion on AIDS and support the Stephen Lewis stimulation. We thank you for your Foundation. Through the foundation, insight, your courage, your timeless Among those in attendance was small organizations like ours have work, and your leadership. I know a Winnipeg group called Grands ’n’ been able to get grants that support we have all come here tonight, with More whose goal is to raise awareness the work we are doing at the grass- open hearts and minds ready hear and funds to help fight the AIDS roots level and support more people from these African women leaders,” pandemic in Africa. at the grassroots level,” said Belete. she said.

Grands ’n’ More is one of 240 “It’s so important to fund commun“Well, we heard you, and on the groups nationally that are affili- ity-based work at the grassroots level, occasion of World AIDS Day we ated with the Grandmothers like all the organizations represented pledge to you that we will carry your to Grandmothers Campaign of by the Ask Her Talks speakers.” message to the world.” the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

Ask Her Talks is already creating Members of the group in attend- the necessary conversation to help To learn more about the speakance emphasized the importance of in the fight against AIDS in Africa. ers and their message, visit raising funds for children orphaned Though it is unclear whether or not www.askhertalks.com

by AIDS in Africa, but also sup- an increase in charity is occurring porting the women who end up quite yet, it is an issue coming under

VOL. 102 NO. 16 December 2, 2015

Arts & Culture

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The bro-cative case U of M undergraduate conducts research on the use of contemporary slang TOBI NIFESI, STAFF, WITH FILES FROM CAITLIN GRIFFITH

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atthew Urichuk is a thirdyear linguistics studies student at the U of M who conducted a research study on the use of “dude,” “man,” “bro,” and “brah/bruh” in conversations. The research was conducted under the supervision of U of M linguistics professor Verónica Loureiro-Rodriguez.

Urichuk’s interest in conversations and contemporary word usage may seem unique, but it is not unprecedented. The former computer science student developed a genuine interest for linguistics after learning an additional language.

“It wasn’t until my second year, when I took an intro to linguistics course, that I started realizing that ‘hey, this is interesting and this is what I actually enjoy,’” Urichuk told the Manitoban.

“I just think it is interesting how everyone communicates with one another [in any language]. There’s always communication that happens between people and being able to study conversations that go on between two or more people is interesting.”

In 2003 Scott F. Kiesling, a professor at University of Pittsburgh, published his study on the titular word, Dude. With reference to this word and observational data gathered, Kiesling studied the listener-speaker relationship and interaction.

In one of her classes, LoureiroRodriguez uses this study as a basis for a project. Two years ago, Urichuk took Loureiro-Rodriguez’s class and worked on the project himself.

The study and project inspired Urichuk to broaden the scope of Kiesling’s study and probe into the

use of dude and its modern variations – “man,” “bro,” and “brah/bruh.”

Last June, he decided to design a research study with new sample data to analyze these terms. So far, the research has been presented at a few conferences and was recently submitted for a journal entry.

Like Kiesling, Urichuk was interested in the listener-speaker relationship. He wondered if people speak differently depending on who is listening and how this affected word usage.

“Originally, in the class, it was related to how the listener and speaker interacted with each other [...] I think how the listener and speaker interacts is a major point of my study.”

To conduct the research, Urichuk ran a survey through a Facebook group of interested participants, primarily from Manitoba. He advertised the survey by putting links to it on a few Manitoba-specific Internet forums.

A good number of participants – more than Kiesling’s sample size – consented to the anonymous publication of the study’s results and completed the survey online.

“We ran statistics on a lot of the data and made sure it was statistically significant – there was a large enough sample size. We ended up running statistics on 250-260 respondents.”

There are number of factors that could influence how a person speaks to the listener and their choice of words. Urichuk’s research has considered a range of factors including – but not limited to – ethnicity, gender, age, and race.

“I know that our data did show that

GRAPHIC BY JUSTIN LADIA

the gender of the listener did affect word usage more than the gender of the speaker [...] all the time in quite statistically significant ways.”

“Male-to-male usage, as was found in Kiesling’s study, was the most popular,” said Urichuk.

“Then it’s female-to-male – which was actually the opposite of what Kiesling found [...] Then we found that male-to-female interactions were by far the least common.”

Urichuk believes that there are a lot of preconceptions about these words. Their usage could be associated to a certain gender, age, or race.

So far, the results of his research have

refuted some of these beliefs.

“There was no connotation between race and the usage of these words. A lot of the time, people can preconceive that a certain race, or gender, or age group use certain terms. In our data, there was nothing statistically significant to [prove this].”

“It kind of shows people that, hey, the preconceived notions you have about languages, societal classes, or race may not actually be accurate [...]

Also, we shouldn’t necessarily base someone’s intelligence on the use of these terms.”

As the research’s supervisor, Loureiro-Rodriguez plays the role

of guardian to Urichuk’s undertaking.

While Urichuk conducts the survey and statistical analyses, she provides him with advice and articles on methodology. She believes the study is essential and would be enlightening, especially to non-linguists.

“I think it is going to make people think a little bit more about how they use language and be more conscious about it,” Loureiro-Rodriguez told the Manitoban.

“I hope that it does get [used as lecture material] in classes and used for further research [...] It would be nice to do a follow-up study, maybe in 10 years, to see how language changes.”

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Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Seamus Hamilton-Pattison Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

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Sports Sports Editor: Mike Still Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Brown and gold at the Grey Cup LaFrance, Steele, and Oramasionwu return to their stomping grounds for the CFL’s biggest game MIKE STILL, STAFF

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he 103rd Grey Cup on Sunday, Oramasoinwu is two years sen- the trade with Steele. held at Investors Group Field in ior to Steele, however both attended “I didn’t teach him everything Winnipeg, signified a homecoming Kelvin High School where they he knows. It’s just when there’s an for three former Bisons football play- played two years together on the older guy who’s been through cerers, as Ottawa running back Kienan Clippers WHSFL team. tain things, it’s just like any program LaFrance and Edmonton defenyou go to, you look at the older guy sive tackles Eddie Steele and Don who’s been there a while. That’s just Oramasionwu all got the chance to football,” Oramasionwu said.

The highlight of their return to the province where their Oramasionwu – a CIS Secondtime with the herd football careers started.

Team All-Canadian in 2008 – was LaFrance – who didn’t strap on originally drafted by the Winnipeg occurred in 2007, the pads for the first time until age Blue Bombers in the fifth round of 15 – won a Winnipeg High School that years CFL draft, while Steele where the duo won Football League (WHSFL) title – a 2009 CIS Second-Team Allthe Vanier Cup in 2008 with the Sturgeon Heights Canadian – would get his name called Huskies, before playing two seasons in the third round by the Hamilton with the Winnipeg Rifles (2009-10) Tiger-Cats in 2010. of the Prairie Football Conference “I remember the day I met [Steele] While their CFL journeys started and then another four years (2011-14) at Kelvin High School. We were just on different teams, the pair of defenwith the Bisons. training and my coach introduced me sive tackles eventually came back He was a conference all-star in his to him. He was just a little kid with together in 2014 when the Eskimos final season with the herd, amassing an afro,” Oramasionwu said prior to acquired them both. One year later, 785 rushing yards along with 10 total the game. “I took him under my wing, they landed themselves back on home touchdowns. and every level we’ve been together soil for the Grey Cup. This past May, LaFrance was at some point in time, so it’s pretty “It’s pretty neat. The fact that we drafted by the East Division’s Ottawa cool too.” played high school ball together, Redblacks in the sixth round of the Oramasionwu moved on to the played on the Bison field back here CFL draft and finished his rookie Bisons program, but would be joined together, and now we’re at the Grey season second on the depth chart, by Steele not long after. The highlight Cup in Winnipeg together, it’s pretty with 86 all-purpose yards. of their time with the herd occurred cool. It’s like a movie, it doesn’t hapOn the West Division’s side were in 2007, where the duo won the pen often,” Steele said. two players whose football journeys Vanier Cup. have been interlocked ever since high Being the elder, Oramasionwu school. was asked if he shared any tricks of

PHOTO PROVIDED BY BISON SPORTS

PHOTO BY JEFF MILLER

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Sports

Sports Editor: Mike Still Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Bisons bounce Bobcats Men’s basketball enter holiday break on four-game win streak MIKE STILL, STAFF

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he University of Manitoba Bisons free throw line – shooting just 63.3 ence was shooting percentage, where scoring yet again. The herd had five mates stepped up, as all but one player men’s basketball team ended the percent in game one and 56.3 percent the herd shot 52.3 percent compared players with more than 10 points – managed to record a rebound. first half of their season on a high in game two. to the Bobcats’ 38.5 percent. Alleyn, led by Basi with 18 and fellow guard Defensively, Manitoba held all note, sweeping the Brandon Bobcats the leading scorer for the visitors Ilarion Bonhomme II with 15, who but two Bobcats players to less than on the road this past weekend. The Friday with 18 points, shot 7-of-12 from the had a tremendous game off the bench, 10 points. Those same two players – herd never trailed in any of the The first quarter of the opening field, while Anders was 6-of-9 with adding six assists, four steals, and Thompson Jr. and guard Troy Grant – eight total quarters, coming out on game was a tight battle, as Manitoba 13 points. three rebounds in 16 minutes of play. were the only members of their squad top 86-75 on Friday and 89-72 on held just a two-point lead. The Bisons The rebounding battle was closer For Bonhomme, the game against to have more than 10 shot attempts. erupted in the second and third, how- on Friday, as the visitors held a tight the Bobcats was a return to familiar Saturday.

Once more, the game was close Manitoba dominated in the sec- ever, outscoring Brandon 53-38 en 43-37 advantage. Anders led the way, confines, as he played with Brandon after one quarter, with the Bisons ond and third quarters of both games route to the win. recording another double-double for three seasons, starting in 2011-12 up 20-17 before separating in the secManitoba got a well-rounded with 14 boards. The versatile power where he was named Canada West ond and third quarters for a second – effectively pulling away from their competition heading into the final performance, with Keith Omoerah, forward got some help, though, as Rookie of the Year and was also straight contest, outscoring Brandon AJ Basi, Justus Alleyn, and Wyatt swingman Omoerah added a double- appointed to the CIS All-Rookie 51-33. ten minutes.

It was the second weekend in a Anders all cracking double digits in double of his own, contributing 11 team.

The entire conference now breaks row where the Bisons were able to scoring. rebounds.

Additionally, the herd won the for holidays. Manitoba’s first games While Brandon also had four hold their opponent to under 80 battle in the post once again, with back will occur on Jan. 8 and 9 on the points, as the visitors outrebounded players score more than 10 points – Saturday 45 rebounds compared to the home road against Victoria. the Bobcats on both nights. The including forward Earl Thompson Manitoba completed the sweep in side’s 33. Brandon limited Anders to home side was also abysmal from the Jr. with a game-high 21 – the differ- game two, thanks to well-distributed just six boards, however his team-

Series finale shutout Manitoba and Regina split regular season series ANDY CHE, STAFF

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he University of Manitoba Bisons goaltender stood sharp to preserve a women’s hockey team hosted the scoreless frame. The Cougars outshot Regina Cougars last weekend record- the Bisons 13-11. ing a 2-1 loss and 1-0 win on Friday The heavy influence of the goalies and Saturday respectively. The victory extended far into the second period. improved the Bisons’ record to 2-2 Dyck bailed the Bisons out midway against the Cougars in the season through the frame on a shot from series while Rachel Dyck’s shutout Regina’s Kylie Gavelin. The forward notched the team’s fourth of the cam- pounced on a loose puck inside the paign thus far. crease only to see Dyck stick out an The Bisons also improve to 9-6-1 instinctive left pad to make a gamein the regular season, maintaining breaking save. their position with Alberta for the top The Cougars didn’t let up, though. seed in the Canada West standings. At the 13-minute mark of the second frame, forward Bailey Braden found Friday the net after Dyck was unable to cover The puck dropped on the herd’s a Regina dump-in. final weekend series in 2015 on Regina’s lead would not last for Friday evening at Wayne Fleming long, as the Bisons equalized just 1:06 Arena. Both sides contributed to an after falling behind. Venla Hovi fed end-to-end first period, where each Courtlyn Oswald on the rush, who

picked the corner on the Cougars’ goalie Toni Ross to tie the game.

Both sides once again took a level score into the second intermission.

In total, her 34-save effort earned her a second shutout this season to end the 2015 calendar year on a high note The third period proved to be the difference in the game when Regina retook the lead early in the frame.

Jaycee Magwood reaped the rewards of her consistent presence in front of

goal and scored the go-ahead goal at the five-minute mark. The freshman forward leads the contest with nine goals on target.

Ross then took the reins for the away side, turning aside all seven shots she faced in the third period.

She finished the game with 24 saves on 25 shots for the 2-1 win. Dyck also performed valiantly, producing 31 saves on the night.

Saturday

The home side took advantage of Saturday’s rematch right from the get-go. Manitoba peppered Ross’s goal with 17 shots in the opening 20 minutes alone. The fifth-year netminder held her ground and the kept the game scoreless into the first intermission.

The momentum shifted in Regina’s direction as the game entered the second period. The Bisons only managed four shots on goal dur-

ing the middle frame, compared to the Cougars’ 11. The home side almost scored on an Alexandra Anderson breakaway yet could not beat Ross with mere seconds left on the clock.

The hero of the previous matchup, Jaycee Magwood, eventually led to the Cougars’ downfall after taking a hooking penalty at the 13-minute mark of the third period. Just 1:23 into the ensuing powerplay, defenceman Caitlin Fyten drilled her point shot past Ross and into the top corner for the lead.

For the remainder of the game, Dyck emerged as the standout performer, producing 15 saves in the third period alone. In total, her 34-save effort earned her a second shutout this season to end the 2015 calendar year on a high note.

The Manitoba Bisons will hit the ice again in January, visiting the firstplace Alberta Pandas to kick off 2016 on Jan. 8 and 9.

PHOTOS BY CHANTAL ZDAN

VOL. 102 NO. 16 December 2, 2015

Finishing on a high note Bisons men’s hockey sweep the Cougars in Regina RYAN STELTER, VOLUNTEER STAFF

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ast week, the University of third periods of Thursday’s conManitoba men’s hockey team test to put the Cougars away. The traveled to Regina in search of some Bisons also converted on two of wins to snap their four-game losing their five power play chances. streak. They did just that, thumpOn Friday, the game was a little ing the Regina Cougars 6-2. In the closer, as the herd allowed Regina rematch on Friday, the Bisons came back into the game in the third away with another two points as period, but a Zach Waldvogel empty net goal with 44 seconds they beat the Cougars 5-3.

Captain Jordan DePape had a remaining sealed the win for the stellar weekend, racking up five Bisons. points in two games. He extended his point streak to 11 games, curManitoba is now rently the longest in the Canada West. DePape is now tied for first in 7-7-2 on the year the Canada West in scoring, with and are sitting 24 points in 16 games.

DePape’s linemate Brett Stovin fifth in the Canada also had a good weekend offensively, West Conference, scoring three goals in the pair of games. He now has registered at three points back least a point in his last nine games.

Stovin is tied for third in scoring of British Columbia among rookies, and looks to be adjusting to the Canada West well.

Manitoba is now 7-7-2 on the The Bisons played well offensively in the two game set against year and is sitting fifth in the Regina, combining for 11 goals on Canada West Conference, three points behind British Columbia. the weekend.

Manitoba scored four unan- They are riding a two-game winswered goals in the second and ning streak heading into 2016.

Sports

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Bison volleyball emerges victorious versus Regina Men sweep, women earn a split RYAN STELTER, VOLUNTEER STAFF

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he Bisons men’s and women’s their success in 2016. volleyball teams were in Regina last weekend and had a successful end to their first half campaigns.

Sitting tied for first The men won both of their place in the Canada games against the Cougars, only dropping two sets all weekend. St. West, the Bisons are Paul’s product Adam DeJonckheere had a team-best 13 kills on Friday, in a good position while Caleb Hickok led the herd heading into the with 14 digs.

In a closer affair on Saturday, break and will hope the Bisons managed to come back to continue their from 0-2 down and pull through to win 3-2 (20-25, 23-25, 25-17, 25-22, success in 2016 15-10). In a game that went the distance, Devren Dear was able to smack home an astonishing 22 kills, the best of anyone on the court.

The Bisons women were able to Sitting tied for first place in the get their second win on the season Canada West, the Bisons are in on Friday, beating the Cougars by a good position heading into the a score of 3-1 (16-25, 25-10, 28-26, break and will hope to continue 25-19). Cassidy Pearson had 12

kills on the evening, the best for Manitoba.

On Saturday, the Bisons were unable to hold on to a 2-0 lead and collapsed to fall 2-3 (25-23, 25-20, 22-25, 16-25, 11-15). It was a disappointing night for the herd, who played well to start the game off but couldn’t win the deciding fifth set.

The win was the first of the season for Regina.

Once again, the Bujan sisters led the team in both kills and digs, with Haillie Bujan getting 15 kills and sister Cassie providing 18 digs.

The Bisons women finish 2015 with a 2-9 record and are sitting second last in the Canada West.

The herd will look to climb out of the basement in 2016.

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Sports

Sports Editor: Mike Still Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Half-time report Taking a look at where the Bisons basketball, volleyball, and hockey teams stand heading into the halfway point of the season MIKE STILL & ANDY CHE, STAFF, AND RYAN STELTER, VOLUNTEER STAFF

Men’s basketball

Record: 6-2 (tied for first in Pioneer Division with 12 points) Record in last six games: 5-1 Team leader in scoring: AJ Basi – (19.4 PPG) Analysis: Heading into the holiday break, this team deserves to be included in the CIS Top 10 conversation. They battled tough against two of the top teams in the country in Saskatchewan and Calgary and dominated some lower rung teams in Alberta and Brandon. Three straight matchups against B.C. teams to start the second half of the year could very well decide where the herd finish in the standings, as UBC, Victoria, and Lethbridge all have at least 10 points.

Women’s basketball

Record: 0-8 (last in Pioneer Division) Record in last six games: 0-6 Team leader in scoring: Nicole Konieczny – (9.4 PPG) Analysis: This team is among the youngest in the conference, and is still going through a developmental process. They have been competitive at times this year, but haven’t been able to mount a full four quarters of basketball all season. It’s going to

take some time before this squad is even considered a playoff contender, but once the roster matures in two to three years time, they could be dangerous – but it’s simply not going to happen in 2015-16.

Head coach Mike Sirant has brought in some great recruits, including Brett Stovin, who is third in rookie scoring, and defenceman Adam Henry, who is sixth in rookie scoring Men’s Volleyball

Record: 10-2 (tied for first in conference) Record in last 6 games: 4-2 Team leader in kills per set: Devren Dear – 3.94 K/set (142 kills in 36 sets played) Analysis: The Bison men’s volleyball team is putting in a stellar perfor-

mance this year, their only blip being a pair of losses to conference-best Alberta in mid-November. The herd should stampede into the playoffs this year and will most likely finish in one of the top two positions in the conference. A conference championship showdown against Alberta seems inevitable, as the two will likely meet again there.

Over the last nine games, the women have averaged 2.67 goals per game – more than twice the offensive output of their early season Women’s Volleyball

Record: 2-10 (second last in conference) Record in last 6 games: 1-5 Team leader in kills per set: Jordana Milne – 2.43 K/set (97 kills in 40 sets played) Analysis: The 2015-16 season

has proved to be a difficult one for the women, as they have struggled mightily to finish games, dropping countless 2-0 set leads. With so many first year players, this is to be expected, but the playoffs look like a distant dream at this point in the season.

Women’s Hockey

Record: 9-0-6-1 (tied for first in conference) Record in last 6 games: 4-2 Team Leader in scoring: Karissa Kirkup (3 G, 8 A), Alana Serhan (2 G, 9 A), Alanna Sharman (6 G, A) – 11 pts Analysis: Over the last nine games, Men’s Hockey the women have averaged 2.67 goals Record: 7-7-2 (fifth in conference) per game – more than twice the Record in last 6 games: 2-4 offensive output of their early season.

Team leader in scoring: Jordan Offence has been well-distributed in DePape – 24 pts (9 G, 15A) Jon Rempel’s roster after 16 games, Analysis: A young, fast, exciting with 14 different players scoring at hockey team to watch, the men’s least one goal this season. With 14 hockey team have a lot of promise. games remaining in the regular seaHead coach Mike Sirant has brought son, the Bisons should have no trouin some great recruits, including Brett ble finishing as one of the top seeds Stovin, who is third in rookie scoring, in the division should they maintain and defenceman Adam Henry, who is their form. Heading down that sixth in rookie scoring. Manitoba has stretch, there will be greater emphasis struggled at home this season, only on consistent offensive production on winning two games at the Wayne all four lines in order to make a deep Fleming arena. This team is also playoff run. prone to mistakes, as they still are a very young team with plenty of first year players having to get adjusted to the Canada West. Manitoba is currently sitting in a playoff position, but have the ability to climb the standings in the second half of the year.

PHOTOS BY JEFF MILLER

VOL. 102 NO. 16 December 2, 2015

Sports

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The logo seen around the world Adidas already has most of Europe – now for North America RYAN STELTER, VOLUNTEER STAFF

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didas is a massive global company that, in current years, has been acquiring more and more lucrative sponsorship deals. They are perhaps more prevalent in the European market, but they are slowly making their way into North America.

A key factor in Adidas’ dominance was the purchase of Reebok in 2006, the company that led the North American sports market for many years.

European dominance

With soccer being the world’s most popular sport, it’s also one of the most profitable. The top five most valuable soccer teams in the world according to Forbes are Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City.

Adidas has sponsorship deals with three of those five teams, recently replacing Nike in supplying English giants Manchester United’s kits.

Adidas also has a large partnership with FIFA, begun in 1970 and due to continue into 2030. It is one of the longest partnerships in the history of modern sports. As a result, Adidas supplies all the match balls and its logo is seen everywhere around World Cup stadiums.

Another high-profile deal, up in 2017, is with UEFA (Union of

European Football Associations), which includes the UEFA European Championships, the UEFA Champions League, and the UEFA Europa League. The Champions League is known for showcasing perhaps the best soccer on earth, and the best of the best are using Adidas.

The Adidas North American takeover is slowly happening, and in the coming years we are likely to see more and more Adidas logos popping up They also sponsor a few big-name national teams, including Germany, Spain, and Argentina. Adidas is currently paying the German soccer association a whopping 20 million euros to supply their kits.

North American Invasion

In recent months, we have seen Adidas ink deals with both the CFL and the NHL, with the three stripes

ILLUSTRATION BY ALDO RIOS

coming to the CFL next year and the it appears that Adidas is slowly taking an extension with North Carolina.

NHL beginning in 2017-18. the NHL by storm.

They also currently hold four sponThe speculation of jersey ads have Their main competitor has been sorship deals with teams currently also come as a result of Adidas’ spon- Nike, which has a sponsorship deal in the Big Ten. In a market typically sorship in the NHL – an idea most with the NFL, not to mention an dominated by Nike, Adidas is makhockey traditionalists scoff at. Not to upcoming eight-year, USD$1 bil- ing some noise. worry though, as NHL commissioner lion deal with the NBA set to start The Adidas North American takeGary Bettman said in an article with in 2017-2018. Those are perhaps over is slowly happening, and in the the Globe and Mail that there will more lucrative deals to have, as both coming years we are likely to see more be no jersey sponsors when Adidas leagues are bigger in the U.S. than and more Adidas logos popping up. takes over. the NHL, but Adidas still has their Adidas managed to get a sponsor- foot in the door in North America. ship deal with one of the brightest Adidas is also making moves in young stars in the NHL as well, in the world of college football, recently Connor McDavid. Previously not announcing deals with Louisiana known for their hockey involvement, Tech and East Carolina along with