6 January 2016

MANITOBAN the

THE OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA STUDENTS’ NEWSPAPER

NEWS

Schooling boards Trustees should get back to basics, says prof Page 5

SCIENCE

Science in 2016 Issues to keep an eye on this year Page 12-13

ARTS & CULTURE

A galaxy far, far away Is the Force strong with the new Star Wars movie?

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VO L 1 0 2 · N O 1 7 · J A N UA RY 6 , 2 0 1 6 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO B A N .CO M

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Index

VOL. 102 NO. 17 January 6, 2016

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Craig Adolphe

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EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Lauren Siddall

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COMMENT

NEWS EDITOR Ethan Cabel & Garett Williams

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Reconciliation responsibilities

COMMENT EDITOR Evan Tremblay

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FEATURES EDITOR Dana Hatherly

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Mandatory indigenous studies course a moral imperative

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR Chantelle Dubois

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ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Seamus Hamilton-Pattison

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SPORTS EDITOR Mike Still

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COPY EDITOR Tom Ingram

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EDITORIAL

DESIGN

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A visual narrative about artist inspiration and frustration

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REPORTERS

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

VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTORS

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Will Gibson Anthony Labonte Sarah Walker

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Q&A with Bison basketball forward Wyatt Anders

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News

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News Editors: Ethan Cabel & Garett Williams Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

UMSU offers support for abandoned Nigerian students Student union condemns Nigerian agency for failing to honour tuition, living allowance commitments GARETT WILLIAMS, STAFF

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s the winter term commences at the University of Manitoba, a handful of state-sponsored Nigerian students face uncertainty after the development agency funding their scholarships ceased operations in November.

In response, the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) has committed to raise funds in order to ensure students can continue their studies, most recently condemning the organization responsible in a formal motion.

The Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) was responsible for tuition fees for as many as 50 students at the U of M before it was suspended by the Nigerian government pending the resolution of an internal labour dispute.

As of December, the agency – which sponsored more than 1,200 students from the Nigerian state to study abroad – owed the U of M approximately $575,000 in back fees and winter 2016 tuition costs, according to numbers provided to the Manitoban by the university.

Under university policy, students more than two terms in arrears cannot register for a third.

In November, the agency paid the university $252,000, which cleared winter 2015 fees and allowed students to study for the fall term. However, balances remain outstanding for summer and fall 2015 and for students registered for winter 2016.

At the final UMSU council meeting before the winter break, vice-president advocacy Rebecca Kunzman noted that while many affected students had raised funds to ensure their studies continue uninterrupted – either through loans, work, or other arrangements – nearly a dozen remain in a precarious position.

In a motion passed unanimously at the Dec. 3, 2015 meeting, council agreed to endorse a letter condemning the responsible parties and calling on the agency to resolve the outstanding funds.

“Regardless of whether the students are able to pay or not, I think it’s worth our organization – and I think it falls completely within the mandate of the students’ union – to condemn the agency which has sent these students here with the understanding that they will have their entire university tuition and living expenses funded and falling back on that promise,” said Kunzman when she introduced the motion to UMSU council.

Initially addressed directly to the Rivers State agency prior to its suspension, the motion was amended at the meeting to an open condemnation of the situation and is a show of support to the concerned students, Kunzman said.

“The whole point of the motion that we wanted to issue in council was not necessarily because we expected it to do anything, or to see any action

GRAPHIC BY JONDELL COOMBS

from it, but we wanted to express [...] solidarity with the students and to make it known to RSSDA that this is causing a very, very difficult situation for the students,” she said.

The motion calls for an immediate payment to the U of M to ensure affected students can resume studies through the winter term.

Under the RSSDA scholarship program, tuition fees – which run around four times higher for international undergraduate students at the U of M than their domestic counterparts – and a $1,100 monthly living allowance are provided for students recruited from poor or underprivileged families.

The agency made Canadian headlines in November after CBC News reported it owes more than $2.5 million in outstanding tuition fees and has withheld more than $3 million in living expenses for 246 Nigerian students sponsored at 14 Canadian universities.

According to news reports, the agency suspended operations Nov. 20, three days after employees protested the non-payment of more than seven months’ worth of salaries.

Kunzman said UMSU was first alerted to the situation in the fall when students learned their registrations were in jeopardy. Hardship funding from the union was made

available and UMSU, along with affected students, lobbied the university to have the fall tuition deadline extended while negotiations unfolded with RSSDA. With the winter tuition deadline of Jan. 13 approaching and the agency still in limbo, Kunzman said the problem has only been compounded and called on students at risk to get in touch with UMSU for support.

“That’s our hope, [that] in the next couple of days, any students that are still requiring funds come to us and that we’re able to connect them with as much funding and support as possible,” she said.

She noted the school has made

arrangements with a number of affected students already through individual meetings and was hopeful more positive results are coming.

“I expect that in the next couple days we’ll be able to touch base with the university and, hopefully, hear good news that they’ve been able to sort out a few more student situations,” she said.

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News

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

UBC responds to reports of mishandled sexual assault, human rights complaints PhD student expelled after multiple sexual misconduct allegations EMMA PARTRIDGE, THE UBYSSEY

VANCOUVER – All eyes are on the University of British Columbia (UBC) after a CBC investigation revealed problems in the way the university’s administration handled multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against former PhD student Dmitry Mordvinov.

In the wake of the CBC’s reporting on the issue, which was featured in the fifth estate documentary “School of Secrets,” UBC’s interim president Martha Piper issued an apology to the women allegedly assaulted by Mordvinov, a 28-yearold former history student.

Piper noted that she appreciates “the light the women have shone on this issue,” pledging that UBC “will begin a discussion with our students, faculty, and staff on a separate sexual assault policy.”

Despite Piper’s statement, Glynnis Kirchmeier – one of the women who made a report to UBC regarding Mordvinov’s inappropriate behaviour toward her – announced in a press conference in November that

against Mordvinov. Moreover, the group of selected students. According CBC reported that at least six women to Ashley Bentley, manager of the made complaints about Mordvinov student union’s Sexual Assault beginning as early as the spring of Support Centre (SASC), many victims of sexual assault may not wish to 2013.

Although Piper remained ada- report in this way because it involves mant in the last meeting of the UBC disclosure to a group of students. senate that sexual assault will not be Bentley also noted that the lack tolerated on campus, a statement of a single policy specifically dealing issued by UBC spokesperson Susan with sexual assault can be problemDanard also noted “we can do better atic. Currently, the university relies on what is known as “Policy 3,” which and we will do better.”

“While the university had to wait relates to harassment and discrimiuntil it had the necessary facts to nation, to deal with sexual assault take action, I acknowledge that the allegations.

According to a board document, process took too long,” Piper said in PHOTO BY GEOFF LISTER FOR THE UBYSSEY a statement on the university’s web- the office received 273 files and only site, which was then circulated in an six were referred for formal investishe would be filing a complaint with email to the entire UBC community gation under Policy 3 over the last 18 the BC Human Rights Tribunal. The the night that the CBC documentary months.

In addition, certain victims complaint will be made against the was set to air. university over its handling of the Despite these statements, have said they felt silenced by the Kimberley Beck, legal counsel at university. reported incident.

“I have been asked to share the According to Kirchmeier, she the office of the university counsel, brought concerns about Mordvinov said that she believes the university’s experience of one current student not to the history department in January current process for victims of assault in the faculty of arts. She told me that she reported an abusive colleague to 2014 for behaviours she had witnessed is effective. as far back as 2011.

“I think the people who go through the equity office a year and a half ago, However, Mordvinov wasn’t our process are generally satisfied and they gave her a [...] ‘gag-order’ – expelled until November 2015. with the care and attention [...] that her words,” said Kirchmeier.

As a result of the slow process to “UBC has a legal duty to provide the committee gives to them,” Beck a harassment-free environment. said regarding the non-academic mis- expel Mordvinov, UBC will have to The Supreme Court of Canada has conduct committee that deals with face the consequences of Kirchmeier’s stated that there’s a legal duty to warn reports of sexual assault when they’ve complaint to the BC Human Rights Tribunal. potential victims, and UBC has a been made internally.

“Now the lights are turned on and legal duty to report their knowledge The process uses a structure of to the police,” said Kirchmeier at the investigation in which both victim the university is going to be tried in press conference. and perpetrator are asked questions the court of public opinion. Then it is going to answer to the BC Human “In my well-documented experi- by the committee. ence of 22 months of speaking to 10 “In cases of sexual assault [...] if Rights Tribunal and I suspect it will employees from four offices within they wish not to be seen by the be tried in civil court as well. UBC the university, UBC administrators alleged perpetrator, we can put up did this to itself,” Kirchmeier said.

When asked where Beck felt that utterly ignored these ethical and legal screens, we can make other arrangements. We can do it by video confer- the process of reporting and handuties.” dling a sexual assault was weak, she According to the CBC, at least encing,” Beck said. two allegations surfaced in 2014 The committee is made up of a spoke mainly of getting information

to students about the options they have available to them after an assault.

“I think a place we could do better is getting information out to our community – particularly our students – about what’s out there for them, about the places they can go,” Beck said.

“What we want to do is make sure that we are communicating clearly to our students what their resources are.”

Some have been calling for a policy review following the complaints against Mordvinov.

When asked whether UBC’s process for handling sexual assault will change in the future after these concerns about UBC’s reporting process, Chad Hyson, associate director of student conduct and safety, said “we’re constantly taking in the feedback that we’ve received regarding our processes as any organization does.”

“We learn every time we have a hearing,” said Hyson.

According to a recent UBC statement, the university has since appointed Paula Butler, labour and employment lawyer with Butler Workplace Solutions, to conduct an independent review. The review will focus on UBC’s “response to concerns of sexual harassment and sexual assault raised by some UBC students about a fellow student, which became the subject of media coverage.”

Bulter’s report will be released next month, with a summary of the report made available to the UBC community.

With files from Helen Zhou, Joshua Azizi, Sophie Sutcliffe, Danni Shanel and Sruthi Tadepalli.

– National University Wire

Young Winnipeg Muslims respond to Islamic terrorist attacks Short film “Letter to a Terrorist” gains widespread attention OSHO SAMUEL ADETUNJI, STAFF

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urrent and former University of “Our main objective was to be an Manitoba students have taken outlet to express the feelings that to the Internet to give voice to young many young Muslims living in the Western Muslims in the wake of ter- West may feel – maybe in America rorist attacks overseas. or in Europe,” said Ayat Mneina, a Letter to a Terrorist, an online short research associate in the department film produced by Winnipeg film- of community health sciences at the maker and U of M alumnus Nilufer U of M, who appears in the film. “I Rahman, is a dramatic and poetic think it spoke to many feelings that reflection of the fears young Muslims some people may have in response face in their own communities result- to these incidents, where people are ing from the actions of violent Islamic confused to take accountability or extremists abroad. take responsibility or to defend or Published online in early explain the situation.”

December, the video garnered more “There is a multitude of feelings than 120,000 views and 3,600 shares and this is just an outlet to express

by Jan. 2, 2016. them.”

The message of the film is conveyed through voice-over narration in both English and French.

“People hate me because they hear my name and they see you,” says a woman in the video, addressing a hypothetical terrorist. “They see my face and they see you but I am not you.

I hate what you do. I never want to be in that dark place that gives you license to kill and maim so mercilessly and cowardly.”

“They ask me to apologize for what you have done,” says a male voice. “I am sorry for the loss of innocents, sorry for the grief of those who are left to mourn, and sorry for those of

us who are left to bear the burden of “The voiceover that went on in the your toxic hate.” video was something that expressed The catalyst for the film was the lots of different people’s feelings with Nov. 13, 2015 attack in Paris, where two official languages and we wanted gunmen killed 130 people in six dif- to reach out to as many people as we ferent locations in the city. could,” Mneina said.

“It was produced in response to the The film was produced by Snow Paris attacks,” said Mneina. “Many Angel Films – an independent film of us in the film are active Canadian company Rahman established in 2010 community members and Canadian with her sister Saira. Five actors were Muslims – we don’t shy away from featured in the short film; two alumni the fact that part of our identity is of the U of M, Mneina and Shahzād being a Muslim.”

Musaddiq and two current U of M She said including both English students, Bilal Rahimi and Salam and French narration not only dis- Sayed. plays the diversity of the faith but also The film can be viewed at the helps the film reach a wider audience. Snow Angel Films Facebook page.

VOL. 102 NO. 17 January 6, 2016

News

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Manitoba school boards need leadership, says professor Former school trustee, U of M alum Laura Reimer advocates for return to governance fundamentals in new book ETHAN CABEL, STAFF

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s Manitoba prepares for a heated provincial election, one professor is bringing her expertise in conflict mitigation to an important policy debate – the education of children and young people throughout the province.

Laura Reimer, assistant professor in the department of political science at the University of Winnipeg, is a former school trustee and the author of Leadership and School Boards: Guarding the Trust in an Era of Community Engagement.

The recently released book, which is the second edition of an earlier work by Reimer published in 2008, does not advocate for abolition or substantial reform of the school board system.

Instead, Reimer contends that school boards are an integral part of democracy as it is practised in Canada and the United States. But in the face of structural changes, school boards have fundamentally lost sight of their primary function within the larger bureaucratic and political structure of government.

As such, Reimer advocates for a return to foundational democratic research on education policy. principles in school board governance.

Elected school boards, generally “Not even school boards know made up of five to nine trustees, are what school boards do [...] People responsible for setting the broad polthink it is about running classrooms, icy direction of school divisions from and that is the role of the superin- kindergarten to grade 12 in Manitoba. tendent,” Reimer told the Manitoban, adding that school boards should act as a mediator between the local com- “The role of the munity, the superintendent, and the school board broad public policy direction of the government. is to bring the “The role of the school board is to bring the needs of the local commu- needs of the local nity to the school board table where community to the something can be done about it.” school board table Reimer was educated almost entirely at the University of Manitoba, where something earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and English as well can be done as a master of public administraabout it” – Laura tion jointly with the University of Winnipeg.

Reimer, assistant She earned a PhD in peace and professor of political conflict studies from the U of M in 2013. Reimer is also a research associ- science, University ate with the Arthur V. Mauro Centre of Winnipeg for Peace and Justice at the U of M. She said her education in peace and conflict studies has resulted in a School boards in Manitoba are unique perspective on solving public policy issues through consultation also responsible for significant budand mediation. getary decisions regarding service “In peace and conflict studies, I delivery and administration, relying have learned not just to react to policy on a combination of property tax once it has been implemented, but to revenues and provincial operating think through the consequences as its expenditures to fund school divisions. being crafted,” Reimer said.

The structure of school boards “It has provided a tremendous has been a point of contention in framework not just for analyzing Manitoba for decades. Between the what can go wrong in policy but also province’s entry into Confederation for equipping people with the ability in 1870 and the late 1960s, Manitoba to articulate the things that they need engaged in several major reforms to so that [responsive] public policy can its education system. be developed.”

During that period, the province Reimer’s experience as a school centralized primary and secondary trustee with the St. Boniface and education, consolidating more than Louis Riel school divisions from 2,000 small districts with disparate 2000-2004 directly informs her education outcomes into less than 60

PHOTO BY ETHAN CABEL

school divisions with more uniform board that was broadly complicit in day operations are left in the hands standards. that behaviour. Many school boards of the superintendent.

W h i le t he Prog re s sive simply lost sight of their fundamental Wiens wrote the foreword to Conservative government of Premier role under the weight of structural Leadership and School Boards, arguing Gary Filmon launched a commission reforms, she said. that the book sheds light on the fact to review school district boundaries Reimer told the Manitoban that that “democracy, our way of life, is in 1993, few substantial structural recent issues with other provincial created and recreated first in schools reforms were made until the elec- amalgamations, as well as account- and the people we elect to govern tion of the New Democratic Party of ability problems in Manitoba school them.”

Reimer argues that training for Manitoba under Gary Doer in 1999. boards, further bolster this argument.

In July 2002, after consultations A recent article in the National school trustees should be mandatory, with the public, the Doer govern- Post by Joseph Brean argues that trustees should be part-time, and that ment reduced the number of school attempts to target administrative remuneration should be re-evaluated divisions in Manitoba from 54 to 37 as bloat in school boards have led to so that the position does not attract part of a broad-based amalgamation. the creation of massive “superboards” careerist candidates.

“Ideally, the trustees should work According to Reimer, this was a through provincial amalgamations, turning point for the province. generating problems with account- part-time, they should be able to go to meetings twice a year – but they As a trustee from 2000-2004, she ability and efficiency. was swept up in the amalgamation as “Broadly, the effect has been to should be sitting in the soccer bleachher St. Boniface school division was centralize power at the government ers, they should be at the rink, they consolidated with St. Vital to create level, devolve certain authority to should be at the shopping centre, they the larger Louis Riel school division. individual schools, and cut out the should be having coffee at seniors’ homes,” Reimer said.

“St. Boniface seemed to really have boards in between,” Brean wrote.

“Their role is to fill that gap its pulse on the people, they under“But by eroding the autonomy of a stood what people were thinking,” formerly crucial layer of governance, between what the province wants Reimer said, adding that her early the provinces have stumbled into them to do and what good eduexperience as a trustee was positive problems worse than simple bureau- cation is, as determined by the superintendent.” but changed substantially after the cratic bloat.”

However, Reimer argues that a amalgamation process.

These problems have also been “The differences in perception, role, reflected through recent controver- return to the original conception of school board governance will only and expectations was a glaring gap as sies in Winnipeg. the amalgamation process took place A provincially commissioned happen with proper training.

“There are opportunities for trainin Manitoba.” report released last summer by John As a smaller board, the St. Wiens, dean emeritus of the faculty ing, and that is why I wrote these Boniface school division carried out of education at the U of M, described books,” Reimer said.

“It is the marriage of my positive consistent consultations and engage- the behaviour of Winnipeg School ment with the community so that Division trustees as “embarrassing, and horrible experiences and 30 years parents “truly saw themselves as shameful, and reckless,” as well as of fascination with education policy partners in the education process,” “extremely detrimental to the divi- at all levels, and a deep conviction Reimer said. sion and the very idea of boards of that we elect people to represent us, not to do what their party tells them “And when the time came for bud- trustees.” get reductions, we knew what would Among Wiens’s key findings was to do. It’s not a popularity contest, happen and what was possible.” that the school board micromanaged it’s not about getting into the papers, According to Reimer, what was the operations of the division, leav- it’s about really making sure that as a fundamentally lost in the newly ing the superintendent effectively board you understand fundamentally amalgamated division was the impor- powerless. the issues in your community.” tance of consultation, with a new As such, trustees failed to funcsuperintendent that was committed tion properly as a school board as to “keeping the public out,” and a defined by Reimer, whereby day-to-

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News

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

UMSU sanctions Science Students’ Association Student union mandates mediation, independent chair and audit of SSA actions GARETT WILLIAMS, STAFF

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n an emergency motion passed at its final meeting before breaking for the holidays, the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) voted to have an independent chair appointed to the Science Students’ Association (SSA) and audit actions taken during the current executive’s term.

work environment, and a culture ber and UMSU representative Dara Association, it was ultimately put of fear within the SSA, UMSU Hallock, notes multiple members to a secret ballot vote by the entire council chair Kyle Mirecki accepted of the association have brought for- UMSU council and the motion to the emergency motion to sanction ward complaints of SSA operations, intervene was decided,” said Rebecca the association at the Dec. 3, 2015 specifically the actions of president Kunzman, UMSU’s vice-president meeting.

Anthony Cao. Further, the motion advocacy.

Following nearly a half-hour of notes complainants were forced to Councillors from UMSU and the in-camera discussion, council voted retract their names from a supporting SSA refused to provide public com26-1 through private ballot to pass a document for fear of reprisal. ment on the specific problems within three-pronged motion. the association.

First, the union resolved to seek While most internal disputes The union resolved mediation with the SSA through within student and faculty associaThe motion resolves the U of M human rights and contions are resolved through consultato seek mediation to withhold all fund flict management office in order to tion with the school’s office of human with the SSA through appoint an independent chair to rights and conflict management, disbursements to Kunzman said no informal resolution oversee future association meetings. the U of M human Second, the motion initiated a the association if the was sought with the help of UMSU. rights and conflict “In the past, it’s been an extremely governance audit of the association to president refuses be led by UMSU’s governance coorsuccessful partnership and every management office dinator, who will review all motions, student group and student associato participate in in order to appoint actions, and amendments to ensure tion that has come forward and has the mediation actions were legitimate and are in worked with us in those cases has an independent chair “said seen a successful resolution,” she said. the best interests of science students.”

Third, the motion resolves to with“We’ve been involved in a number to oversee future “After a lengthy discussion of all of student group and student assohold all fund disbursements to the association meetings association if the president refuses to of the factors that are involved and ciation dispute resolutions. However, statements of a number of individu- none have come formally through participate in the mediation.

Results of the audit will be als that were involved in, from my the UMSU council in the past,” she understanding, a very difficult situ- added.

Citing the more than month-long reported back to the SSA. break between meetings, an unsafe The motion, moved by SSA mem- ation within the Science Students’ “This is the first one that’s gone

through council, at least in my term and in recent UMSU history.”

“[No dispute resolutions] have come formally through the UMSU council in the past” – Rebecca Kunzman, vice-president advocacy, UMSU Cao, who was named a University of Manitoba emerging leader in 2014, was elected president of the SSA in May 2015. He was unavailable for comment by press time.

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

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

The need for a mandatory course in indigenous studies Moral and social context compel action by universities TARIQ SOHAIL

GRAPHIC BY KELLY CAMPBELL

uite a bit of discussion has been Qhappening about the prospect of

introducing a mandatory indigenous studies course into university curriculums across Canada – including at the University of Manitoba.

Pressure to make an indigenous studies course mandatory stems from the historic Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report. In this report, there are calls to action for Canada to implement in order to “redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation.”

The University of Winnipeg and Lakehead University (in Thunder Bay, Ont.) have already implemented this requirement university-wide, and the University of Regina currently mandates all students in the faculty of arts to take an indigenous course as well.

The University of Manitoba Students’ Union’s recent survey asked students if they supported an indigenous studies course requirement. However, this course should be a requirement regardless of whether students support it or not.

The reasons for such a course requirement are many. The first and foremost is that a mandatory indigenous studies course (for medicine, nursing, and law students) is recommended in the TRC report.

Prime Minister Trudeau has already committed to implementing all 94

calls to action contained in the report. in schools where their cultural iden- to take courses that won’t ever be used disciplines.

Keeping these important considera- tity was violently forced out of them. in the real world – you have to take Furthermore, there are already tions in mind, the merits of a man- This destroyed the family structure them anyway, so you pay your dues mandatory course requirements datory indigenous studies course within Aboriginal communities, who to get that degree. imposed on all undergraduate requirement for all U of M students are now facing the long-term social Undergraduate studies are partly students that attend University of should be viewed through the lens of effects of such a discriminatory policy. about obtaining an education that Manitoba – English and math. What Canada’s history.

Another point is that Aboriginal makes you a well-rounded candi- practical good is math for someBetween 1850 and 1970 one third people are fundamental to the date for the job market. Although one majoring in classical studies or of Aboriginal children in Canada socio-economic fabric of Canada. this outcome is important, there are theatre? spent the majority of their child- The Aboriginal population is set to other equally important outcomes The idea behind the mandatory hoods in residential schools as part grow between 1.1 per cent and 2.3 that one derives from university edu- English and math requirement seems of the Canadian government’s policy per cent annually by 2036, higher cation. For example, the courses that quite easy to understand. If the genof aggressive assimilation. This policy than the projected national growth you won’t use in your future career eral population is more educated, it of assimilation was assisted by mis- rate of 0.9 per cent. It makes sense, often challenge you on an intellec- makes for a more productive and sionaries from the Anglican, Roman given Canada’s history of neglecting tual level, grow you as a person, and prosperous society. English and math Catholic, and Methodist churches Aboriginal communities, that we ultimately make you a better citizen. are essential subjects that everyone seeking the conversion of Aboriginal as a society should come to develop The indigenous course requirement should understand, as they are used people to Christianity through understanding of their cultural iden- would do exactly that. It would chal- every day in society regardless of field education. tity and appreciate what they have to lenge people’s long-held belief and or discipline.

The TRC report tries to address offer to Canada. stereotypes and ultimately make Let’s be clear: this is not a “prothe devastating legacy left behind However, there have been criti- people better citizens. gressive” issue. It is an issue of by the residential schools with its 94 cisms of imposing a mandatory Another argument is that the uni- national concern. There are many calls to action. An indigenous studies indigenous studies course at the versity senate’s main role is to accept issues that are progressive but this is course would go some way toward University of Winnipeg and the or reject suggestions on new course far from it. It’s wrong to see this issue educating future generations of possibility of something similar at requirements, rather than impose. politicized and presented as if only Canadians on the legacy of the resi- the U of M. Almost all arguments Departments are content experts one segment of the political spectrum dential schools and leave them with against the course requirement have and should be the only one propos- demands it. a sense of appreciation for Aboriginal no rational basis to begin with. ing mandatory course requirements.

The argument for having a mandaculture.

One argument is that students pay However, the senate does have the tory indigenous studies requirement Why is that important? Why for their education and so should not power to propose and impose manda- stems from our moral obligation not study other cultures that were be forced to take courses that aren’t tory course requirements as it pleases. to remedy past wrongs done to oppressed in Canada? No other relevant to their major, as students Departments may be content experts Aboriginal communities. After a long cultural group has been system- are already strapped for cash. Being but they are not experts in what the time in Canadian history, we have atically discriminated against since a student myself, I sympathize with nation and society needs. Canada is the opportunity to correct the past by Canada’s founding to the extent the affordability part and understand in a process of national healing and creating and building a more tolerant that Aboriginal peoples have. Their that students have limited budgets. departments, rightly so, are con- and equitable society. It’s time to get children were rounded up and put However, students are often required cerned only with their respective this right and we must not fail.

10 Comment

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

Tainted toilets The ethical failings of automatic flush RYLAN RAMNARACE

than Drake. This results in it flushing often and usually before you are done your business. If I reach for some TP, it flushes. If I yawn, it flushes. If I check the time, it flushes.

You must become a statue and hold your breath if you want to leave the stall unscathed. Even this is not always enough. I once went to sit down on an automatic toilet which flushed right as I sat down, spraying toilet water in places no one wants toilet water.

The U of M plays a huge role in water management and has an environmental and ethical responsibility

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

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s a first-year student, university has been a place full of new experiences – some good and some bad. Although I am a mere University 1 student, I am not afraid to speak out about an issue I have with the University of Manitoba. The issue I have is one not often discussed in

today’s world; nevertheless it is one that must be discussed.

I’m talking about automatic flushing toilets. Certainly created by Satan himself, a number two on one of these is worse than a post-exam hangover. As a human being, when I need to relieve myself, I go to the

bathroom. And when I need to poop, I choose the nearest bathroom, simply out of convenience and sometimes, quite frankly, urgency.

Perhaps the result of a design flaw, or some sadistic plumber’s master plan, for some reason automatic toilets’ flush sensors are more sensitive

Taking a crap at university is far from relaxing; I would enjoy it much more if dirty water weren’t spraying up my ass every time I cough in the bathroom stall. I may hail from a European background, but that does not mean I want to adopt their barbaric cultural practice of getting cold water sprayed in my nether regions.

The administration may argue that this is not a big issue, and that I am simply complaining because I am not a fan of bidets or the French.

However, I am concerned more about the environmental and ethical impact of automatic toilets.

According to the progressive plumbing standards, toilets installed nowadays can flush a maximum of 6 litres. If we assume that every automatic toilet flushes 1.5 times per use, then there is 3 litres of water being wasted each time someone uses the washroom. And if all 28,804 University of Manitoba students use an automatic toilet five times a week, we’re talking about 432,060 litres of water lost weekly. The average Canadian adult only drinks about 547 litres of water a year.

That is a ridiculous amount of clean drinking water being wasted for something completely unnecessary. Water is the most precious liquid in the world and we are squandering it carelessly and selfishly as people die of thirst in other countries. We know that ignoring this issue is morally and environmentally wrong.

My poor, wet buttocks aside, the real reason I wrote this article was to address the ethical and environmental problems associated with automatic toilets. The U of M plays a huge role in water management and has an environmental and ethical responsibility, regardless of whether the administration recognizes it or not.

I’m not asking that the university rip out all of the automatic toilets.

However, there must be a way to fix the current sensor issue, or in the future, divest from automatic toilets.

I am confident that the university will make the right choice, morally and environmentally.

More on the STEM gender gap Responding to a response CHANTELLE DUBOIS, STAFF

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n early November, I wrote an editorial about the gender gap in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. The article was met with polarizing opinions concerning what I had written: some people really agreed with me and some people did not.

I think the only thing I really regret about that editorial is the last statement I made, which comes off as flippant and shouldn’t have been included. However, I do not back away from my initial statement about gender-focused initiatives.

I do want to emphasize that my article was based mostly on anecdotal evidence. Gender issues, sociology, and economics are not fields I am well-versed in.

The context of an editorial to general readers may be lost, since it is purely based on opinion. I am not an authority on this topic by any means – it is not something I have studied, or explored in any academic fashion.

I have only my personal experience to go by.

I wrote my editorial because I became frustrated with the focus and emphasis on my gender. This, as someone has pointed out to me, might be the symptom of living in a male-dominated society. I also wrote it because, according to a lot of what I’ve read, the odds were against me for choosing to be in a STEM program, but it never felt that way to me.

I still don’t want the focus of my future career to be based on my gender. I am still very happy if someone looks up to me and relates to me based on my gender and feels empowered, but it’s not something I want to go out of my way to differentiate myself with.

I do want to make clear that I did read every thoughtful, insightful response to my article. I especially paid attention to those that disagreed with me. I am not afraid of having my opinions challenged; I think they need to be challenged on a regular

basis. I think growing involves a lot of self-reflection on ideas, identity, and goals.

I wonder about the effectiveness of gender-focused initiatives if the first time I was introduced to one was over 12 years ago, and the enrolment of women in engineering has in fact fallen since then Some of the discussions I had with those who disagreed with me did make me want to analyze my

opinion a lot closer (this is especially Personally, I think the wrong factrue after being called anti-feminist). tors are being emphasized in what I guess I wonder about the effec- influences individuals’ career choices. tiveness of gender-focused initiatives Maybe the answer is obvious and if the first time I was introduced to I’m just ignorant or oblivious to it. But one was over 12 years ago, and the I can’t imagine it really is simple, or enrolment of women in engineering truly explained, if there is a continuhas in fact fallen since then. I would ing decline in female enrolment in also like to note that my peers from engineering in Canada. school who also attended this event I sincerely would like to engage did not pursue STEM careers. more directly with this subject. I am Each initiative is different, but the open to having my opinion changed, ones I have been exposed to more or or in the very least, challenged. less try to teach me that I need to be I would like to invite anyone who prepared to be treated differently as feels compelled by this topic to cona woman. This has not been true of nect with me and explore it. Whether my own personal experience, and I you agree with me, disagree with me, don’t see how this message empowers or somewhere in between, I would women. I also don’t see how the lack love to have this discussion with you. of inclusivity is solved by inclusive efforts. But I might be missing the Chantelle Dubois is the science & point entirely. technology editor for the Manitoban I do want to continue to explore and can be reached by email at this topic of proportional gender rep- science@themanitoban.com resentation in STEM fields, with a particular focus on engineering.

Science & technology 12 Science & Technology Editor: Chantelle Dubois Contact: science@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Science in 2016 On upcoming and important developments in the new year CHANTELLE DUBOIS, STAFF

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e have now entered the year 2016. While hoverboards are still not ubiquitous (real hoverboards, that is) and we’re not quite sporting the fashion predicted to be haute couture in the movie Back to the Future,

many developments in the science community are bringing us from science fiction to science reality.

The Manitoban’s science and technology team have decided to cover three topics that we believe will be

important in the upcoming year: eccentrics.

CRISPR technology for gene-editThese are only a small few innovaing, the Ocean Cleanup Array which tions among many important develwill be implemented to help cleanup opments in the science community. the Pacific garbage patch, and the The year 2016 appears to be a promissecond space race among billionaire ing and exciting year for humankind,

and we’re all excited to explore and cover these developments. For now, enjoy this brief preview of science in 2016.

Genetic modification is now The question isn’t where we can, it’s whether we should JEREMIAH YARMIE, VOLUNTEER STAFF

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arly in 2015, the Manitoban’s science and technology editor Chantelle Dubois wrote a piece on the future of creating designer babies – children born with desirable traits selected by their parents.

This possibility is all due to a molecular tool called Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR).

The year 2015 turned out to be a whirlwind year for the up-andcoming gene editing tool – and yes, it is pronounced like the baked, not fried, snack.

Although the DNA sequences which lend CRISPR its name have

been researched since the late 1980s, the CRISPR system was first noted by researchers at a yogurt company as a bacterial defence mechanism against viruses in 2007.

They found that the bacteria store chunks of viral genomes between bacterial “clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats,” hence the name.

The CRISPR system uses a molecule of guide RNA, which directs CRISPR-associated proteins (Cas), typically an enzyme with DNAcutting activity, to a specific sequence of DNA that matches the sequence of the guide RNA.

The most fascinating achievements using CRISPR in 2015 were also the most controversial.

Using CRISPR, researchers developed a gene drive, which has the capability to eliminate pests and the diseases carried by gene vectors, amongst other things.

Gene drives work by creating a genetic modification in an organism that is likely to be inherited by the next generation. The edited organism would then pass on its modified genes to its progeny.

In 2015 a gene drive was applied to mosquitoes, editing their gene vector so that they become immune to the malaria parasite.

The same mosquitos were also modified to cause females to become infertile through the disruption of egg production.

These gene drives have not yet left the lab, and many researchers are wary of the release of these technologies out into the wild, as they may disrupt ecosystems in unwanted and unexpected ways.

For example, the elimination of certain pests may create a favourable environment for other pests to arise.

These population changes may also disrupt the food chain, negatively affecting higher-standing predators.

The year 2015 also saw the first instance of using CRISPR to purposefully alter the DNA of human embryos. This work – carried out in China – was done on nonviable embryos, but the controversial nature of the research prompted an international summit in early December GRAPHIC BY JONDELL COOMBS to discuss the ethics of human gene editing.

The chunks of viral DNA act as The International Summit of the source of these guide RNAs, and Human Gene Editing concluded that allow the Cas enzymes to search and using CRISPR to create geneticallydestroy the DNA of any other invad- modified babies is irresponsible until ing viruses. the process has been optimized for To use the CRISPR system in safety and until there is social conthe lab, all researchers have to do to sensus that this technology is desired. carry out gene editing is design their “The human genome is shared own guide RNA. CRISPR is useful among all nations,” said David because it is cheap, quick, easy to use, Baltimore, a Nobel Prize laureate, and can be applied to any organism. told media at the summit.

Researchers are no longer bound to One major ethical concern is that common model organisms like mice. designer babies could create and CRISPR’s potential in revolution- exacerbate social inequalities and izing molecular biology has resulted discrimination. in it being named Science’s 2015 “Every new technology holds Breakthrough of the Year. out the possibility of aggravating

inequality in a world already marked by indefensible inequalities. But, if the benefits of the new technologies are diffused among those currently languishing ‘at the bottom,’ it’s possible that we might be able to promote societies with greater social and economic justice,” says Arthur Schafer, professor and founding director of Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics at the University of Manitoba.

“It’s up to us, the privileged and wealthy parts of the world, to ensure that new technologies are not monopolized by the already privileged but are instead used to promote a world of greater justice and fairness.”

The summit concluded that it supports basic research to perfect the CRISPR technique, including research done on nonviable human embryos.

The summit also concluded that CRISPR should be used in the treatment of genetic conditions in non-reproductive cells in adults. For example, by editing blood-forming stem cells, sickle-cell anemia and other blood disorders can be treated.

Some worry that the field of CRISPR research is moving too quickly to properly address ethical and safety questions regarding the technique.

Others worry, however, that banning heritable gene editing research may push such research to black markets and countries with unregulated scientific and medical jurisdictions.

The CRISPR system is not perfect, sometimes introducing changes elsewhere in the genome. Experiments have resulted in non-specific activity rates, which are changes in the genome that can easily cause cancer.

As we enter 2016, we won’t be seeing any designer babies. What we will see, however, is a zoo of novel genetically modified organisms. So far researchers have developed beagles and sheep that look like they hit the gym every day, pigs that may be suitable for safer organ transplants in humans, and wheat resistant to disease-causing fungus.

The year 2016 may also see CRISPR giving us hypoallergenic peanuts, dogs, and cats, oranges enriched in vitamins, and cattle resistant to tuberculosis.

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Ocean-cleaning barrier set to launch A new response to our growing ocean pollution is coming in 2016 MALAK ABAS, STAFF

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he world’s first ocean-cleaning cess, due to both the sheer amount of system to collect plastic pollution pollution and the rapid pace of plastic is expected to launch in 2016. production. A study published in 2014 The system was conceptualized by found that out of hundreds of samples 21-year-old Boyan Slat, Dutch inven- taken from bodies of water across the tor and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, globe, 88 per cent of them contained a nonprofit organization devoted to plastic debris. removing man-made waste from the While there is approximately earth’s oceans.

40,000 tons of plastic waste accounted This system, which was announced for in the open ocean, this number is at the Seoul Digital Forum in South low compared to the huge amount of Korea, has been named the Ocean plastic discarded by humans, leading Cleanup Array. some scientists to fear that marine The system has a relatively simple life is eating our plastic waste, which structure. It will be composed of a set can result in starvation. Plastic waste of floating barriers bound to the sea- accounts for at least 100,000 marine bed and set in a “V” shape. The first mammal deaths per year. barrier will be about 100 metres long, The disturbing effect of plastic on but the organization hopes to have underwater life goes even further, as a barrier that is 100 kilometres long plastic can block out the sun, which in the north Pacific Ocean by 2020. is vital to the survival of plankton The natural current will push and algae. trash into the barriers, which will While The Ocean Cleanup is have screens below sea level to help planning to only release a barrier into separate plastic from sea life that may the North Sea, just off the coast of also be swept into the barriers. The the Netherlands, the team plans to system’s shape will funnel plastic into tackle a bigger opponent before 2020: its centre, where the plastic will be the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a collected, stored, and reused. collection of ocean trash which has Cleaning up the plastic pollution accumulated in the Pacific Ocean. in the world’s oceans is a difficult proAlso called the Pacific trash vortex,

it spans waters from North America to Japan, and is made mainly out of microplastics. Plastic is not biodegradable, so microplastics are usually the result of plastic broken down into small pieces through continuous erosion and are not always visible to the naked eye.

The Ocean Cleanup Array is focused on passive, unobtrusive debris collection. It creates most of its movements by taking advantage of the ocean’s natural currents and avoids disturbing anything caught in the current by using filters that currents can pass under, taking any buoyant sea life with it.

The organization is also setting some lofty goals, stating that if the preliminary barriers prove successful, a larger barrier could filter away 42 per cent of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch over 10 years. The barrier being real-life sea conditions, with a focus released this year will be monitored on waves and currents.” using sensors and cameras.

Slat, who dropped out of study“It will be the first time our barrier ing aerospace engineering to start design will be put to the test in open The Ocean Cleanup, still believes waters”, The Ocean Cleanup said in that the answer to our growing waste dilemma lies in prevention. a press release.

“The main objective of the North “Although a cleanup will have a proSea test is to monitor the effects of found effect, it is just part of the solu-

GRAPHIC BY BRAM KEAST

tion,” Slat said in an interview with the Inertia.

“We also need to close the tap to prevent any more plastic from reaching the oceans in the first place.”

The Ocean Cleanup Array is planned for release in the second quarter of 2016.

Rocket size competition Competition among billionaires, innovative space policy, and technological advances will make the space industry thrive in 2016 CHANTELLE DUBOIS, STAFF

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decade ago, it would have been hard to believe that two eccentric billionaires would be making passiveaggressive remarks via social media on each other’s rocket capabilities.

However, near the end of 2015, both Elon Musk of SpaceX and Jeff Bezos of Blue Origins did just that.

It all began after Blue Origin completed a successful vertical take-off and landing (VOTL) of the Shepard rocket on Nov. 23, which reached a maximum height of approximately 100 kilometres and maximum speed of 623 kilometres per hour.

Social media exploded with commendation on the feat, some crediting the company for doing what SpaceX failed to do during its last attempt to re-land a Falcon 9 rocket vertically.

Musk chimed in, adding in his congratulations via social media.

However, this tweet was followed by several others, explaining that this accomplishment was not so ground-breaking.

“Jeff [may be] unaware SpaceX suborbital VTOL flight began 2013.

Orbital water landing 2014. Orbital land landing next,” Musk tweeted from his personal Twitter account.

“But credit for 1st reusable suborbital rocket goes to X-15 [...] And Burt Rutan for commercial.”

SpaceX went on to successfully late the commercial space sector in vertically land its Falcon 9 rocket on 2016.

Dec. 21, which reached a maximum The U.S. officially implemented height of 660 km, hit Mach 1 (1,195 the SPACE Act, which provides km/h), and launched a payload of 11 ownership rights to resources mined ORBCOMM satellites (each weigh- on asteroids. While there is no clear ing roughly 172 kilograms) into low- international law on this matter, it is Earth orbit. the first step to encourage U.S. comNot missing a beat, Bezos panies to invest in the technology and tweeted his own congratulations, research required to do so. subtly returning jabs at Musk and Richard Branson of Virgin SpaceX: “Congrats @SpaceX on Galactic also vowed to get his comlanding Falcon’s suborbital booster pany back on track for commercial stage. Welcome to the club!” space flight in the upcoming year, Without turning the Manitoban enlisting the help of famous physiinto the gossip column of space, it is cist Stephen Hawking. Hawking will important to point out the chest-beat- be unveiling the company’s newest ing among billionaire space giants to spaceship once it is ready. emphasize where the space industry is Additionally, Russia dissolved at now. We are now in a time where the country’s national space agency, private companies are competing which was reinstated as a state-run against one another for dominance corporation on Jan. 1. This may put in space technology.

ROSCOSMOS in a better position SpaceX and Blue Origin are not to compete with commercial entities. the only commercial space compaThe activities of 2015 took us to nies on the block either. Many private an interesting point in space history. companies are simultaneously throw- We now wait to see if 2016 will finally ing their hats into the reusable rocket bring us sub-orbital space tourism, ring, such as United Launch Alliance. an official announcement of a misJust like in any other industry, sion to Mars, and the first launch of increased competition will call for personnel from the U.S. since the increase in innovation. The year 2015 shuttle program. saw plenty of that. 2015 also saw other developments that are sure to stimu-

GRAPHIC BY KELLY CAMPBELL

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

GRAPHIC BY BRAM KEAST

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GRAPHIC BY JONDELL COOMBS

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Arts & Culture

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

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Is The Force Awakens the sequel you’re looking for?

Three Manitoban editors’ thoughts on a monumental new movie SEAMUS HAMILTON-PATTISON, CRAIG ADOLPHE, AND MIKE STILL, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY BRAM KEAST

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ere at the Manitoban, some of us are huge nerds. When Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released last month, it didn’t seem fair to just pick one person to review it. Arts & culture editor Seamus HamiltonPattison, editor-in-chief Craig Adolphe, and sports editor Mike Still each submitted their own review of the film which we compile below.

Seamus Hamilton-Pattison

Going into The Force Awakens, I had one particularly prominent question on my mind, one that was likely shared by the many other lifelong Star Wars fans present on opening night.

Will this make up for the prequels?

From this fan, the answer is an unwavering, resounding yes. Writer/ director J. J. Abrams taking the reins has given us a far leaner, more actionpacked Star Wars devoid of stilted, meandering love scenes and galactic politics of episodes I-III. Of course, many critics and fans alike have pointed out the movie’s numerous references to the movie that started it all, A New Hope. The Force Awakens focuses on the conflict between two galactic forces, the Resistance (the new Rebel Alliance) and the ex-Galactic Empire offshoot, the First Order. The movie’s central characters are a ragtag group of misfits who must work together to deliver plans, thwart Stormtroopers, and blow up a weapon. Sound familiar?

While these clever homages aren’t exactly subtle, only one plot point feels particularly shoehorned in (really? Another Death Star?)

and the rest are actually kind of steeped the story in references to the nice. We haven’t seen new footage original trilogy, sapping the movie of of these characters, ships, and loca- any opportunity to develop new lore tions in years, so Abrams making a – something that even the prequels, rather big to-do about their respective for all the scorn they receive, were introductions actually comes across able to do. quite well.

The new protagonists are all immeDespite the diately likeable and well-acted. The most memorable among these is the referential story woefully under-present Resistance pilot, Poe Dameron. Oscar Isaac and imagery, the plays Dameron with so much enthucinematic style siasm and charm, likely drawing a little inspiration from Nathan Fillion’s differs quite wisecracking Captain Reynolds for drastically from both the role. Here’s hoping we see more of this jovial, hilarious maverick in the original and the sequels. prequel trilogies I cheered when Han, Chewie, and the Millennium Falcon each made their first appearances onscreen. Hell, The movie seems almost entirely I cheered for C-3PO. If you’re a fan of similar mind, then you will too. focused on banking on fandom for The Force Awakens was a little existing concepts and worlds, rather cheesy, and perhaps slightly deriva- than contributing anything new. All tive, but we just started a whole new the new settings that serve as a backtrilogy. There’s still two movies to drop for the story act as pale imitago, and The Force Awakens has kicked tions to the ones initially developed things off in a shamelessly nostalgic, by Star Wars creator George Lucas. exciting, and over-the-top manner.

While the new characters, including Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn Craig Adolphe (John Boyega) are exciting and welFor anyone looking for more than come additions, they’re often crowded a fun action movie and a nostalgia out by older characters, such as Han trip, The Force Awakens might come Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess as a disappointment. While writer/ Leia (Carrie Fisher). director J. J. Abrams and his co-writDespite the referential story and ers (Lawrence Kasdan and Michael imagery, the cinematic style differs Arndt) went to great lengths to ensure quite drastically from both the origiwe never got near the chambers of the nal and prequel trilogies. In place of galactic senate, giving the movie a Lucas’s wide panoramic shots and fast-paced adventure feel, they also steady hand we have much more up-

close, intimate, and relatively speaking, crowded shots, as well as more active camera work.

The Force Awakens incorporates a lot more humour than previous Star Wars films. Instead of the sparse, wry humour in the original trilogy (Han Solo’s “I know” in response to Princess Leia’s admission of love) and the ineffectual humour of Jar Jar Binks and occasional physical humour of R2-D2 in the prequels, Abrams’s film is loaded with legitimately funny jokes. This differs drastically from the dramatic and sometimes sombre tone set out in the original trilogy (Ewoks notwithstanding).

Between this and his involvement in the new iteration of Star Trek films, Abrams has marked himself as a financially reliable (from a studio’s perspective) maker of referential popcorn flicks – a less objectionable Michael Bay.

Mike Still

In terms of the new heroes and villains that were introduced, there’s a lot to like. I thoroughly enjoyed John Boyega as Finn. He’s comedic yet relatable, and will be a fan favourite for sure.

It’s also refreshing to see a female (Daisy Ridley as Rey) play the lead protagonist. She’s powerful and intelligent, yet mysterious. It’s going to be an adventure just learning about her past – the one piece of information that intrigues me the most going forward.

Villain-wise, I’m not yet sold on Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). He showed far too much compassion throughout the film, and came across as weak in both of his critical scenes with Rey. I’m aware that he hasn’t harnessed his full powers yet, so it will be appealing to see how he progresses in the next two films.

The villain that captivates me the most is Supreme Leader Snoke. He only appeared as a hologram in The Force Awakens, so it’s still a mystery in terms of what his actual size and abilities are. He’s definitely the new version of Darth Sidious, and there are a ton of fans out there that think he’s Darth Plagueis (master to Darth Sidious, as referenced in Attack of the Clones), but I’ll save my theories for closer to the release of Episode VIII.

As a diehard Star Wars fan, I was beyond thrilled to go see the new film.

When the release date finally came and I got a chance to check out The Force Awakens, I was not disappointed.

Both the plot and a number of key characters are quite similar to episodes IV-VI, and I’m totally OK with that. It’s nostalgic in a way, but also sets up the next generation of good and evil.

View all showings of Star Wars: The There were a number of important Force Awakens in Winnipeg at www. questions left unanswered, which I cinemaclock.com/man/winnipeg loved, as viewers are now left to ponder certain characters’ backstories and fates, which episodes VIII and IX are sure to answer in the coming years.

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Orange you glad U of M architecture students highlight local icons with new project LAUREN SIDDALL, STAFF

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niversity of Manitoba architecture students Brooks Keen, Braden Funk, and Kevin Neufeld are leaving their mark all over Winnipeg during the final year of their degrees, and highlighting local businesses and icons in the process.

Their new project, the OrangeBench, aims to draw attention to Winnipeg staples by travelling to a new location each week, the idea being that patrons of the businesses will take photos with the bench and share the photos on social media using the OrangeBench hashtag to create a connection between the Winnipeg community and the local icons.

The project began as a complementary piece to the faculty of architecture’s design contest inviting professional designers across the world to create warming huts for the Red River Mutual Trail over the winter, but eventually evolved into an extension of the trio’s interest in exploring what makes Winnipeg unique.

“Initially we wanted the OrangeBench to kind of take a journey around Winnipeg and create hype for the warming huts. Then it would make a stop at the warming hut we designed,” said Neufeld.

“After the design contest [...] we decided to continue with

OrangeBench,” added Keen.

To start out the project, Keen, Funk, and Neufeld needed to decide what about Winnipeg is noteworthy.

“We asked a lot of people what they think makes Winnipeg what it is – which businesses, which places, which moments – to start out the project,” said Neufeld.

“We’re just seeing how much it can grow. If people keep enjoying it and if it continues to do what we want it to, we’ll keep going” – Brooks Keen, OrangeBench co-creator Answers ranged from riding bikes in the dark during Nuit Blanche to wandering around the Forks, giving these non-native Winnipeggers some room to play with when deciding the bench’s next stop.

“The business the bench stop is at has to be local, so it can’t be some chain business – it needs to be unique

to Winnipeg, something that only Winnipeg offers,” said Funk.

“We’ve also started looking into how they contribute back to the community because we think that is a crucial staple to a local business: what is it doing for Winnipeg?” said Neufeld.

Keen added that collaboration between small businesses is a big part of Winnipeg’s communities.

“We really like when local businesses work together to grow and establish themselves. But that being said, our intention is not only to promote businesses, it’s also cultural spaces in Winnipeg,” he said.

Although the three creators only PHOTO BY LAUREN SIDDALL recently moved to Winnipeg for school, they have already developed ing their degrees for keeping them through Instagram and word of an affectionate relationship with locked up in the studio, credits much mouth, which has been a pleasant the city and its idiosyncrasies – and of their success to their backgrounds surprise. thanks to the bench, the relationship in architecture.

“I think other people are seeing it is continuing to blossom.

“I think our background in design more than we are, actually. We have “Every place the bench goes, we really influenced the project. That’s a no idea how big it has gotten,” said physically go and talk to them and big aspect of the project – how design Keen. experience what they have to offer. can start helping the local commu“We’re just seeing how much it can We always want to go experience it nity,” said Funk. grow. If people keep enjoying it and so we know exactly what that busi“People also have this preconcep- if it continues to do what we want it ness has to offer and what the bench tion of what architecture is, that we to, we’ll keep going.” is highlighting,” said Funk. just draw buildings, but there is so “It’s also helping us get to know much more than that,” added Keen. Follow @orangebench on Instagram Winnipeg. I didn’t know about half of “There are ties to local culture and to learn more about this growthese spots before the project. Even if the community that you’re based in. ing social media project, and it’s not helping anyone else, it’s help- I think it has helped us a lot.” search #orangebench to see all ing us,” he added.

According to Keen, the project the photos shared thus far.

The trio, while jokingly blam- has steadily been gaining traction

Born and bred for style New high-end salon provides stylish and affordable hair services for students TOBI NIFESI, STAFF

Located at 1104 Pembina Highway, BORN Salon is a new boutique hair salon that promises to provide unique hairstyling and image consulting services.

From the trendy studio to the clients’ wide assortment of hairstyles, the two-storey high-end salon has an aura of excitement and eccentricity.

Laine Burgess and Tanya Bye are the minds behind BORN Salon.

Along with Chelsea Watson, they make up the BORN Salon team and between them they have almost four decades of hairstyling experience. “[We do] everything from colouring, cutting, blow drying, up-do, and event styling, and Laine is always doing photoshoots every two minutes,” Bye told the Manitoban.

The maturity, leadership, and professionalism with which Burgess and Bye approach their business allows them to provide the best possible service and experience for their clients.

When asked what it is that makes BORN stand out, Bye simply cited “the level of experience in this salon.”

“We obviously don’t have a lot of stylists right now, because we won’t just hire anybody [...] We just want

to hire experienced [stylists].”

Along with Watson, Burgess and Bye aim to create a hospitable space for clients of any age group.

“I think our age group is all over the map,” said Burgess.

want a bit of high-end without the pretentiousness, basically. We want everybody to come in here, have fun and have a good time.”

Bye added that BORN wants to emphasize a more family-friendly atmosphere than a typical high-end salon for their clients.

“We tend to draw Lately, the partners have been focusing on a new area of expertise in people that for themselves – men’s hairstyling. want that high“We want to concentrate a little bit more on our men’s clientele right end experience now. We want to bring it more to that direction and not just women without going only,” Bye said. downtown. People “We are going to have a barber division. Obviously, we have all our that want a bit of colours, cuts, and everything but [...] high-end without we just want to add that barbering experience to it,” Burgess added. the pretentiousness, Due in no small part to the basically” – Laine University of Manitoba, southern Winnipeg is usually filled with stuBurgess, co-founder dents and the team at BORN Salon has taken the initiative to provide of BORN Salon haircut and styling services to students at affordable prices. They’re “We tend to draw in people that even giving discounts to students for want that high-end experience with- as long as they are in school. out going downtown. People that “We like to give discounts to stu-

PHOTO BY CAROLYNE KROEKER

dents. All they have to do is show us competence thus far; and for that, their ID and we’ll give them a 20 per they are grateful. cent discount on anything,” said Bye. Burgess and Bye are both artists For more information about BORN and masters of their craft. Their pas- Salon, visit bornsalon.com sion has fuelled their creativity and

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Arts & Culture

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

Raising the roof on the river U of M graduates design city’s annual pop-up restaurant OLIVIA MICHALCZUK, STAFF

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PHOTO PROVIDED BY CALEB MCGINN

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MITCHELL MCINTOSH

innipeg’s annual winter pop- wintery fine dining experience. conceiving a winning design. up restaurant, RAW: Almond, The individual members from the “We knew what worked and didn’t will soon return to its home on the winning design team have worked work going to the restaurant in past frozen Red River near the Forks for a together in other groups on several years, so that’s the angle we took fourth time. The restaurant’s creators competitions, but as a three-member designing it,” said Mundle. hold a competition judged by a jury team, this is their first competition “One of the main ideas had to of their selection to determine the entry and win. do with the entry. The sequence of restaurant’s design every year and this Et Cetera Projects takes their entering the restaurant rather than year, three recent graduates from the name from a zine made and distrib- sitting at the table [...] just proU of M’s faculty of architecture had uted by other architecture students longing it as long as you can. That the winning idea. at the U of M known as Et Cetera. had not been addressed in the other The design team, Et Cetera The zine has made three small issues restaurants.”

Projects, is a team made up of recent to date, and publishes the projects of Avoiding over-designing was also University of Manitoba graduates student architects and designers as a a factor in the design of the restaurant, Kent Mundle, Caleb McGinn, and casual and accessible way for them added McGinn.

“How much do you program a Mitchell McIntosh. They won with a to present their work throughout the space and how much do you just let simple concept that an artistic render- year.

“The intent of the publication is to happen? People are just going to eat ing revealed to be a simple, long, and rectangular structure with a low roof, cross over design with other things dinner, that’s what we wanted to capsimilar in appearance to some Nordic [...] including arts and architecture,” italize on because that’s really what PHOTO BY JOSEPH VISSER mead halls. It appears that patrons Et Cetera’s co-founder, Mundle told it’s all about.”

The team’s mature attitude and are to enter through the structure’s the Manitoban.

“It’s hard to get someone excited respect for each other is key to their “We have all been through design side, using an elegant entryway that curves along the river’s bank. The res- about the formal qualities of some design process. school and have a mature attitude “If you’re working in a group and about working in a collaborative settaurant will be erected on the frozen building [...] but if you can sneak it river for three weeks, from Jan. 21 into other conversations, [that] might working on competition work, it ting, we all understand that we need be a good way to do it.” needs to be collaborative because to make concessions to each other to Feb. 14.

McGinn said the exposure that you need the good energy to foster and criticize each other in order to RAW: Almond was conceived in part by Mandel Hitzer, chef Winnipeg has gained from RAW: each other’s ideas. When someone is make the project really good, and I and owner of the year-round Deer Almond and similar projects done too controlling, you don’t get to see think we have done that pretty well.” + Almond restaurant. The menu on the river has brought design to everything through,” said McGinn.

“Someone has an idea, and you pass To learn more about RAW: Almond, of Deer + Almond leans heavily the forefront in the city.

“When it comes to RAW: Almond, it on to the other person to work on. the restaurant on the river, visit toward seafood with tuna carpaccio, smoked goldeye, and salt & pepper people are going there for dinner, but You have to get over having parts of www.raw-almond.com squid being among the main dishes. now slowly they are becoming more your idea not in it,” added Mundle.

McIntosh shared his experience RAW: Almond, however, will likely and more aware that it’s also an archiwith collaborative work in both the be subject to more variation, as Hitzer tecture thing,” McGinn said.

The designers’ experience with the undergraduate and graduate level at has brought in additional chefs from across Canada to contribute to the restaurant in past years was useful in the University of Manitoba.

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

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Questions and Anders A new bi-weekly Q & A with men’s basketball power forward Wyatt Anders MIKE STILL, STAFF

A: The player in me wants to be upset and wants to work harder on it, but trying to go on an unbiased opinion, I understand. We did the same thing last year where we started off the first half strong [8-2 heading into the break, 1-9 afterwards] but this schedule is a bit tougher than it was last year, so we do have some weight under us. When people look at our Calgary loss, it was an overtime loss, it’s not like they beat us by 30, so why can’t we get some recognition? When we lost to Saskatchewan, we were up the whole game and we blew it at the end, it’s not like we were down the whole time. Little things like that you’d think the coaches would put more thought into.

I think the biggest annoyance for our team was that out of the Canada West [in a pre-season coaches’ poll], we were ranked 12th or 13th, so it kind of shows what the league thought of us. If we handle business in the second half – just that first set of six games – we’ll be in the top 10. If we don’t, then I’ll be like “OK people hate us.”

Now that we’ve got Brett and Malik in, every time there’s help and communication and I love it, so huge shout-out to those guys M: You brought up the strong start last season. What do you think the team has to do to avoid a second-half collapse occurring again?

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he University of Manitoba Bisons men’s basketball team is riding high heading into the second half of the year. Fresh off their first Wesmen Classic holiday tournament win since 1991 and riding a four-game win streak from before the break, there’s plenty to get excited about.

Manitoba is currently deadlocked in a three-way tie for first place in the pioneer division, sitting at 6-2 with 12 points. But the players and coaches alike know there’s still plenty to be decided over the last 12 games, including co-captain Wyatt Anders, who currently leads the nation in defensive rebounds, rebounds per game, and total rebounds.

Anders caught up with the Manitoban over the break for the first instalment of “Questions and Anders”

to discuss the first half of the year and what to expect going forward from his squad.

MANITOBAN: What are your thoughts on the first half of the year and the way your team has performed as a whole?

ANDERS: From what I saw from the pre-season, to the first half, to now, we’re slowly getting our identity locked in place. If you looked at our pre-season on how individual we were, and how much we didn’t know how to work with each other, till now, now you see [centre] Brett Jewell dunking on people, now you see [forward] Malik Irwin gaining a steal, passing, and getting excited and not going ‘I’m going coast-to-coast, I

M: You’ve mentioned Malik and Brett on a few different occasions. Talk a bit about their role in the Wesmen Classic specifically in helping your squad secure the title.

This year is a little different because we don’t have any injuries right now, thank goodness, and we have guys coming out of their shells A: We know what [guard] AJ Basi, Justus, Keith, as well as myself will bring. But the small things Brett and Malik bring don’t really get recognition. They had such a great tournament at the Wesmen Classic. Brett scored 16 in the third game and I think he shot 50 to 60 per cent in the whole tournament, and defensively he took care of work.

Then Malik, man, when you saw him against Lethbridge in the first game, he worked his tail off. He and I were just on the same circuit.

Whenever I forced a guy to drive, boom, he was there at the help side.

The biggest lingering factor of last year was that when I was on the perimeter guarding, there wasn’t a help side, but now that we’ve got Brett and Malik in, every time there’s help and communication and I love it, so huge shout-out to those guys.

M: Lastly, just how important have [guard] Ilarion Bonhomme II and a returning Keith been, in terms of making your squad more well rounded?

A: Having Keith back is a real blessA: Last year, there were a couple of ing. The years off, maturity-wise, lingering injuries that really set us really helped him. If he didn’t have away. Victoria we almost had in the that maturity, he would still be a first night at home, then we got beat little bit loose, but since he was able the second night handily. When we to mature as a person, he’s shown his went to Alberta and we won the first true potential and kept it on lock. As PHOTO BY JEFF MILLER night, [former guard] Steph Walton for Ilarion, the little dude is tough! had some hip issues that he was work- I’ve never seen a guy get hit and hamdid my job, [guard] Justus [Alleyn] ing out and both [former forward] mered so much and still get up and go do your job.’” Then you have Andre Arruda and Justus sprained ready to fight – he doesn’t back down [forward] John Alexander working their ankle which they were trying from anyone and offensively he’s a when he gets in, you have [swingman] to recover from, John was out for a firecracker that can blow by you really Keith Omoerah doing what he does long time at practice, and it was really quickly. best – attacking the rim. People are tough to try and keep that ship afloat.

Because of what he brings and his doing what they do best and they’re This year is a little different because unselfishness, we’re able to be deep. slowly buying in more and more and we don’t have any injuries right now, Very few people with his experience you can see it. thank goodness, and we have guys and skill would want to come off the coming out of their shells. bench – and I know he was recruited M: You’ve beaten two teams that are This chemistry is completely dif- by other teams – but he eventually either currently in the CIS top 10, or ferent than last year, where you’d have chose to come here. were ranked there when you faced Malik come in and be like ‘is he going them, yet you’ve gotten very little rec- to help out?’ Now, when Malik comes The Bisons kick off the second half of the ognition in the polls thus far. What in, no one thinks that. Brett being season away against the University do you think you have to do to earn a starter is helping him big time as of Victoria on Jan. 8 at 10 p.m. that validation, and does it motivate well. It’s just huge, the cohesiveness you more knowing you’re still some- we have, and our starting five plus what under the radar? the next two, three guys are all solid.

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Sports opinion: Flag on the play By failing to challenge the NFL, Concussion misses the mark MIKE STILL, STAFF

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hen the first trailer for removed or edited.

Concussion, a drama based on When asked about the alteration the true story of Bennet Omalu’s dis- of the film, Landesman stated, “We covery of chronic traumatic enceph- don’t want to give the NFL a toehold alopathy (CTE) in deceased NFL to say, ‘they are making it up,’ and centre Mike Webster, was released in damage the credibility of the movie.”

This is a huge problem to me. The August, I was immediately intrigued.

I played football from age seven to 18 movie’s credibility was damaged and during that time suffered my fair when Landesman let the NFL get share of concussions – the side effects into his head. When he chose to write of which I still suffer from today. the script, he had an obligation to tell CTE is long-term (chronic) the full story and not leave out the trauma causing brain damage or accused parties due to fear of how malfunction (encephalopathy). This they would respond. It’s unfair to is common in high-impact sports those who have already passed away such as football, where 131 out of from the lingering effects of CTE 165 deceased former football players and those who still suffer today not studied at the nation’s largest brain to shine a bright light on the issue.

There still isn’t a clear depiction of bank showed traces of CTE in their brain tissue.

Tagliabue’s reaction to the events that followed Omalu’s July 2005 article in Neurosurgery where he provides A disappointing incompletion his findings of Webster’s brain. It’s I saw Concussion a few days after Omalu’s word against the league’s Dave Duerson Another thing that makes me sick its Christmas Day release and was when discussing the findings of CTE, thoroughly disappointed. While the and while I obviously believe the doc- when thinking about this movie was vast majority of the movie ground my tor in this case, perhaps seeing how how Landesman portrayed Dave gears, I was particularly upset by the Tagliabue and Goodell felt behind Duerson, another former player lack of scenes involving NFL com- closed doors might’ve swayed the who succumbed to CTE. He comes missioners Paul Tagliabue and Roger opinions of former or current NFL across cold-hearted, not only siding Goodell. players and fans. Instead, Landesman with the NFL but also telling former In early September, the New York opted not to ruffle any feathers with Philadelphia Eagles player Andre Times reported on emails obtained the multi-billion dollar industry, Waters that if he has a headache, he from the Sony email leak, showing despite Sony Pictures having no should just “go see a doctor.” This is the last scene we see Waters in before Sony executives, writer and director immediate ties to them.

Peter Landesman, and representaTagliabue might have been he kills himself and is later found to tives of Will Smith (who played affected by the news surrounding have CTE. Omalu) discussing how to avoid CTE, as he resigned as commisThere are two reasons why I antagonizing the NFL by making sioner just a year after Omalu’s first believe Landesman chose to depict changes to the script. Other emails discovery – a few short months before Duerson in such a way. The first indicated that certain scenes that a second case of CTE was found, this is that following his retirement, were unflattering to the NFL were time in Terry Long.

Duerson actually worked for the

GRAPHIC BY BRAM KEAST

league as a players trustee for the Tagliabue or Goodell taking the heat, NFL player retirement plan. it’s Duerson who finds himself in the The second and more controver- spotlight while the NFL’s top brass sial reason may be because Duerson linger behind in the shadows. requested that his family donate his Here’s hoping that some time in brain for research shortly before he the future, the whole truth is uncovcommitted suicide. The NFL was ered. Until then, I’ll continue to likely not happy about Duerson’s grumble under my breath and say a request because it brought CTE prayer for all of those who succumbed even further to the forefront, and so to a game they didn’t know was slowly displaying Duerson as a villain may killing them while the higher-ups have been Landesman’s way of show- looked on, with nothing but dollar ing them that he wasn’t trying to stir signs in their eyes and a smile on up any further controversy. their faces.

Things get even spicier from there though, as Duerson’s son Tregg flat out told the New York Times that Landesman and company “completely made stuff up.” Instead of

European breakdown Taking a look at the big four soccer leagues midway through the season RYAN STELTER, STAFF

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e are at the halfway mark of most of the seasons in European soccer and there are some interesting storylines developing. The Manitoban highlights some of the biggest stories.

Spain

It’s FC Barcelona’s year, having won five trophies in the calendar year of 2015 and capped it off with the FIFA Club World Cup in December.

At the other big horse in La Liga, Real Madrid, manager Rafa Benitez continues under serious concerns for his job despite sitting only two points behind Barca in the table.

One of the more surprising teams this year has been Valencia, as they have brought on England international and former TV pundit Gary Neville to manage the mid-table club. Neville has won everything there is to win in club soccer and will hope to translate that success into his managerial career.

England

It’s been a wild season in England, to say the least. Leicester City shocked the soccer world when they sat atop the Premier League at Christmas but have since dropped to second place. Riding the backs of English striker Jamie Vardy and winger Riyad Mahrez, Leicester has been playing fast, high-intensity soccer to overwhelm some of the bigger clubs.

London is the place to be or not to be this year as Chelsea and Arsenal are having polar opposite seasons.

Chelsea have imploded just a year after winning the Premier League, racking up defeat after shocking defeat, and manager Jose Mourinho has paid the price with his job.

The other side of London sees Arsenal enjoying great success, leading the Premier League and staying alive in the Champions League. New managers have graced the top clubs in

England this season, as Jürgen Klopp took over in Liverpool and Guus Hiddink is now in charge of Chelsea, while Louis van Gaal’s job looks to be in serious jeopardy at Manchester United as the Red Devils continue to play listlessly.

Italy

League next season.

League leader Inter is bouncing back after finishing mid-table last season. They’re led by young Argentinean striker Mauro Icardi who has seven goals in 15 appearances.

Inter looks well on their way to capturing their first Scudetto since 2010.

A wild title race is being fought in Germany Italy, with just a few points separatThe Bundesliga is commanded by ing each of the teams in the top five. FC Bayern Munich, as they hold a Juventus have finally started to regain commanding eight-point lead over their form after an abysmal start to second place Borussia Dortmund. the season and are sitting fourth in Bayern have been formidable this the table, three points behind leaders season, dropping points on only two Inter Milan. occasions. Robert Lewandowski is Fiorentina have had a marvelous a man on a mission, racking up 15 season, sitting second in the table and goals in 16 Bundesliga appearances just one point behind Inter. With a including scoring an incredible fiverelatively unknown squad, Fiorentina goal display in nine minutes against have relied on cohesiveness and Wolfsburg, which proved to be world strong defensive play to get results. record breaking.

It’s paid off, and at the very least we Dortmund have been productive should see them in the Champions under new man Thomas Tuchel. They

currently sit second in the table and are having a fairly successful Europa League campaign, which will see them square off against FC Porto in February.

Hertha Berlin is raising some eyebrows in Germany, as they’re playing very well this season and are amongst the top four in the Bundesliga. Hertha battled relegation last season and they appear to have done everything right this year.

They’ll be gunning for Champions League play next season, which is attainable for the Berlin side. It would be nice to see Champions League soccer being played in the historic Olympiastadion.

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Sports

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

Big ice equals big problems for Canada Defensive woes cost red and white a shot at back-to-back gold at WJHC ANDY CHE, STAFF

two minutes in, Noah Rod’s high-slot one-timer nicked off Damian Riat for a Swiss lead. With under five minutes left in the opening frame, Dario Meyer’s point shot deflected off Thomas Chabot and past Blackwood for a daunting 2-0 lead.

The Canadians were gifted with a light when Strome snuck a wide angle shot past Joren van Pottelberghe with 23 seconds remaining in the frame.

Midway through the contest, Joe Hicketts ripped a wicked shot past the Swiss goaltender to equalize on the powerplay.

Canada took Switzerland to a shootout, however it was that moment when Blackwood and company showed up. The Barrie Colts goaltender flashed the glove on Riat and stood firm against Timo Meier, while captain Brayden Point and Mathew Barzal tallied for Canada to win 3-2.

With Blackwood established in the Canada goal, the reigning champions would close out the round robin against a feisty Swedish team on New Year’s Eve.

Sweden vs. Canada

GRAPHIC BY BRAM KEAST

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he 2016 World Junior Hockey Championships (WJHC) will go down as a tournament Team Canada would much rather forget.

After only five games, the reigning champions were eliminated at the quarterfinal stage by hosts Finland in a contest that was heart-pounding and heartbreaking.

After four games in round robin, Canada assembled a subpar 1-1-0-2 record. It was quite clear that the red and white were far from replicating the dominant form displayed last year.

The Canadians trailed in three of the last four matchups in the group stage, after not trailing the entire tournament in 2015.

The tournament was played on a larger ice surface – 15 feet wider than a North American rink. In recent times, international ice has proven too much for Canada to handle as the last time they won gold away from home was 2008 in the Czech Republic.

The Manitoban broke down Canada’s performance in each of the four games of the round robin as well as the quarterfinal to provide a comprehensive analysis of what exactly went wrong in 2016.

Canada vs United States

The headline for Boxing Day’s opening matchup against the United States was MacKenzie Blackwood’s two-game ban as a repercussion for his slashing penalty in the Ontario Hockey League. The 19-year old’s

stealthy performance in the pretournament suggested that he would have claimed the number-one spot right from the get-go. As a result, former U18 goaltender Mason McDonald started the opener.

Dylan Strome scored a crucial third-period goal to tie the game at two after the Americans had erased a 1-0 Canada lead.

Based on the style which they displayed, Canada did not look like medal contenders right from the start Toward the end of the third period, momentum was swinging towards the United States. Backstopped by the confident goaltending of Alex Nedeljkovic, the stars and stripes took a late lead when Louis Belpedio shot past McDonald. Auston Matthews capitalized just minutes later to kill off the game.

The US had forced Dave Lowry’s troops into taking their chances in the slot, rather than using the larger ice to maneuver around the offensive zone. Meanwhile, the Canadians did not cover their own zone particularly well, as all four US goals were set up at the attacking blue line.

McDonald’s 17 saves on 21 shots

did not sit well, and the fourth and final goal was particularly nasty, as he allowed a tipped Zach Werenski point shot to squirm through his pads and Matthews was there to tap it in.

With the 4-2 defeat, Team Canada suffered their first opening day loss since 1998.

Denmark vs. Canada

What went wrong?

Canada produced a strong forechecking game, but they needed to continue taking advantage of the bigger ice. They did so at certain times offensively – such as the 5-2 loss to Sweden – where Stephen’s goal on Chabot’s point shot gave them some hope, but it sadly didn’t last.

Defensively, the Canadians were outskated and didn’t possess the coverage to play on the backcheck. Often, the blue-liners were being passed way too easily on the larger surface, specifically in the games against the U.S., Switzerland, Sweden, and Finland.

For being one the most highly-touted prospects in the NHL as well as a returning gold medalist, Virtanen was not even close to performing at a Team Canada level

The Canadians blew a four-goal lead in a pretournament contest to Sweden, eventually winning 7-6. In the final round robin matchup, how- Who needed to improve? ever, the Swedes turned the tables.

Jake Virtanen did not give Canada Back-to-back goals from Alex the slightest spark while on loan from Nylander and Gustav Forsling gifted the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks. Even the 2012 gold medalists a 2-0 cushion worse, he was expected to become three minutes apart before Mitchell a leading player in Canada’s lineup Stephens cut the lead in half. as a member from last year’s team.

Sweden would extend the lead to Through the first four games, the 4-1 courtesy of Adrian Kempe and right winger was held pointless – Anton Karlsson before Marner’s late disappointing to say the least. For third-period goal kept Canada in being one the most highly touted the contest. Rasmus Asplund would prospects in the NHL as well as a eventually seal a 5-2 win with an returning gold medalist, Virtanen empty net goal. was not even close to performing at a Team Canada level.

Canada vs. Finland

Team Canada regrouped and Though Canada took a 2-0 lead, The verdict slayed the Danes 6-1 in their sec- the Finns managed to claw their way Canadian head coach Dave Lowry ond matchup of the round robin, back. Marner added two powerplay possessed the talent to clinch at least with Lowry opting to stick with goals which gave Canada a chance at a medal at the 2016 World Junior McDonald despite his question- saving their tournament, yet a painful Championships. However, with a able start to the tournament. There 6-5 loss epitomized their defensive side that was dominated by 18-yearwas a possibility that the Canadians performance during the tournament. olds, Canada seriously lacked in their could ’ve turned to Samuel Canada’s blueline could not tame defensive game.

Montembeault, an 18-year-old the threat of Patrik Laine, Sebastien Despite their obvious threats on selected as cover for McDonald, in Aho ,and Jesse Puljujärvi – the tour- paper, Canada didn’t perform like place of Blackwood after the latter’s nament’s leading scorer with 12 points medal contenders right from the suspension. McDonald conceded the heading to the knockout rounds. start. As the minutes went by in their game’s first goal while recording just Though Blackwood kept Canada in tournament, it looked more and more 10 saves. the game as both sides exchanged likely that the red and white would There were no questions being goals, failure to cover up rebounds be headed home without a top-three asked regarding Canada’s offense and questionable positioning played finish. though. They produced 58 shots a part in their downfall. against Danish goalie Mathias Jake Virtanen perhaps contributed Seldrup. Goals arrived from six the most to Finland’s 6-5 victory. The different skaters – Mathew Barzal, Canadian-born Finn took two brainAnthony Beauvillier, Lawson Crouse, less penalties which negated Canada’s Mitch Marner, John Quenneville, man advantage, while Finland scored and Strome. on the ensuing powerplay for the eventual winning goal.

Canada vs. Switzerland History managed to repeat itself Blackwood got the start for game at the final whistle, as Canada also three against the Swiss, fresh off his failed to defeat the hosts on the two two-game ban. previous occasions when the tournaHowever, Canada’s misfortunes ment was held in Finland (1998 and continued right from the get-go. Just 2014).

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Culture for Kindness Bison athlete helps young adults get involved in the community MIKE STILL, STAFF

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or the 11th consecutive year, all ers in the community,” according to teams from Bison Sports volun- Enns. teered at Siloam Mission over the While the group was started in winter break by helping with the August, its origin can be traced back distribution of breakfast and lunch. to mid-July, when Guy came up with At the same time that assistance the idea for a “week of kindness,” in was being provided at 300 Princess which all five founding members St., current track and field athlete were tasked with coming up with Eric Guy, along with 2014-15 mem- a different volunteering aim for a ber Chad Enns, their brothers Alex certain day of the week, such as a and Liam respectively, and fellow U clothing drive or giving blood. The of M student Wade Ryplanski were concept was a huge success and also already planning their next volunteer brought together numerous young initiative. people throughout the city. Shortly Their not-for-profit group Culture afterwards, Culture for Kindness for Kindness was created this past was born, its foundation being an August, and “offers a platform for assortment of activities within the people to help improve the lives of community that give back. those in need, as well as create lead-

Structure

In the fall term, for example, the needs, as well as the simple concept Each month, Culture for group organized over 200 volunteer- of getting onto the streets to help Kindness offers two different vol- ing hours, which included supplying eliminate the stigma of homelessness. unteer opportunities and attempts hygiene products to the rehabilita“My big thing is I want people to match volunteering with people’s tion centre for victims of abuse within to get out there. I’d love it if people availability in order to provide as the Women’s Hospital at the Health donate money or whatever, but you many chances to help out as possible. Sciences Centre, as well as helping don’t necessarily see that,” Guy said.

“I think that most people want to out at Inner City Youth Alive – which “When you see a homeless person and help,” Guy said. “I’ve never asked provides a “safe, active, and nurturing you have a conversation with them someone, ‘hey, would you like to help environment for children and youth, and you realize, oh they’re actuout,’ and had them say ‘no.’ It’s never many of whom experience poverty, ally just a really cool person, it’s so been that way. It’s always been, ‘yes, abuse, and neglect,” according to its different.”

I’m just really busy’ or ‘I’m not sure website.

Heading into the winter term, the For more information about the what to do.’”

“If I can create a platform and just founding five will sit down to discuss group and to learn how to potengive them the opportunity where it’s which programs they’d like to target tially get involved, visit Culture like, I’ve literally done everything, and will get the word out accordingly. for Kindness’s Facebook group. just show up for two hours, I think A few of their main proposals include that a lot of people will be interested.” working alongside those with special