20 June 2012

THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA STUDENTS’ NEWSPAPER

Counting to one-hundred

page 7

Point/ Counterpoint n e ws

co m m e n t

Taking a stance Fee or free?

Womyn’s Centre protests touring pro-life event page 3

Weighing both sides of the Montreal protests page 8

s c i e n c e & t e c h n o lo g y

a rts & c u lt u r e

s p o rts

Rare Venus

Good Work!

Women’s league

Onlookers get view of neighbouring planet page 10

Intense installation invades aceartinc page 11

Vo l 9 9 ½ · N o 1 · J u n e 2 0, 2 0 1 2 · w w w.t h e m a n i to b a n .co m

WWCFL continues to grow across prairies page 16

2

Index

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 1 June 20, 2012

News 3

Temperatures still rising in Montreal

5

Manitoban tuition bill passes despiste opposition

5

cover image

Video still from “The Big Wash”

by Seth Woodyard

| pa g e s 2 – 5

| pg 10

Arts & Culture

| pgs 11–13

U of M helping to make our roads better

UMSU

| pa g e 6

Please contact designteam@themanitoban.com if you are interested in submitting a cover image.

For other volunteer inquiries, please come to our office in University Centre (across from Tim Horton’s, behind GOSA) or email the editor of the section for which you are interested in writing.

Science & Tech

11

The beginner’s playlist

13

Event listings

Diversions Editorial

| pa g e 1 4

| pa g e 7

Please direct all other inquiries to editor@themanitoban.com.

Sports Video still from The Big Wash by Seth Woodyard See his exhibition, Good Work, at aceart inc until July 13th See article on page 11

Comment

| pa g e s 8 – 9

8

Point/ Counterpoint

9

Society at crossroads with the mentally ill

15

| pa g e s 1 5 – 1 6

Bison briefs

Toban Talkback

Q:

Maria Alace

Keaton Arksey

Eric Jiang

“It is a proper issue for them [. . .] but we also have to realize that people have to live off of these fees.”

“I am not sure what they are about.”

Are you in favour or do you oppose the Montreal student protests for lower tuition rates?

Rachel Wood, staff

agricul ture

“Average tuition rates are high in Canada and I think they are right to protest it.”

Shalinia Mukherjee plant s cience

“Partly in favour because it’s related to the tution fee hike”

classic al s tudies

e conomic s

Senior News Editor: Rachel Wood Junior News Editor: Jill Patterson Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

3

News

Temperatures still rising in Montreal Students feel new bill threatens freedom of speech Jill Patterson, staff

A

new piece of provincial legisla- wide spread criticism from fans of tion recently ratified in Quebec the event, officials, and participants. has caused uproar among students Most dissent over the protest was and protestors in Montreal. As a predicated on the belief that the response to the protests against a protest was damaging to Montreal’s proposed tuition hike, the Quebec international reputation, according government has imposed an emer- to the provincial Liberal party in gency bill intended to calm the heated Quebec. Since the event is protests and gatherings. attended by people from all Students in Quebec have been over the world, and is conon strike now since mid-February sidered one of the largest as a way to take a stance against the annual tourist attractions proposed tuition hike, which would in Canada, critics of the include an approximate 75 per cent protest have argued that increase in students’ tuition over the the protest reflected badly next five to seven years. Following on Montreal as a whole. the students’ strike there has been Some arrests were an onslaught of student protests and made during the protest, demonstrations, which have vividly and although the fourillustrated the students’ dissidence day demonstration was, over the tuition increase. for the most part, a peaceThe latest student protest to make ful gathering, there were headlines has had arguably the most some instances of violence media coverage and widespread criti- and clashes between the cism. This protest took place during protestors and the police at Montreal’s Formula 1 Grand Prix the event. Montreal police were also event, a four-day racing car event accused of “political profiling” during attended by spectators from all over the event, as reported by The Montreal the world. Students protested outside Gazette. Police detained numerous the gates of the Grand Prix complex individuals during the event and are as a way to bring the issues over said to have focused only on those the tuition increase to the interna- who fit the profile of a “student protional stage. The protest provoked testor” and “anti-capitalist”. Many

people were singled out who wore a red square patch on their clothing, which has come to be the symbol of the student protest.

As a response to the protests in general, which have escalated in frequency and violence, the Quebec

government has implemented a new provincial law, entitled Bill 78. The stipulations of this new bill include new rules regarding public gatherings and has attempts to set parameters on student protests. The terms of Bill 78 include things like any protest of more than 50 people will be required

to provide eight hours notice of the route the protest is projected to take, the duration of the protest, the time at which it is to commence, and a provision against any protest coming within 50 meters of any university or educational building among other things.

This emergency legislation has had a response opposite of what its drafters had in mind. Bill 78 has been met with criticism and outrage, which has culminated in a further increase in student protests. The political strategy behind the implementation of Bill 78, to calm the heated protests and student gatherings, has backfired for the Liberal party in that it has created more stir and more animosity among the students. The backlash from the students over Bill 78 is predicated on the feeling and belief that the new bill infringes on their basic freedom of speech. Students, among others, feel that Bill 78 is unconstitutional in that it encroaches on students’ right to assembly and free expression, accord-

ing to the students’ lawyers.

Student resentment against Bill 78 has gone so far as to motivate the student group leaders to bring the issue to court. A team of lawyers representing the various student groups has brought the issue to the Quebec Superior Court. By raising the issues pertaining to Bill 78, the students hope to challenge the bill’s constitutional legitimacy. The student’s lawyers are hoping to get parts of the bill temporarily suspended in the short term, and ultimately eliminated in the long term.

Although the bill is reported to have been rarely used and applied by the Montreal police, students and lawyers are concerned for the rights of students who could potentially get prosecuted under Bill 78. The consequences of anyone being prosecuted under a law that is deemed afterwards unconstitutional would have resounding impact. The court proceedings have not come to an end, as of yet, and thus the results of this court battle have not yet been finalized. Some students, however, believe the issue could even be taken further, to the Supreme Court of Canada. illustration by jeff kent

Womyn’s centre protests pro-life event U of M critics arrive to voice displeasure of anti-abortion group Rachel Wood, staff

P

ro-life trucks covered in graphic images of aborted fetuses circled the street near protestors at the Living Christ Community Church on June 13. The Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform (CCBR) is touring Canada as a part of a project they have entitled “the new abortion caravan.” The tour aims to end what they believe is the killing of many generations in their lifetime.

The new abortion caravan arrived in Winnipeg to hold a speaking event, basing their message on the graphic images. Stephanie Gray, executive director of the CCBR, explained they are reclaiming the term “abortion caravan” from radical feminists in 1970 that traveled across Canada to repeal abortion laws and obtain free abortions for women.

Gray refers to their movement as the survivor generation rising up 42 years later, declaring that the killing must end.

The CCBR is based in Calgary and intends to expand to Toronto as part of a national plan. They belong to a family of international offices. The new abortion caravan has stopped in many of the major cities in Canada since they began on May 29 in Vancouver.

The CCBR had planned to perform their own protest throughout

photo by beibei lu

downtown Winnipeg the following Gray stated that the protestors day. outside were the loudest and most CCBR is not affiliated with boisterous they have encountered on any political or religious organiza- their tour so far. Passing cars often tion but, rather, focuses on human honked and waved in support of the rights. Their website tour schedule, protestors. however, reveals that the majority Outside the church, approximately of their events are held in churches 30 women held signs while repeatthroughout the country. edly chanting “Whose choice? Our According to Gray, their focus on choice!” Signs waved in the air with human rights was important during slogans such as, “laws against abortheir stop in Winnipeg with the tion kill women.” new museum of human rights being Those protesting included membuilt. The CCBR claims that unborn bers of the University of Manitoba children are being denied their basic Womyn’s Centre. Coordinator of the human right to live.

Womyn’s Centre Charly Wreggitt

explained their distress over the movement.

CCBR, stating the fact that it was The genocide awareness project primarily men who attended this pro- is a display that the CCBR brings to life event was concerning and directly universities. The project compares the affects women’s freedom of choice. abortion movement to tragedies such Wreggit believes that CCBR as the Holocaust and the Rwandan reclaiming the title of the “abortion genocide. Many of the members caravan” is offensive, as the origi- shared stories of the genocide awarenal movement to prevent abortions ness project, recalling conversations harmful to women. She explains that they have had with individuals that this pro-life movement will not pre- resulted with the individual altering vent abortions, but will encourage their stance on abortion. unsafe and harmful risks through Jessica Shaw, an activist within the “back-alley abortions.” abortion rights movement, stated that Wreggit stated that their protest she has conducted research, posing as was important, if only to demon- a woman seeking an abortion, and strate that there are women and allies has received severe judgment from who do not agree with the CCBR’s health care providers and crisis pregmovement. She went on to say that nancy counselors. it is unclear if a movement like the Shaw has attended several events CCBR’s could affect abortion legisla- hosted by the CCBR and explained tion within Canada. “It’s hard to say that their speakers are eloquent and […] with a government like ours, it educated, using graphic images to could be a threat.” “play on people’s emotions.” Shaw Several debates occurred between argued, however, that the protestors individuals entering the CCBR event were not offended by the graphic and the protestors on the boulevard. images but by the purpose for these Many ended with one party decid- disturbing photographs – to be a ing that the conversation was useless. mechanism to shame women who Gray stated that the CCBR is happy receive abortions. to engage with protestors during According to Shaw, “the fight for these events. women’s rights doesn’t end today and Inside the church, members of at this protest. It’s something that we the organization shared conversion have to do everyday.” stories of individuals to the pro-life

4

News

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 1 June 20, 2012

The Hub finally open for business Campus pub welcomes students after months of delays Jill Patterson, staff

Hub staff member Chris Lourenco

A

fter a long wait and much ment of its opening day, it was set anticipation The Hub Campus to be open by mid to late November Pub finally opened its doors to the 2011. The opening day was further public on Thursday, May 24. pushed back to December 2011. The The opening of The Hub has final and actual expected opening been long expected by students as, day was then set to January 2012, according to the first announce- first starting at early January, then

pushed back again to mid to late January. Now, after approximately six more months, The Hub is a reality and is open for business. The numerous delays were reportedly caused by construction postponements, more specifically issues con-

cerning the plumbing in the facility, Accompanying the large stage is a according to UMSU. sizeable dance floor. Some of the Although The Hub kicked off artists that have performed, or are with a relatively slow start, it did set to perform, at The Hub include not take long for word to spread Pop Vegas, The Perms, Jeff Adams, about its opening. Since The Hub is Chris Froome, Leanne Pearson, one of the only businesses open past Pop N Lock, Nenah Barkley, and 5 p.m. during the summer hours, Johnny Russell. there is a steady flow of people visFor students looking for a more iting the campus pub either look- relaxed time there is also a VIP ing for a meal and a place to relax, lounge area with comfortable chairs or just a place go over some study and televisions. The lounge is dismaterials. tanced somewhat from the stage Although the new establishment which creates a quieter area to sit is calling itself a pub, The Hub has and socialize. something that may entice more The Hub’s opening hours are than just pub-dwellers to pay a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 6 visit; from food, drinks, music, and p.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday 3 p.m. lounge space. to 12 a.m.. Weekends at The Hub The menu at The Hub has the feature Ladies Night on Saturdays regular expected pub food plus as well as “Sports Sunday” the folextra originalities like a specially lowing night, where wings are prepared shrimp meal and burg- on special for 25 cents each and ers with their own uniqueness, sports games will be shown on the among others, all offered at rea- various televisions throughout the sonable prices. The beverage list pub. Cover charge is free for those also offers the usual drink items, who show up before 10 p.m. and is as well as signature drinks such three dollars for those who arrive as the “Charging Bison,” and the afterwards.

“Manitoba Frostbite.”

The Hub also features live music every night (Thursday to Sunday), photo by beibei lu mostly from local bands and artists, in keeping with the pub tradition.

Senior News Editor: Rachel Wood Junior News Editor: Jill Patterson Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

News

5

Manitoba tuition bill passes despite opposition Rachel Wood, staff

B

ill 2, named “Protecting Affordability for University Students,” was discussed in a Human Resources Committee meeting on June 6 and resulted in no changes to the legislation, despite opposition from many university and students groups.

The Canadian Federation of Students–Manitoba (CFS-MB), university faculty, staff, and students shared their concerns with the bill at the committee meeting. CFS-MB presented their recommendations to the Committee to improve the bill and include adequate protection for all students. However, no changes were made.

UMSU released a fact sheet of the bill, outlining their apprehen-

sions of the legislation. The bill is geared towards aiding individuals in rising costs affiliated with being a student. UMSU states, however, that the bill will allow for tuition costs to increase along with the rate of inflation, while failing to provide a cap on the increases. This comes after promises of a tuition cap made by the NDP government in 2011. This could result in significant tuition increases with little warning to students. UMSU also states that the bill fails to include college students or international students in the legislation.

Karim Ammoumou, Chairperson of CFS-MB, states that universities can still raise tuition above the rate of inflation under this bill. If they do this, the province reduces the universities

funding equal to the amount that they have raised tuition. Therefore, the university is not affected financially by reduced funding, as the students will be compensating the difference through higher tuition.

Ammoumou explains that this bill also fails to protect professional programs, such as law, medicine, and social work from significant tuition increases.

President of UMSU Bilan Arte states that the name of the bill is misleading as it excludes approximately 53 per cent of students from the affordability claim. She suggests that an effective system be created that allows the government to implement tuition fee increases below inflation or, rather, tuition freezes or decreases

in general. in the budget projections. UMSU Liberal leader of Manitoba, Jon argues that the bill should include a Gerrard, has also spoken out against legally binding clause for the governBill 2. He describes the bill as cover- ment and their funding commitments. ing less than half of the post-second- Arte recommends that the three-year ary students in Manitoba. Gerrard funding projections be provided to maintains that the bill should not the universities every year rather than have been passed in this form. every three.

Minister of Advanced Education Ammoumou states that CFS-MB and Literacy Erin Selby asserts that remains optimistic that regular meetthe bill will indeed protect students ings with Selby will result in a soluby tying the tuition fees to the rate of tion to the flaws in Bill 2. He hopes inflation. Selby explains that the bill that the government will accept will create notices of funding for the their recommendations to improve next three years to universities. This the flaws of the bill. As it currently will allow them to plan and budget stands, Ammoumou argues, “Bill 2 long term. is like an umbrella with holes in it.

UMSU explains, however, that Some students are right under those the province has no requirement to holes.” fulfill funding commitments made

U of M helping to make our roads better Researchers aim to solve city’s pothole woes Ryan Tabachuk

W

innipeg weather is not friendly to our roads, as the constant melting and freezing breaks down the integrity of the pavement, leading to our all-too-familiar cracks and potholes. The University of Manitoba is currently studying the types of road fillers that will be the most effective in Winnipeg climate.

A 2011 citizen survey conducted by Market Dimensions found that roads and infrastructure were one of the top three ways the City of Winnipeg could improve life for the citizens.

This recent study from the University may help the City grant the wishes of Winnipeggers.

Road fillers are used to repair

damages in the pavement, increasU of M engineering professo- storms. ing the amount of time the roads will rAhmed Shalaby explained that the The City of Winnipeg does not last. This is done as an alternative to bonding of the road fillers and the have its own laboratory to test out repaving the entire road. pavement is essential to maintaining these fillers. The City has spent conIn reality, these fillers have the integrity of the roads. The road siderable amounts of money on road not always meet expectations and filler needs to be able to expand as the repair in the past. In 2011, the City of University of Manitoba pavement road expands and shrink with the road. Winnipeg spent approximately $47.9 engineers have begun to study the Without proper bonding the filler will million on roadway construction and types of pavement road fillers, evalu- fall apart and become useless. maintenance. The preliminary budget ating various fillers under a variety of Shalaby also explained, courtesy for 2012 allocates approximately $50.3 conditions to determine the effects of the Winnipeg Free Press, that the million to this expense. Within this that stress and weather can play on technique of applying the road fillers broad budget, $18.6 million is specifithe road. U of M pavement engineers is imperative to expanding the lifespan cally set aside for local streets construcinstalled six different pavement road of our city streets. Applying the fillers tion and maintenance in 2012. fillers side-by-side on Portage Avenue when the roads are wet causes them to It could be more cost efficient to to understand exactly how each will improperly bind to the existing pave- permanently fund a lab to do the necreact to the same conditions of heat, ment. This means that construction essary research, rather than constantly cold weather, salt, sand, and traffic. could be delayed during showers and repairing roads because of improperly

used materials and techniques. The allocated funds for roadway construction and maintenance, however, are restricted under a limited budget.

According to Shalaby, a significant amount of the budget is going into expansions of new city roads. He states that many roads in Winnipeg are past due for repairs or replacements. Shalaby explains that, due to expansion into new areas, it can be difficult for the City to manage all the pavements in Winnipeg.

City officials and the U of M research team are planning to meet to discuss the results of their report later this month.

HIV scare at Winnipeg’s Southeast Collegiate causes concern for students U of M issues apology after mishandled diabetes testing Jill Patterson, staff

P

arents, students, and staff at is not a licensed physician and had Southeast Collegiate were out- not been authorized by the univerraged by potentially being exposed sity to conduct diabetes testing, or to HIV and hepatitis as a result of a anything similar, the test was given botched diabetes test administered as a demonstration as part of a lecture by a University of Manitoba profes- the professor was giving at the school. sor, reported by The Winnipeg Free The professor visited the school in Press. order to give a lecture about diabetes Students, and several staff mem- as a part of the school’s Health and bers, at Southeast Collegiate, a Wellness Day. Winnipeg high school for Aboriginal While administering the test the students, were given a diabetes test used needles were discarded, but by a University of Manitoba profes- the glucometer pen, the device the sor who improperly administered the needle is secured in, was used multest. The improper use of the testing tiple times on different students and materials may have exposed students staff members. The professor was and staff members, who were tested, allegedly unaware that the pen had to HIV and hepatitis. to be discarded after each use as well Although the university professor as the needle, according to the pro-

fessor who administered the blood tests, and the botched blood test was a mistake made of misinformation of instructions on how to conduct multiple blood tests.

Although there is a low risk of infection occurring, the students and staff who had been affected by these events will undergo futher testing to determine if they have contracted an infection. Some of the students’ parents have been contacted and informed of these events, while other parents have not been notified as communication has been difficult due to the remote areas some of the parents reside in. As well, an investigation will commence in order to review the events that took place.

Many of the students and their parents are outraged that such a thing could happen. Some parents even fear that this incident will affect their children’s concentration at school, and with final examinations coming up soon, a loss of concentration could be very detrimental to the students’ prospects of graduation.

The impact on the students’ physical health in the event that an infection has occurred could be dire. In the very unlikely event that an infection outbreak occurs the impact of the event for both the students involved, and the University of Manitoba as the party who is held most accountable, could have resounding and lasting effects.

The university issued a formal apology and has stated that the professor who administered the tests has been reprimanded. The university representative did not state specifically the punishment the individual received. The apology was issued by Rockman-Greenberg, a University of Manitoba representative, who said, “This individual is a member of our department and disciplinary action has been taken…We’re very, very sorry about the stress that it has caused the students, the parents, the community.” The university has requested a full review of the incident.

Editor-In-Chief: Ryan Harby Contact: Editor@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

7

Editorial

Editor-in-Chief Ryan Harby

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

Business manager Foster Lyle

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

Advertising Coordinator Arynne McMurray

ads@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

Editorial

Senior News Editor Rachel Wood

rachel@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

Junior News Editor Jill Patterson

jill@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

Comment Editor Spencer Fernando

comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Managing Editor Chuthan Ponnampalam

me@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

science & technology Editor Bryce Hoye

science@themanitoban.com/ 474.6770

arts & Culture Editor Kara Passey

artsculture@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Sports Editor Marc Lagace

sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Copy Editor Grace Romund

copy@themanitoban.com/ 474.6770

Design

Design Editor Aichelle Sayuno

design@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

Graphics Editor Silvana Moran

graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

Photo Editor Beibei Lu

photo@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

design associate Vacant

474.6775

graphics associate

474.6775

Vacant

Reporters

News Vacant Science Vacant arts & culture Vacant arts & culture Vacant Sports Vacant Assistant copy editor Vacant Online Coordinator Vacant

Volunteer Contributors

Andre Boulet, Jeff Kent, Chris Hearn, Michelle Saromo, Leah Hansen, David Krause, Ryan Tabachuk, Alex Passey, Jessica Lockhart, Dany Reede, Will Gibson, Leif Larsen

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

General Inquiries & Advertising Phone: (204) 474.6535 Fax: (204) 474.7651 Email: manitoban@themanitoban.com National & Multi-Market Advertising Campus Plus Media Services Toll-Free (In Canada): 1.800.265.5372 Email: info@campusplus.com

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

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

The Manitoban is an independent and democratic student organization, open to participation from all students. It exists to serve its readers as students and citizens.

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

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

The Manitoban is a member of the Canadian University Press, a national student press cooperative with approximately 65 members from St. John's to Victoria. The Manitoban recognizes its sister paper, the Gateway at the U of A, whom we love dearly (and yes, in that way).

All contents are ©2012 and may not be reprinted without the express written permission of the Editor-in-Chief.

Yearly subscriptions to the Manitoban are available for $40.

From ninety-nine to one-hundred Ryan Harby, staff

Greetings and salutations alike,

rent UMSU organization is quite friendly.

Pleasant, even!

I’m getting away from my point, though.

You see, when the new staff moved in and skipped ahead one year in volume they inadvertently sent the paper on a course that would have it arrive at volume 100 a full year too early for our big, fancy hundredth-year celebration.

So in order to better represent our centenary we have decided that this year will be different, and, thus, the ninety-ninth and one half volume of the Manitoban. There you have it, an extra year to kick out all of our jams, rock all our casbahs before the Manitoban turns 100.

Now before I sign off I’d like to send out a thanks to some of the courageous, intrepid, superlative individuals who’ve done great things for the paper. Our outgoing Editorin-Chief Leif Larsen, outgoing Business Manager Phil Dunphy, current Comment Editor Spencer Fernando, as well as many others, have all played integral roles in recent years to ensure the Manitoban is financially stable both presently and in the long term.

Unbeknownst to many, not long ago our campus paper faced a serious period of uncertainty and it is through the commendable work of many current and former staff members that we can now say the Manitoban will continue to offer opportunities to young, budding writers, editors, and artists both now and for years to come.

Thank you to the readers and contributors.

I’m very much looking forward to where this ninety-ninth and one half year takes us.

I’d like to take a moment here, in our first issue of the publishing year, to speak to you the reader a little bit about the recent, ongoing, and future history of the Manitoban.

You see, the Manitoban has been around for quite a long time. In fact, this publication stands as one of the longest running newspapers in the province, having originally been established in 1914. If you do the math, this means soon the paper will be celebrating its centenary, its 100th year in existence.

Now if you’re one who appreciates the nitty gritty details, you may have noticed that this first issue has been marked the first of volume 99 ½. Last year was our ninetyninth volume and, yes, this year is ninetynine and one half.

It’s kind of like that movie Being John Malkovich where an entire office staff is located in the half-story of a building. You haven’t seen that movie? Well, never mind.

What’s the cause for this anomaly, you ask? Interesting story. Turns out, back in the 1980s the paper went through some trying times when one year, days before Christmas, the university’s student union decided to break ties with the entire editorial staff of the paper and bring in a brand new team of their liking. Mystery and intrigue aside, the new team moved in mid-season and decided to bump up the volume number in order to mark their new beginning.

Today our paper is an autonomous, notfor-profit corporation and the days of fearing cold retribution from any looming university union are long gone. Actually, although it has been strained at times in the past, the Ryan Harby Manitoban’s relationship with the cur- Editor-in-Chief, the Manitoban

Comment Editor: Spencer Fernando Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Comment

8

Point/ Counterpoint University is an investment

Why the protests in Montreal are important

Taking financial responsibility for our choices

Protests a continuation of the Occupy movement

Spencer Fernando, staff

Chris Hearn

M

argaret Thatcher once said, “the problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.”

This quote is a reminder that our generation faces a clear choice. We can follow the path of nations like Greece where we try to find money for everything and end up with money for nothing, or we can choose the path of financial responsibility. This choice is brought into focus regarding the issue of who should pay for post secondary education.

On one side are those who believe that other people should be responsible for paying for their university education, and that we should emulate the socialist policies that are failing in Europe.

On the other side are those who recognize that attending university is an investment.

This side understands that the responsibility for paying for their university education rests with themselves and their families. There is also the understanding that in cases where an individual cannot afford the upfront costs, student loans and support are reasonable and prudent ways to ensure access, but that over time, individuals must pay for their education. Most importantly, this side does not feel entitled to a university degree paid for at the expense of others, and do not want to see us follow the same policies that led Greece into an economic abyss.

This clear divide is between a small minority of students taking part in protests (such as those in Montreal) on one side, and individuals who support financial responsibility on the other.

The entitlement mindset has been on display in the Montreal tuition protests. At times during these protests, all sense of proportion and historical context has been lost. Protestors in Montreal began using the Nazi salute to greet the police, as if there was any comparison between a police force in a democratic nation and the vicious crimes of the Nazi regime.

Students who tried to resume attending classes were subjected to roving groups of masked protestors who burst into their classrooms and shouted them down as “scabs”. In one case, masked protestors forcibly removed two female students from class, despite a court injunction for classes to continue.

The protesting students are louder and more adept at getting media attention. This creates the false impression that they represent what most students believe. While protestors are out on the streets, the majority of students are focusing on their studies or working to pay for university. This was made clear in Montreal, where the protestors claimed to speak on behalf of all students, despite the fact

that over two-thirds – the vast majority – of students in Quebec did not join the protests.

Regarding the specific events in Montreal, some points must be clarified: The so-called “strike” is not a strike at all, it is a boycott. The Oxford Dictionary defines a strike as “a refusal to work organized by a body of employees as a form of protest, typically in an attempt to gain a concession or concessions from their employer”, while a boycott is defined as when an individual or group decides to “withdraw from commercial or social relations with (a country, organization, or person) as a punishment or protest.” Clearly, the events in Quebec are a boycott, not a strike.

Quebec students pay the lowest tuition in the country. The average tuition rate in Quebec is $2,519. In Manitoba the average tuition rate is $3,645.

Even after the proposed change in Quebec’s tuition policy, Quebec students will pay among the lowest tuition in the country.

To be clear, university is very important.

Our economy and our society benefits greatly from strong universities. It is also important that, as I mentioned earlier, individuals who have difficulty paying for university have access to student loans and student aid. The real issue is whether, in the end, individuals are financially responsible for the choices they make.

I believe that the majority of students recognize that university education is an investment.

They recognize that not everybody wishes to attend university, and that it is not right to force others to pay the costs for a form of education they won’t be pursuing.

The protesters are not freedom fighters taking part in a revolution or grand social cause.

This is about a relatively small group, some of whom unfortunately have a very socialist mindset, trying to force other people to pick up the tab for the choices they make.

If the protesters got their way and implemented their ideological vision on the rest of us, the results would be devastating. We need only look to Europe to see this clearly. The youth unemployment rate is 51.5 per cent in Greece, and 51.1 per cent in Spain. We do not want that to happen here.

We must not let the small minority of students who are protesting be the only ones who speak on behalf of our generation. We must stand up for economic freedom, common sense, and financial responsibility. We are witnessing the failure of socialist policies in Europe. We must not follow that path.

Spencer Fernando is the Comment Editor for the Manitoban.

D

o I back the student protests in about high and growing inequalities. Our Quebec? Yes I do. Why? Because, report clearly indicates that ‘upskilling’ of unfortunately, the future looks bleak for the workforce is by far the most powermillions of people across the world, and ful instrument to counter rising income this represents part of a global concern. inequality. The investment in people must There is genuine fear about where Canada begin in early childhood and be followed in a globalized world is heading. In real- through into formal education and work.” ity, the protests we see in Montreal are This fact seems to have been lost on the a continuation of the Occupy movement, Quebec government. morphed into a new post-Occupy package.

There is plenty of uncertainty about the It’s made up of people who see that the future for all Canadians in terms of penworld is rapidly changing, and the effects sion plans, job security, a lack of full time positions, and an increase in short-term are becoming painful.

From austerity measures throughout contract jobs. And this all comes, for many, Europe, a struggling economy south of the after accumulating a student debt. People border, and at home governments that are are rightfully scared about their futures. slashing and cutting services and programs, And with uncertainty comes anger. It has the world as we know it is changing fast. come out in the streets of Greece, Spain, Governments seem to want to shift jobs the United Kingdom, France, Chile, the over to the private sector, while the private United States and it is now coming out on the streets in sector is slashing jobs as well. And, Quebec.

There is already plenty of At times, yes, at the core, there there are prois still extreme anger over how Occupy testors who have anger over what protestors were dealt is perceived to be gone too far with a small portion of their tactics, and with last year, as well as I can’t say I back very rich people actions by police at the making money t hat. Smok e bombs and blockreck lessly on G20 summit in Toronto. the backs of the ing students who rest of the world. do want to attend class from doing Sadly, the gap between the rich and the poor everywhere so is not acceptable. The Quebec governis growing and that, understandably, pisses ment, however, has countered this by takpeople off. ing measures to stifle protests, and this In March 2012 the Quebec government understandably has not gone down very announced its intentions to increase tuition well. There is already plenty of anger over fees from $2,519 to $3,800. Here is the prob- how Occupy protestors were dealt with lem: we live in a country where, in order last year, as well as actions by police at to get a decent job, a university degree is a the G20 summit in Toronto. Many see necessity. And, as jobs become scarcer, the the approach of police departments everymore qualified one is, the better their chan- where as being far too heavy-handed in ces of getting a job. Choosing not to go to dealing with protestors. So, to add insult university is no longer an option. So, when to injury by passing laws to restrict protest, tuition fees go up, it becomes increasingly the Quebec government has managed to difficult to afford this essential education, fuel protest. And the right to protest is both for middle class students and, most always something worth fighting for. Of importantly, for poor students who once course, that doesn’t give a right to violence again suffer the burdens of hard economic or vandalism, but it is a good reason to times. How, exactly, are people supposed speak up and bang a few pots. to rise out of poverty if they can’t get access Between demanding economic freedom, the right to an affordable education, and to the tools needed to do so?

The Organization for Economic the right to protest, what is happening in Cooperation and Development (OECD) Quebec is definitely important, timely, and tabled a report showing the income gap in worthy of support.

Canada is rising. In an interview with the Toronto Star from Dec. 5, 2011, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria is quoted as saying, “There is nothing inevitable

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 1 June 20, 2012

Comment

9

Society at crossroads with the mentally ill How will we deal with Vincent Li? Alex Passey

W

e, as a society, have come to a great crossroads. This statement may seem melodramatic, but if there is one thing that this case is not lacking in, it is dramatics. On one hand we have the innocent man young who was brutally murdered in his sleep, slaughtered in a fashion that few could imagine outside their nightmares. On the other we have the grieving mother turned activist, who donates every ounce of energy that she has towards seeing that her son’s killer suffers the full force of our criminal justice system. And at

ley and those who support her in her the disease. People suffering from crusade to instate “Tim’s Law” as untreated schizophrenia often either public policy. Many of these people don’t believe that they need help, or acknowledge that Li was suffering they simply don’t trust anyone to help from untreated schizophrenia when them. So the hallucinations grow he attacked Tim McLean, and was worse as time drags on, and someplagued by hallucinations so severe times get so bad that they drive the that he couldn’t form a true intent afflicted to commit violent acts. to kill. Whether they believe that There was a time not so long ago Li will remain too great a threat no when the only option we had was to matter what treatment he receives, lock up schizophrenics in institutions, however, or simply think his actions in the interest of public safety. They too horrible, the people in this camp were potentially dangerous, we didn’t also believe that Li should remain understand them, and we just didn’t incarcerated for the remainder of his know what else to do with them. life, though perhaps for somewhat We don’t live in that time anymore different reasons than the more cyn- though. We have made incredible ical crowd. strides in understanding and treating Let’s face it, many There is a third school of thought all mental illnesses, including schizoof us humans have on the subject, which I ascribe too, though judging by the public reaction a vengeful streak to Li recently being granted the right in us a mile wide. to visit Selkirk while escorted by a nurse and a peace officer, the people who share this opinion are few and the center of it all we have the killer, far between. a man who seemingly acted without Schizophrenia is a very serious any motive or even any humanity for disease, even when compared to that matter. other mental illnesses. People who I feel that it is time that we, decide are manic-depressive or suffer from what our policy is regarding Vincent bipolar disorder can attest to what it is Li. like to have their emotions run ramIt seems to me that to the most pant, running to extreme highs and cynical among us the term “not crim- lows for reasons completely beyond inally responsible” is nothing more their control. But what happens when than a sham. For these people, the your entire reality becomes distorted? excuse of mental illness is nothing What happens when the world that more than a piece of wool that crim- you are experiencing isn’t the same inals pull over the eyes of soft-hearted world that is being experienced by liberal judges. They would have us everyone else? lock people up based entirely on the None of us, save for those actually crime that they have committed, as suffering from schizophrenia, can everything a criminal ever has to say even begin to fathom what being in their defence is merely a sob story, trapped in such a false reality is like. and should be discounted.

Schizophrenia is a disease that isoThere are those who seem to me to lates you from the real world, and be more moderate, like Carol deDel- that isolation only serves to worsen

Point/ Counterpoint A new addition to the Comment Section

O

n the preceding page, you will notice that Point/Counterpoint is now in the Comment section. This will now be a permanent fixture of the Comment Section giving contributors a chance to share their views on the most important issues of the day. Instead of one topic going back and forth from one week to week, the Point/ Counterpoint format will offer a venue for two individuals with differing opinions facing off in the same issue of the paper.

Topics for the Point/Counterpoint page will vary from week to week. The top comments and responses from our website will be featured in the following edition of the Manitoban. If you have any questions about the Point/Counterpoint page, email comment@ themanitoban.com.

phrenia. If you need evidence of this, you need simply look at the people who are now living with mental illness, yet are still living as functional members of society. Their numbers are far greater than even a few short decades ago, and you likely couldn’t even pick them out in a crowd.

Yet still, some stigma towards mental illness remains, and when we see a case like Vincent Li’s it is easy to understand why. Tim McLean died a horrible death, and it would be foolish for us to expect Carol deDelley to ever take a sympathetic stance towards her son’s killer. But there is a reason that we don’t allow victims or their families to dole out the punishment for those who wronged them, otherwise

we would see everyone from petty shoplifters to teenage vandals locked up for their entire lives. Let’s face it, many of us have a vengeful streak a mile wide.

I feel that we need to stop stigmatizing mental illness, because by doing so we could discourage people like Vincent Li from seeking treatment for their disease when it is still at a manageable level. I think that if we decide that Vincent Li should be locked up forever, no matter how well he responds to his treatment and regardless of any progress he makes, then we have allowed schizophrenia to claim two lives where it may have only claimed one.

Science & Technology Editor: Bryce Hoye Contact: science@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Science & technology

10

Neighbour planet makes rare appearance The Transit of Venus attracts crowds across Canada Jessica Lockhart

O

n June 5, stargazers watched as degrees relative to the Earth’s orbit,” Winnipeg, Calgary, and Vancouver,” equivalent to the distance between Venus, our nearest planetary said Matheson. “If we look from For Dave Chapman, current editor recounted Bishop. “Winnipeg had, the Earth and Sun). However, the neighbour, passed directly between above at the solar system, each time of the RASC’s Observer’s Handbook, by far, the best likelihood of clear absolute value of the A.U. could not the Sun and Earth. During this rare Venus catches up to and passes [the and Roy Bishop, professor emeri- skies on June 5.” be obtained by these same methods. astronomical event, known as a “tran- Earth], it appears as though Venus is tus in the department of physics at So Winnipeg it was. Both “The solution was to observe sit of Venus,” Venus was visible from located along the [same orbital plane] Acadia University and a graduate of Chapman and Bishop joined the another body (Venus) from different Earth as a small silhouette moving as the Earth and the Sun.” the University of Manitoba, this once crowd and fellow RASC members points on the surface of the Earth, across the much larger surface of the Matheson went on to note that, in a lifetime experience was not to at Assiniboine Park where they saw, using parallax to infer the EarthSun. from the point of view of Earth, “with be missed – rain or shine. Residing through clear skies, Venus travel Venus distance [and subsequently the orbital tilt, if we look the Earth-Sun distance],” from the side we usually explained Tindall.

Over 600 individuals see that Venus is actually Following this recomabove or below the Earth’s mendation, in the late 18th joined astronomers orbit. From Earth we see century, dozens of expedito witness the transit Venus pass either above or tions around the globe set below the Sun. Though on out to observe and docuat the University of rare occasions, when the ment the phenomena of alignment is just right we the 1761 and 1769 transits, Manitoba’s Ewan see Venus pass directly in in what is known as the Observatory. At least front of the Sun, [a transit “first large-scale scientific by definition].” endeavor,” reports RASC. 2,000 more, myself To mark the rarity of The most famous of these included, gathered this event, public observaexpeditions involved tion sessions were orgaCaptain James Cook’s at Assiniboine Park nized across Canada And voyage to Tahiti in 1769, Winnipeg was no excepwhere the location of his where the Winnipeg tion. Over 600 individuobservation is still known Centre of the Royal als joined astronomers to today as Point Venus. witness the transit at the Incidentally, an expeAstronomical University of Manitoba’s dition was sent to Hudson Society of Canada Ewan Observatory. At Bay, where the 1769 tranleast 2,000 more, myself sit was observed by British (RASC) hosted an included, gathered at astronomers, William observing session Assiniboine Park where Wales and Joseph Dymond the Winnipeg Centre of at Fort Prince of Wales near open to the public. the Royal Astronomical Churchill, Manitoba.

Society of Canada (RASC) hosted in Nova Scotia, both Chapman and across the face of the Sun for the last Today, transits of Venus are still of an observing session open to the Bishop were clouded-out during the time this century. scientific importance. More recently, This was the last chance for public.

2004 transit. With poor visibility and This last transit was only the for example, transits of Venus are humans alive today to experience a Indeed, the popularity of this weather conditions forecasted once eighth to occur since the invention helping astronomers develop techVenus transit; although the last transit year’s transit has been extraordinary. again for Nova Scotia days prior to of the telescope in 1609 and only the niques for studying the atmospheres was in 2004, the next one won’t occur “Given that it is quite hard to observe, the 2012 transit, Chapman and seventh to have ever been observed. of planets. There are current studies until 2117. the media/public interest has been Bishop evaluated their options: Although infrequent, these observa- testing whether or not we can learn “Every 100 years or so there are remarkable,” commented David “When it became apparent that the tions have provided important contri- about Venus’s atmosphere by measurtwo transits, eight years apart,” Tindall, professor of astronomy at weather was almost certainly going to butions to the field of astronomy. ing the variation in light emitted by remarked Heather Matheson, a Dalhousie University. be awful in Halifax, I had a decision “Historically, the transit was the Sun during a transit. graduate student from the University “My own view is that it must have to make: stay home and be grumpy, or important in determining the size of Mantioba’s physics and astronomy to do with the rarity of the event ... find a place where the sky was likely of the Solar System” said Tindall.

Jessica Lockhart is a graduate department. and the fact that no-one alive will to be clear, and go there at the last During the 18th century, Kepler’s student in the faculty of Natural The orbital dynamics of Earth and see the next one. Halley’s comet has minute,” said Chapman.

Laws had enabled astronomers to cal- Resource Management at the Venus are responsible for this strange the same kind of effect ... with its 76 “During the week prior to the tran- culate the relative distances between University of Manitoba. but predictable pattern. year [cycle], there’s only one chance sit I looked at the weather reports planets in astronomical units, or “The orbit of Venus is tilted 3.4 in a lifetime to see it.” for Halifax, Toronto, Thunder Bay, A.U. (one astronomical unit being illustration by Andre boulet

Arts & Culture Editor: Kara Passey Contact: artsculture@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

11

Arts & Culture

Good Work Seth Woodyard’s intense installation art transforms the aceart gallery Kara Passey, staff

I

visited Seth Woodyard the day ied art in a concentrated way for four before his opening reception at years. After graduating I decided I aceartinc. The gallery space was com- wanted to do a history degree rather pletely transformed; new walls were than art. When I started I didn’t leave built, there were plastic tarps hang- any room in my life for making art. ing from the high ceilings, a small It made me realize that I needed art wooden boat filled with crystal clear in order to be happy.” water, and two very peculiar lookIn the beginning, Woodyard ing gazebos. Scaffolding was still up was primarily a painter but his and a handful of people were helping work evolved into installation and to smooth plaster and install video sculpture. equipment.

“For me, installation is like build“It’s going to be right down to the ing forts, I approach it in the same wire,” Woodyard said with a smile. way as I did building forts as a kid He appeared confident, for him the with sort of a playful intention. My process is more important than what first major installation was at the U he ends up with of M, I dug a cave at the end. in the side of the Born in river bank, it was Woodyard’s Prince Edward very much about current work ties Island and creating a space raised in Ottawa, and inhabiting together trade and Woodyard moved that space.” art and is a return to Winnipeg in Woodyard’s 2003 to study hiscurrent work ties to sincerity and tory at Canadian together trade Mennonite and art, and is a the discipline of University return to sincerritualized labour.

(CMU). After ity and the discione year at CMU pline of ritualized he made the decilabour. Through sion to enroll in the school of fine art symbols, patterns, and repetition he at the University of Manitoba. His creates a narrative about his personal exhibition, entitled Good Work, is history, his work, and his worship. He his first solo show since graduating often appropriates images from art in 2009. history (especially Christian iconog“I didn’t want to finish my degree raphy) and the vesica piscis is repeated after the first year,” says Woodyard. throughout the exhibition.

“In Ottawa they had this amazing arts “Vesica piscis is latin for fish bladder, high school, so I had already stud- it is made when two circles intersect,”

he explained. “The circumference of each circle intersects with the center point of the other, when they overlap the vesica piscis is formed. It is the intersection of two binaries, whether it be male and female, heaven and earth, or the sacred and profane.”

Through research, Woodyard found that the symbol had been appropriated by Christianity and was interested in the various meanings and religious connotations attached to it throughout history. Specifically he uses the symbol as a representation of a vagina, as both the object of male desire and as a symbolic way of talking about rebirth through repetition.

The purpose of installation art typically is to create an aesthetic experience for the viewer. In addition to an installation that the viewer is invited into, Woodyard tries to create a further aesthetic experience by incorporating video, music, and performance.

“Music is an art form that is easier to have an emotional response to than it is to an inanimate object,” he says. “When it is used in worship it creates an emotional response. It is performed repeatedly, the same songs and the same music over and over, and it gains significance through its repetition.”

“It’s going to be a riot!” laughed

Woodyard, when I asked what to expect opening night. Local indie, prog folk band, Alanadale, was commissioned to make the music used in the exhibition and will be performing live opening night along with the Riel Gentlemen’s Choir. The music is all Manitoban-themed with songs about plants, bodies of water, and socialism.

If you missed the opening reception, the exhibition of Good Work will run until July 13. Aceartinc is located at 2-290 McDermot Avenue and is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon until 5 p.m..

The beginner’s folk music playlist Prepping for Folk Fest 2012 Michelle Saromo

H

aving been a newcomer to the James Vincent McMorrow self-titled album to do that for you!

Lord, have mercy. This band is Iron & Wine - “The Winnipeg Folk Festival last year, - “We Don’t Eat” This Philly-based band’s sound has a easily becoming one of my favourites. Trapeze Swinger” I arrived at Bird’s Hill overwhelmed One of my favourites from his debut bit more of a light-hearted, folk-pop There’s something about their sound Probably the first to pop my folk and unprepared for the amount of album Early in the Morning, it’s a song feel, which isn’t bad a thing at all. And that reminds me of Dan Mangan – I cherry, Iron & Wine’s sound has defitalent I was about to be exposed that reminds you that life is more hey, if being reminded about your own can almost hear the fest crowd sing- nitely evolved over the years – singer/ to. After hours of walking around, than just about the material things (if mortality isn’t quite your cup of tea, ing along to their music in a cult- songwriter Samuel Beam admits that scoping and catching bits and pieces you’re planning to camp throughout give their newest album, Come Back like fashion. The band members’ his most recent album Kiss Each Other of performances from each stage, I the whole fest, you might need this as Rain, a listen – it screams “summer clear vocals harmonize beautifully, Clean was more strongly pop-influwas really only able to settle down reminder). McMorrow is a rising folk fling soundtrack!” and I’m willing to bet that hearing enced compared to previous albums. for one performance – maybe one and artist who has been compared to the them perform live is going to be an Still, whenever I think of folk music a half, tops (yes, I’m that indecisive). likes of Ray LaMontagne and Bon Iver Jimmy LaFave - “River Road” even more jaw-dropping experience. this song is at the front of my mind.

This year, I’d love to get the full fest – he’s even done the whole “peace out, Listening to this song makes me When I listen to this meditative track, experience and listen to some more. world! I’m going to lock myself up in want to wrap myself up in a warm The Fretless - “Brigitte it reminds me of what I loved about the If you’re planning to check out the the middle of nowhere for a couple blanket whilst I cry over a campfire. Mulholland” festival last year and why I’m coming Fest for the first time this year and are months and come back with a pain- LaFave’s music has that reflective I love a good string quartet. I love back for more this year. Sitting on the anything like me, I’d bet that you’d fully beautiful album” bit. Apparently storytelling quality, and he sings his a good string quartet that describes grass and soaking up the sun while want someone to alleviate you from it’s a formula that works. As a festival ballads so sincerely that you can’t themselves as a Celtic band with a twist being surrounded by great music and the pains of indecision and throw opener, McMorrow is definitely not help (or at least I can’t) but feel com- even more. Their music is a blend of great people – to me, that sounds like a their own musical preferences at you, to be missed. pelled to say “I feel that” over and classical and folk arrangements with a perfect way to start off the summer. wouldn’t you? Well, it just so happens over again. With this year marking jovial Irish flavour. And how often do that I have here a completely biased Good Old War - “That’s his 20th since the release of his first you hear played Celtic tunes played on The Winnipeg Folk Festival runs playlist of songs from some of the Some Dream” album Austin Skyline, LaFave is a well- a cello? Cellist Eric Wright brings in from July 4 to 8. For more artists and artists of this year’s lineup – I’ve even Sometimes we need to be cheerfully seasoned musician deserving of respect. this unique component to the mix and times of performances, check out the listed them by chronological order of informed that we’re all going to die it does not disappoint. Debuting this complete schedule at: www.winniperformance! You’re welcome! eventually, “but that’s okay.” Allow The Head & the Heart year, The Fretless is worth checking out. pegfolkfestival.ca/festival/schedules. this track from Good Old War’s 2010 - “Down in the Valley”

12

Arts & Culture

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 1 June 20, 2012

Disaster rock and performance art The Manic Shakes prepare to release their first 7” record Kara Passey, staff

T

he Manic Shakes are a Kijiji- ward. While the Davids share the founded band and proudly give front man duties, the band writes themselves the label “disaster rock.” their songs collectively. They all come Members David Skene, David Van from various backgrounds and are Den Bossche, Paul Shirtliffe, and influenced by genres such as alternaBilly Elias are attempting to bring tive rock, stoner rock, garage rock the suspense back to rock and roll and pop punk – “And that would be by embracing all the imperfections pigeonholing,” adds Skene. and mistakes.

The Shakes are releasing their “We never play bad shows, we first, self-titled, 7” record on June only play good shows,” says Skene 22 at the Negative Space gallery (253 (Ex-Modern Teen and Mary Jane Princess). Supporting their show Stole My Girl). “A bad show isn’t are local talents Kato Destroy and whether or not we make mistakes, the Gunness. The record will have a bad show is when we don’t have three original songs by the Manic fun.”

Shakes and is one of the first albums The band was formed after the to be released through the No Label two singer/guitarists named David Collective, a skill sharing collective connected via Kijiji; drummer Billy consisting of about 10 bands, Home and bassist Paul joined shortly after- Street Recording Company, and No

Pie Publicity. tion with songs dedicated to the late Starchild, and brothers Lloyd and The No Label Collective was actor’s character Wheels on Degrassi Selleck. Afro Starchild is an intergafounded by Skene and friend Charles Junior High. The release date is still lactic traveler created by Skene and Granger (Ex-Modern Teen) on the pending but original songs have been Granger. Skene performs as Starchild basis that a collective could be started contributed by about 20 bands such as during Ex-Modern Teen’s live shows including their multiple bands, their Kato Destroy, Hey Pilgrim, Crusty and with a fictional band called the members, and the other bands the Cat, and Johnny Sizzle. The proceeds Intergalactic Noise. members were in. There was a real- made from the compilation will be “The goal of the characters is the ization that the members within this donated to the Canadian Diabetes same as disaster rock,” says Skene, “to group of bands have additional tal- Association. make music exciting again.” ents outside of music, such as music “The Manic Shakes’ song is called For Skene, who is trained in therecording and production, film, pho- ‘Excerpts From a Diary of a Teenager ater, music crosses over into perfortography, and graphic design. The two in the 90s Who Watches Degrassi mance art. “I would like to make Afro friends saw this as an opportunity for Every Day After School’,” Skene Starchild into a fringe play,” he adds, bands to help other bands succeed in laughs. “It takes longer to say the “With different venues shutting down, a skill-sharing environment. title than to play the song.”

Winnipeg has produced alternative In addition to helping individual The members of the No Label spaces where you can go see shows. bands with their projects, the collec- Collective have many faces, liter- Moving rock and roll into a theater tive also works on group projects such ally. The collective involves fictional just makes sense because there is no as the Neil Hope tribute compila- members such as the Boss, Afro where else to have it.”

Reset: post-consumer gamer culture Explore the connection between video games and art at Platform Gallery Leah Hansen

P

was the first. Its ability to entertain people for hours on end with no visible narrative or plot line was the feature that distinguished it from other forms of media, namely music and movies. It was the setting ong

that counted here, and the setting may not even realize. alone. Of course, Pong’s was only a Are you a fan of the Resident Evil preview of what was to come; a multi- films? 1980s hip hop? What about billion dollar video game industry Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Grandma’s that has both affected and influenced Boy or Tron? Can you hum the Super pop culture in ways that most of us Mario Bros. theme song on command?

I’ve never played the game in my life, featured is the work of Dr. Ian Bogost, and I can do it. The list goes on and an award winning designer and media on. Even though the influence of philosopher whose games cover social video games can be easily seen in and political issues and have been mainstream pop culture, what about played by millions of people internaconsidering how gamer culture and tionally. Max Capacity, a media and the rise of digital media have influ- technology artist from Santa Cruz, enced our attitudes toward art? Using California is also featured, his glitch video games as the medium is one of work being derived from a variety the more unexplored avenues of the of dead media like vintage video influence of gamer culture, but it’s games, old and malfunctioning VHS exactly what an upcoming Winnipeg machines and bent electronics. exhibition is aiming to do.

“Party Time! Hexcellent!” is Reset: post-consumer gamer cul- the name used by Rachel Weil, an ture, at the Platform Centre for artist who creates interactive, glitPhotographic and Digital Arts start- chable visual art for the Nintendo ing June 21, explores the connection Entertainment System. And finally, between video games and art, and Haydi Roket is an independent how gamer culture has infiltrated graphic designer and media artist and influenced society around us. from Istanbul whose work is preoccuThrough new media work in print, pied with the aesthetics of 8-bit comprojections, and hand held interac- puter and gaming technology; vintage tive forms, Reset explores the ways in video game consoles and computers which video games have evolved from are the source of his pieces. mere pixels depicting the simplest of While the sheer variety here scenes to an international industry would make for more than enough with countless brands, “worlds,” and talent for one exhibition, the entire lot affiliations. is curated by mrghosty (also known The artists whose work is featured as Skot Deeming), a media artist as have embraced the technology, cul- well as a curator whose own work ture and aesthetics of gaming as a seeks to challenge consumer models medium. Their work also highlights of play associated with video games the history of gaming technology and gaming culture. through the devices that the pieces Many various industries are now are viewed on. Some use the aesthet- moving in digital directions. The ics of the games to create digital draw- predictable result is the convergence ings and short animated loops; some and interconnection of film, music, use the technology as a filmmaking fashion, video games and now fine tool (this is known as “machinima”); art. With such a unique form of art others create their own interactive created by such considerable talents software applications and modify on display in Winnipeg, this exhibigame controllers or interfaces. tion isn’t one to miss.

Among the artists whose work will be included in the exhibition Reset: post-consumer gamer culare native Winnipegger Clint Enns, ture is on at the Platform Centre a filmmaker whose work centers for Photographic and Digital Arts around creating something new out of from June 21 to July 28. The Opening broken and/or outdated technologies, Reception and Curator’s Tour is and Canadian Myfanwy Ashmore, on Thursday, June 21 at 7 p.m. known for her software artwork. Also

Arts & Culture Editor: Kara Passey Contact: artsculture@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Event Listings ART

Montreal artists bring worldly exhibit to Winnipeg David Krause

June 15-July 13, Good Work by Seth Woodyard at aceartinc June 15- July 27, La création de l’univers/The Creation of the Universe, work by Emmanuelle Jacques on display at Martha Street June 21-August 30, Deux Temps, Trois Mouvements, Sans Doute by Séripop at La Maison des artistes visuels francophones

S

June 22-24, Circle & Square: Manitoba Festival of Craft 2012 at the Atomic Center June 29 – Aug ust 2, “Ominjimdedaan / to remember,”

by Charlene Vickers at Urban Shaman

MUSIC June 21, Young Pixels and Merch Table Delite at Pop Soda’s June 22, The Manic Shakes 7” Record Release Show at Negative Space June 22, Death by Stereo with guests at The Zoo June 28, Each Other, The Bokonosts, Thee Ahs, and Spirit Children at Frame Arts Warehouse June 30, Dayglo Abortions with guests at Ozzys July 4 – 8, The 39th Annual Winnipeg Folk Festival at Bird’s Hill Park July 8, Brain Fever, Brain Attracts Flies and Dead Ranch at Negative Space July 23, Beirut at The Burton Cummings Theatre

June 22, World Naked Bikeride, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Manitoba Legislative Building June 22, Party in Solidarity!

Supporting the students of the ‘Maple Spring’ at Gios Club & Bar June 30, Art City Sky Parade starting at 2 p.m. on West Broadway

13

Séripop

June 27-July 5, 4 Perspectives by Genevie Henderson, Suzanne Barrow, Pat Johnson, and Thora Barnett at the Cre8ery Gallery

OTHER

Arts & Culture

éripop, the Montreal art group of Yannick Desranleau and Chloe Lum, are showing their art exhibit, Deux Temps, Trois Mouvements, and Sans Doute at the Winnipeg gallery La Maison des artistes visuels francophones from June 21 to Aug 30.

The Winnipeg exhibition consists of two different art installations – Chandigarh Is One and More Time Than Space.

Chandigarh Is One focuses on the motivations and aesthetics behind the city in Chandigarh, India. Architect Le Corbusier created the city in 1953. First Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru commissioned the city after the separation of India and

through pop art with ironic undertones. The installation is unique in that manner and should prove to be intellectually stimulating for gallerygoers.

More Time Than Space is a participatory sculpture. Guests of the gallery are invited to immerse themselves in the brightly-coloured art, examine the three objects clustered in front of them and reflect on possible architectural statements that the piece is trying to make. Séripop describes the work in terms of “saccades, visual rhythm, and a clear evolution.” More Time Than Space plays with the phenomenological elements of architecture and art Pakistan. Chandigarh was created – the relationship between the object because the Indian province Punjab in regards to humanity’s relationship was split between Pakistan and India, with nature. Humanity is a part of leaving Punjab without a capital. nature and our dwellings shouldn’t Nehru wanted a modern city to dominate, but enhance our relationshowcase the new India. Le Corbusier ship with nature. designed the city, and is one of the Séripop’s interesting art installamost prominent forces behind mod- tions should be a treat of anyone that ern architecture. wants to experience groundbreaking The point of Chandigarh Is One is to art in a gallery setting. examine Le Corbusier’s architecture and his modern motivations. Critics The Séripop installations will be have argued that his cities are not on display from June 21 – Aug 30 pedestrian-friendly and are dictato- at La Maison des artistes visuels rial in their structural imposition on francophones, 219 Provencher native cultures.

Blvd. For more information on the Chandigarh is One examines the exhibit as well as gallery hours, visit stylistic choices of Chandigarh in a www.maisondesartistes.mb.ca.

Graphics Editor: Silvana Moran Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

Diversions

14

curtonbummings.tumblr.com

15

Blue Bombers backtrack on cowbell ban

Looking ahead to the fall

Marc Lagace, staff

ou know the CFL regular sea- antics, the rowdy folks from Section son is almost upon us when the S start stacking empty beer cups for Winnipeg Blue Bombers are caught seemingly no good reason. Before up in a controversy that has almost too long cups flew in from adjacent nothing to do with their on-field sections and even rained down from performance. the upper deck. Shortly thereafter, The most recent ‘scandal’ the stack was long enough to snake revolved around a new game day from near the top of the section policy letter that was included all they way to the walkway at the with season ticket packages that bottom. informed season ticket holders of It was never the beer snake itself a slew of changes to the game day that was inherently controversial; experience. instead it was the way the snake The new Bomber game day pol- would inevitably be destroyed. By icy expands the list of prohibited the second home game against the items to include almost all artificial Toronto Argonauts on July 9, the noisemakers (specifically mention- beer snake’s legend and length had ing “musical instruments”), any sort grown exponentially. of flagpole and all outside beverages When the Bombers collapsed and food—including sealed bottles in the fourth quarter and the game of water—with the only exception ended as a 36-34 loss, the cups being baby food.

The ban on noisemakers did not sit well with fans, especially those who had bought cowbells to ring on game day from the Bomber Store.

Frustrated fans took to the internet and spoke with local media outlets to vent their frustrations, a press conference was called so that the club’s Chief Operating Officer Jim started flying. Allegedly, there were Bell could clarify the organization’s a handful of injuries caused by the stance; cowbells would once again flying plastic, forcing the Bombers be allowed in the stadium and also to crackdown on any future beer available for purchase at the Bomber snakes. The new rules were more Store. ‘Paint cans filled with rocks’ or less accepted, although several and other homemade noisemakers smaller beer snakes—seemingly would still be banned. stacked in protest—were spotted in Now with “Cowbellgate” the stands throughout the remainpromptly handled by the club, let’s der of the season. reflect and take a moment to revisit some other Bomber controversies Mike Kelly that were nothing but distractions As nice of a guy as Mike Kelly for fans and the team alike. was one-on-one, he managed to be the king of controversy during his The Beer Snake lone season as head coach of the It was the 2010 season when the Bombers in 2009. From referring Section S beer snake first slith- to the province of Saskatchewan ered into Blue Bombers folklore. as the “crotch of Canada” in the Already notorious for their crazy offseason to his frequent clashes

Sports

Bison Let’s get critical briefs

The latest in a series of rather pointless controversies

Y

Sports Editor: Marc Lagace Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

with the local media, Coach Kelly quickly became one of the more controversial figures in the CFL. Perhaps the best/worst example of Mike Kelly’s interactions with the media came when a scout affiliated with the Winnipeg Football Club was caught taking notes at a closed Hamilton Tiger-Cat practice. In a media scrum specifically called to discuss the incident, Kelly was especially uncooperative with the media, and coined his very own catchphrase in the process: “It’s a non-issue, handled internally and I’m not talking about it.”

Keep in mind that this incident occurred two weeks into the regular season. The rest, as they say, is history, as coach Kelly’s head coaching stint with the Bombers was terminated Dec. 17 after a disappointing 7-9 finish.

The Stadium The new stadium has been a constant source of controversy well before ground broke at the U of M campus.

If Fort Richmond residents weren’t protesting the affect the stadium will have on the surrounding neighborhoods, then it was U of M students and faculty members voicing concerns about campus access and parking on game days.

But the biggest controversy was the ever-changing completion date that went from June, to late July, to late September. Fortunately, Bomber CEO Garth Buchko recently put that issue to bed.

In a statement sent to local media, the Bombers announced that poor weather conditions had slowed down construction, and that the club had postponed the stadium grand opening until 2013.

illustration by kara passey

Marc Lagace, staff

Women’s Soccer The Bisons women’s soccer team Volleyball will have a new bench boss when The addition of Mount Royal they kick off the 2012 Canada West to the Canada West conference season in September. means that all 12 teams will play Hadyn Sloane-Seale was named every weekend throughout the the third head coach in the women’s 22-match volleyball season.

The Bison men and women’s soccer program earlier this month, and will be looking to coach the teams will start the season on Bisons back into the post-season the road against the Winnipeg for the first time since the 2008 Wesmen on Oct. 25, and then host the Calgary Dinos the following season.

Also in Canada West women’s weekend on Nov. 1 and 2.

The men’s team will be looking soccer this season; UNBC, Mount Royal and Winnipeg will play their to improve on their bronze medal inaugural season in the conference, finish at the 2012 CIS National expanding the number of teams Championships, while the women’s team will be looking for a boost competing to 13.

With the additional teams, the from their promising class of total number of games played per recruits after being eliminated in team in 2012 has decreased from 14 the first round of the 2012 Canada to 12. Furthermore, the number of West playoffs by Winnipeg.

In other Bison volleyball news, teams qualifying for the playoffs the 1978-80 Bison men’s volleyball has doubled from four to eight.

The Bisons will open the regu- teams will be inducted into the lar season on the road against their Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame new crosstown rivals from the U of on Nov. 3. With a roster of players that included current men’s head W on Sept. 7. coach Garth Pischke, the 1978 Basketball Bisons posted a 47-2 record before The addition of two new schools securing the U of M’s first CIAU in the Pacific division won’t have a (now CIS) national championship direct affect on the Bison men’s and in volleyball.

The Bisons looked to repeat as women’s basketball teams, but there will be some significant changes to champions the following year, but lost in the finals to the University the Canada West playoff setup.

With both divisions at eight of Saskatchewan Huskies. With teams, there is no need for the Wild the bitter taste of defeat still linCard playoff format. Starting this gering in the back of their minds, season the top four teams from the Bisons qualified for the CIAU each division will qualify for the finals again in 1980, and this time playoffs. Last season, both Bison came out victorious over their hosts teams missed the playoffs, with the at the U of S, winning definitively women finishing in seventh, and three sets to one.

The 1978-80 Bison men’s volleythe men fifth.

Both teams start the 2012 season ball teams and other 2012 inductees on the road in Calgary on Nov. 2 will officially be inducted into the and 3 before hosting the Brandon Hall of Fame in the fall.

Bobcats Nov. 9 and 10.

16

Sports

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 1 June 20, 2012

The women of football WWCFL continues to grow Marc Lagace, staff

in terms of sports in North America.

While still in relative infancy in Canada and Manitoba, the recent formation of the Manitoba Girls Football Association by Football Manitoba will hopefully open up the sport to younger generations of girls who are interested. Now, Manitoban girls between the ages of 9 and 14 can learn and play the unique team sport at a younger age alongside others looking for the same opportunity.

Allyssa Buckland, a U of M student and linebacker for the Fearless, first started playing tackle football for the St Vital Mustangs when she was 12 years old. Buckland says that playing with the boys was good fun, s most Canadian football fans and the Winnipeg Nomads Wolf but that playing with all-ladies seems know, the CFL regular season Pack). to bring out a bit more aggression. kick offs July 1. Meanwhile, for For clarification, one would be “It’s different, but I definitely still amateur athletes playing in Western remiss to confuse the WWCFL with enjoy it,” said Buckland. “I’d say Women Canadian Football League the likes of the (in)famous Lingerie that the girls are just as intense as (WWCFL), the final games of the Football League (LFL). Unlike the the guys.”

While it helps to come into the regular season were played on June LFL, WWCFL athletes wear tra17. Playoffs are now underway, with ditional football uniforms and play league with playing experience, there each team hoping to making it to the the same game with the same rules are plenty of players who’ve joined 2012 WWCFL Championship game as found in the CFL, CIS and all with little to no previous experience.

First-year running back Tabatha in Saskatoon, SK on July 14. levels of Canadian football.

Having grown up in a football South of the border, there are two well-established women’s tackle foot- family, founding the Manitoba ball leagues—the Women’s Football Fearless fulfilled a lifelong dream Alliance and the Independent for Tannis Wilson.

Women’s Football League—that “I created the team because I collectively boast 92 teams from wanted to play [tackle football] my all across the nation (including entire life,” explains Wilson. “Even one Canadian team, the Montreal though my dad coached, my brother played, my mom just said ‘no you’re Blitz).

The WWCFL is an all-female not playing.’”

“It was kind of a selfish motive full-contact football league that is currently comprised of seven teams for me to start the team, because I from across western Canadian. In wanted to play.”

Currently, Wilson is the genits second season, the league is divided into two conferences; the eral manager for the Manitoba Western Conference hosts the three Fearless and the commissioner of Albertan teams (Lethbridge Steel, the WWCFL. She’s also responCalgary Rage and Edmonton Storm), sible for introducing women’s tackle while the Prairie Conference is com- football in the province and getting prised of two Saskatchewan teams the ball rolling on organizing the (Saskatoon Valkyries and Regina WWCFL. Riot) and two teams that play out of Wilson says that women’s tackle Winnipeg (the Manitoba Fearless football is one of the final frontiers

A

Bandlow had never played any team Roughriders of the CFL listed as sports, but signed up to play for the a ‘Gold level’ sponsor on the team’s Fearless when they set up shop on the website. Meanwhile, the Riders allow U of M campus last year. the Regina Riot to use Taylor Field The Fearless and the Nomads Wolf at Mosaic Stadium for their home Pack wrapped up their regular season games. against each other on June 17.

“Here in Manitoba, we definitely The game was a spirited match, don’t get as much backing from with a healthy crowd of spectators the province or the Bombers,” said looking on as the two teams show- Buckland. “They definitely get a lot cased their skills on both sides of the more money put into their program, ball. The game was as intense as you and it shows.” would expect it to be in an imporHopefully that’s something that tant game between fierce rivals. In will change as the league’s visibility the end, despite a last minute come- grows. With the league now firmly back attempt that almost went the established after two years in exisdistance, the Wolf Pack scored a tence, the WWCFL is hoping to touchdown as time expired to take add four new teams—including the the game 36-24. first team in B.C.—in the next few Now both teams will prepare years. to travel to Saskatchewan for the playoffs, which start next weekend. If you’re interested in playing or volSpeaking with some of the players, unteering with either the Manitoba the Saskatchewan teams appear to Fearless or the Winnipeg Nomad Wolf be the ideal model to follow for other Pack, you can get in contact by finding teams in the league. For instance, their team page on www.wwcfl.com. the Saskatoon Valkyries garner support from all levels of football in the region, with the Saskatchewan photos by beibei lu