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27 February 2019

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SPORTS

Break out the brooms

Bisons sweep Thunderbirds to clinch return to nationals PAGE 21

NEWS

Campaign season

UMSU slates unveil platforms PAGE 3

ARTS AND CULTURE

Taking root Canada’s forgotten settlers remembered PAGE 20

COMMENT

Feel the Bern What a Sanders presidency could mean to Canada PAGE 10

VO L 1 0 5 · N O 2 5 · F E B R UA RY 2 7, 2 0 1 9 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO B A N .CO M


Index

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VOL. 105 NO. 25 February 27, 2019

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Garett Williams

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

BUSINESS MANAGER Sohni Tappia

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Sydney Last

ads@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

NEWS

Growing the next crop

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Malak Abas

me@themanitoban.com

NEWS EDITOR Malak Abas

Agriculture appoints new dean

news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

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comment@themanitoban.com

COMMENT EDITOR Jacob Singleton ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR Emelia Fournier

comment@themanitoban.com

SPORTS EDITOR Jason Pchajek

sports@themanitoban.com

COPY EDITOR Matthew Doering

copy@themanitoban.com

ASSOCIATE COPY EDITOR Sarah Doran

sarah@themanitoban.com

DESIGN

DESIGN EDITOR Kellie Huynh

design@themanitoban.com

GRAPHICS EDITOR Evan Tremblay

graphics@themanitoban.com

PHOTO EDITOR Asha Nelson

photo@themanitoban.com

PHOTO EDITOR Quincy Houdayer

quincy@themanitoban.com

PHOTO ASSOCIATE Alex Decebal-Cuza DESIGN ASSOCIATE Ernest Zarzuela GRAPHICS ASSOCIATE Scott A. Ford

REPORTERS

NEWS Ty Brass COLUMNIST Kenny Ingram COLUMNIST Rebecca Balakrishnan ARTS Amin Montazeri ARTS Zachary F. Sigurdson SPORTS Kellen Taniguchi

VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTORS

Daniel Olapade

MANITOBAN 109 HELEN GLASS U N I V E R S I T Y O F M A N I TO B A WINNIPEG, MB R3T 2N2

EDITORIAL

Mental illness A “prolonged disability”? PAGE 8

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News

News Editor: Malak Abas Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

UMSU campaigns take shape

“As a Métis student on campus, a lot of the stuff that we see around campus is really troubling to me”

“Our team, we all come from community student groups”

“It’s your money — you should be deciding how it’s spent every year”

JAKOB SANDERSON

ANNIE BEACH

JAKE LETWIN

Sanderson is hop- exist at the University of Jakob ing for one more year as Manitoba and I think that

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UMSU president as part is a mix of the city not of the Your UMSU slate. showing a lot of leadership Sanderson said much of as well as the university. what he hopes to achieve So I’m e x t remely should he be elected for excited that this year we’ve another term as president been working with the new revolves around improv- sustainability working ing on what he has already group to adopt a number of begun. proposals to the University This includes the inte- of Manitoba sustainability gration of open educational plan that’s being drafted, resources (OER) — which as well as creating our own fosters the use of public UMSU plan.” domain resources instead Sanderson said his of expensive textbooks — goal is to establish board in classes. of governors’ approval on “O pen educat iona l a campus composting plan resources is something that by the end of the year, and I’ve worked on this year, it’s to regulate UMSU events something that I’ve worked under a guide to environon to the extent that we’ve mental sustainability. now got a promise and a When asked how he policy from the university felt the executive could where whenever there’s improve over the next a new course introduced, year, he referenced using they have to consider an UMSU to “really make the open educational resource University of Manitoba a before going to a tradi- destination for Indigenous tional textbook,” he said. education” and added the “We want to take this to Your UMSU executive the next level by working slate would be working on with the administration an Indigenous awareness to set up a working group month and an Indigenous with admin, faculty and scholar hiring fund, which students, discussing ways would use UMSU’s endowto integrate open educa- ment fund to collect and tional resources into as match donations from the many classes as possible, as university and the province well as lobbying to federal to hire Indigenous scholars. and provincial government “I’ll be pretty honest to create start-up grants for about it, [the executive OER content creators.” could improve] the relaImproving environ- tionship between UMSU mental sustainability on and the University of campus is another sector Manitoba, and Indigenous in which Sanderson said he peoples,” he said. will pour his efforts. “As a Métis student on “This has been sort of campus, a lot of the stuff my biggest passion — the that we see around camcreation of a campus com- pus is really troubling to posting program,” he said. me, much of it directed at “Many other U15 uni- us and much of it directed versities — and even the toward the university, and University of Winnipeg — I think all of it very valid.” has a campus composting program. It does not currently

nnie Beach hopes to Indigenous, international, bring her long history LGBTTQ* and womyn’s of advocacy to UMSU as community representatives. the presidential candidate “Only two of these posifor the Exist slate. tions belong to Indigenous Beach — co-president or visible minorities, which of the School of Fine Arts we feel does not reflect the Students Association nature of the population of (SOFA) and Indigenous the University of Manitoba students’ commissioner for and puts these representathe Canadian Federation of tives in a place where they Students Manitoba branch feel tokenized or targeted,” — said her platform focuses she said. on supporting marginalized The UMSU board of student groups on campus. directors voted against “Our main policies that affirming membership in we’re focusing on is striv- the Canadian Federation of ing toward accessible and Students in November and affordable post-secondary recommended the union education for local and instead join the Canadian international students, A lliance of Student community engagement as Associations (CASA). to provide a safe space for Beach said she will work cultural, social, religious to make sure students are and awareness student-run aware of the provincial advogroups,” she said. cacy services the federation “Transparent and inclu- provides. sive advocacy and lobbying “There’s what’s happenat university, municipal, ing with CASA, and the provincial and federal lev- fact that they only lobby at els, and then ensuring that a federal level as opposed international students are to provincial, which tuition represented and that their hikes and international stuhealthcare is prioritized, and dent healthcare are the most as well black, Indigenous pressing concerns right now and people of colour and they’re both provincial [BIPOC] representation, jurisdictions,” she said. inclusivity and celebration.” Should UMSU’s memBeach said she will also bership come to a referenlike to re-examine the cur- dum, Beach said if they rent sponsorship relation- vote to remain within the ships between UMSU and federation, she will ensure outside businesses. the Canadian Federation “Looking at partner- of Students is visible on ing with the various res- campus. taurants and coffee shops “I don’t want to make stuto get UMSU student dents think just because I’m discounts and deals,” she involved with it, then I’m for said. “Including local mar- it,” she said. kets, local coffee shops and “So I think I would want BIPOC and immigrant-run to keep it up to students, businesses.” but just make sure that they The Exist slate will also are aware of the benefits of re-examine the current the Canadian Federation of UMSU board of directors’ Students as opposed to only structure and create addi- negatives that have been tional roles for marginal- relayed to them. I want to ized communities beyond make sure that they know the current four positions of both sides to the story.”

usiness student and event producer Jake Letwin said his first goal if elected president will be shifting the union’s focus away from “aggressive” political theatre and toward student outreach. “I think one thing we saw going into this was the elections in the past, everyone was, first of all, very political,” he said. “Which we didn’t like. It’s a student union. It’s about us, the students. It shouldn’t be done that way. So we wanted to kind of take a more friendly approach to this.” Opening the f loor to evaluation from students is the key goal of the New UMSU slate and Letwin said he hopes to learn from the people who work within UMSU. “UMSU has plenty of employees that are very experienced,” he said. “Us, like the elected members, aren’t the only ones involved — there’s a lot of salaried employees at UMSU that are very knowledgeable and we want to work with them and what they know to come to those decisions.” Letwin said he hopes to bring new faces to the UMSU executive, which he said he feels has elected “the same people year after year.” “I think we bring a whole new perspective to the whole student union, student election system,” he said. Letwin said there are no plans for New UMSU to run for a second term if elected for a first, which he said opens room to make larger changes to UMSU than past executives, which have made what he called “quite incremental” changes. “We don’t want to spend

half of our time in office working on our next election,” he said. “We want to get in, get things done, accomplish things for the students and really make substantial changes while we’re there, as opposed to being concerned about the next [election] halfway through our term.” One example Letwin said he hopes to make is polling students on the future of Frosh Fest, which he called “a very sensitive subject.” “We want to look at Frosh and decide if we want to do it super big, bring it back to what it used to be and have it as a huge get-together for students, one of those things to build school spirit,” he said. “Or if we cut it entirely and save that student money. Recently, it’s been kind of in the middle of those two. We want to decide whether or not to go big or go home, none of this half way.” His slate, Letwin hopes, will bring something new to the union. “The student union and the elections seem to follow a pretty similar path every year, and unfortunately […] a lot of students still have no idea what [UMSU] is, nor do they care,” he said. “I think it’s important to change that, because it’s your money that’s going toward this every year, and the people who are involved would like to keep it as small as possible, because it’s easier for them to win and keep doing what they’re doing every year. “We want to bring this to all the students. It’s your money — you should be deciding how it’s spent every year.”


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News

News Editor: Malak Abas Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

UMSU ELECTION 2019

Slate withdraws before campaigning begins Would-be running mates forward mixed messages on aborted run MALAK ABAS, STAFF

EXECUTIVE SLATES: ••EXIST••

President: Annie Beach Vice president student life: Qudus Abusaleh Vice president community engagement: Musammat Tayeba Vice president finance: Alannah Mckay Vice president advocacy: Kayla Lariviere

••NEW UMSU••

President: Jake Letwin Vice president student life: Sydney Pankratz Vice president community engagement: Sarah Hill Vice president finance: Fardad Hakem Vice president advocacy: Jaden McGill

••YOUR UMSU••

President: Jakob Sanderson Vice president student life: Jelynn Dela Cruz Vice president community engagement: Kyra Fanning Vice president finance: Mbuli Matshe Vice president advocacy: Sarah Bonner-Proulx

COMMUNITY REPRESENTIVES:

One of four potential UMSU ing and appears biased.” dum is expected in the fall. presidents dropped out of the race Hunter said Bilal did not raise While Bilal said he made before campaigning even began any concerns to him directly at any Oriloye and Singh aware of his after raising concerns regarding time, and noted he has “a duty” to reason for withdrawing, both say the union’s chief returning officer act in a neutral manner during the their mutual resignation was due (CRO) — but his would-be run- election. to other factors. “My honest opinion is that I’ve ning mates cite conflicting reasons. “It was long coming,” said Third-year arts student been CRO for months now, so if Oriloye. “By the time he wanted Muhammad Bilal joined the neutrality was considered an issue, to drop out of the race — it was UMSU elections under the Diverse it could have been raised to me very long coming.” UMSU slate — which included early on,” he said. Oriloye said Bilal had “per“But I think personally we all sonal views” that came up in the Yusuf Oriloye and Harry Singh as vice-president student life and vice- are allowed personal opinions — discussion to resign, but said the president commugroup eventunity engagement, ally decided they “By the time he wanted to drop respectively. would not have All three have time to maintain out of the race — it was long withdrawn. a campaign. Bilal said he “ We just coming” — Yusuf Oriloye, student resigned because thought it was he was not “conbad timing for fident” in UMSU CRO Darius whether it comes to politics, or it us,” he said. “We thought maybe Hunter’s ability to manage a neu- comes to student unions. But in we should step back and probably tral election due to comments terms of rulings, in terms of pro- give it a better try next year, probmade both privately and in public cedural interpretation, I have my ably we’d be in a better situation regarding the Canadian Federation job as CRO, [which] is to do that next year.” from a non-biased, from a neutral of Students. Singh said he had only heard “The CRO literally has a history perspective. about Bilal’s concerns after he had “And when I am interpreting the been approached by the CRO about against CFS,” Bilal said in an email. “Everyone is entitled to their rules, there is no bias, and there is the issue — well after the slate had opinions — especially around issues no personal influence.” resigned — and was not aware of The UMSU board of directors any partiality concerns beforehand. they believe in — but to witness someone in power over the election recently voted against affirm“He never mentioned that to us,” continuously debate against issues ing membership in the Canadian he said. many students believe in is sicken- Federation of Students. A referen-

Sky high ALEX DECEBAL-CUZA

•ACCESSIBILITY STUDENTS’ REPRESENTATIVE• Eliza Hydesmith Brandon Wozniak •INDIGENOUS STUDENTS’ REPRESENTATIVE• Alicia Kubrakovich •INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ REPRESENTATIVE• Abdul Ahad Abdallah Es-Haq Victoria Nwabuisi •LGBTTQ* REPRESENTATIVE• Trevor Smith •MATURE STUDENTS’ REPRESENTATIVE• Sharlene MacCoy •WOMENS’ REPRESENTATIVE• Sia Yamba

The University of Manitoba Space Applications and Technology Society was presented with $10,000 Monday after taking first place at the Canadian Satellite Design Challenge in the summer of 2018.


VOL. 105 NO. 25 February 27, 2019

News

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Faculty of agriculture appoints new dean

Scientist says student outreach, improving diversity goals for his tenure TY BRASS, STAFF

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U of M administration alumnus hopes to sow the seeds of a bright future as the new dean of the faculty of agricultural and food sciences. Food scientist Martin Scanlon has signed on for a five-year term as the dean of the faculty, but it is not his first go as a leader within the university — he first joined the U of M faculty in 1991 and has twice served as acting head of the department of food science.

“I quite like the winters, to be honest” — Martin Scanlon, new dean of agriculture Scanlon received his own education at the University of Leeds in England, but said Winnipeg had always been a special place to him. “I like Winnipeg,” he said. “I quite like the winters, to be honest. There has been good, supportive people throughout all the time I’ve been here. “Agriculture and food processing is a big thing, so in terms of my expertise fitting with the needs of the community I think it’s been a good fit, so I’ve been happy to stay.” Scanlon already had an exemplary record with the U of M even before receiving the dean position — while sitting as the associate dean of research in the faculty of agricultural and food sciences in 2014, Scanlon received the University of Manitoba Graduate Students’ Association Teaching Award. Asked what he is proud of accomplishing in the role so far, Scanlon

PHOTO BY ALEX DECEBAL-CUZA

said outreach throughout the faculty has been a point of pride for him. “I’ve sort of been going around to the departmental councils and I hope that I’ve been good in terms of fostering a collegial approach, because sometimes you get the dean's office, the university level, they can be displaced from the real, where real action goes on in the departments,” he said. “And the other is with the students. It’s been interacting with the students to make sure they know who I am, because if there are issues, or if, on the other hand, if there are things they’re proud of, I want to hear about it sort of first-hand.” Scanlon talked about his plans to

continue the faculty’s undergraduate curriculum renewal, which began under the previous dean. The faculty of agriculture rolled out a revised two-year diploma in agriculture program in fall 2018. “We’re looking at curriculum renewal, because it’s been 20 years since we had a major curriculum reform,” said Scanlon. “If you think about what progress has been [made] in agriculture, in food and nutritional sciences in those 20 years, there've been massive changes — so we want to update the curriculum.” Speaking about what he hopes to achieve over the next five years as dean, Scanlon talked about focusing

more on the student experience. “Because we’re a very researchintensive faculty, sometimes that can sort of skew the way that a faculty think, but it’s to make sure that we’re an educational and a good student experience first and foremost.” Scanlon also mentioned his hopes for improving diversity and inclusion in the faculty. “Internally, I want to make sure that we’ve got the best policies and practices to make this a good place to work in,” he said. “So my associate dean, Annemieke Farenhorst, she’s a researcher, I’ve asked her to be also responsible for making us, if not the best, the most progressive faculty on campus, one

of the best on equity, diversity and inclusion, because I think, well, we just need to have those things in our faculty. “We can’t seem to be laggards.” Scanlon talked about the importance of agricultural education, particularly in Winnipeg. “You look at Winnipeg, you think of all the service industries that are supported by agriculture,” said Scanlon. “An enormous amount of this city’s economy is driven by agriculture, so we’ve got to get the best and the brightest into agriculture.”

Creating a campaign for a cause

Marketing student group partners with local agency MALAK ABAS, STAFF

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he University of Manitoba M a rk et i n g A s s o c i at ion (UMMA) has partnered with a local marketing agency to campaign for a cause. The UMMA approached marketing and communication firm ChangeMakers to collaborate on the Bolster project, which will see the firm work with students to create a marketing campaign for a local not-for-profit organization. UMMA director of corporate relations Abby Ilchena said the student group was looking to work with a local agency. “At the beginning of the school year, the executive team of UMMA had a strategic planning meeting about what we wanted to do with the group this year,” she said.

“The idea of working closer with ing with not-for-profits and on social said a wide range of not-for-profits a marketing agency kept coming up issues and we are proud to support will be considered. because at that point there was little several not-for-profits with pro bono “Any local organization that is to no connection between the Asper marketing communications. We also looking to reach a broader audience, School of Business and the agency contribute to the professional devel- change how they tell their story or world. We definitely saw value in opment and training of marketers increase their donations would be an connecting with an agency as it was through internships. This project ideal candidate,” she said. an area of interest for marketing stu- was an opportunity to support both “We want to help a company that dents who are close is making change in to graduating.” their fields.” ChangeMakers “We want to help a company that is making Friesen said the director of strategic Bolster project will change in their fields” — Abby Ilchena, communications be an opportunity Hilary Friesen said for students, and UMMA director of corporate relations the firm jumped at also an opportunity the opportunity. for an organization “We saw a great opportunity to a local not-for-profit and marketing to receive the expertise of marketing give back to our community and students.” students in the city. mentor the next generation of marThe not-for-profit will be chosen “Many community organizations keters,” Friesen said. by ChangeMakers with “support understand the value of marketing — “ChangeMakers got its start work- from the UMMA team.” Ilchena they simply lack the funds or staff to

make it a priority,” she said. “Students can volunteer their time and skills to help with an organization's marketing communications or partner with a not-for-profit to organize a fundraiser.” Ilchena said the UMMA saw the Bolster project as a great opportunity to reach out beyond the university and support local philanthropy. “I think initiatives like this project [are] a great way to support our local communities, as well there are lots of charity organizations that are looking for marketing support, whether that be creating social media content or volunteering at different events that students can certainly take advantage of,” she said. “It is important that we give back to our local communities.”


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News

News Editor: Malak Abas Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Ed students challenge attendance policy Administration holds ground amid complaints guidelines are too strict JACOB SINGLETON, STAFF

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he faculty of education is the site of a struggle between students and administration over the faculty’s attendance policy, which some students are saying is too strict.

to be missed unexcused before dis- Mukhamedshina. ciplinary action — mainly potential Nearly 40 per cent of the student disbarment — can be taken against body responded to the survey, and a student. just over 92 per cent of respondents Students can not miss 20 per cent said they were unsatisfied with the — or eight to nine hours — of classes, class attendance policy. excused or unexcused, without risk“When I sent out the survey, I “When I sent out ing potential withdrawal from the had no idea — I didn’t expect that course or program. the survey, I had Should the student exceed three “Since I’ve been an missed class hours, they will receive no idea — I didn’t a due process letter informing them associate dean, no expect that so many they face disbarment, and then the undergraduate relevant department head will get students would in touch with the student to discuss student has ever reply” — Elvina potential disciplinary action. After hearing complaints that the been debarred Mukhamedshina, policy was restrictive from fellow for attendance” — senior stick, faculty students, education student council senior stick Elvina Mukhamedshina Francine Morin, of education decided to survey education students faculty of education to grasp the level of discontent among student council the student body and identify their associate dean specific issues with the policy. “I began it because I have personStudents and administrators ally heard the student body, and peogave separate presentations on the ple, and classmates and colleagues attendance policy on Feb. 12 and Feb. within the faculty complain about the so many students would reply […] 15, respectively. Both presentations attendance policy,” she said. people wrote paragraphs,” she said. were open to students, administrators “It’s just whenever the attendance “People cited Health Canada and faculty. What emerged was two policy comes up, there’s rarely a posi- statistics, Environment Canada stacompeting visions of changes needed tive feedback or a positive sentiment tistics. People cited other university to address students’ concerns with the or experience with it. faculty of education policies. It just attendance policy. “=People, students, are not happy shows how emotionally invested with it.” students are.” Students struggle The survey was sent via email On Feb. 12, Mukhamedshina The current attendance policy to every undergraduate educa- — along with the rest of the educawithin the faculty of education only tion student and the size and tion student council — shared the allows for three class hours per term extent of the results “overwhelmed” results of the survey with students.

In attendance were more than 40 students, four administrators and three professors from the faculty. According to the presentation, many of the survey responses were from students who said they felt the policy was structured unfairly. The presentation included multiple anonymous testimonials, including one from a student who claimed they had “been incredibly sick, vomiting, dizzy, [et cetera] and have come to the university in fear I would be kicked out of the program.”

dents when the attendance policy was last reviewed in 2013. “At that time nobody suggested any changes,” she said. Morin also referred to the data Mukhamedshina had collected, which represented nearly 40 per cent of the student body’s opinion on the attendance policy, as “a little survey.” The presentation from administration answered what they considered to be reoccurring concerns from students and reiterated that absences under medical or compassionate circumstance were exempt from the attendance policy. Morin’s presentation included a slide explaining missing class due to poor weather conditions would be considered an excusable absence on compassionate grounds. However, the slide omitted how the policy documentation recommends students who live outside the city stay with a relative or rent a hotel room in the case of bad weather. When pressed on the feasibility of rural students actually being capable of this, Morin defended the recommendation by calling it “problem solving.” “That comes up a lot,” she said. “We live in Winnipeg, Manitoba. We know that every year we are going to have bad weather.” Whit Lodge-Zaparnick, the student council’s LBGTTQ* representative, responded to Morin’s point by noting not every student has the familial connections to the city or the disposable income to book a hotel room. Morin did not address the point raised. Morin said students should not seriously fear disbarment for attendance. “Since I’ve been an associate dean, no undergraduate student has ever been debarred for attendance,” she said.

Moving forward

At the end of the administration’s presentation, Morin introduced a As a result of the survey and the new working group to address the presentation, administrators held wording of the attendance policy a presentation of their own on the and asked for Mukhamedshina to attendance policy and heard student help find students to be a part of the concerns Feb. 15. working group. The presentation was led by associMukhamedshina expressed cauate dean Francine Morin, who was tious optimism after the presentation. the principal author of the procedures “I do think that the meeting went document of the attendance policy. better than I had expected,” she said. Among those who spoke were Morin said she took personal Manitoba Teachers’ Society staff responsibility for any misunderstandofficers Dan Turner and Brahim ings students may have had with the Ould Baba, Manitoba Association attendance policy. of School Superintendents executive “So, if any of you have ever felt director Barb Isaak, director of the fearful, or afraid or intimidated in school experiences office Beryl Peters any way by the procedures document and faculty of education dean David or the policy […] I will take responMandzuk. sibility,” she said. Over 80 students attended the “Since I am the associate dean. faculty’s presentation. And I did lead the development of Before addressing the specific con- that document.” cerns expressed in the survey, Morin said she faced no pushback from stu-

Continuing disconnect


VOL. 105 NO. 25 February 27, 2019

Otterly awesome QUINCY HOUDAYER

Odder than the Otters play the Bell MTS Rivière-Rouge tent at the Festival du Voyageur Feb. 21. For full coverage, see page 18.

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Editorial Editor-In-Chief: Garett Williams Contact: Editor@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

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#StudentsLetsAct a misguided effort High tuition, low wages must be addressed in mental health discussion EMELIA FOURNIER, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

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MSU participated in the by 50 per cent, according to their income levels and inflation levels, and ing about 35 hours a week on school gap in CASA’s mental health strateCa nad ia n A l l ia nce of pledge on their website. Manitoba has seen the largest hike which means you should be study- gies — there is no talk of lobbying the Students Associations’ (CASA) Expanding the grant to include in tuition rates across the country ing at least 10-15 hours in addition to federal government or the provincial #StudentsLetsAct campaign from those with mental illnesses could for 2018-2019. Bill 31 was passed in going to classes and labs.” government for these kinds of gameJan. 30 to Feb. 1. take the already limited funding Manitoba in 2017 permitting up to The expected 35 hours per week changing measures. CASA is a not-for-profit student away from students with physical five per cent annual tuition hikes total on schoolwork is essentially a To talk about mental health issues organization that brings together disabilities, as the increase in grant plus inflation. This means low- and full-time job in itself. It does not leave in a disability framework is reductive, student associations from across funding may not be enough to cover middle-income students need to be a lot of time for part-time work that and to leave student poverty unadCanada. UMSU is not an official the number of students with docu- working more hours or taking on will allow students to pay tuition and dressed in a discussion about mental member, but supported their mental mented mental illness. more debt in order to be able to afford support themselves while being in health is irresponsible. Increasing health campaign. The campaign is a part of CASA’s university. school, while maintaining a social funding to accessibility services is The campaign sought to draw broader mental health advocacy plan, Student poverty is on the rise. A life and their physical health. important, but so is ensuring students the federal government’s attention as outlined in their report Breaking recent study published in Canadian Improving accessibility services have the time and energy to access to mental health issues on campuses Down Barriers. Its recommendations Food Studies found that 35.3 per cent of or benefits is good but there is also a these services. The targeted fund“by flooding Parliament Hill with let- include increased need to ensure stu- ing measures outlined in CASA’s ters and hearts written by students accommodations, dents have time to Breaking Down Barriers report fail about why mental health matters and stigma reduction, To actually break down barriers on a large access these services. to advocate for the urgent change what the federal government can do,” more federal-led It does not address needed for overworked, underpaid scale, lobby for lower tuition rates according to CASA’s website. mental health studthe underlying eco- students. On their participation in ies, increased stunomic factors that CASA’s approach to mental #StudentsLetsAct, UMSU released dent loan flexibility cause students to health does not break down barriers, a statement saying it urged “govern- and increased granthave little time to and instead throws ladders to a select ment to expand the Canada Student based funding. This is largely con- respondents experienced food insecu- engage in self-care. few students who have the paperwork Grant for students with permanent tingent on expanding the notion of rity — not being able to consistently While increasing grant-based proving they need ladders. disabilities to also support those with “disability” to include mental illnesses afford sufficient, nutritious food — funding and funding for accessibilThe barrier of tuition continues to temporary conditions such as a num- and mental health issues (referred to among undergraduate and graduate ity services can help alleviate the be built higher and students need to ber of mental illnesses.” as “prolonged” disabilities). students at the U of M. The article financial burden to a certain degree, put in more time to chip away at that If given access to the grant, eligiMany students with mental ill- states that “Food insecurity among it will not reach students deemed barrier while their studies and mental ble students with documented mental nesses do define them as disabilities, post-secondary students in Canada ineligible for these services until their health suffer. illnesses could receive $2,000 each and their effects are very real and has been linked to higher levels of mental health begins to suffer under To actually break down barriers on school year. Students with perma- debilitating. However, framing men- stress and increased rates of depres- the weight of financial precarity and a large scale, lobby for lower tuition nent disabilities are, at present, only tal illness in strictly “disability” terms sion and mental disorders.” overwork. rates. Lobby for higher minimum eligible if they also qualify for student can make mental illness to be a purely Along with financial poverty It is important to prevent the con- wages. financial assistance. internal development, rather than comes time poverty. ditions that lead to the degradation Lobby for students to have time Only a limited number of students something caused, or exacerbated, U of M’s 168-hour week planner of students’ mental health through to care for themselves, access mental will be able to access this funding. by societal conditions. states “Realistically, if you are a full- higher minimum wages and lower health services and still be able to The grant would only be increased Tuition increases have outstripped time student, you should be spend- tuition barriers. This is an important afford to live.


Comment Comment Editor: Jacob Singleton Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

10

Why Canada needs a Bernie presidency

The political sway of the presidency has the power to change Canadian politics KENNY INGRAM, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

A

s the U.S. begins its two-year followed George W. Bush and damage by colluding with Prime vate healthcare system and switch- ing how the U.S. spends more on election cycle, it is important the U.S. into the illegal war in Minister Justin Trudeau on huge ing to a universal healthcare system its military than the next 10 nations to think through how the leading Afghanistan — the longest war in fossil fuel projects like the Keystone could easily have a knock-on effect combined. Democrat in the presidential race just Canadian history — under the guise XL pipeline that had otherwise been in Canada as well. As it stands, the More than just not getting the might reshape Canada if he wins. of “counter-terrorism.” And though considered dead under Obama. U.S. does not play hardball with big U.S. into any more offensive intervenUnited States senator Bernie Canada did not join the U.S. in their A Sanders presidency would bring pharma and insurance companies tionism, Sanders would likely guide Sanders recently announced that despicable invasion of Iraq, Canada the U.S. out of a circle of reactionary who prevent patients from receiv- Canada and the entire international he would once again be running for did provide military and monetary politics and force Canada to follow ing good quality healthcare. In fact, community into far less hawkish president. Given the unprecedented aid to the U.S. mission once Iraq was suit. they do not even bother negotiating approaches to foreign policy. And success of his 2016 campaign and destabilized. The immediate priorities of a drug prices, leaving them with the more than any previous president, unmatched senate approval rating In modern politics, U.S. influ- Sanders administration are clear: highest cost for prescription drugs he would be far more likely to begin and support around the country ence is more obvious than ever. As raising the minimum wage to in the world. the withdrawal of troops from the — raising over US$6 million from part of President Trump’s new North US$15 an hour, providing universal While Canada is now being countless illegal wars the U.S. has 225,000 people within the first 24 American free trade deal, Trudeau healthcare to every citizen as a right, forced into trade deals where these involved itself in. hours of announcing — he is the m a d e g i g a nimmensely unethBut the most important reason of frontrunner of the 2020 Democratic tic concessions ical practices are all is the flame that Sanders ignites in So, what would a Bernie presidency nominee process. on prescription propped up, the the people — especially youth — who Couple this with the polling lead- drugs. Specifically, opposite could be hear him speak. He, seemingly more look like in Canada? ing up to the 2016 election — with a allowing multitrue. Canada and than any politician before him, manprivate poll taken two days before national pharmathe U.S. could ages to connect human emotion to the election showing that Sanders ceutical companies, who are some of transforming the energy sector by pri- easily work together to not only stop clear issues which transcend borders. would have won a landslide victory of the most profitable in the world, to oritizing renewables and addressing these types of practices of ripping And while Sanders is now 77 and over 12 points over Trump, and other extend patents on drugs from eight the immoral state of income inequal- consumers off, but to lower drug will not be around forever, the flame polls showing very similar results. In to 10 years. ity — issues the senator has railed for prices and demand greater transpar- he ignited will never die. contrast, a combination of polls leadBig pharma spends the most of any his entire career. The ramifications ency within these companies. The flame he ignited in his 2016 ing up to the election showed Clinton industry to legally bribe American of each of these in Canada could be Given the power of the Oval campaign was obvious in Nikki beating Trump by just three percent- politicians via lobbying and offering huge. Office to use executive orders, on Ashton’s 2017 NDP leadership run, age points. It becomes abundantly lucrative jobs once the greased politiFor years, the U.S. has been creat- day one Sanders could block many is clear in his popularity in Canada, clear who would win an election cian retires. As a result, the pharma ing trade deals with the expectation existing plans to build fossil fuel pro- and shines in how he continues to between Sanders and Trump. industry in the U.S. has the biggest that its workers would be making the jects. To Trudeau, this could mean an inspire young people to get involved So, what would a Sanders presi- influence over pharma policy which starvation wage of just US$7.25 per emotional goodbye to the Keystone in progressive politics. dency look like for Canada? To fully has led to the highest drug prices hour. Raising the federal minimum XL pipeline. A Sanders presidency could not understand what this may encompass, among developed nations. Arguably, wage to US$15 an hour would give the Moreover, Sanders has been out- come at a more urgent time for both it is important to examine just how the ripple effect of U.S. policy has country leverage in negotiating trade spoken for decades against unneces- the U.S. and Canada, but it undoubtmuch influence the U.S. and its presi- produced a more expensive bill on deals that benefit worker rights and sary U.S. imperialism and toppling edly has the potential to lead both dents have over Canada. necessary medication for Canadians. prioritize living wages. of democratic governments. He said countries to a far more empathetic Just 18 years ago, Canada blindly Even more, Trump has done more Ending the current inefficient pri- he would cut defence spending, cit- and prosperous future.


VOL. 105 NO. 25 February 27, 2019

Comment 11

RE: “UMSU, neutrality and crocodile tears”

UMSU ahead of its time in protecting Jewish students JOSH MORRY

I

t’s been six years since I last took culture could be openly practiced. of speech as granted by the Canadian to the pages of this newspaper to We call this belief in a homeland for Charter of Rights and Freedoms does defend UMSU’s historic motion to the Jewish people “Zionism.” Israel, not apply on university campuses. decertify Students Against Israeli a state for all its citizens founded in Moreover, not every limitation on Apartheid (SAIA) and ban it from 1948, is that homeland, in the same speech is illegitimate, the classic case operating in UMSU spaces. way that Italy is a homeland for being the prohibition against yelling In these last six years, much has Italian people around the world. “fire” in a crowded theatre. changed. It is therefore disheartening to see Singleton writes that there is “no In 2013, UMSU was the first stu- Singleton characterize Zionism as conceivable justification” for rejecting dent government in the world to find “the project to expand the ethno-state the BDS movement against Israel that the Boycott, Divestment and of Israel to encompass all of Palestine.” and banning SAIA. Perhaps if he Sanctions (BDS) movement targeted How could this possibly be the case had read the minutes of the meetJewish students on campus, and that when early Zionists, including the ing where UMSU banned SAIA he left unchecked, SAIA — a local founder of Zionism himself, seriously would have seen the evidence that franchise of BDS — would under- considered establishing the Jewish SAIA was both directly and indimine the ability rectly involved in of Jewish students hanging posters If our ultimate goal is a resolution of the to work and learn at the U of M that in a respectful conflict, dialogue, not vitriol, will be the answer depicted caricaenvironment. tures of Jews with If anything, hooked noses and six years later, the world has become homeland in Madagascar. In 1947, swastikas on their foreheads. At the a more dangerous place for Jews. those same Zionists accepted the meeting, UMSU received a letter The BDS movement has made it UN’s partition plan that limited them signed by more than 60 Jewish stuvery difficult for Jewish students to to 12 per cent of historic Palestine. dents, which said that SAIA fostered While I do not support all of the an atmosphere where Jews felt unsafe find safe spaces on other campuses. Moreover, people around the world current Israeli government’s poli- on campus. UMSU also heard evi- response to groups like SAIA, par- advance understanding and promote were shocked at the senseless murder cies, I myself am a Zionist because dence that SAIA’s sister organiza- liaments around the world, includ- peace, Arabs and Jews need to come of Jews in the Tree of Life synagogue I believe in the Jewish right to self- tions in other cities threw pennies ing the Trudeau government, have together to discuss the conflict in a in Pittsburgh in October. However, determination and passionately sup- at Jewish students, continuing the declared that the BDS movement is safe and respectful environment. If this slaughter should come as no sur- port the two-state solution consisting anti-Semitic trope that Jews are anti-Semitic. I therefore find it hard our ultimate goal is a resolution of the prise. In this past year, more than 58 of a sovereign Jewish state living side money-hungry. to sympathize with Singleton when conflict, dialogue, not vitriol, will be per cent of all religious hate crimes by side with a sovereign Palestinian At the time UMSU passed the he laments that he can no longer join the answer. Today, students around committed in the United States were state. motion, police were investigating such a student group at the U of M. the world are embracing dialogue as directed at Jews. UMSU, like all other student SAIA’s Toronto chapter for chasStudents are entitled to their a means to advance understanding That is why I was saddened to governments, has policies in place ing Jewish students down the hall- political views. They can support the and promote peace. see Jacob Singleton’s vitriolic article that protect students from behaviour way and calling them “dirty Jews.” Netanyahu government or oppose I invite this current generation of “UMSU, neutrality and crocodile that can undermine their self-esteem. Following the motion, UMSU’s it. Apathy is also acceptable. We are U of M students to continue to make tears” in this newspaper. In what These policies were drafted recog- Facebook page was littered with lucky that we have the right to think our university a safe and inclusive I can only assume is an attempt to nizing that at a university, like at a Holocaust jokes. One post went so how we want. What we don’t have space for both Jewish and non-Jewish build a straw man, Singleton some- workplace, repeated harassment can far as to joke that the group was going the right to do is undermine and students. The ultimate goal is peace how manages to mischaracterize undermine one’s ability to work and to build the Bergen-Belsen concen- harass others on campus because of and justice, both in the Middle East Zionism, free speech, SAIA and learn in a respectful environment. tration camp outside of Winnipeg. those views. and right here at home. Let’s make UMSU’s motion. This policy distinguishes between the As one of the students who drafted At the same time that UMSU these next six years as consequential Some perspective is therefore public square, where one can choose and proposed the motion, I received decertified SAIA, my Lebanese- as the last. necessary. to ignore hateful speech, and a uni- personal threats from SAIA’s sup- Canadian friend Mohammed As I previously wrote in this versity, where students are a captive porters. At a speech I gave in 2014, Abas and I formed the Arab Jewish Joshua Morry is the 2016 Gold newspaper, the Jews see themselves audience for their harassers. a SAIA supporter took a run at me Dialogue on Campus, a student Medalist at Robson Hall Faculty of Law, as a “people” or a “nation” whose Contrary to Singleton’s article, and had to be restrained by audience group dedicated to promoting con- and received his masters of law from the future depends on having a state of this is not a violation of anyone’s free- members. structive dialogue between Arabs and University of Oxford with distinction. their own, a safe haven from their dom of speech. The Supreme Court of UMSU was ahead of its time. Jews. The group was based on the He is currently a lawyer at a national enemies and a place where Jewish Canada itself has ruled that freedom Since UMSU passed its motion, in founding principle that in order to law firm in Toronto.

Facebook is so 2015. Write a letter to the editor, Write an article, Take a photograph, Draw a graphic, Contribute to the Manitoban Email me@themanitoban to find out more


VOL. 105 NO. 25 February 27, 2019

Comment 13

20-20 vision ZACHARY F. SIGURDSON

O

n Feb. 20, 2018, the Park Theatre hosted the 37th volume of the Winnipeg PechaKucha 20x20 Night. The first 20x20 night was held in Tokyo in 2003 by Klein Dytham Architecture as a venue for creatives to meet, network and present their work. PechaKucha has become a worldwide network ranging across 1,000 cities around the world. Each presenter shows 20 slides and each slide will be up for 20 seconds. This format keeps the pace up and prevents any presentation from gathering dead air. Presenters included professionals, teenagers, activists, artists and educators. Topics ranged from art history, writing, photography of the northern lights, experimental electronica and LGBTTQ* empowerment. Entry was by donation. Volume 38 will be held June 6, 2019.

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Application deadline: March 15, 2019 Event date: April 6, 2019 More info: amy.briscoe@umanitoba.ca umanitoba.ca/entrepreneur

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14 Comment

Comment Editor: Jacob Singleton Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

How to learn about salary information Use the internet to answer all of your secret salary questions REBECCA BALAKRISHNAN, THE WORK LIFE

able ways to find out how much other people make.

Public sector salary disclosures

Money makes the world go around and — let’s be real — it also makes you get your butt out of bed every day to go to work. Though Canada is certainly a capitalist country, we also have a lot of social conventions preventing us from talking about money. It is rude to ask how much somebody makes. But we all secretly want to know.This information is also critical if you are going into a wage negotiation upon being hired for a new position. Understanding what others have been paid before can help you negotiate a fair salary. If you are considering career possibilities and compensation is a factor in your decision, or if you are just super nosy, here are some socially accept-

You can actually look up every U of M, Manitoba Hydro, City of Winnipeg, Manitoba Public Insurance and Winnipeg Regional Health Authority employee by name and see exactly how much money they made in a given year, provided their salary is greater than $50,000. This is sort of creepy, but also quite illuminating for curious career planners. Manitoba’s Public Sector Compensation Disclosure Act requires publicly funded bodies disclose the specific salaries of employees making $75,000 or more per year. This was just increased by $25,000 in January, so all existing reports still disclose salaries above $50,000. If you are curious how much any public employee makes — not just in Manitoba — a huge chunk of those salaries are public with just a little investigation. Google the organization of interest plus “sunshine list” or “compensation disclosure” and you should find the report.

Collective agreements

Unions publish the collective agreements they negotiate for their workers on their websites. These documents detail all kinds of benefits and rules, including salaries, which are typically grouped by type of work and show increases for years of service. A few examples of unions include the Manitoba Teachers’ Society, Manitoba Association of Healthcare Professionals, Unifor and CUPE. It is sometimes tricky to figure out if a workplace is unionized but Googling the workplace plus “collective agreement” or “union” usually turns up appropriate results.

Federal government reports

The federal government maintains a website where jobs are posted called Job Bank. It offers an “Explore Careers” section where you can search for occupations to determine their median wage and job outlook. If your goal is to simply find out which occupations make the most on average, you can also check out Job Banks' high-paying program page, where they list median earnings sorted by program studied. This data is very reliable, since it is sourced from government surveys

and the census, but sometimes the occupational groupings are large, making it unclear how much someone with a specific, narrower job title earns at a particular company.

It is rude to ask how much somebody makes. But we all secretly want to know Crowd-sourced salary guides

If you would like to find typical salary for a position at a workplace which is not unionized or required to disclose salaries, you can find salary information on websites like Glassdoor and Payscale. These numbers are crowd-sourced, which means you should use this information with the same caution applied to browsing a Wikipedia article. The numbers are generated by other users of the website, who are asked to disclose their salary, employer and job title. Still, this

volunteer for comment. me@themanitoban.com

fill a gap in your program

Athabasca University has over 850 courses to choose from to meet your needs and courses start every month. AU has over 6,600 transfer agreements around the world (including with this institution).

www.campusdentalhealth.ca

information can provide useful insight into the pay and benefits provided by employers where information can be hard to come by.

Professionsal association reports

Many professional associations survey their members about their salaries and report the results. A few examples of associations who share salary reports include CPA Manitoba, Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba, ICTAM and CPHR Manitoba. Seek out your professional association’s website for details. You can also check out U of M Career Services’ online Research Occupations library, which links to relevant professional associations and salary guides for over 200 occupations.

Triangulate

Use more than one source and you will be more likely to arrive at an accurate understanding of the financial benefits of any given profession. By doing your research you will better prepare for your own future and answer all your secret questions but more importantly prepare for your future.


VOL. 105 NO. 25 February 27, 2019

Comment 15

Getting off the food chain-gang

It is time to end the Aramark monopoly JACOB SINGLETON, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY DANIEL OLAPADE

A

s the presidential search commit- to invest millions of dollars into sus- advantages the U of M does not. tickets are issued on a predatory tee begins to select candidates, tainable food practices, healthy food For one, the U of W campus is right basis? Why care about this university UMSU must force it to consider can- and high nutritional accessibility. downtown. Students there are a when our own student union seems didates willing to address the dire According to data from 2015, few minutes’ walk from excellent to be actively working against our food situation on campus. Aramark is only purchasing 19 per food options. If students did not own interests? Why care about this What passes for food at the U of cent of its food from local and sus- like Chartwells’s food, they had the university when it says it is going to M campus would send chills down tainable sources. And while the qual- option of taking a short stroll to some “indigenize” but Indigenous scholars the spine of a prison reformer. And ity of the food is certainly subjective, decent food. are leaving because they feel ignored? the next president will be responsible the empirical truth is Aramark offers The U of M is a commuter campus for either changing the gruel served a food system that is not conducive to where students park their cars 15-20 What passes for or maintaining the state of things. making good food. minutes away from the main campus All food on campus, with the and must drive another 10 minutes food at the U of M exception of UMSU-owned busijust to find anything remotely edible. At lunch, we are campus would send nesses and the restaurants in St. Aramark has on the U of M campus John’s and St. Paul’s colleges, are a captive audience. Strong emphasis all damned chills down the spine owned and operated by Aramark on the “captive.” of a prison reformer The next advantage over the U of Higher Education. It has been the exclusive food provider of the uniM that the U of W enjoys student versity for over 25 years. Aramark must go as soon as activism. The U of W’s students are The current contract with possible. active in shaping their university Aramark will expire in April 2024. The University of Winnipeg used community and destiny. The U of Compound that with the fact That contract was signed in April to suffer from a food system monop- M is a bastion of student apathy. It most of us never interact with the 2014 for a 10-year term. It is impera- oly prior to 2009 when it bought out is reflected in UMSU election voter wider campus community. We jump tive that the next president of the the contract it had with food provider turnout. It is reflected in the calibre in our cars, sealed off from the rest university not take our community Chartwells. The U of W replaced its of student politician permitted to be of the world. We then walk to class, down the path of another decade of corporate monopoly food system with elected. It is reflected in every defeat silo ourselves from the people sitting poor-quality food. an on campus, socially-driven food on tuition increases. next to us, hop back in the car and This issue is not a new one either. system. Even the fact that students go home. Back in 2012, Aramark held talks What emerged was Diversity allowed Aramark to sign a 10-year It’s a vicious cycle — but look with students in a conference facili- Food Services, whose stated goal is to deal with the university demonstrates where it got us. tated by UMSU. Students voiced “produce quality, nutritious, and fla- how unplugged students are. At lunch, we are all damned. concerns about the quality of the food vourful food in an environment that This is undoubtedly caused by Perhaps the universality of that available, the lack of halal food and champions all who contribute their structural issues. The weight of eve- gives this campus a fighting chance the FoodBucks program. energy and skill — from the farmer, rything around us just forces us to at upending the food system here. When Aramark was granted its to the chef, to the service staff.” become dejected. Why care about The blueprint for change is simple. 10-year contract in 2014, it promised The U of W had some built-in this university when the parking There is a living model at the U of W

and it only needs applying here. First, students must utilize the alternatives to Aramark on campus. The food provided by UMSU businesses are more sustainable and better-tasting. The food options in St. John’s and St. Paul’s colleges are not viable alternatives, however. They are excluded from the Unifor collective agreement for food workers because the colleges have autonomy over their internal management, exempting them from the collective agreement. When food workers on campus unionized and Aramark food was brought in, the affiliate status of the colleges enabled them to use non-union labourers and escape the Aramark food monopoly. As a result, through no fault of the workers at the colleges, these food places are scabbing unionized workers. Second, UMSU must be pressed to negotiate with the university and the future president to end the Aramark contract — early, if possible. Moreover, as UMSU elections gear up, the candidates must be asked how they will improve the food situation on campus. The red flag of revolution yearns to be hoisted. Let’s hoist it in the name of healthy, delicious and sustainable grub on our campus.


Diversions 16 Graphics Editor: Evan Tremblay Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

PALLISTER-BABY

Trapper, stop this! Just let Phlox go!

PREVIOUSLY...

HAS NO COMMENT

I made it! I’m home!

No.21

I can save this place! With the rabbit’s power I can fight back!

NO!

Phlox, get out of there! You’re stronger than him!

Now, the sword! Look around you!

There’s nothing left. Everyone’s gone. I’m sorry, but you’re too late.

AH!

SCOTT A. FORD I said STOP!

#BOREALCOMIC CATCH UP ON BOREAL AT THEMANITOBAN.COM

No! NO! NO!

We can still save my village!

It’s never too late!


17

Arts & Culture Arts & Culture Editor: Emelia Fournier Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Cluster Festival returns for 10th edition

“Integrated arts” festival pushes boundaries, explores radical ideas ZACHARY SIGURDSON, STAFF

PHOTO BY LEIF NORMAN

W

innipeg will hold the 10th saw a bit of a hole where we could said Nickel. “I started off listening to weird Mirror Frame will be performing annual Cluster: New Music insert ourselves,” said Nickel. “Another goal [of Cluster Festival] techno and breakcore when I was alongside Beast Nest from Oakland, “We saw something missing from is to really further this idea of multi- younger,” said Burdeny. California, on March 2. and Integrated Arts Festival entitled “Cluster X” from Feb. 28 to March 3. a more emerging young voice.” art form, as we call it, ‘integrated arts’ “Then that moved into developing Other performers will include Cluster is an organization that Cluster Festival has provided an [...] really to think about where the an absolute obsession with film and Foxconn Frequency (no. 3), trio of offers a platform to collaborate and opportunity for artists to showcase spaces are between art forms.” game soundtracks, creating different Chinese performers who use realperform for a vast array of local and their works of “integrated arts” where Nickel always looks forward to aural textures.” time game mechanics to challenge Burdeny seeks to create space for three keyboard mini-games using international artists, performers, and sound and visuals combine beyond meeting the festival’s featured artists musicians. Over the past decade, traditional music people to explore piano mechanics, and Tak, an unconCluster has held over 40 events, with or film shows. and heal from ventional chamber music group from “We really want people to push over 200 artists, all of whom embrace This can make for intense emotions New York. boundary-pushing experimental art an unexpected with her work. Lectures and panels will also be themselves, to push us, to push and music. Cluster’s core annual fes- lineup. “The most con- held for artists to discuss their craft, tival for new music and integrated “It’s kind of sistent concerns their inspirations and the political audiences into experiencing arts is held every March in Winnipeg. amazing to me that are brought dimensions of music. Free events Luke Nickel is one of the co- still every year new things” — Luke Nickel, Cluster co-director into my art prac- include public talks by composers directors of the festival along with that there’s usually tice, my found Erin Gee and William Kuo on March fellow founder Heidi Ouellette, who quite a full house art practice, have 1 and the workshop “Decolonizing were later joined by Eliot Britton. of people that wanna hear and see and seeing what they come up with. to do with addressing and healing Sound: Presence and Liberation” on Nickel currently lives and works this kind of experimental work,” said “I’m an artist myself, so I leave trauma,” said Burdeny. March 3. in the U.K. and returns home to Nickel. feeling incredibly inspired like I’ve Burdeny is inspired by “the power Winnipeg to help run the festival. Cluster Festival’s mandate is to just touched into all these live wires,” of music to do that [healing] and to The Cluster: New Music and Cluster began a decade ago while give audiences and artists an oppor- said Nickel. kind of channel very complex lay- Integrated Arts Festival runs from Nickel and Ouellette were composi- tunity to expand their concept of art. Alison Burdeny, who goes by ered emotional experiences that come Feb. 28 to March 3. Tickets can be tion students at the U of M. “We really want people to push Mirror Frame onstage, is a local art- with living with trauma, living in a bought online. Check out www.clus“We looked around the city and at themselves, to push us, to push audi- ist who will be performing at Cluster very oppressive, frustrating, difficult terfestival.com for more information the options in our community and ences into experiencing new things,” Festival for the first time. world.” for other events, artists and workshops.


18

Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Emelia Fournier Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Winnipeg's winter heats up with Festival still francoFUN after 50 years AMIN MONTEZERI POUR AGHA, STAFF

T

he Manitoban chatted up various performers during the 50th Festival du Voyageur (FDV). Below is an abridged version of the conversations.

Kalle Mattson is a singer-songwriter from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Manitoban: Did the reputation of the festival bring you here? Kalle Mattson: I wasn’t really that aware of [FDV] before. I mean, I heard the name, but then when I sort of mentioned it to everyone, everyone was like “Oh, that’s like the biggest party in Winnipeg.” A lot of people were saying how many people from Winnipeg that live elsewhere come back for the festival to hang out and see everyone. So, yeah, I mean it was a great time and I’m glad to be a part of it this year. M: What do you think makes the festival unique compared to other similar events? KM: Ottawa has a similar festival called Winterlude and we were walking through and we said, “Boy, this is a way better Winterlude.” We spent very little time here today so it was a lot of setting up and playing. I mean the music creation looks really good, not just the fact that I’m playing it. It seems like super unique that there’s this FrenchCanadian community, I didn’t really realize there was one in Winnipeg, I hadn’t really thought of it before and that they celebrate their heritage in the middle of winter in freezing cold Winnipeg.

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

Living Hour is a Winnipegbased psychedelic dreampop band comprised of Sam Sarty (lead vocals, trombone, keyboard), Gil Carroll (guitar), Adam Soloway (guitar, vocals), Alex Chochinov (drums, trumpet, organelle) and Brett Ticzon (bass, vocals). M: Is this your first time playing for FDV? Sam Sarty: No, Living Hour played Festival I think two years ago. This is our second time playing Festival. M: How has your experience been so far? SS: It’s interesting cause you’re outside, so it’s like a bit noisy. People want to party too and our music is pretty sensitive, but that’s OK. You can still party and maybe listen to the music on some level. PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER PHOTO BY ASHA NELSON M: Could you tell me about your latest album? Canada’s most amazing and best they’re just so happy, they love the from the Village Idiots, they organAH: Everything’s been next to SS: Yeah, our second album is winter festivals. So, it’s a festival festival so much, so it was really ized the stage tonight at the MTS perfect, the sound onstage and I called Softer Faces and it’s technically we’re always going to want to go to, wonderful. stage and they asked us to come and think the sound out on the floor, out March 1 and we’ve been work- whether we want to go to as musiperform. we’ve been told, is just nothing but ing on it for the past three years on cians or we want to go to as people Odder than the Otters is a M: What do you think makes the perfect. and off. just enjoying the festival. It’s such Winnipeg folk-rock band comprised festival unique? M: Could you tell me about your Mise En Scene is a Winnipeg- a great festival, it’s so much fun to of Cody Goertzen (guitar, vocals), Adam Hill: It’s the only place you music? based indie band comprised of play at. Adam Hill (drums), Joe Johnson (lead can really have this good a time out CG: We are an upbeat bluesy folkStefanie Johnson (rhythm guitar, M: How would you say your expe- guitar) and Mitch Kruse (bass). in the cold and have so many lovely rock four-piece. We got a lot of beach vocals), Jodi Dunlop (drums), Corey rience was with Festival? M: How long have you been play- people come out and share some vibes, a lot of southern rock vibes. D. Hykawy (bass) and Dave Gagnon SJ: It was great! It was awesome. ing for the festival and how did your experiences together. We’ve got an EP out, titled The Port (lead guitar). We played a nice big warm tent, there band get involved in this? M: How would you describe your of Lopez and upcoming we’re getting M: How did you get involved with was Caribou [cocktails] going eveCody Goertzen: This is our first experience with the festival? into the studio next month to record the Festival? rywhere, everyone was so happy, so time playing at Festival du Voyageur CG: It’s been a very energetic a couple singles. So, this year we’re Stefanie Johnson: Well it’s the excited to be there, everyone in the and we lucked out. Our buddies Riley experience. Everybody is on their planning on releasing two singles and 50th anniversary and it’s one of audience is always so great because [Saunders] and Kevin [Harrison] toes and excited to be here. a music a video to go along with that.


VOL. 105 NO. 25 February 27, 2019

Arts & Culture

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diverse acts at Festival du Voyageur EMELIA FOURNIER, STAFF

pening is pretty worldwide. I mean, there’s low-fi hip hop, I don’t know, electro-jazz or something, but, I mean, I’m pretty confident about the route that I’m building but I’m definitely not the only one that’s sort of exploring this direction. I don’t know if there’s a clear label for it, there’s definitely neo-soul that’s been around for a while, but all the electronic textures and producing that’s got into it, that’s a bit more recent.

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

Montgolfière is a Winnipeg funk/ rock/folk/jazz-fusion band comprised of Sam Fournier (bass, vocals), who is the brother of the Manitoban’s arts editor, Félixe Sturk Lussier (drums), Callum Goulet-Kilgour (keyboard) and Rydan Sheldon (guitar). The band is this year’s winner of Chicane électrique, a FrancoManitoban youth band contest. Manitoban: What do you like most about going to Festival and then what do you like most about performing Festival? Sam Fournier: I think they’re two very different things. The thing I like most about going to Festival is just like hanging out with friends and

stuff and seeing all the cool traditional things that we celebrate every year and la tire (maple taffy). And, about performing [...] like you always see people performing on the stage, so it’s cool when you’re the one who’s looking at the crowd, and you kind of know everyone’s looking at you. It’s a new perspective, and it’s cool. Callum Goulet-Kilgour: It’s usually a really good crowd, people you know so, really friendly, and yeah, it’s a good time. Rydan Sheldon: I think my favourite part about being at Festival is the different bands you discover along the way for sure, and the type of energy with all the French people,

PHOTO BY ASHA NELSON

it’s really great. Félixe Sturk Lussier: I think the coolest thing about Festival going is probably being able to celebrate your culture, I guess. It’s not something I thought about when I was younger, but now that I’m older and I have a lot of Anglophone friends it’s nice to bring them around and show them French stuff. Playing is super fun, cause it’s such a good atmosphere. Anomalie is a classically-trained Montreal-based keyboard player. His music falls into a growing genre that is sometimes described as electrojazz fusion.

Alain-François est un violoniste québécois qui compose de la musique Néo-trad, une combinaison entre la musique traditionnelle québécoise et la musique rock contemporaine. M: Comment trouves-tu que le festival a changé depuis la dernière fois que t’es ici? Alain-François: Je m’aperçois que le festival a grandi, a grossi, je trouve ça vivant, mais très vivant. Ça me fait plaisir de voir que la communauté francophone ici existe, est encore très vivant de voir ça. Les sculptures de neige, les lumières, c’est féerique. M: Puis la communauté francophone continue à vivre aussi [...] Même si on accueil beaucoup de personnes qui sont anglophones, on garde ça. A-F: Je pense que c’est important parce que moi, j’ai un amour profond pour la langue française. Je travaille avec parce-que je compose mes propres chansons, je compose en français aussi je trouve que c’est important les festivals comme ça parce que ça promouvoir aussi le côté [de] la langue française, et ça rapproche tout le monde aussi. M: Que trouves-tu d’unique à propos du festival? A-F: Ce qui me frappe le plus c’est le tout : c’est tout que ça l’englobe, langue, diversité musicale, les rencontres entre les francophones, les rencontres, peut-être, que vous voyez moins ça, vous-autre, mais les rencontres entre les musiciens. On élargi nos connaissances musicales.

Super Duty Tough Work is a Winnipeg-based funk/hip-hop/jazz group fronted by Brendan Grey. M: What do you guys think is unique about performing at Festival? Olivier Macharia (tenor sax): A PHOTO BY ASHA NELSON lot of people that are here we don’t normally play for. A lot of people we’re seeing their M: What’s your experience been first reaction to us, which is cool. like so far at FDV? Brendan Grey: The French aspect, Anomalie: My first impression I mean, we didn’t really do too much was that I was surprised to see that it in French this time, but in the past was colder than Montreal, cause I’m we have done French music. This is used to Igloofest. the place to do that. I really like the sculptures, the M: What was your first perforvibe, everyone seems to be really into mance like at Festival? it, the hé ho thing is really really cool BG: The first Festival show was as well. dope, man, it was very dope. We had M: Do you have a label for what been playing together a lot before that you do? show so we were very comfortable A: I guess there’s this scene that’s and warm and yeah, it was, the crowd forming of either instrumentalists or was very excited and it just all went singers that are really getting into the together well, so the first Festival production game in general. show was definitely one for the books The sort of hybrid thing that’s hap- of all the Super Duty shows, I think.


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Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Emelia Fournier Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

“We are the Roots” tells Canadian black history

Award-winning documentary to be screened at U of M ZACHARY SIGURDSON, STAFF

enforced in the area, leading to an exodus of its black residents. Cheap land offered by the Canadian government attracted many black Americans to Alberta and Saskatchewan. Deborah Dobbins, president of the Shiloh Centre for Multicultural Roots, acted as project manager on the film. Jenna Bailey and David Este, who are professors at the University of Lethbridge and the University of Calgary respectively, are credited as co-directors, producers and writers. Bailey, Dobbins and Este worked together to organize the film’s production and gather data on the early 20th century black settlers of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

“We are still part of the fabric of Canada” — Myrna Donald, screening organizer PHOTO BY CAROLINE ZENTNER

W

e are the Roots: Black Settlers and their Experiences of Discrimination on the Canadian Prairies will be screened in the GSA Lounge Feb. 28 as part of the university’s celebration of Black History Month.

The documentary, which can be African-American immigrants who viewed on Vimeo, dives into Canada’s moved to Alberta and Saskatchewan own history with racism with vari- between 1905 and 1912. The film interous examples of racial tolerance and views the children and grandchildren persecution on the Prairies. of these settlers. The award-winning documentary When the state of Oklahoma was examines the history of a wave of created in 1907, segregation became

views in Edmonton, both at Shiloh Baptist Church which is quite central to our story,” said Bailey. The U of M’s We are the Roots screening was organized by Myrna Donald of the U of M’s Black History Month committee, who said she felt the education system in Canada did not include enough history on black Canadians. “When I was going through school, K to 12, there was mention of the Underground Railroad, but there was no mention other than that of black people in Canada […] many people felt it was just recent immigration and they didn’t have a good sense of black Canadians,” she said. Donald said she believes this documentary will help expand people’s understanding of black people’s Canadian past. “We are still part of the fabric of Canada,” said Donald. “The more people can learn about each other, the more people will understand about each other and that will help to dismiss some of the stereotypes.”

“Dave [Este] and I did quite a bit of background research on the history of these communities and the migraWe are the Roots will be shown tion patterns,” said Bailey. in the GSA Lounge, 221 UMSU Dobbins, Este and Bailey decided University Centre, on Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. to create an oral history by filming 19 You can register for this free event at interviewees who were children or eventscalendar.umanitoba.ca. grandchildren of the black settlers. “We did two weekends of inter-

UMFM Top 30 February 2019 1

ROYAL CANOE** Waver (Paper Bag Records)

11

SHAD* A Short Story About A War (Secret City)

21

THE FLESH EATERS I Used To Be Pretty (Yep Roc)

2

FOXWARREN* Foxwarren (Arts & Crafts)

12

TRAMPOLINE** Happy Crimes (Independent)

22

MADELEINE ROGER** ottonwood (Independent)

3

CHRISTINE FELLOWS** Roses on the Vine (Vivat Virtute)

13

CHARLES BRADLEY Black Velvet (Dunham/Daptone)

23

XUAN Have Some Fun (Palo Santo)

4

NEHIYAWAK* Starlight (Arts & Crafts)

14

STEVE GUNN The Unseen In Between (Matador)

24

GUIDED BY VOICES Zeppelin Over China (GBV Inc.)

5

JEFF TWEEDY Warm (dBpm)

15

TUNIC** Complexion (Self Sabotage)

25

THE AR-KAICS In This Time (Wick/Daptone)

6

CARLY DOW** Comet (Independent)

16

JESSE MATAS** Tamarock (Independent)

26

DAWN New breed (Local Action)

7

SHARON VAN ETTEN Remind Me Tomorrow (Jagjaguwar)

17

KURT VILE Bottle It In (Matador)

27

BOB MOULD Sunshine Rock (Merge)

8

ARIEL POSEN** How Long (Independent)

18

TEEN DAZE* Bioluminescence (FLORA)

28

BLACK TO COMM Seven Horses For Seven Kings (Thrill Jockey)

9

SATANIC RIGHTS** Blues Druid (Transistor 66)

19

THE LYTICS** Float On (LHM Records)

29

JOHN COLTRANE 1963: New Directions (Impulse!)

10

JULIA HOLTER Aviary (Domino)

20

PEDRO THE LION Phoenix (Polyvinyl)

30

LARAAJI & LYGHTE Celestial Realms (Morning Trip)

Artist Title (Label) *denotes Canadian Artist

**denotes Winnipeg Artist

Artist Artist Title (Label) Title (Label) The CJUM chart is compiled weekly, based on actual dj plays. Automated spins do not count towards our final chart numbers.


21

Sports Sports Editor: Jason Pchajek Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Senior Spotlight: Natasha Kostenko KELLEN TANIGUCHI, STAFF

T

wo years ago, U of M Bisons women’s hockey forward Natasha Kostenko almost left the game of hockey behind. After tough years at Bemidji State and the University of Regina, Kostenko had fallen out of love with the game and on a whim decided to make a change. “I was kind of having a bad day at work and the girls were like ‘Go travel, just leave,’ and I’m like ‘Okay, I’m going to do it,’" Kostenko said. "So I booked a flight." Kostenko was in Perth, Australia, and 16,000 kilometres away from Winnipeg when a leisurely skate on a tiny rink brought it all back. “It was wintertime there, not very cold,” said Kostenko. “But they had an outdoor rink kind of set up — it’s called their Winter Carnival — and I went skating and I was like ‘Oh my gosh.’ I was so happy. “So I knew in my heart I still did love [hockey].” Kostenko returned home and was playing adult league hockey with her friends the very next day, even though she was jet lagged after a long flight home via Beijing, China. The following school year, Kostenko attended the University of Manitoba and asked Bisons head coach Jon Rempel for a tryout. Kostenko said he said “Yeah, if you can get your ass into gear and get back into shape I’ll definitely give you a tryout.” “I wasn’t in bad shape by any means coming back. I just wasn’t in hockey shape and those are two different things,” said Kostenko with a laugh. She made her return to the ice, earned a place on the Bisons and knew right away the ceiling was high for the team. “I just could see how dedicated they

were. I’ve never seen a team that was just so together,” said Kostenko. Then, a year after thinking she was done with the game of hockey forever, Kostenko was a national champion, as the Bisons beat the University of Western Ontario Mustangs 2-0 in the U Sports national championship final.

“I just could see how dedicated they were, I’ve never seen a team that was just so together” — Natasha Kostenko, Bisons women’s hockey forward Her hockey journey began when she was five years old. “Hockey was always big in my family,” she said. “My dad played, my uncle played, even my auntie played. My brother was playing and I guess hockey just kind of ran in the family.” Kostenko did not have the sucThe Winnipeg-born forward cess she wanted while playing for the took to the game immediately and Regina Cougars, so decided it was following high school, was offered time to move on. a scholarship and roster spot with “It just wasn’t a good fit for me,” the NCAA Division 1 Bemidji State said Kostenko. University Beavers. This was when Kostenko began “There’s something about getting the journey to rediscover her love of that [Division 1] scholarship […] I hockey and get on track to becoming know I had always had my mind set a national champion. on D1,” said Kostenko. She travelled the world until the She played two years at Bemidji moment on that little Australian State before transferring to the hockey rink. University of Regina, where she Although winning the Canada would red shirt her first season and West Finals and a U Sports national play the following year. championship were the high-

PHOTO BY BRANDON VANDECAVYE

lights of Kostenko’s time at the U their ticket back to both the Canada of M, it is the hockey community West finals and the U Sports National in Winnipeg that she said she will Championship. always remember. Kostenko said she believes this “Being someone that would love to year’s Bisons team can repeat the sucsee the game of women’s hockey grow cess of last year. and women be able to make a living “I have 100 per cent faith in our playing female hockey, just to see the team,” said Kostenko. support from Winnipeg when we did “We still have that awesome win the championship […] and just atmosphere in the dressing room seeing all the support from friends, and I just think we definitely have a family and other students, I think shot. If we work as hard as we can — that’ll stick with me longer.” and I think we know we can — and With a two-game sweep of the we have the confidence and we stick UBC Thunderbirds over the week- together as a team, I think we’ll have end, Kostenko and the Bisons booked a really good outcome.”


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Sports

VOL. 105 NO. 25 February 27, 2019

Manitoba’s title defence continues

Bisons blow past Thunderbirds in two to clinch finals appearance and nationals spot JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

PHOTO BY ALEX DECEBAL-CUZA

T

he U of M Bisons women’s hockey team is headed back to the national championship. With a two-game sweep of the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds over the weekend, the Bisons advance to the Canada West finals and punch their ticket to nationals in March.

Friday

Special K is the cereal you eat when you are trying to be healthy — but for the Bisons women’s hockey team it tasted sweet as can be in a 4-3 win over the UBC Thunderbirds Friday. The aptly-named Special K line of Karissa Kirkup, Lauryn Keen and Natasha Kostenko combined for three points in the game. The trio was also instrumental in keeping the Bisons in the game. “They’re puck possession monsters and it’s really tough to get the puck from them once they have it,” Bisons interim head coach Sean Fisher said. “They draw a lot of penalties, they play the game the right way. If you look how they scored some of those goals — they play the right way.” After UBC made it 1-0 in the first, the herd regrouped during the intermission and the Special K line

Then, in the final frame, after a =Saturday UBC player covered the puck in the It is time to check flights and book crease, Alanna Sharman scored for a hotel. The Bisons women’s hockey the Bisons on a penalty shot. team is headed back to the national Sharman walked in, made championship. Micklash bite with a fake shot and With a 2-1 win over the went forehand-backhand to make Thunderbirds Saturday, the Bisons it 3-2 Bisons. advanced to the Canada West playoff Sharman said Micklash “was not finals as well as the national tourna“We’re an unreal giving me the shot, so it was just a ment in P.E.I. next month. team” — Erica Rieder, reflex to take it to my backhand when Kirkup led the way for Manitoba, she came out that far.” scoring both goals in a Herculean Bisons women’s The Thunderbirds came right back effort for her squad. hockey captain down the ice and tied the game up In the first, Kirkup picked up the on the powerplay, setting up some puck in the neutral zone and blazed late game heroics from Lauren through the UBC defence toward the A few minutes later, Kirkup did it Warkentin. goal. Micklash came out to challenge all by herself. After an apparent Bisons game but Kirkup dangled past, waited out “I knew they were coming hard winner was waved off, Warkentin the UBC netminder and scored for on the forecheck there and I tried to entered the UBC zone and took a the 1-0 Bisons lead. backcheck — obviously caused a little long shot from the high circle. The Kirkup’s move perfectly mimicked turnover,” Kirkup said. puck glanced off the top of Micklash’s one used by Sharman on her penalty “I noticed them changing and tried glove and floated in, giving the Bisons shot goal in Friday’s series opener. to take advantage, tried to get a cou- the 4-3 win. “I came back [to] the bench and I ple shots.” Manitoba was then one win away kind of said ‘Stole your move’ — but Kirkup’s initial shot was stopped, from booking a ticket back to both the opposite way, right,” Kirkup said. but she snagged the rebound and the Canada West finals and the U “Sometimes [Micklash] will play roofed the puck on Micklash for the Sports national championship. way out in her crease, so I tried to use 2-1 Bisons lead. “We’re an unreal team,” Bisons my speed to go around her.” Just as things were swinging captain Erica Rieder said. The lead held until the second Manitoba’s way, a throwaway shot “I said that before the game — when Ireland Perrot picked the corwent off Jenai Buchanan’s foot in the before we came out ‘We’re an unreal ner on Taraschuk through a crowd to slot and past Lauren Taraschuk, tying team.’ We know how to get it done tie the game 1-1. the game heading into the third. and we never stop working.” On the next play, though, UBC went to work. Just seconds into the middle frame, Keen skated down the right-side wall in the UBC zone. She fired a shot from an awkward angle, beating Tory Micklash to tie the game 1-1.

took its first penalty of the game and Manitoba immediately took advantage. Buchanan walked the blue line, sent a slap pass down low to Keen who redirected the puck in front where Kirkup was waiting. Kirkup deflected the puck home and got Manitoba back out in front. The goal was all Manitoba needed as it took the game 2-1 to advance to the Canada West finals and clinch a spot at the U Sports national championship. Kirkup was emotional talking about the win. The senior suffered a season-ending injury during the 2017-18 season and missed the herd’s national championship run. “I’m very very excited. I’m so happy right now,” Kirkup said, tearing up. “I’m very lucky to be a part of this great group you know, and very excited to go forward — and knowing we’ve got a lot of work to do — but just to have another shot and continue my hockey career, very excited.” The Bisons will defend the Canada West crown next week in Edmonton against the University of Alberta Pandas. The series will be the March 1 to 3 weekend with times TBD.


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Sports

VOL. 105 NO. 25 February 27, 2019

From the herd to the pack

Analysis: Bisons should mimic Huskies in rebuild

Bison Briefs Bilton signs with Solar Bears

The Orlando Solar Bears of the East Coast Hockey League announced Feb. 18 Liam Bilton had agreed to a contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed and there is no news on when the Winnipeg-born winger will make his professional debut. Bilton joins Orlando after a 99-game Bisons career where he posted 45 points — 25 goals and 20 assists — and racked up 119 penalty minutes.

JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

Former Bison returns home to Winnipeg

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

T

he times they are a-changing — — like most modern powerplay and it is high time the U of M units — but as the puck is cycled Bisons men’s hockey team changes around, you see the Huskies go to work. with them. With the conclusion of the 2018If, say, Jesse Forsberg walks the 19 Canada West season, the Bisons line and skates to the right through said goodbye to eight major club a pick set by a forward, the entire pieces, including multiple members unit rotates to compensate for Forsberg now being out of posiof the team’s core. Captain Brett Stovin, alternate tion. Now Forsberg slots into the captains Nick Zajac and Sean right side and a strong shooter like Christensen, goaltenders Byron Collin Shirley mans the point until Spriggs and Dasan Sydora and for- they can rotate back. wards Brett Brooks, Liam Bilton With a system like this, each and Zach Franko have all gradu- player knows who is on the ice and ated from the program. where they are because movement Aside from losing leadership is contained in a consistent set. and both its longtime goalies, the In contrast, in the current herd also loses important players Bisons system, if a player like who fit the team’s ethos perfectly. Adam Henry moves left or right In the long tenure of head coach toward the boards, he will run too Mike Sirant, the team has had close to the forward along the wall the identity of being big, physi- who is not moving. Then, a player cal and hard to play against. For — typically the far side winger — many years, if you wanted to win will cover Henry’s vacated spot at at Wayne Fleming, you would pay the point but nobody covers for the for your points with bruises and winger. hard work. By leaving a position along the Now, as hockey across the globe half-wall open, the Bisons effectransitions to a speed- and skill- tively cut the playing surface in based game, the Bisons need to half, closing off the space needed change with it. to move the puck and giving the For inspiration, Sirant and com- opposition more coverage on pany need only look west across the defence. provincial border. Further, without any systematic motion, wide gaps open up which Running with the pack can be exploited by aggressive penThe University of Saskatchewan alty killing units. In the Huskies Huskies may have more in common system, meanwhile, the positioning with a pack of wolves than the cud- stays more-or-less the same and the dly house pets from which the club shorter distance between players gets its name. allows for safer outlet passes under Watching the Huskies play, pressure. you immediately see the fluidity Then there is the speed. of movement contained within a Even when there are lapses, rigid positional structure. The team Saskatchewan has done a great moves as a unit more than as indi- job of recruiting and developing vidual pawns pouncing on oppor- players with immense closing tunities, with each player seemingly speed, which when turned the always in the right place and doing other direction allows them to burn the right thing. slow-footed opponents. Fo r example, when Sure, physicality and bruising Saskatchewan gets a powerplay, play are great, but in the immortal they quickly set up in an umbrella words of Herb Brooks, “Legs feed

the wolf.” 33-8-1 record and was second in the Where hockey was once an arms WHL in goals-against average and race for the biggest and meanest third in save percentage. enforcers, the current arms race is On the blue line there is the for speed and youth. Speed allows future top pair of Lucas Skrumeda you to win foot races, push the pace and Mackenzie Dwyer. of play, control the puck in motion Skrumeda impressed in his and make up for defensive lapses. rookie season in 2017-18 and in Saskatchewan does this better his sophomore campaign the local than most teams in the nation and product took another step forward. Manitoba should take note. He possesses the offensive tools — What the Bisons need is to shot and puck distribution ability re-evaluate the team’s current — to fill the void Henry will leave system, along with make some when he graduates next season. Dwyer, meanwhile, can fill the changes in recruitment. Size and grit should be substituted for speed defensive defenceman role perfectly. and skill, bringing in players who His responsibility and mixture of can move the puck and have sound physicality and foot speed makes positioning. him a nightmare for forecheckToo often in 2018-19 teams ers, while he can be relied on to be caught the Bisons flat footed, or the first pass in a strong offensive were able to find gaps in Manitoba’s transition. positioning. If the team wants to Rounding out the new-look improve and contend once more, Bisons core are Jeremey Leipsic, these issues need to be addressed. Keaton Jameson and Devon Even then the herd already Skoleski. has players who fit the mold of a Leipsic is the undersized skill Huskies-type system, but their player teams across the hockey deployment in a grit-focused sys- world covet in the modern game. tem stymies their effectiveness. He is shifty, has a wicked release and can almost disappear in covHuskies in Bisons clothing erage, only popping up to snap a A complete culture and system shot home. change may seem like a daunting Jameson and Skoleski meantask but a glance at the Bisons while are two-way machines in the lineup shows the team is closer to faceoff circle who seem on track a retool than a full-blown rebuild. to develop into complete playWorking from the crease ers knocking on the professional out, the herd already possesses a door. The two possess great puck potential all-star netminder in Tyler distribution skills and are possesBrown. sion drivers, but need to develop Although the Bisons have yet to their finishing ability a bit more see Brown in action due to offsea- next season. son surgery, the Winnipeg-born Jameson in particular was given netminder has the pedigree to a major role for the Bisons in 2018make most coaches salivate. 19, slotting in as the team’s top cenDuring his Western Hockey tre while Stovin was dealing with League (WHL) career Brown had an injury. 80 wins in five seasons, twice eclipsWith these pieces in place, ing 1,300 saves while playing for the and more including newcomers Regina Pats. He also led the Pats to Colton Veloso and Ryan Carlson, the WHL finals in 2017, losing to the Bisons could be contenders in the Seattle Thunderbirds. a conference championship again In 2017, the goaltender had a very soon.

The Bisons reunions continue with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, as the club announced the signing of free agent and former Bison DJ Lalama. Lalama most recently played for the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL, after being drafted 70th overall in the 2016 CFL draft by the Edmonton Eskimos. The Winnipeg-born linebacker played four seasons at the U of M and finished second in alltime tackles for the program. Lalama joins fellow exBisons Geoff Gray, Nic Demski and Thomas Miles with the blue and gold. Details of the deal were not announced.

Rieder, Keen and Anderson named all-stars

Three graduating Bisons have had their play recognized by the conference, as Erica Rieder, Lauryn Keen and Alexandra Anderson have been named as Canada West women’s hockey all-stars. Keen finished fourth in the conference and first among the Bisons in scoring with 26 points — 13 goals and 13 assists — while Rieder finished second on the team in points with 17 — four goals and 13 assists. Anderson was second among Bisons defenders in scoring, just two points behind Rieder with five goals and 10 assists for 15 points on the year.

Wog wins big at nationals

Kelsey Wog did as Kelsey Wog does at the U Sports national swimming championship, winning four gold medals and setting a record in the process. The Winnipeg swimmer began the championship with a pair of golds Thursday. She won the 50 metre breaststroke with a time of 31.8 seconds, and then the 200 metre individual medley with a 2:13.98 finish. She added another gold medal Friday with a win in the 100 metre breaststroke and finished off the national tournament with gold in the 200 metre breaststroke.


24

Sports

VOL. 105 NO. 25 February 27, 2019

Extinction level event

Bisons clobbered by Dinos in Canada West quarterfinals KELLEN TANIGUCHI, STAFF

meteor struck Calgary on the weekend, but this time left the dinosaurs unscathed. The U of M Bisons women’s volleyball team was swept in a dominant performance by the conference-leading University of Calgary Dinos in the Canada West quarterfinals.

Thursday

Despite a strong start from the herd, Calgary made an epic comeback to beat Manitoba 3-2 Thursday to lead the best-of-three series 1-0. Hannah Tanasichuk led the Dinos charge with 20 kills, while Kennedy Snape got down for a game-high 28 digs for the home team. Jocelyn Koswin smacked down 11 kills for the herd, while Cassie Bujan had 16 digs. Calgary came out flat in the first set, committing 13 errors to propel Manitoba to an opening set win. The Dinos could only score two points in a row throughout the set, while the visiting Bisons strung together four 3-0 scoring runs to snag a 25-20

set win. build an early 4-0 lead in the final set. Koswin led the charge for Vaandering and Adriel Goodman Manitoba in the second set, pound- each slapped down two kills to lead ing down seven kills for the Bisons, Calgary to a 15-8 set win and a game while Tanasichuk killed five balls to one victory. help keep the Dinos close. Manitoba led 8-7 when four con- Friday secutive points gave the Bisons a big Manitoba’s season came to a close enough lead to hold on and win the Friday, as the Dinos waltzed to a 3-0 close set 25-22. win and swept the quarterfinal series. Everything changed in the third Tanasichuk again led the Dinos frame when the Dinos attack was charge with 12 kills and Snape had a unstoppable. game-high 18 digs, while the Bisons Tanasichuk led Calgary with were led by Koswin’s 10 kills. six kills in the set, while Kenzie Both offences were flowing in the Vaandering pounded down another first set. The Manitoba attack was led three. The Dinos finished the set by Kearley Abbott and Koswin each with a 7-1 scoring run, capped off by killing five balls in the set. a Vaandering service ace to win 25-14. Calgary led 9-7 when the club Calgary carried this dominance put together three straight points to over to the fourth frame and handily increase its lead to five. won the set 25-12. The home team Tanasichuk pounded down four showed no mercy and held an early kills for the home team and the early 11-2 lead. The Dinos never looked five-point lead was enough to lead back and rolled on to force a decid- Calgary to a close 26-24 set win. ing fifth set. Beth Vinnell’s four kills spearKills from three different players headed the strong second frame and a Bisons error helped the Dinos for Calgary. Manitoba led 9-7, but

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

Calgary put together a 9-1 scoring run to take a 16-10 lead. Manitoba was knocked on its heels, committing 11 errors in the set to help Calgary to a dominant 25-13 win. Koswin knocked down four kills for the Bisons in the third set, but

Tanasichuk pounded down six — including a solo 5-1 run to close out the set — and Vaandering tallied another four kills for Calgary. The Dinos took an early lead and walked to a 25-17 set win, a match victory and series sweep.

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