14 March 2018

news

UMSU Elevated Elevate UMSU wins elections

news

Us and Them

editorial

Documentary chronicles homlessness and addiction Page 6

Page 3

Bigger than Syria

The country's war extends beyond geographical boundaries Page 8

sports

Scouting the competition

Getting to know the women’s national hockey match-ups Page 17 Vo l 1 0 4 · N o 2 6 · m a r c h 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 · w w w.t h e m a n i to b a n .co m

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Index

VOL. 104 NO. 26 March 14, 2018

Editor-in-Chief Garett Williams

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

Business manager Sohni Tappia

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

Advertising Coordinator Ryan Catte

ads@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

Editorial

Managing Editor Malak Abas

me@themanitoban.com

News Editor Imreet Kaur

news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

News Editor Shaden Abusaleh

shaden@themanitoban.com/ 474.6770

Comment Editor Shawn Huberdeau

comment@themanitoban.com

arts & Culture Editor Olivia Michalczuk

sports

arts@themanitoban.com

Sports Editor Ryan Stelter

Wrapping it up

sports@themanitoban.com

Copy Editor Evan Tremblay

Bison track and field season ends at U SPORTS Nationals

copy@themanitoban.com

page 18

Design

Design Editor Bram Keast

design@themanitoban.com

Graphics Editor Kelly Campbell

graphics@themanitoban.com

Photo Editor Asha Nelson

photo@themanitoban.com

Social Editor Carolyne Kroeker

social@themanitoban.com

Design associate Kellie Huynh graphics associate Ernest Zarzuela pHOTO associate Chantal Zdan pHOTO associate Quincy Houdayer arts

Reporters

Local business profiles

General Assignment Qudus Abusaleh

General Assignment Diana-Abasi Ubokudom Columnist Levi Garber Columnist Kenny Ingram arts & culture Jen Doerksen Sports Jason Pchajek Copy Associate Matthew Doering

Vintage shops of the Exchange page 13

Volunteer Contributors comment

Constructing hypocrisy Pallister foregoes competitive bidding after years of valourizing the market page 10

Check the Manitoban’s website and Facebook page for:

• An interview with federal minister of employment, workforce development and labour Patty Hajdu

Design Design Editor: Bram Keast Contact: design@themanitoban.com Graphics Editor: Kelly Campbell Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com Photo Editor: Asha Nelson Contact: photo@themanitoban.com

Will Gibson Keegan Steele Anthony Labonté

Erin Meagan Schwartz

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News

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News Editors: Imreet Kaur & Shaden Abuselah Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Elevate UMSU sweeps executive ballot Jakob Sanderson to succeed Tanjit Nagra as UMSU president Garett Williams and Qudus Abusaleh, staff

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levate UMSU - anchored by Arts Student Body Council president Jakob Sanderson - swept the 2018 UMSU executive election.

Sanderson beat out current UMSU VP finance and operations Jehan Moorthy’s Future UMSU slate and Mathew Scammell’s Two Brothers UMSU by taking slightly more than 45 per cent of ballots cast.

2,360 of the 5,616 ballots cast for president went to Sanderson. 1,518 went to Moorthy and 1,353 to Scammell.

There were 385 abstentions.

Sanderson will lead the next UMSU executive along with Sarah Bonner-Proulx, VP advocacy; Owen Black, VP external; Mbuli Matshe, VP finance and operations; and Carly Mastromonaco, VP student services.

“One of the largest elephants in the room about our union is that nobody really participates in it” - Mathew Scammell, Two Brothers’ UMSU presidential candidate.

Bonner-Proulx took 61 per cent of votes cast to Future UMSU’s Athena Skarban’s 39 per cent. Black bettered Future UMSU’s Brooklynn Krul 60 per cent to 40. Matshe collected 58 per cent of ballots cast compared to Future UMSU’s Jonah Wasylak’s 42.

Mastromonaco won with 46 per cent of the vote over Two Brothers’ Sean Scammell, 27 per cent, and Future UMSU’s Brandon Barratt, 27 per cent.

Sanderson said his team is excited and ready to share their “fresh perspective” with the union’s membership, adding that he plans on ensuring it

Jakob Sanderson will start his term as UMSU president on May 1st.

is one that is “as present as possible to all students.”

“I am excited for all of the things we are planning to do next year,” he said.

“Our term officially starts on May 1, but I cannot wait to be talking to students and hear exactly what they want from the next UMSU executive, find out why they elected us,” Sanderson said.

“And I want to talk to every single person who didn’t vote for us and find out why it is that they went the other way and find out what we can do to make sure that they feel included within our UMSU executive because we want to make sure we fight for every single student on this campus.”

V P student ser vices-elect Mostromonaco called her team’s victory an “indescribable feeling” and

said she looks forward to the transition process.

Two Brother’s UMSU presidential candidate Mathew Scammell lamented what he called a “problematic ” voter turnout.

“There has to be some kind of incentive for students to actually care about what’s going on,” he said.

Scammell said that with his graduation planned for October, and his current term as UMSU councillor representing Society of Earth Science and Environmental Studies coming to an end, he will continue to advocate for a transparent and effective student union.

“One of the largest elephants in the room about our union is that nobody really participates in it,” Scammell said.

Future UMSU declined to comment.

photo by quincy houdayer

Alannah Mckay, Abubakar Ibrahim, and Eun-Bi Kang ran and were supported for the uncontested UMSU community representative positions of Indigenous students’ rep, international students’ rep, and LGBTTQ* students rep, respectively.

Overall campus voter participation was down slightly this year compared to 2017, with a total of 25 per cent voter participation and a total of 5,616 ballots cast. Participation spiked last year with more than 27 per cent participation and 6,247 total votes counted.

The campaign period was relatively quiet until this week when social media posts accused Future UMSU VP finance and operations candidate Wasylak of involvement in a racially-charged incident at the Hub Social Club in October.

Wasylak was among a group of five Bison men’s hockey players who were briefly banned from the Hub following an incident where two international students were allegedly attacked with racial slurs.

An investigation found no proof of the slurs and the bans were later withdrawn. Moorthy commented on behalf of Wasylak and denied his involvement. He declined to comment on the results of the election.

Five complaints were registered with the chief returning officer over the 12 day campaign period, all between the Elevate UMSU and Future UMSU slates. There were six complaints filed in 2017.

Engage slate takes UWSA executive unchallenged Malak Abas, staff

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WSA Engage, led by presidentelect Morgan Brightnose, ran unchallenged and was voted in for executive positions of the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association.

Brightnose received 504 out of the 557 votes cast. VP external affairs Zee Morales received 483 out of the 550 votes cast. VP student affairs Jade Defehr received 500 out of the 551, and VP internal affairs Brenden Gali received 508 of the 561 votes cast.

UWSA Engage focused its campaign on working against tuition increases, partnering with local campaigns and community groups, and

working to increase campus resources Megan Linton won the board of Letkemann, environmental eth- down from 27 per cent in 2017. for marginalized students. regents position, with 305 votes to ics director; Quentin Mayhew and The election also saw the passOutside of the Engage executive Sophia Hershfield’s 261.

Jude Yallowega, LGBT* directors; ing of a referendum that presented a slate, board of directors’ candidates The remainder of the director Mohamed Behi, accessibility direc- 25-cent levy per credit hour on eduwere also elected. tor; Goldie Arora, cation courses which will be used to Daniel Denton PACE d i rec- create awards, grants, bursaries, or The sole slate running, UWSA Engage, led was voted in as tor; and Michael foundation investments specifically science direcKvern as an for University of Winnipeg educaby president Morgan Brightnose, were tor, receiving 297 UWSA senator. tion students. votes to Tessa These votes voted in for executive positions Bortoluzzi’s 276. translate to about Ugonna Chigbo a 6.8 per cent turnand Meseret Kahsay took the com- positions went to candidates run- out by University of Winnipeg stumunity liaison position as a team, ning unopposed - Jerico Nieves, dents. Comparatively, the UMSU receiving 349 votes to Mia Ryder- arts director; Ifeoma Nnadi, inter- general election this year brought out Marks and Nicholas Warsza’s 215. national students’ director; Avery about 25 per cent of the student body,

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News

News Editors: Imreet Kaur & Shaden Abuselah Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Future UMSU candidate accused of involvement racially charged altercation Investigation into October incident at the Hub uncovered no proof of racial slurs being uttered, no official complaint filed Malak Abas and Shaden Abusaleh, with files from Garett Williams, staff

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uture UMSU VP finance and tional students were subjected to “He wasn't engaged in any of the Wasylak later corroborated this operations candidate Jonah racial slurs. sort of confrontation that took place, by posting a status referencing the Wasylak is facing accusations of Wasylak and the other students he was simply there to maintain his situation on Facebook March 8. He involvement in an incident where were then removed from the bar. The friends, move away from the incident claimed the altercation was instigated two international students are alleged international students requested pub and just to go on by the end of the by a person not involved with the to have been verbally harassed with security escort them to their vehicle, night. There was drinking involved Bisons men’s hockey team. racial slurs inside an UMSU business and the confrontation continued in with some of his friends that were “They kept shouting back and forth, in October. the parking lot. present and he wanted to make sure and I stepped up to pull him away,” “When they left outside, all the that his friends sort of de-escalated Wasylak said. “My main regret is that The VP finance and operations position was won by Mbuli Matshe hockey players were outside waiting any hostile behaviour.”

I didn’t step in sooner.” from the Elevate UMSU slate, who for them,” said someone familiar with Moorthy said he discussed the The investigation found no evitook 58 per cent of the ballots cast, the incident, who asked to remain incident with Wasylak before includ- dence of the alleged sixth individual compared to Wasylak’s 42 per cent. anonymous. ing him on the Future UMSU slate, being present or involved, either on The accusations began circulating and is confident he did not repeat a security footage provided by the U of slur and is not racist.

March 7 on social media. An invesM and the Hub, or recorded by the tigation involving UMSU, the Hub “The repercussions UMSU president Tanjit Nagra bar’s patron ID scanner.

Social Club - where the alleged incisaid she is aware of the incident but Muller acknowledged the incident were that we had a dent took place - and Bison Sports did not name any particular students. continued outside the bar but said the uncovered no evidence of the alleged “There was an incident that athletes “were not waiting to cause a game in 48 hours slurs. The international students occurred involving students, I believe ruckus or to cause a fuss.” involved did not submit official state- what are you doing there was racism involved and racial “My understanding is they were ments or complaints. slurs towards some students it was scared for the safety [of the student in a bar 48 hours Online posts included a screen involving some Bison athletes,” she using racial slurs],” he said. before?” - Gene shot of the Hub’s patron ID scanner said, adding that Moorthy, in his role Muller said that while the hockey that showed Wasylak and four other as UMSU VP finance and operations, players involved faced several reperMuller, Bison Sports members of the Bisons men’s hockey took a lead in trying to resolve the cussions - including writing the team had been banned from the pub matter. apology letter “because of the disdirector of athletics for an “extremely serious” disturbance She said she understood the issue turbance,” undergoing a “session with and recreation that included “excessive racial slurs to be resolved in December after a human rights and conflict managedirected at bar patrons” inside and letter of apology from the players was ment,” and “extra training because of outside the bar. delivered to Hub staff, and the coach the night out” - it was not the allegaThe bans - which were extended The Hub security member “was a of the men’s hockey team, along with tions of racially-charged language to five members of the hockey team big guy, tough guy, and he was hav- the athletic director of Bison Sports, that drew the punishment.

“There were certain repercussions, - were later changed to “disturbance- ing to push their way through and assured her that the team would be breach of conduct” and eventually they were trying to jump them or beat banned from the pub and sensitivity but the repercussions were not related lifted altogether following an inves- them up or whatever,” he said. training would take place. to the racial slurs,” he said. tigation and the submission by the UMSU presidential candidate Bisons Sports director of athletics “The repercussions were that we players of a written apology to the Jehan Moorthy - who campaigned and recreation Gene Muller acknowl- had a game in 48 hours - what are bar, in which they denied using racial with Wasylak on the Future UMSU edged members of the Bisons hockey you doing in a bar 48 hours before?” epithets. slate and facilitated the investiga- team were involved in an incident, Muller said he met with the According to individuals who tion following the incident in the fall but said the five athletes were not men’s hockey coach and the players came forward to speak with the - acknowledged the Bison forward the instigators. involved, and believes their version Manitoban, Wasylak was part of a and Asper school of business student Muller said that from his under- of events. group involved in an altercation with was involved in an incident, but said standing of the altercation it was a “I refuse to believe that these guys international students while at the Wasylak was, in fact, trying to break “hanger-on,” rather than a Bisons would be this stupid, in this day and Hub just before 2 a.m. on Oct. 18. up the confrontation. hockey player, who uttered the slurs, age, and they are all - from knowl“He was sober that night,” said and only after being “sucker punched” edge of them - really good people,” The alleged confrontation began in a washroom where the interna- Moorthy. in the washroom. he said.

“And I know that when one of our players heard that, he objected to the person involved. It’s [2018], you’re not allowed to use language like that.”

Muller would not release the name of the student he alleged used the racial slurs. He added that he encouraged staff at the Hub to further investigate the situation, but because the victims did not come forward or press charges, there was little he could do.

“I said that if there is no allegation, and we only have one side to the story, then that was the case closed to me because there were no people coming forward,” Muller said.

The anonymous source said he brought the issue forward at this time because he believes the alleged actions of that night do not line up with the values Wasylak advocated while campaigning.

“Two of their slate’s focusing points are respect [and transparency] - I don’t think he displayed respect at all that night,” he said. “And as far as transparency goes, I think people should know about that, and [it] should be his own belief, too, that people should know about that.

“I know people saying racial slurs might not mean that’s actually how you feel about a race - you might not actually be racist - but it’s completely disrespectful and inappropriate, especially someone who’s representing students like that. I don’t think that’s right.”

U of A highlights lack of diversity among U15 leadership positions Diana Ubokudom, staff

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recent study conducted by University of Alberta professor Malinda Smith for the University of Alberta Academic Women’s Association found a lack of diversity in leadership positions at Canada’s U15 research-intensive universities.

The study found that among top leadership positions at U15 institutions, “women, racialized minorities, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities” are largely underrepresented.

The study examined social diversity, disciplinary diversity, and professional backgrounds of individuals occupying various leadership positions.

The assessment of social diversity of mid-level and senior leadership positions, including board chairs, chancellors, presidents, provosts, and vice-presidents academics revealed that those occupying these positions were predominantly white and male.

Visible minorities and Indigenous peoples were underrepresented at mid-level and senior leadership positions.

With regards to disciplinary backgrounds, positions, namely presidents, provosts, and VP-academic, and VP research were analyzed.

According to the study, these positions are mostly filled by individuals from science, technology, engi-

neering, and mathematics (STEM) backgrounds, including the three female presidents and visible minority presidents.

Lastly, an examination of professional backgrounds of board chairs and chancellors revealed that individuals with backgrounds in business, law, politics, and public administration were overrepresented in these positions. Both types of positions are held primarily by white males.

While only 14 per cent of board chairs were visible minority or Indigenous men, neither visible minorities nor Indigenous women were represented in these positions.

The University of Manitoba lead-

ership team was reported as being made up of 40 per cent each white males and white females, and 20 per cent men of visible minorities.

Indigenous men and women, as well as women of visible minorities, were absent altogether.

Out of 21 deans from major faculties and schools examined from the U of M, 76.2 per cent were white males, 14.3 per cent were white females, 4.8 per cent were men of visible minorities, and 4.8 per cent were women of visible minorities.

Overall, the U15 research-intensive universities did not include Indigenous females in any of the positions examined in the study.

U of M executive director of public affairs John Danakas said the university’s principles of “equity and inclusion” are reflected in president Barnard’s leadership team.

“President Barnard’s current senior leadership team, for example, includes two vice-presidents who are female, two who identify as members of the [LGBTTQ*] community, and one who is a visible minority.”

He maintained that the university remains dedicated to these principles, and “to continuous improvement with regard to inclusion at all levels of leadership.”

VOL. 104 NO. 26 March 14, 2018

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Indigenous Awareness Week extended Diana Ubokudom, staff

Governor General’s Literary Award winner David Alexander Robertson signs books following his lecture, “Reclamation & Reconciliation: Indigenous Literary Voices Today.” photos by asha nelson

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he University of Manitoba has extended its annual Indigenous Awareness Week into Indigenous Awareness Month this year.

The U of M is hosting several events between March 5 and 29 to explore Indigenous history, cultures, and traditions.

Among the planned events are the Indigenous Awards of Excellence, the 15th annual Elders and Traditional Peoples Gathering, and the ReconciliACTION campaign launch. Several lectures will also be held on campus throughout the month.

Amanda Fredlund, female co-president of the University of Manitoba Aboriginal Students Association (UMASA) and one of 10 Indigenous Awards of Excellence 2018 recipients, said the month-long celebration means more events can be held.

Fredlund said the UMASA executive team was excited as two events planned by UMASA - the Misko Fest and launch of the ReconciliACTION campaign - are included in the agenda.

They are scheduled for March 22 and March 27, respectively.

She said that the Misko Fest will

feature singing, drumming, and dancing, giving both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students the opportunity to experience Indigenous culture.

“It’s a good way to give non-Indigenous or even Indigenous people who have never been to any sort of cultural celebration like that, exposure to it”- Amanda Fredlund, UMASA female co-president

paign aims to see the U of M implement the Truth And Reconciliation Commission’s recommendation number 16, which calls upon postsecondary institutions across Canada to “create university and college degree and diploma programs in Aboriginal languages.”

Marjorie Ward Annual Lecture

St. John’s College hosted the 34th Annual Marjorie Ward lecture March 7.

The lecture, titled “Reclamation & Reconciliation: Indigenous Literary A collection of Robertson’s popular children’s literature.

Voices Today,” was one of the events lined up for Indigenous Awareness could not be achieved by waiting ever that means - we’re going to be Month. for the government to take action, waiting a really long time,” Robertson Presented by Governor General’s but required proactive action by told the audience.

Literary Award winner David individuals.

“We can’t wait for the government.

Alexander Robertson, the lecture Robertson said this proactiv- They’re not going to do anything. To focused on the importance of repre- ity means engaging in meaningful me, reconciliation is always going to sentation of Indigenous voices in the conversations regarding reconcilia- be a movement of the people.” literary world. tion, incorporating the true history “It’s a good way to give non-IndigRobertson said that truth is just of Indigenous peoples into school enous people or even Indigenous as important as reconciliation, add- curriculums, and providing teachers people who have never been to any ing that Indigenous peoples present with the right tools to engage with sort of cultural celebration like that this truth in a unique way through children on this subject. exposure to it,” Fredlund said. story telling.

“If we wait for the government to The ReconciliACTION camHe said that reconciliation lead us towards reconciliation - what-

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News

News Editors: Imreet Kaur & Shaden Abuselah Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Documentary highlights experiences of chronically homeless Spanning more than 10 years, film links homelessness and addictions with MMIWG Imreet Kaur, staff

photo by asha nelson

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documentary highlighting the lived experiences of four chronically homeless people in British Columbia was screened at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights March 8.

Directed, produced, and written

by Krista Loughton the documentary, titled Us and Them links homelessness and addictions with the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG).

“We are really trying to correlate the issues of homelessness and addictions with the MMIWG,” Loughton said.

Lougton added that talking about homelessness in a vacuum should be replaced with a serious discussion that uses an intersectional approach to understand the complexities of the trauma faced by homeless people which makes them more vulnerable.

“A lot of people talk about housing of life outside on our streets,” she said. first, which is a system where you put The film spans a period of more people in a unit regardless of if they than a decade, which Loughton said are using [substances] or not,” which honestly presents the stories of four Loughton said should be coupled individuals along with destroying some of the stereotypes about homewith extra support services.

“If we had these services in less people. place, where there was housing “I wanted people to leave the theand Indigenous-run housing with atre and never look at a homeless Indigenous-run cultural supports for person the same way again.”

Loughton said that even though people, that would prevent a lot of the women that are at risk out there she lives in a gentrified area of that are generally speaking are from a Vancouver, she did not understand low socioeconomic bracket,” she said. the extent of the issue of homelessLoughton said one of the par- ness until she started working on the ticipants in the film “has a sister documentary.

“We are all the same. It is just that on the MMIWG list and another one of her sisters was murdered by their experiences are more intense the police officers in Prince Albert, and then that allows for people to Saskatchewan. So this issue is very look at the situation through a comclose to my heart.” passionate lens. It is a very emotional "Us and Them is a deeply visceral film but it is also inspiring at the end.”

Loughton said it was a spefilm that shows audiences the reality

cial event to screen the film on the heart and centre of the hearings.

International Women’s Day (IWD), Marion Buller, the chief commisMarch 8, a day celebrated around the sioner of the national inquiry, asked world to recognize the achievements the federal government for a two-year and struggles of women. extension last week.

MaryAnn Mihychuk, member of “I think it is really important that parliament for Kildonan–St. Paul, we get down to business and house attended the screening. and care for people,” Loughton said, “It’s been [an] especially happy adding that the requested extension and robust and active [IWD], much “seems to be an extension of the pain.” more active than last year or years “Like in the case of Tina Fontaine, before and I think that it is truly a a 15-year old girl who was targeted by celebration and time for us to really a 52-year old man - you know that make the change we have all hoped there were a lot of holes in the system for,” she said, adding that Indigenous that made that happen to her.” women face unique challenges and Fonatine, from Sagkeeng First difficulties.

Nation, had been reported missing The film screening, she said, will numerous times before her body move the audience “through the pro- was discovered in the Red River in the summer of 2014. Law enforcecess of truth and reconciliation.”

“It is all linked together to be a very ment officials and Child and Family special evening.”

Services have been criticized for their The screening was followed by handling of the matter. a panel discussion emceed by Ry A jury acquitted Raymond Moran, director of the National Cormier of second-degree murder Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. charges relating to Fontaine’s death The panelists included Loughton, Feb. 22.

Sandra DeLaronde, co-chair of the Mihychuk said Canadians are Coalition for MMWIG, Althea experiencing the aftermath of “cenGuiboche, of Got Bannock, and turies of colonialism, of apartheid, of Jane Meagher, former director of systemic racism that has subjugated Red Road Lodge. peoples that were generous and open.”

Mihychuk said even though recMMIWG inquiry onciliation is a difficult task, the The federal government launched government is moving in the right a national inquiry into MMIWG direction and urged Winnipegers in 2015. Since the inquiry’s launch, and urban Canadians to provide “culnumerous staff members, commis- turally appropriate” safe spaces for sioners, and researchers have resigned. families moving from First Nation Families of MMIWG have criticised communities to urban centres. the inquiry for not keeping them at

GPESA to highlight alternate growth models Speakers will focus on alternative ways of conceptualizing consumption, wellbeing Qudus Abusaleh, staff

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he University of Manitoba’s of the Canadian economy, such as between promoting “green growth” Global Political Economy economic health and success, have and sufficiency-based challenges to Students’ Association (GPESA) is been conventionally measured and the endless growth of production and set to host a panel discussion exam- the ecological costs that underly such consumption. ining alternative ways of conceptual- measurements.

Speaking to Hayden’s most recent izing consumption, measurements of “This includes highlighting the book, When Green Growth is Not wellbeing, and progress at the Gas true ecological costs of a system pre- Enough: Climate Change, Ecological Station Arts Centre March 17. mised on perpetual growth, and the Modernization, and Sufficiency, Running from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 way they disproportionately fall on Greening said Hayden “Contrasts p.m. and titled “Regrowth: reimaging already marginalized groups,” she various approaches to addressing cliecology, equity, + the economy,” the said. mate change, and concludes that soevent will include a three-speaker Following this, Greening added, called ‘green technologies’ [are not] an panel that will include Dalhousie “We want to emphasize alternatives adequate solution to this enormous University associate professor of to this model, and give a platform problem.” political science Anders Hayden, to those currently working to create She added that “He argues that a University College of the North change. We think our speakers are more fundamental change is required, professor Ramona Neckoway, and such people.” one that emphasizes sufficiency over Sarah Leeson-Klym, the Manitoba scarcity as an organizing economic Regional Director of The Canadian Speaker profiles principle.”

Community Economic Development Hayden’s research is focused Neckoway, a PhD candidate at (CED) Network. on examining the socio-political the University of Manitoba, focuses Event organizer and fifth-year responses to climate change and other her research on the many perspecglobal political economy student environmental challenges. More spe- tives, experiences, and implications Julia Greening said the event will cifically, the political science professor of energy production on Cree homebegin by highlighting how aspects is interested in the evolving balance lands in Northern Manitoba.

After collecting and integratThe Manitoba Gathering, an ing countless local perspectives on annual CED conference, brings the growing presence of Hydro together over 500 people each year development in the North over the from different areas of the not-forlast decade, Neckoway is hoping profit, social enterprise, and commuto develop an alternative narrative nity development sectors for a day of regarding energy production. “sharing, learning, networking and Leeson-Klym, the Manitoba celebration.”

Regional Director for the Canadian Leeson-Klym has also worked CED Network, a national web of with Enterprising Non-Profits, a community organizations building collaborative program that fosters healthy, sustainable, and inclusive social enterprise development and communities and local economies, is growth as a way to build strong nonadamant that community economic profit organizations and healthier development can spearhead efforts to communities. address nationwide challenges such as Today, in partnership with the inequality, poverty, and environmental provincial government, Leesondegradation.

Klym provides leadership to the Since 2011, Leeson-Klym has Manitoba Social Enterprise Strategy been involved in various CED-led that aims to create jobs in the provinitiatives, including coordinating ince though the development of social the annual Manitoba Gathering for enterprises. community and economic developers as well as playing a role in establishing the Enterprising Non-Profits program.

Editorial Editor-In-Chief: Garett Williams Contact: Editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

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Syria is in no civil war Foreign interference animates the Mideastern struggle Shaden Abusaleh, staff

graphic by kelly campbell

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aving now completed its seventh year, the Syrian conflict, one of the deadliest humanitarian crises of our time, continues to be characterized as a civil war.

Such a categorization, however, is both inaccurate and troubling, as it simplifies a very complicated situation.

It allows us to become disillusioned with the idea that problems “over there” are just that and have no impact elsewhere, resulting in a collective numbness and shrugging-ofshoulders when images of war-torn Syrian cities and towns (too rarely) dominate our front pages.

Such a simplification is dangerous.

It exonerates the international community of responsibility, producing global apathy. It allows internal and external groups to justify their involvement and use of violence, fails to acknowledge the direct and active role of powerful players like Russia and Iran, and gives Syrian president Bashar al-Assad a facade of legitimacy by equating the killer with the victims.

Undoubtedly, it is difficult to reduce what is happening in Syria to mere words printed on paper, but it is important that we peel back the many layers surrounding this conflict in order to develop a deeper, more contextualized understanding of it.

In March 2011, following decades of stagnation and oppression, a sudden awakening of a disenchanted Syrian populace - one which had lost patience with a failing, anocratic state - swept through the nation when a group of teenagers were arrested and tortured in the southwestern Syrian city of Daraa for painting graffiti

featuring messages in support of the clear that militarization had over- the majority of ISIS leadership. This November, over 1,200 air strikes and Arab uprisings. shadowed the original nature of the has helped him shift the narrative, more than 6,000 rockets and shells Daraa’s consequent rallying cry Syrian uprisings - peaceful demon- emphasizing so-called Islamic ter- - some of which have reportedly confor the release of the boys was met strations against authoritarian rule rorism as a key characteristic of the tained chlorine gas - have been fired with a ferocious crackdown of secu- - creating a power vacuum and making conflict, thereby presenting himself at the enclave. This is despite the fact rity forces, who reverted to the logic room for the interference of crimi- as a partner in the global war on ter- that eastern Ghouta was declared a of violence by killing and detaining nal gangs and interventionist foreign ror and justifying his use of violence. “de-escalation zone” last May; that powers, ultimately giving way to open How can we refer to the conflict is, the region is under a diplomatic innocent civilians. barbarism and poisonous propaganda. as a civil war, given the vast amount ceasefire agreed to by Russia, Iran, There are local factions that fight of external interference? and Turkey.

The death toll in eastern Ghouta against one another from time to time The underlying - still, the underlying power dynamic continues to rise. In a one-week power dynamic between the regime and the Syrian period earlier this year, the number Foreign powers have people is one that is too convoluted to of casualties exceeded 500, with thoubetween the regime prioritized violence be characterized as a civil war. sands of civilians severely injured. and the Syrian We see this in the arbitrary Relentless air and artillery strikes over diplomacy violence perpetrated by the Assad have forced civilians to seek shelter people is one that regime against a helpless populace. underground and has left the region and significantly Soldiers were forced to shoot largely deprived of medical care, is too convoluted exacerbated unarmed demonstrators or were foodstuffs, sanitation, and other basic to be characterized shot themselves. Stadiums and necessities. the conflict school classrooms were turned into The conflict has produced well over as a civil war prison camps where mutilation and five million refugees and six million torture of the worst kinds imaginForeign powers have prioritized have been internally displaced - more Struggles for freedom, economic able were inflicted on men, women, violence and significantly exacerbated than half of the country’s pre-war woes, and public anger over harsh and children, including the elderly the conflict. population. More than eight million government retaliation resulted in a and wounded. Public rape, forced Following the outbreak of demon- children have been affected by the shift in chants from local and reform- starvation, aid obstruction, and strations in 2011, Shiite fighters from conflict and over 13 million Syrians ist demands, to a call for the complete indiscriminate executions were Lebanon, Iraq, and Iran were imme- are in need of immediate humanitaroverthrow of the Assad regime. used as instruments of warfare and diately deployed in Syria to support ian assistance. Nearly half a million people have been killed, more than Further, the toppling of the deterrence. the Assad regime.

Tunisian and Egyptian regimes This degree of atrocities deployed Moscow has also been integral to two million injured, and more than fuelled hope among Syrian protest- against a largely unarmed popula- Assad’s survival. Since 2015, Russia 65,000 have disappeared in Syria’s ers, who continued risking their lives tion failed to suppress rebellion. The has been launching airstrikes tar- torture prisons. demanding dignity (karama), liberty regime’s survival strategy - one of geted at Syrian rebel forces, which This is a war carried out by Assad (hurriyya), and revolution (thawra). oppressive tactics and its attempt to often entails targeting Syrian neigh- and his foreign allies against the Armed resistance against the blame sectarian divisions and foreign bourhoods, hospitals, and schools. people of Syria, a murderous camAssad regime grew in the form of self- conspiracies for the violence - proved The most brutal bombardments paign to exterminate a nation in order defence as soldiers began defecting ineffective. are currently being carried out by pro- to maintain a long-standing power from the Syrian military via YouTube And so, in a deliberate attempt to government forces in eastern Ghouta, dynamic in the region. videos following the summer of 2011. aggravate the conflict and radicalize an agricultural, rebel-held enclave Do not equate the killer with the This led to the birth of the Free Syrian what remained of formerly peace- located in the northern Damascene victim.

Army, marking the weaponization of ful demonstrations, Assad released countryside that has been under siege This is not a civil war. the conflict. dangerous extremists from prison since 2013 and is home to an estiBy the following year, it became - a number of whom now compose mated 400,000 civilians. Since mid-

Comment Comment Editor: Shawn Huberdeau Contact: comment@themanitoban.com

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Pallister government fails Economics 101 Transparent bidding procedures ensure fair process for taxpayers and companies alike Kenny Ingram, staff

he has given cause for alienating not only his voters, but every taxpayer in Manitoba.

After constantly accusing the NDP of overspending, driving up the deficit, and over-relying on similar single-sourced contracts, Pallister has stepped into his own trap.

Graphic by Ernest Zarzuela

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f there was one thing Manitobans when news broke March 7 that the ernments may even negotiate with should have been assured of follow- Pallister government awarded con- private industry to lower costs. ing the 2016 provincial election, it is struction contracts unfairly without This is the case for high-valued that Brian Pallister was an expert in following correct, competitive bid- contracts in infrastructure. In the business. Privatization seemed to be ding procedures. The project in ques- construction industry, it is pivotal his philosophy in dealing with busi- tion concerns the construction of a that our provincial government nesses in government. road as part of the Lake St. Martin awards contracts to the lowest bidder Ever since he was leader of the channel project.

- the company which will complete opposition, he had always been When it is not viable for the gov- the job for the fewest taxpayer dollars. clear when it came to how he would ernment to produce a desired result The marketplace serves to sort out spend taxpayer dollars: “We have - building infrastructure for a desired competing firms and present a finalrecommitted to look for the savings cost, say - it will contract the work out ist whose work is both economical within government. We have made to the private sector. An important and credible. that commitment to the people of step in this process includes competiPallister’s actions suggests he does tion between contractors so taxpayers not appreciate the importance of this.

Manitoba.”

This is why it was flabbergasting get the best deal. Occasionally, gov- In prematurely awarding a contract,

While constantly accusing the NDP of overspending and driving up the deficit, Pallister himself has done this through his poorlyexecuted contract It was just this November when infrastructure minister Ron Schuler assured Manitobans that the Progressive Conservative government was going to “shop smarter” for contracts. Schuler must understand how terrible this recent news reflects on the party as a whole, since he originally announced two firms for the construction contract had been chosen after a competitive bidding process. It was only after the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association

pointed out this lie that the minister walked back his statement.

But how about our provincial commander-in-chief? Surely, Pallister would be quick to reject the incompetence of Schuler and his untendered contract, and maybe go on to talk about the importance of free market enterprise determining the fair cost?

When asked how he could be sure a non-bidding process could be getting the best price the market could provide, Pallister was quick to throw his infrastructure minister beneath the fast-approaching bus: "If the minister made the mess, he'll clean it up, not the premier."

It was just two years ago that the humble leader of the opposition and MLA Brian Pallister was antagonistic toward such monopolistic contracts, calling them an “epidemic.”

He was sure to blast the NDP when Manitoba Hydro awarded Tetra Tech an $85 million contract without a proper bidding process.

But what about that earlier question Pallister deflected by tossing his infrastructure minister in the way?

He answered it two years ago, saying “There's no way to prove if you're getting value for money from an untendered contract.”

Many would wholeheartedly agree.

Diversions Graphics Editor: Kelly Campbell Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com

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Arts & Culture Arts & Culture Editor: Olivia Michalczuk Contact: arts@themanitoban.com

The vintage clothing shops of the Exchange Local dealers turn hobby into creative business ventures Jen Doerksen, staff

photo by Jen Doerksen

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rom collectors to business owners, several local entrepreneurs are making a go of selling their garment collections in curated vintage clothing shops.

Rachael Poklitar, owner of women’s vintage shop Nettie + Min, said she has wanted to own a vintage store in Winnipeg for years. She said she enjoyed thrifting for clothes in high school and realized during university that she could start selling some of her finds.

In 2012 she began selling clothes through a blog called Lady Likeness.

“I liked thrifting so much that I wanted to be able to buy whatever I wanted, even if I myself didn’t necessarily want to keep it or wear it, or it didn’t fit me,” Poklitar said.

“I could still do something with it, so that’s why I started selling it.”

Nettie + Min operates out of a studio at Unit 210 70 Albert St. and shares the space with curated clothing shop The Vintage Saint and two other businesses. The second-floor studio space is filled with racks of colourful vintage pieces, from dresses to brooches and from shoes to denim jackets.

Poklitar said sharing the space

with other businesses is an economic choice.

“We all split rent evenly, and if you’re here, you sell everything,” Poklitar said.

Out of the four businesses that rent the space, Poklitar is the only renter that works full-time at the studio, but occasionally she will work contract jobs on film sets. She said sharing the studio space offers her flexibility to work other jobs.

Alex Kohut, owner of men’s vintage shop The Vintage Saint, said he is happy with the collective nature of the studio arrangement as well. He began selling vintage items around the age of 17 and worked at local vintage shops Ragpickers and Vintage Glory before opening an operation of his own.

“I think, for me, I kind of follow in the footsteps [of people] who have been doing vintage for so long in this city,” Kohut said.

“The idea was that I had to accrue this knowledge that you can’t just learn from text books, because there’s a lot of social aspects to buying and selling and trading and networking.

“So, it became a practice of learning how to navigate people in this business.”

Kohut and Poklitar have shared found starting Nettie + Min offered selling clothes after collecting for the studio space on Albert for approx- her a creative outlet while work- years. imately two years. Kohut said he ing a full-time job with the City of “It’s a process, because you collect, Winnipeg. hopes to expand in the future. a lot of people collect, and a lot of “It was a hobby-turned-business, people have their little collections and it kind of let me do other stuff set up at home,” Shand said.

“I liked thrifting so like take pictures and model, and, I “And then once you go past the don’t know, let me be creative,” she point of collecting, then you start much that I wanted said. selling it. There’s a point where peoto be able to buy “I was also trying to make stuff ple make up in their mind that they’re and do whatever I could to get that going to start selling their collections. whatever I wanted, out, because the work I was doing And then as soon as you start selling, even if I myself was not very creative.” well you make extra money, and then Vintage clothing stores have you go buy more of the same thing. didn’t necessarily been part of the Exchange for over a So it’s a continuous process.” want to keep it or decade. Vintage Glory owner Doug Kohut says that the community is Shand has owned and operated a tightly knit, and they help each other wear it, or it didn’t vintage clothing and accessory store out in many ways, including aiding in in Winnipeg since 2008, when he the creation of new businesses. fit me” - Rachel and his late wife opened the shop in “People have been discovering it Poklitar, owner of a unit underneath antique furniture too over the last 10 years and, startstore, Hoopers. ing out small, you search out other Nettie + Min The couple had previously owned people,” said Kohut. a skateboard shop, and understood “So I’ve worked out this great net“I’m just not able to be there full how much work it took to own a work and I know all the dealers in time to reap the benefits of being business. the city who have spaces and we’ve fully in control of my business, but “It was a lot of work, full-time, given opportunities to people who I’m happy with where it’s at and with and you put your heart and soul into are starting out.” the people I work with,” Kohut said. it,” Shand said.

Poklitar said she enjoys the freeVintage Glory is currently open at dom independently operating her 380 Donald Street in the Exchange own business offers her. She said she District. Like Poklitar, Shand began

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Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Olivia Michalczuk Contact: arts@themanitoban.com

Solhounds set to release debut tracks Winnipeg rock band releasing first two tracks online following years of live shows Jen Doerksen, staff

sons, their brothers, their boyfriends, or even their fathers,” she said.

She called it her break-up song.

“This one is for the powerful women who walk away from something toxic and know they can do so much better for their life” - Elise Roller, Solhounds lead vocalist

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innipeg hard rock band “I’m glad we were patient and Solhounds is releasing two took our time because the stuff songs online Friday. we’re releasing now, that’s our sound,” The release is sandwiched between Roller said. two shows at The Handsome The two songs being released are Daughter - a “sneak peek” party “Body Bandit” and “I Taught Him March 15 and an official release (Be a Man),” both songs that embody party March 17 - before heading on the band’s support for the feminist a release tour in Ontario. movement and message of equality The band’s current line-up has and empowerment. been practicing and performing in In the song “I Taught Him (Be Winnipeg for two years, but have a Man),” Roller sings about her perwaited to release any original music. sonal experiences of teaching men to New lead vocalist Elise Roller said it “grow the fuck up,” backed by her band has been well worth the wait. consisting of Ian Clements, drums,

“He knew me from [my former band] Go For The Eyes and basically said to the [other band members] ‘This chick doesn’t even need to audition, she’s in,’” she said.

Roller is an experienced musician, touring and releasing music with her former band in Calgary. When it came time to develop Solhounds’ sound, Roller was upfront with her bandmates about what direction she wanted to go in.

“I said ‘If I get into anything, it’s going to have to be [with] people who want to work with me and mesh with me musically and listen to me,’” she said.

The band started by reworking old Solhounds material with guidance from Roller. She said it has been the most collaborative writing experience she has ever had with a band.

“No one is telling anybody what to do,” she said. “We all do our part.”

“Everyone needs a good break-up song and there are just too many sad ones out there,” she said. photo by Jen Doerksen “This one is for the powerful women Morgan Davis, bass, and Andrew who walk away from something toxic and know they can do so much better Bontey, guitar.

On Thursday, March 15, a “sneak Her screaming vocals are distinct for their life.” peek” release party will be held at The Roller joined the band about a Handsome Daughter. On Saturday, above the droned-out heavy stoner rock. Driving guitar riffs and a dis- year after she moved from Calgary to March 17, the band will play the official torted bass guitar sound are backed Winnipeg in 2015. When sitting in a release party at The Handsome Daughter. by energetic and punchy drumming. café in New York City, she saw a post Roller said she started writing the from Clements on Facebook looking song about raising her son, but ended for a new vocalist. She said she was up changing the direction of the song apprehensive at first but ended up conbecause she wanted to make the song tacting him. applicable to more women.

“So, I was sitting there and I was like “At the end of the day, women have ‘I can’t play guitar, and I’m not a guy, so been teaching guys how to be men it’s going to be weird,’ but I decided I’d for all of existence - whether it’s their message him anyway,” Roller said.

JUNOfest-bound Caveboy stopping in Winnipeg Three-piece bringing powerful live show to the Goodwill Social Club Olivia Michalczuk, staff

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ontreal-based alternative indiepop trio Caveboy is riding high since the band's win at the 2018 Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class.

The band will stop at The Good Will Social Club March 16 on its way to JUNOfest in Vancouver.

“We’re really looking forward to

Bensimon, lead vocals, guitar, synth; “We’re super excited to learn a and Lana Cooney, drums, backing bunch more about what seems like vocals. a really awesome city,” Banos said.

Banos said one of the most fre“All we know is that it’s the capital quent questions the group is asked of Manitoba and that it’s where Neil concerns their playful and seemingly Young lived a big part of his life.” mismatched band name.

“We wanted a name that represented the nostalgia that’s present in “We’re really our energy and in our music,” said looking forward Banos. to finally meeting “We want to bring people back to a time when life was simple, playour Winnipeg fans ful, and carefree. When you could really get your hands dirty and it felt who have been really good. We just want to remind supporting us for so ourselves and our fans that you don’t have to lose that as an adult.” long” - Isabelle Banos, Caveboy is one of three winners member of Caveboy of this year’s Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class, chosen by a panel of Photo provided by Ryan Lague past JUNO winners and industry finally meeting our Winnipeg fans professionals including artists Lights Since the release of their self-titled who have been supporting us for so and Kardinal Offishall, and presi- EP in 2015, the members of Caveboy long,” said Isabelle Banos, who plays dent and CEO of The JUNO Awards, have had to make significant life synth and bass and contributes back- Allan Reid. changes to pursue music seriously. ing vocals.

It will be Caveboy’s first time in “A big change has been that we quit Despite their moniker, Caveboy is Winnipeg, and they explained they the day jobs that were getting in the comprised of three women - Banos, are not quite sure what to expect from way of us doing this full-time. That synth, bass, backing vocals; Michelle the city or from their show. felt really good,” said Banos.

“We’re also in this incredibly fortunate position of getting to travel to all kinds of really cool places around the world to play music. We’ve even had a few instances of being recognized on the street, which is still a very weird and surreal experience for us.”

Winnipeggers that make their way to The Good Will Social Club are in for a treat, with the band claiming its live show has “the power to school even a close-minded misogynist.”

“We also get a lot of fans commenting on the extreme energy of our live show and the dynamic between the three of us,” said Banos.

“This really means a lot to us because we’ve worked super hard on that and are always so happy to hear that our fans enjoy our performance as much as we do.”

Caveboy is playing The Good Will Social Club March 16. Tickets are $10 in advance at The Good Will Social Club, Into the Music on Osborne, or online at ticketfly.com

VOL. 104 NO. 26 March 14, 2018

Arts & Culture

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Sports Sports Editor: Ryan Stelter Contact: sports@themanitoban.com

U SPORTS Women’s Hockey National Championship preview Breaking down the teams vying for the Golden Path trophy this weekend Joe Gonzales, volunteer staff

Bison women's hockey is in London, Ont., this week competing in the U SPORTS national championships.

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he best women’s hockey pro- they swept the St. Thomas University No. 6 — Université de OUA playoffs, scoring four goals and grams will meet in London, Ont., Tommies in the semifinals, but finally Montréal Carabins three assists in five games. Rookie this weekend for the U SPORTS took a loss in game two of the AUS Winners of the 2016 champion- goaltender Carmen Lasis also found Women’s Hockey Championship. finals in overtime after a turnover ship, Montreal will look to get back her groove, with a 1.04 GAA, a .963 Below are the eight teams that and a breakdown on the backcheck. on top this year. One thing to look save percentage, and two shutouts. have punched their ticket to the Third-year goaltender Rebecca Clark for is whether the Carabins will make dance, with a preview of what each has helped backstop her team through the switch to their rookie goalie No. 8 — Queen’s of those teams bring with them from five games to a championship with a Maude Trevisan. Fifth-year starter University Gaels their respective seasons.

1.57 Goals Against Average and a .922 Marie-Pier Chabot has looked shaky Queen’s finished the regular seasave percentage. She earned a shutout so far, as her 2.95 GAA and .881 save son as the top team in the OUA but No. 5 — St. Francis Xavier in the decisive game three against the percentage in the RSEQ playoffs had nothing to show for it as they University X-Women X-Women, and took home playoff reflect. Trevisan played only nine were shutout in the McCaw Cup at The X-Women were an offensive MVP. games in the regular season, but put the hands of Western. Third-year forpowerhouse in the 2017-18 regular up a 1.38 GAA, .940 save percent- ward Katrina Manoukarakis finished season, ranking first in Canada with No.4 — Concordia age, and three shutouts. Despite this the regular season as the OUA’s top 3.29 goals per game. They entered the University Stingers predicament, the Carabins boast the scorer as she finished with 30 points, Atlantic University Sport (AUS) The Stingers claimed their first top two RSEQ regular season scor- tied for second behind Montreal’s playoffs with a 9-1 record in their Quebec Student Sport Federation ers in third-year forward Alexandra Oddy for top scoring in all of U last 10 games played. The one loss? (RSEQ ) title since 2005 thanks in Labelle and fourth-year forward SPORTS. Through six playoff games, A 5-0 shutout at the hands of the part to a team that started to get hot Jessica Cormier, who put up six however, Manoukarakis only scored Saint Mary’s Huskies, the team that entering the playoffs. As they fin- points and four points respectively once. This “cooling off” trend might eventually bested them in a three- ished February outscoring opponents through six playoff games. be a cause for concern for a Gaels fan, game series for the AUS crown. The 20-11 for the month, veteran forwards but fourth-year goaltender Stephanie X-Women, despite seeing their goals Claudia Dubois, Audrey Belzile, and No. 3 — University of Pascal has done her best to calm those per game drop to 2.00 in the playoffs, Stéphanie Lalancette continued to Western Ontario Mustangs worries. Through six games Pascal have an offensive talent in fifth-year make their presence felt. Through six Hosts Western entered the has posted a 1.15GAA and .958 save forward Daley Oddy, who took home games in the RSEQ playoffs Dubois Ontario University Association percentage. the scoring crown in U SPORTS for finished with two goals and three (OUA) playoffs on a six-game winthe regular season with 31 points. assists, Belzile put up three goals and ning streak and subsequently swept No. 7 — University of three assists, and Lalancette had two both the University of Toronto and Saskatchewan Huskies No. 2 — Saint Mary’s goals and three assists. Goaltender the University of Guelph in two The Canada West finalist Huskies University Huskies Katherine Purchase has also showed games each before shutting out enter nationals with a formidable Saint Mary’s captured its third she is riding a wave through the play- Queen’s University in dominant team, and it is hard to overstate consecutive AUS title against the offs. After finishing the regular sea- fashion with a 3-0 win to take home the talent and experience of fifthaforementioned X-Women, and son with some shaky numbers, she the McCaw Cup. After putting up a year forward Kaitlin Willoughby. entered the AUS playoffs on an turned it up for playoffs with a 1.26 relatively meagre 10 points through Willoughby almost single-handedly 11-game winning streak. They looked GAA, .942 save percentage, and one 22 games, second-year forward Alyssa brought her team back in the 5-2 like they had no plans on stopping as shutout.

Chiarello found another gear in the game two loss in the Canada West

photo by chantal zdan

final to the University of Manitoba, scoring both goals to bring the Huskies to within one at the time.

Saskatchewan also boasts one of the top goalies in Canada in third-year Jessica Vance, who through four playoff games finished with a 1.45GAA and a .945 save percentage.

No. 1 — University of Manitoba Bisons

Manitoba capped off an incredible season with a Canada West championship, and despite finishing in the middle of the pack in all of U SPORTS with only 2.32 goals per game, you do not need to score prolifically when you play in front of a brick wall. Rookie goaltender Lauren Taraschuk took the reins in the playoffs posting a 0.54 GAA, a .969 save percentage, and two shutouts. Playing in front of her is well-rounded offence that sees the potential to score from any of the Bisons’ four lines. One player of note is 2018 Olympic bronze medalist Venla Hovi. With the grand stage in sight at nationals, one can only imagine what Hovi will bring along with the rest of the team that has looked even better since she returned.

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Sports

Sports Editor: Ryan Stelter Contact: sports@themanitoban.com

Serhan finds new home with Manitoba Serhan ends unexpected Bisons career with Canada West championship, now looking for a national title Jason Pchajek, staff

photo by chantal zdan

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or graduating Bison forward Alana Serhan, going out on top will be the perfect cap on her collegiate career.

The 2017-18 hockey season has already proven to be an exciting one for the University of Manitoba Bisons.

The team claimed its third Canada West Conference Championship, and will go for national glory staring March 15.

“To be able to go out on such a high like this, it really makes everything all worth it,” Serhan said. “It makes all the tears and all the sweat and everything worth it, especially after five years.”

Serhan amassed 75 points - 34 goals and 41 assists - in 137 career games, but the most important goal may have been her last. In game two of the Canada West final, she notched a vintage Serhan goal, fighting off a Huskies defender, corralling a pass, and ripping a shot low blocker.

According to Serhan, beating the Huskies for the championship in her final season was a cathartic experience.

“You know it’s kind of funny, I actually wanted to play in Saskatchewan originally,” she said.

“Steve Kook, the head coach of the Huskies, I originally reached out

to him and it was an arrangement that never worked, that he wasn’t interested in working. Jon [Rempel] sometimes likes to remind me that no one in Saskatchewan wanted me as a little bit of motivation when we go into games against Saskatoon and Regina, and it felt good.”

After being passed over by her first choice, and deciding not to take her talents to the NCAA, Serhan winding up at Manitoba was equal parts luck and smart scouting by Bison head coach Rempel.

“Jon Rempel brought me here,” Serhan said.

“I hadn’t even really considered the

University of Manitoba in my hunt. I always imagined myself staying home in Saskatchewan or going down south, playing some Division One hockey, but weighing the options I wanted to be as close to home as possible and had a team that wanted me.

Jon recruited me in Grade 11, brought me here, and it was the best decision of my life.”

Being plucked by Rempel to join a promising young Bisons squad worked out in spades for Serhan, as she has found a new home one province over.

“Yes, a lot more at home here in Manitoba,” she said with a smile. “I couldn’t imagine having been playing anywhere else for my last five years.”

The Saskatchewan-born Serhan has been a consistent presence in the Bisons lineup, missing only three games in her career. This is an impressive feat considering the style of game she plays.

“My game is kind of a gritty game,” she said.

“I’m definitely not a slickster or anything like that, just hard-working plays. I really like to lead vocally on the team as you know during games.

Sometimes I find that if I can be a vocal leader, not only does it help the other players on the bench, but it can help me too.”

A well-known aspect of Serhan’s game has been her ability to pester and confuse opponents with her words, leading to her being deemed the “most frequent chirper” by her

teammates.

“I would say I’m definitely the most frequent chirper,” she said.

“Again I would agree with them, probably not the best. Honestly because I can’t think of anything too quick, but sometimes when I have a couple minutes or seconds to think about it - yeah, I can get under a goalie’s skin so that’s my go to thing right now - chirping the other team’s goalie.”

As for her post-collegiate career, Serhan is not committing to anything.

“I originally thought of playing some hockey in Europe,” she said.

“That was basically a couple months ago when I wasn’t going to be satisfied with how the season has ended, but being able to end it here on a high has made me maybe put those thoughts on hold. Is hockey over for me? I don’t think so. Maybe as a player but definitely not as a coach. I want to stay involved in hockey and maybe mimic all those great experiences that coaches gave me growing up.”

Former Bison Amanda Schubert is currently plying her trade with KJT of Finland’s Women’s Liiga, and Serhan admitted to considering a possible Bisons reunion in Europe.

“She’s been bugging me to maybe think about coming down there to play with her next year,” she said. “I still have a little bit of time yet and just being able to focus on what’s at hand has taken more of my thoughts so far.”

Manitoba pulls five podium finishes from track and field nationals Ryan Stelter, staff

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he University of Manitoba Bison track and field teams were in Windsor, Ont., for the U SPORTS championships this weekend.

Manitoba collected five medals on the weekend: two silver and three bronze, as well as some near misses.

The Unviersity of Guelph Gryphons won both the men’s and women’s national title, with the men earning 122.5 points and the women earning 123. The Bison men finished tied for 6th with 43 points, while the women finished in 10th with 27 points.

On Thursday, Tegan Turner captured silver in the women’s 60m run with a time of 7.46 seconds. In the men’s 60m run Marcel Dufault placed third with a time of 6.88 seconds.

Oyinko Akinola leapt 2.13 metres for a silver medal in the men’s high jump on day two. He also placed eighth in the men’s long jump with his best jump coming in at 6.84 metres. Brooke-Lynn Boyd missed out on the podium by 16 centimetres, finishing in fifth place fin-

Bison Oyinko Akinola won silver in men's high jump at U SPORTS Track and Field Championships in Windsor, Ont. this weekend. photo by Kevin Jarrold

ish in women’s shotput with a throw of 13.57 metres.

The Bison men’s 4x200 metre relay team were 17 milliseconds from the podium on day three, finishing in fourth place with a time of 1:28.82. Manitoba’s 4x400 relay team - Luc Deleau, Tristan Allen, Miguel Morrison, and Simon Berube - however, claimed bronze

with a time of 3:19.03.

Gee-ef Nkwonta jumped to a bronze medal in the men’s triple jump with a 14.68 metre leap. His teammates Akinola finished in 7th (14.26m) and Jamie Dumaran in 10th (13.67m).

Bison Tegan Turner (middle) won silver in the women's 60 metre run at the U SPORTS Track and Field National Championships. photo by Gerry Marentette

VOL. 104 NO. 26 March 14, 2018

Sports

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The Dornn Ultimatum Former St. Paul’s Crusader Noah Dornn ready to win with Manitoba Ryan Stelter, staff

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oah Dornn may not be replacing Dornn does not restrict himself Matt Damon in an upcoming to playing just football. During the Bourne film, but he will be hoping to off season he plays basketball at St. catch touchdowns in a Bison uniform. Paul’s, although Alleyn has the upper Dornn, a six-foot-four, 185-pound hand in that department when they receiver, comes to the University of go one-on-one.

Manitoba from the back-to-back “I don’t usually come out on the Winnipeg High School Football winning side of that one,” Dornn said League John Potter AAA Division with a laugh.

Champion St. Paul’s Crusaders.

Last season, Dornn caught 13 balls for 189 yards and two touchdowns - “I feel really good including a touchdown in St. Paul’s about the team” 35-0 beatdown of the Dakota Lancers in the final at Investors Group Field, Noah Dornn, Bison the same field he will take to this fall football recruit with Manitoba.

Dornn said some of the reasons he came to Manitoba were the facilities at IGF, the close proximity to the One department Dornn has Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and being Alleyn beat is on the football field, able to play at home. Dornn also said and Dornn’s success as a wide receiver Bison head coach Brian Dobie was came towards the end of his high school career. another reason to join the herd.

“I’ve been a quarterback my entire “Coach Dobie was a huge factor,” he said. “Just talking to him, he made life and then last year I was in a situme feel like a priority, made me feel ation where I was in Grade 11 and the like I could come in and be a big part guy ahead of me was really good so of the team and that was huge for me they stuck me at receiver,” Dornn said. just feeling like I was wanted.”

“I really enjoyed it. I made some Dornn’s half-brother - Justus good plays and Grade 12, I just Alleyn - a graduating guard on the decided I wanted to keep up with it Bison men’s basketball team had and it turned out really well.”

Dornn said his experience at some influence on Dornn.

“We had talked about it a bit, obvi- quarterback helps him understand ously he’s a pretty big star over there,” the routes better as a receiver.

“I think it definitely helps being he said. “He talked about his experience, he was recruited to go out of able to read coverages and know the province so he told me the reasons routes,” he said. “You’re on the other side now, you’re catching the ball, I why he stayed.”

Photo provided by noah dornn

think it helped me.”

Dornn will hope to continue to develop as a receiver with a Bison team hoping to rebound after two straight years outside the playoff picture.

“I feel really good about the team,”

he said. “A bunch of young guys so Vanier Cup, in a Bison uniform would really we can only get better. The pro- mean a lot to the homegrown Dornn. gram has such a history of winning, “Bringing [a Vanier] back to your with a couple Vaniers I’m confident hometown, playing for the city that we can definitely turn it around.” you grew up in is definitely a dream Winning the ultimate prize in and makes it feel that much better,” Canadian university sports, the he said.

Getting to know Kelsey Wog Second-year swimmer talks about all things swimming, and Netflix Ryan Stelter, staff

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ison second-year swimmer Kelsey Wog has had a lot of success in the pool this season, winning six gold medals at the Canada West and U SPORTS swimming championships.

This does not include the boxes of medals she has already collected in her swimming career. The Manitoban caught up with the star swimmer and talked everything from pre-race rituals to Stranger Things.

The Manitoban: What got you into swimming?

Kelsey Wog: I started with the I Can Swim program and then they wouldn’t let me go to the next level and they’re like, ‘You should try competitive swimming, cause you’re like, quite good at it.’ So my mom put me in that.

M: What is one race you would like to get better at?

KW: I guess I want to get better at breaststroke because that’s my thing.

I plateaued and I need to just change something so we’re trying something different at practice, I just want to get

better at my 200 metre for sure.

M: What’s your ultimate swimming dream?

KW: To make the Olympics.

M: What’s your pre-race ritual?

KW: Honestly, I don’t try to create rituals because then I’m like ‘Oh I didn’t eat this or do this so I’m not going to do good.’ But I usually go for donuts after.

M: What’s your favourite pump up song to listen to before a race?

KW: Pretty much just rap.

M: If you could play any other sport what would it be?

KW: Gymnastics or soccer. I really liked soccer as a kid.

M: What’s your favourite movie to watch on the road?

KW: I don’t really watch movies, so no comment.

M: What’s the best thing about being a Bison?

KW: I get to sleep in my own bed, and my mom and dad cook for me, and I get to be at home with my pets.

M: What’s your favourite Netflix series to binge?

photo by ryan stelter

KW: I watched Stranger Things in Pierse (she held the world record in four days, like everything. I got into 200m breaststroke in 2009).

Grey’s Anatomy and I watched like six M: Have you ever worn all your medseasons in a week or so and I stopped. als at once?

No more binging, I’m done.

KW: No. M: If you could have dinner with any- M: Do you want to? body, dead or alive, who would it be? KW: No. I weighed them the other KW: Clara Hughes or Annamay day, my three boxes weighed about

80 pounds.

M: That’s insane. What is one thing people may not know about swimming?

KW: How hard it is.