26 February 2014

news

comment

science & technology

arts & culture

sports

Info leaks

Judging Russia

Gameplay saves Blacksmith's Ball All set

MB Student Aid releases student email addresses to public

Those who live in glass nations should not throw stones

Video games as therapy for dyslexia

Glimpse into Winnipeg's own multi-genre circus community

Bisons net a berth at nationals

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Vo l 1 0 0 路 N o 2 3 路 F e b r ua ry 2 6 , 2 0 1 4 路 w w w.t h e m a n i to b a n .co m

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Index

VOL. 100 NO. 23 February 26, 2014

Editor-in-Chief Bryce Hoye

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

Business manager Foster Lyle

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

Advertising Coordinator Daniel Schipper

ads@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

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Editorial

Senior News Editor Quinn Richert

news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

News Editor Katy MacKinnon

katy@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Comment Editor Katerina Tefft

comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

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Managing Editor Fraser Nelund

me@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

science & technology Editor Tom Ingram

science@themanitoban.com/ 474.6529

arts & Culture Editor Kara Passey

arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Sports Editor Marc Lagace

sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

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Copy Editor Carlyn Schellenberg

copy@themanitoban.com/ 474.6520

Design

Design Editor Silvana Moran

design@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

Graphics Editor Bradly Wohlgemuth

graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

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Photo Editor Beibei Lu

photo@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

design associate Aichelle Sayuno graphics associate Bram Keast

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19-20

Reporters

News Caleigh MacDonald News Kevin Linklater Science Elizabeth Drewnik arts & culture Anastasia Chipelski arts & culture Lukas Thiessen Sports Mike Still Assistant copy editor Angela England

Volunteer Contributors

Will Gibson, Tariq Sohail, Geoff Lister, Gloria Joe, Keegan Steele, Robert Dearden, Chris Friesen, Caroline Norman, Justin Ladia, Aichelle Sayuno, Heather Kat Cole, Ian T.D. Thompson, Michael Carlisle

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

General Inquiries & Advertising Phone: (204) 474.6535 Fax: (204) 474.7651 Email: manitoban@themanitoban.com National & Multi-Market Advertising Free Media Toll-Free (In Canada): 1. 780.421.1000 ext. 124 Email: advertise@free-media.ca

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

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

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

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

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

All contents are ©2014 and may not be reprinted without the express written permission of the Editor-in-Chief.

Yearly subscriptions to the Manitoban are available for $40.

Senior News Editor: Quinn Richert News Editor: Katy MacKinnon Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

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News

CIB: Not your average gang Crazy Indians Brotherhood brings positive change and support Caleigh MacDonald, staff

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hey look like a stereotypical “What we’re trying to do is stop drove its members to where they CIB is that they too are ‘political’ street gang, dressed in black the revolving door so that less of us were before.

– they recognize colonialism and leather with their “colours”—a styl- go back into the penal system,” said “In Indians Wear Red, we argue the damage it has caused, and they ized caricatured face with a black the member. that Aboriginal street gangs align with Idle No More as a way of eye patch—emblazoned across The CIB’s main objective is, emerged as a form of resistance to making change,” said Comack. their backs, but the Crazy Indians according to their Facebook A reported connecBrotherhood (CIB) is trying to pro- page: “To help those who tion with motorcycle vide a change from the thug life. cannot help themselves.” gang Rock Machine has Founded in 2007, the CIB con“We always watch our caused concern for police, sider themselves less of a gang, Brothers’ backs and if one who assigned extra forces but rather a support group for falls we all fall. We always to an Idle No More proAboriginal and Metis men look- get back up and become test on Dec. 21 due to the ing to disassociate themselves from even stronger.” presence of some group life in a gang.

The notion of addressmembers.

“It was done with the idea of basi- ing gang crime through Despite this, the cally helping ex-gang members get a structured positive sysgroup insists that such out of the gangs and start living a tem is one very different concerns are unfounded. better life, like finding jobs,” said from the “tough on crime” “We’ve all given up one CIB member to the Winnipeg approach of the past. our past life and our past Free Press.

According to Elizabeth criminal activities to try “A lot of us, when we got out of Comack, sociology proto make a run at making the penal system, we were forced fessor at the University of our community better back into our old way of life,” said Manitoba and co-author of Indians colonialism – albeit a negative form and safer [ . . . ] We do it quietly another member. The member Wear Red, this may be a reflection of of resistance given their involve- and we don’t want the involvement described this cycle as a “revolv- the group’s desire to reclaim some ment in the drug trade and such [ of the police,” a CIB member told ing door.” of the historical influences that . . . ] What I find interesting about the Winnipeg Free Press.

“What I find interesting about CIB is that they too are ‘political’ – they recognize colonialism and the damage it has caused, and they align with Idle No More as a way of making change” – Elizabeth Comack

Added another member, “As soon as police see the colours on your back they’re thinking ‘gang,’ they’re thinking bike gang, they’re thinking negativity, they’re thinking drugs, prostitution, and whatever else. It’s wrong. We’re trying to educate our people on gangs, on criminal life, on drug activity. We’re not part of that gang life anymore.

We want to help the communities that we helped tear apart.”

Comack told the Manitoban, “[What’s] interesting is that they are appropriating the notion of ‘the gang,’ that they’ve been deemed “crazy Indians” and are using that as a way to make change [ . . . ] I see the issue as more one of a collective response to addressing—and challenging—the stereotyping of Aboriginal men who have been gang-involved, and providing them with a source of support as they endeavour to move on in their lives.”

Student email addresses leaked Manitoba Student Aid accidentally releases email addresses of 739 financial aid recipients Angela England, staff

illustration by heather kat cole

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ate last month, Manitoba Associates (HESA). Instead of “Aside from the email addresses, Student Aid (MSA), a provin- being individually and privately no other personal information was cial government program which addressed to students, recipients contained within the email[s] [ . . lends money to post-secondary of the email were able to see each . ] it is not possible to access any students, accidentally released over other’s addresses. student aid information through 700 student email addresses to the The message was delivered to this email address,” said the public. at least 299 individuals, but a pro- spokesperson.

An email message was sent out to vincial government spokesperson Despite this claim, many of current aid recipients, inviting them recently told the Manitoban that a the Gmail account addresses were to participate in a third-party survey total of 739 students were affected linked to users’ personal Google+ run by Higher Education Strategy by the security lapse. social network pages. In addition,

depending on the email client, a large number of addresses also displayed the first and last names of the address holder.

The spokesperson from the province explained that, “the [email address] list was randomly generated from the list of students who have applied to Manitoba Student Aid since August 1, 2013.”

“This list does not conf irm [whether] a student did or did not receive student financial assistance – only that he or she applied,” and therefore does not link to “anything including province/school of study, residency, income level, or any other demographic information,” the spokesperson continued.

However, the list of recipients included nine University of Manitoba student email accounts, which obviously indicate the province and school of study.

Following the first email, a second was sent out, declaring that the sender “would like to recall” the first message. This second email also displayed the email addresses of all recipients. A day later a third correspondence was sent out, this time with names and email addresses hidden.

“We understand that you are very concerned about protecting your

personal information. Please be assured that, aside from your email address, no other personal information was contained within the email,” read the third message.

The third and last email goes on to inform students that the efforts taken to recall the messages revealing their email accounts were largely unsuccessful. The security failure was explained as being a result of the recipient’s email addresses not being placed in the BCC box of the email, thus allowing recipients to see each other’s addresses.

The Manitoba spokesperson went on to say that, “the error was identified that same day [ . . . ] and the Ombudsman was immediately contacted and advised of the situation.”

When asked how individuals would know whether they were among those affected by this leak, the spokesperson said, “[students] would have received an email and an apology.”

Individuals concerned with the information release have the right to file a complaint with the Manitoba Ombudsman, the public official charged with investigating complaints against government institutions.

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News

VOL. 100 NO. 23 February 26, 2014

Aboriginal Students Gathering at Migizii Agamik Students, experts, activists look at contemporary indigenous issues Quinn Richert, staff

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he 2014 Aboriginal Students Gathering was held at the University of Manitoba’s Migizii Agamik building earlier this month.

On Feb. 14 and 15, students discussed a range of issues relevant to Aboriginal politics and culture, and heard from experts and community leaders such as Nahanni Fontaine and Derek Nepinak.

The event was sponsored by the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) and supported by the students’ unions of the U of M and Brandon University, in addition to the U of M Aboriginal Students Association (UMASA) and others. According to CFS, the gathering hosted students from all three Manitoba universities.

The first day of the event included opening remarks and a welcome feast. The second day saw students and expert guests discuss, in turn, four issues considered by organizers to be priority topics for Aboriginal students.

In a roundtable format, the group discussed barriers to post-secondary

education funding, and then missing and murdered Aboriginal women.

Nahanni Fontaine, special advisor on Aboriginal women’s issues to the province of Manitoba, joined the group for the latter conversation.

the need for more Aboriginal stu- McAdam, lawyer and Idle No More Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. After dents to pursue science at the univer- co-founder, presented a lecture titled Nepinak’s closing remarks, students sity level in order to catalyze a shift “Organizing Our Movement.” were invited to participate in a sweat towards evidence-based debates on McAdam’s talk traced the history lodge ceremony, which ran from 6 environmental issues. of indigenous resistance in Canada p.m. until late in the evening.

UMASA treasurer and UMSU leading up to and during Idle No Later ref lecting on the event, Aboriginal students’ representative More, touching upon the Oka Clyford Sinclair, who is currently Clyford Sinclair commented on the Crisis, Unist’ot’en Camp in British running for vice-president internal at “If there is anything connection between land base and Columbia, and the Grassy Narrows UMSU, told the Manitoban that the Aboriginal culture, noting that indus- blockade. McAdam also addressed two-day summit led participants to you get out of my try-driven environmental degrada- the misinterpretation of Canada-First organize into a group concerned with presentation, I would tion could pose a threat to the quality Nations treaties, arguing that many coordinating opposition to extended of life of future generations. individuals do not understand the government control of First Nations like all of you to go “The way things are progressing, benefits they are afforded under the education. we’re really quickly destroying our agreements.

“Once we finished with all the back and read the land [ . . . ] it goes back to that simple “If there is anything you get out speakers, the outcome was that we treaty documents” Cree proverb – you can’t eat money,” of my presentation, I would like all started a new movement. We decided, Sinclair said to the group. of you to go back and read the treaty 30 students, to call it the Indigenous – Sylvia McAdam The final key talking point for the documents,” said McAdam.

Students’ Movement (ISM),” said gathering was Idle No More. Shifting “I’ve heard people criticize the Sinclair.

The third topic of the day, envi- from a roundtable format to a lec- treaty documents, but I’m here to “We’re going to focus on the educaronmental justice, focused mostly on ture-style presentation, Jerry Daniels, tell you as a lawyer, I have read those tion topic, because it affects us all as criticism of the federal government’s activist and former Aboriginal stu- documents, and they could not have post-secondary students.”

Navigable Waters Protection Act, the dents’ representative on the CFS been crafted any better had a lawyer Sinclair explained that ISM is closure of Ontario’s Experimental board of directors, discussed his been there at the time of treaty mak- concerned about the First Nations Lakes Area, and the perceived muz- role as an Idle No More organizer ing, when our people were negotiat- Education Act, and is considering zling of scientists by the Conservative in Manitoba. ing the terms and promises.” organizing a sit-in outside Winnipeg’s majority government.

After Daniels’ formal discusThe final speaker of the event was Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Participant Shannon Bear noted sion of Idle No More ended, Sylvia Derek Nepinak, grand chief of the Development office later this year.

Family of Brian Sinclair drops out of inquest Real issues ignored by the court, they allege Caleigh MacDonald, staff

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illustration by bram keast

he legal inquest into the death of Brian Sinclair—the man who died in a Winnipeg emergency room after 34 hours of waiting to be treated—will continue into its second phase without the participation of either the Sinclair family or the two Aboriginal service groups that had heretofore been party to the proceedings.

The announcement followed the proceedings of Jan. 10, where judge Timothy Preston outlined the parameters for phase two of the inquest. Phase two is tasked with determining what could be done to prevent similar incidents.

So far, the second phase has focused on “reasons for delays in treating patients presenting in emergency departments of the [Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA)]” and “measures necessary to reduce the delays in treating patients in emergency departments.”

The Sinclair family dropped out shortly after the commencement of phase two, explaining in a Feb. 18 letter to Preston their reasons for doing so. The letter cited disregard at the inquest for key issues underlying Sinclair’s death.

“According to the rulings of former chief judge Raymond Wyant [ . . . ] issues of race, poverty, disability, and other factors of marginalization were supposed to be front-and-centre at this inquest [ . . . ] it appears to the Sinclair Family that phase two will no longer allow the biases and attitudes that were at the root

of Mr. Sinclair’s death to be fully understood, and will instead entrench the marginalization of Aboriginal voices,” said Sinclair family counsel in the letter.

Furthermore, as the letter makes clear, the Sinclair family is unhappy with the witnesses lined up for phase two.

“Phase two will exclude all but a token number of independent expert witnesses.

For example, there will be only one single independent witness called to address Aboriginal health issues [ . . . ] In comparison, the inquest will call six WRHA witnesses and three Manitoba Nurses’ Union witnesses to speak about the issues that interest them. Thus, as the family sees it, phase two seems more likely to become a public relations platform for [the] WRHA than an opportunity to catalyze meaningful systemic change.”

Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto (ALST), one of the groups that dropped out of the case, cited similar reasons for their decision.

“We are disappointed that the majority of phase two witnesses will be WHRA staff speaking about patient flow, rather than independent experts speaking about systemic issues facing Aboriginal patients in the healthcare system,” said Emily Hill, an ALST lawyer, in a statement.

“The evidence heard so far in phase one of the inquest makes it very clear that there are important issues to be addressed concerning the assumptions that were made about Brian Sinclair

when he came to the Health Sciences Centre for medical attention.”

Judge Timothy Preston cited the limits of the inquest’s mandate as his basis for selecting individuals to speak.

“The reasons why people appear at emergency departments are myriad.

Included in these are the social determinants of health, such as race, poverty, disability, [and] substance abuse,” said Preston during Jan. 10 proceedings.

“The analysis of why these factors play into a person’s need and use for emergency department medical care is an important and necessary analysis [ . . . ] The reasons for delay that occur once a person presents at an emergency department, and measures to reduce that delay, are the subject matter of this inquest,” he continued.

Preston stressed that an inquest’s purpose is strictly defined by the chief medical examiner, whereas an inquiry is broader in scope.

“I have no intention of turning this inquest into a de facto inquiry.”

Preston’s decision has led to the Sinclair family to again call for a public inquiry.

“If we don’t fix the root problems, we are afraid there could be another Brian Sinclair,” said Robert Sinclair, cousin to Brian, in a statement.

“We cannot accept that.”

Senior News Editor: Quinn Richert News Editor: Katy MacKinnon Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

News

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Asper student wins provincial championship Sinan Leylek to take Party Pyrotechnics to regional competition Katy MacKinnon, staff

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niversity of Manitoba student Sinan Leylek has been named a provincial champion of Enactus Canada’s Student Entrepreneur National Competition, which is currently in its 18th year. Leylek is the owner and founder of Party Pyrotechnics, an online startup selling and renting party equipment such as fog machines and strobe lights.

things I’m looking forward to is ments and feedback from the judges Texas. meeting other entrepreneurs from on how they can grow their business, “It’s really exciting to see it grow other schools across Canada [ . . . ] feedback on how they’re doing, and from a small startup and in the past interacting with them and seeing what more they could be doing,” said couple years, and see where it’s come,” what their ideas are, and some of the Almond. said Leylek. struggles they’ve found – particularly Communication with the media The online nature of the business with being at school and juggling all at the competition is helpful, since, provides flexibility since Leylek can the demands of running a business according to Almond, students rarely fill orders via phone and email. He on the side,” said Leylek. solicit media attention on their own. noted that his education through the Leylek was chosen as provincial “A lot of the media attention that Asper school of business has been champion in part for his “ability they get through the competition beneficial, as has receiving help from to balance the demands of a full- means a lot to them and their business, family and friends. time course [load] and a growing and helps them grow,” she said.

In the future Leylek wants to perbusiness.”

The idea for Party Pyrotechnics fect his ordering system so consumThis balance is one of the biggest was sparked by a Kijiji advertisement. ers can easily see available products. challenges, said Leylek.

Leylek purchased a fog machine and Selecting products by the type of “It’s hard to really put all the ideas strobe light for a party in high school, event will be helpful to those who photo of Sinan Leylek, party pyrotechnics I want to into place; it takes a bit lon- but found they were not being used are less knowledgeable about the enough. The demand and market for equipment.

Leylek will be competing at the ger,” he said.

Enactus Canada president Nicole party equipment has propelled his “We want to make it a seamless regional competition for a cash prize of $1,000 and a place in the national Almond described juggling these business forward over the past four process,” he said.

Leylek often sponsors university competition, offering a prize of demands as “a pretty incredible thing” years.

The website offers rental and events, and is offering his services to $10,000. The competition provides and feels that celebrating young student entrepreneurs a chance to entrepreneurs in small businesses is purchasing options, which the com- student groups at the U of M who are network with fellow student busi- important. pany delivers upon order. Leylek has in need of party equipment. ness owners, the media, and business “For the student, the value [in received inquiries from various parts professionals. participating] is getting feedback of North America – from Winnipeg, Visit Party Pyrotechnics at http:// “I think one of the most exciting on their business – they’ll get com- to northern Manitoba reserves, to partypyrotechnics.weebly.com

Fair Elections Act to introduce extensive changes to electoral process Legislation met with criticism from opposition parties, civil society groups Kevin Linklater, staff

On Feb. 10, the Harper government introduced the Fair Elections Act to parliament. Pierre Poilievre, minister of state for democratic reform, tabled the bill.

The bill would see numerous changes introduced to the democratic process in Canada, and has drawn widespread criticism from the other parties in the House of Commons, as well as civil society groups.

The many changes introduced by the bill include alterations to campaign spending rules, voter identification at the polls, and Elections Canada – the body that oversees Canadian elections and enforces the Canada Elections Act. Among the proposed campaign spending changes, the bill would increase the limits for donations to registered parties and the amount that candidates may contribute to their own campaigns.

The Conservatives have heralded this legislation as keeping big money out of politics by allowing small donors to give more, and by keeping large special interests from dominating funding through loan arrangements.

Another proposed change would see the elimination of the voucher

system that allows one voter to vouch for the identity of another.

Some experts have warned that this would deal a blow to the voting rights of Canadians.

Canadian Chief Electoral Officer Marc Mayrand warned that eliminating vouching would affect over 100,000 voters, with the consequences falling disproportionately on young voters who move frequently and Aboriginal Canadians.

The opposition parties have cried foul, saying there will be a negative impact on voter participation in the democratic process.

“This is a form of voter suppression that reminds us of what we have seen south of the border. I never thought I would see it in Canada. We have the kind of policies being put forward in the bill that would absolutely disenfranchise our most vulnerable, including the low income, transients, and our youth,” said Jinny Sims, official opposition critic for employment and social development, in parliament on Feb. 10.

“We have a government that is absolutely suppressing the voters who might have the most complaints against its policies and

who are very disturbed by how they are being marginalized more and more,” she added.

Voter turnout has been low in recent elections, with only 53.8 per cent of adult Canadians voting in the 2011 federal election, up slightly from the nadir of 53.6 per cent in 2008.

One of the proposed changes would see Elections Canada, the body that oversees the electoral process, have its power to investigate electoral irregularities stripped and placed in a separate office.

Investigative powers would be removed from this non-partisan bureaucratic body and transferred to the Department of Justice, which is accountable not to parliament but to the government.

At least one Conservative MP, Cheryl Gallant, has argued that Elections Canada unfairly targets the Conservative party for investigation. “[I]t seems that Conservatives are held to a different standard

by Elections Canada than other political parties,” said Gallant during a House debate.

The Conservatives were found guilt y of numerous electoral irregularities in the 2011 federal

elections. The most publicized of these was the so-called robocall scandal. Voters not likely to vote for the Conservatives were targeted by misleading calls, which came from callers claiming to be from Elections Canada, giving false information on the locations of polling stations.

The Fair Elections Act will seek to prevent such abuses in the future by proposing a “mandatory pub-

lic registry for mass calling” and prison sentences for the impersonation of elections officials.

The NDP is hoping to start a broader debate on the bill, with cross-country committee hearings.

The Conservatives have hurried this bill through the House, using their majority to minimize debate on the second reading.

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News

Senior News Editor: Quinn Richert News Editor: Katy MacKinnon Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

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Science & Technology Editor: Tom Ingram Contact: science@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Science & technology

Video games to help battle dyslexia Research on reactions to sights and sounds lead to use of video games as therapy for dyslexia Elizabeth Drewnik, staff

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laying video games is not only for the fangirls and fanboys (although that new Deadpool game sure looks great). They can also be used to help people struggling with literacy from dyslexia.

Between five and 10 per cent of people are affected by dyslexia – a developmental neurological disorder that results in poor spelling and reading ability. A recent study conducted by Vanessa Harrar, of the Oxford University Department of Experimental Psychology, looked at

Dyslexia even manifests in indi- passed down within families, given specific patient groups had reaction viduals of normal intelligence in that studies have traced the devel- times that favoured auditory inputs environments with plenty of educa- opmental disorder to specific chro- compared to visual inputs. This tional opportunities. Because these mosomal regions. could mean that dyslexics would factors don’t hold a great influence, it In the past, therapy for those have a harder time processing visual is thought that developmental prob- struggling with the disorder would information. lems of dyslexia start before birth in only include guidance from experts Harrar and her team suspected the cerebral cortex. such as speech and occupational that a majority of dyslexics in their People with dyslexia present dif- therapists, neuropsychologists, and sample also had ADHD. Previous ferences in brain anatomy, research with individuals though the exact signifipossessing ADHD have cance of these differences shown that they have a Video games that focus on is still unknown. Dyslexia preference for diverting how fast the players can itself is described as a multitheir attention toward system deficit possibility. visual cues, resulting visually respond to what’s The brain struggles to conin slower reactions to duct tasks based on rapidly sounds. This was a facgoing on have proven to be occurring and infrequent tor that might potentially successful in improving literacy stimulation, like visual contribute to skewing the cues quickly followed by study’s results. within dyslexic individuals sounds.

Overall it still remains The largest differences that the stimuli responses noted between dyslexic and non- specialized educators. were lower in those with dyslexia dyslexic groups were their responses The benefits of treatment can in comparison to those without the to sounds produced right after sights. become visible months, if not years, condition. This means the potential illustration by aichelle sayuno It’s also thought that more attention after commencement. However, that participants had ADHD would is focused on the visual cues when patients may still struggle with their not too adversely affect the outcomes. the way auditory and visual senses attention needs to be shifted from literacy.

Harrar’s team also suggests invesinteract in these individuals while one cue to another, such as from Harrar’s video game study pro- tigating how visually-based cues they used video games. Dyslexic par- sights to sounds. This supports the poses that the differences in the might provide some answers on the ticipants in the study had a harder theory that dyslexics might have a way stimuli are responded to should actual cause of dyslexia, as well as time shifting their attention between visual attention disorder. be taken into consideration and further help to develop better trainsights and sounds, and were much Interestingly, dyslexia happens focused on when designing train- ing programs. slower at making those shifts than to be more frequent in men than in ing programs used to help dyslexic Video games that focus on how the control individuals they were women. This is thought to be due individuals with their reading and fast the players can visually respond compared with. to specific hormonal factors, such writing skills. to what’s going on have proven to It is generally known that dyslexic as fetal testosterone levels, affecting Other patients of the experi- be successful in improving literacy brains function differently than the the development of the brain during ment who had trouble responding within dyslexic individuals. The brains of people without dyslexia. This the later stages of pregnancy. to stimuli at healthy speeds showed research paper describes these video results in different patterns of responses Dyslexia is also thought to have response patterns similar to those games as a great way for giving perto auditory and visual stimuli. a genetic association since it can be of dyslexics. It was noted that these ceptual learning to dyslexics.

The spread of superbugs Research shows the spread of antibiotic resistance genes along sacred sites in India Ian T.D. Thomson, volunteer staff

Researchers from Newcastle University, U.K., and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, recently shed light on a growing health concern. Published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, their research was able to detect an upward trend of antibiotic-resistant genes in water samples taken from locations along the Upper Ganges River. These findings imply, interestingly, that the trend is due to human migration from more densely populated areas.

The locations of the study were sacred sites around the river. These sacred sites include spots in the Indian towns of Rishikesh and Haridwar, which are known to go through those periods of seasonal mass migration. As the study points out, these towns may receive up to 500,000 visitors within the months of May and June.

Antibiotic resistance refers to the origin in 2008, a 2010 study in to compare the presence of the purity of these sacred sites. condition of a microorganism—such Sweden observed the movement of resistant gene before and after the The spread of blaNDM-1 to the as a bacterium—which has gained this antibiotic-resistance gene to seasonal influx of visitors. Given river, caused by the pilgrimage seathe ability, through genetic muta- the surface water and sediments that Rishikesh has a population of son, presents a very serious health tion, to withstand the effects of cer- in India. The gene is now present around 80,000, and Haridwar of problem to the area. According tain antibiotics (which are over 200,000, waste man- to David Graham of Newcastle often in place to eliminate agement and treatment University, one of the researchers that microorganism). If the are an issue – especially on the study, “If we can stem the The spread of the blaNDM-1 organism becomes resistant when the town becomes spread of such antibiotic-resistant gene to the Upper Ganges to several antibiotics, it is engulfed in tourists and genes locally—possibly through deemed a “superbug.” visitors. improved sanitation and waste River, caused by the pilgrimage The dilemma faced in The results of the study treatment—we have a better chance the studied sites deals with showed that the presence of limiting their spread on larger season, presents a very serious the spread of a gene known of antibiotic-resistant scales.” health problem to the area as blaNDM-1. This gene genes were at higher levels Without proper waste managehelps code the New Delhi within the samples taken ment, these pilgrimage sites will metallo-beta-lactamase 1 in June compared to those continue to develop into potential protein (NDM-1 for short), which inside the human gut flora of many taken in February. “hot spots” for the spread of antibigoes on to make the bacteria resis- locals along the Ganges River, and A striking statistic places this otic-resistant genes and proteins. tant to antibiotics – specifically is brought into the environment blaNDM-1 gene as 20 times more By improving the waste treatment to a class of antibiotics known as through excretion. prominent (per capita) in the Upper within the area, we can reduce the carbapenems.

By studying water samples Ganges River in June compared to spread of the blaNDM-1 gene and While the NDM-1 protein and taken around sites along the upper February – further illustrating that lower the likelihood of creating the blaNDM-1 gene were first Ganges in February, and then later the human mass movement is pro- superbugs. discovered in a patient of Indian in June, the researchers were able ducing a detrimental impact to the

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Comment Editor: Katerina Tefft Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Comment

Senate reform long overdue Chamber of sober second thought must be independent, representative Tariq Sohail, volunteer staff

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he recent Senate expense scandal has brought some hard truths about Canadian democracy to the fore. There have always been calls to reform the Canadian Senate, but in the past year the scandal has revealed gross incompetence, and broken the public’s trust.

Decades before former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, Liberal governments had been talking about reforming the Senate but without results. In 1965 it was Pearson’s government that instituted the mandatory retirement for senators at age 75. Prime Minister Stephen Harper went into office saying that the Senate is an abomination to democracy – though he appointed senators loyal to the Conservative platform.

Just four weeks ago, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau removed all 32 Liberal senators from the Liberal caucus. This was truly remarkable

for two reasons: one is that Liberals checkpoint between a majority selection criteria could be similar have always had senators and now government and its ability to pass to theirs, or we could come up with do not; the second is that this makes laws. Majority governments can our own, unique to our democracy. the Senate more independent – as sometimes pass laws which are The Brits also place an emphait should be. not truly representative of Canada, sis on independence just as most The only problem is that inde- which is why the Senate must exist. Canadians would want our Senate pendent senators are now less Currently, the Senate is not rep- to exhibit. accountable. Even though there resentative of the country because It is important to note, howare no Liberal senators, 32 senators there are disproportionately more ever, that all this depends on are still Liberal-leaning. whether Canada is Removing them from able to amend the Majority governments can caucus doesn’t necessarily Constitution. This change all that much. is currently being sometimes pass laws that are not Tr udeau’s S enate decided on by the reform plan promises Supreme Court who truly representative of Canada, that he will set up an will deliver a rulwhich is why the Senate must exist independent commission ing near the end of to nominate non-partisan this year. If history individuals for the Senate. proves anything, it This is a step in the right direction. senators per capita for Atlantic is that amending the Constitution Having an elected Senate would be Canada than for Western Canada. of Canada is a difficult task. It redundant because we might as well The United Kingdom reformed would require seven provinces and add 100 more seats to the Lower their Upper House in 2000, estab- 50 per cent of the population to be House. lishing an independent commis- on board to pass.

The Senate should act as a sion for Senate appointments. Our The Conservative government

has also asked the Supreme Court if it could unilaterally impose term limits on senators and if we could have consultative elections. This means senators would be voted on, but the prime minister would consider whether to officially appoint them or not. While I may not agree with this kind of reform, it would still be better than the system we currently have in place.

I think the most appropriate thing to do would be to not abolish the Senate. It can have a useful function in our democracy for checks and balances. Senators need to have term limits and they should be selected by an independent commission that does not kowtow to the prime minister or special interests.

Only then could we see the Senate function as an institution with the ability to better our democracy.

Our moral superiority at the 2014 Winter Olympics Western indignation at Russia’s anti-gay law disingenuous Kevin Linklater, staff

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ussia has been in the international spotlight for much of the last two weeks for hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics. However, the actual games themselves have often been overshadowed by Russia’s deteriorating human rights record – most notably the introduction last year of a controversial anti-gay law.

The law prohibits the public support or promotion of homosexual lifestyles, and has further encouraged a culture of violence and hatred towards this minority group within the country. Videos and pictures of gangs of thugs intimidating or beating supposedly gay people in Russia have been seen and shared widely over the Internet.

in Canada was only made legal in males dropped from 65 years in 1987 that strikes me when the West so bit2005, a mere nine years ago. In the to 57 in 1994. According to official terly criticizes Russia for its stance Netherlands, one of the most progres- government statistics, infant mortal- on gay rights: the selectivity of our sive Western countries, gay people ity increased from 17.4 per 1,000 live outrage. weren’t afforded the right to marry births to 19.9 per 1,000 live births, due Where is the outrage for the horuntil 2001. to deteriorating health infrastructure rendous violence visited upon ethnic Let us remember that we were and nutrition levels. The country has and religious minorities in Russia? denying gay people these same basic been experiencing disastrous popu- Immigrants and non-Christians are rights not too long ago, and in some lation decline, with the population routinely singled out for discriminaplaces, being gay was, and continues decreasing from nearly 150 million in tion and acts of abuse. Neo-Nazi thugs to be, received with true hostility.

1991 to 139 million in 2011. Decline is and gangs of far-right ultranationalists You may rightly point out that projected to continue to 128 million in continuously target non-white or nonwhile same-sex marriage may not 2025, and then 109 million in 2050.

Russian-looking people. Immigrants have recognition in all Western counMany of these problems were a and visible minorities face a situation tries, for the most part, gay people result of the brutal economic poli- in Russia that is just as dangerous as certainly aren’t being systematically cies championed by the International that faced by gay people. targeted by such disgusting laws as Monetary Fund (IMF) and the The majority of the people encounthey are in Russia.

United States – policies termed tering this violence are Muslim and This is true, but it brings me to “shock therapy.” The logic of these Turkic peoples from the former Soviet my second point that should be kept policies was that if privatization and states of Central Asia. We don’t say illustration by justin ladia in mind when looking at the situa- price liberalization were imposed anything about their plight. Where tion in that country: Russia’s recent quickly, the country wouldn’t slide is the outrage and moral indignaThe situation in that country is history and the role played by the back into strict economic control by tion for them? I would argue that our abhorrent and should indeed be West in creating such a corrupt and the state. own Islamophobia is one reason we condemned in the strongest possible dysfunctional economic and political In reality, what happened was that a are silent towards this equally terrible terms. Three things, however, strike system. few well-positioned individuals in the situation. me as I listen to the indignation and When the Soviet Union collapsed, black market were able to raid Russian In short, we should not expect a uproar coming from the West.

Russia was violently dragged into the assets, creating a small and incredibly country that has been experiencing Firstly, homosexual people capitalist world system. This tran- wealthy oligarchic elite. These elites disastrous socioeconomic condihave only recently started to gain sition has seen the evisceration of now control the country—stifling tions, that is undergoing catastrophic equal treatment in the West. Many the Russian economy, catastrophic reform, civil society, and democracy— depopulation, and is ruled by a corrupt Western countries are only now unemployment, capital flight, near and rule in a dictatorial fashion. and authoritarian government, to be undergoing a revolution in terms of hyperinflation, and deindustrializaThe existence of this oligarchy can a warm and welcoming place for gay how homosexuality is viewed. Same- tion that makes the Rust Belt in the be traced to the policies championed people. We should also remember our sex relationships that were once Midwestern United States look minor by the IMF and the United States, and role in Russia’s tragic, recent history, barely tolerated are finally becom- by comparison. it is this oligarchy which has drummed and that our own attitudes towards ing accepted by mainstream society As is usually the case when the up hatred against homosexual people, homosexuality have only just become – even celebrated. economic situation deteriorates, minorities, and foreigners in Russia, accepting and welcoming.

That said, we have only just so too do a number of other social scapegoating the country’s problems When it comes to morals, we canrecently become so enlightened and indicators. onto these groups. not claim the high ground; we do not civilized. Recall that gay marriage For example, life expectancy for Which brings me to the third point deserve a place on that podium.

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Comment

VOL. 100 NO. 23 February 26, 2014

Federal budget fails on youth unemployment Internships exploit cheap youth labour Michael Lee, volunteer staff

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ith the new federal budget being released, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty made sure to highlight the federal government’s contributions to curbing youth unemployment. Prior to the budget’s release, in an interview with CBC’s Chris Hall, Flaherty sympathized w it h y ou n g Canadians over their struggles in today’s highly competitive economy: “I agree with those who suggest there is a challenge for young people getting the first job, even [the] well educated, wellskilled. So, we need to try to help, and we will.” While he did not provide any details, it did come across as a potentially promising feature of the upcoming budget.

Youth unemployment continues to

be a source of anxiety and distress for many young people today. In 2012, the unemployment rate for those aged 15-24 stood at 14.3 per cent – startlingly higher than that of workers aged 25 and older, which stood at six per cent.

Furthermore, Canada has one of the highest rates of youth unemployment among a l l ot he r countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development – outranking Germany, the United States, Sweden, and Japan.

The

CBC has managed to follow the youth unemployment trend quite closely. On an episode entitled “Generation Jobless” on Doc Zone with Ann-Marie MacDonald, MacDonald highlights this very issue. According to a Canadian Policy Research Network report, one in three Canadian post-secondary graduates between the ages of 25 and 29 end up working low-skilled jobs. Even more harrowing is how 60 per cent of graduates are currently in debt, carrying an average load of $27,000.

The question now stands: what will the government do? According to the 2014 federal budget, the government will continue to contribute $330 million annually through the Youth Employment Strategy, as it has done since 2006, and will better align this strategy to the existing job market while providing real-life work experience. They will also provide $40 million towards supporting up to 3,000 full-time internships for post-secondary graduates in high-demand fields.

The addition of 3,000 intern-

ships hardly seems enough to combat use young people as a form of cheap, staggeringly high youth jobless- disposable labour.” ness, and the Canadian Federation Perlin further estimates that of Students (CFS) appeared to in the U.S. alone, there are one to echo this view. According to CFS, two million interns, half of whom 384,000 Canadians between the are unpaid. This is highly pertiages of 20 and 29 were unemployed nent information, as it shows that during January 2014. The federal internships tend to benefit those government’s proposed measure of who might not need an immediately 3,000 internships would then only steady wage. help 0.78 per cent of these jobless “This is one of the issues about young people. internships that people don’t get, It appears that beyond the but perhaps it’s the most important addition of internships, no other point,” says Perlin. “People who can concrete strategy will be present afford to ‘pay to play’ are given an to help combat the youth demo- advantage. People who don’t need graphic’s unemployment levels. The that wage can offer their labour for efficacy of internships should also free.” This point is made all the be considered; they aren’t ends in more salient considering the fact themselves. Ross Perlin, author of that youth are twice as likely to Intern Nation: How to Earn Nothing be laid off compared to their older and Learn Little in the Brave New coworkers.

Economy, offers a critical analysis Ultimately, more should be done of what he considers to be a highly to combat this growing epidemic. exploitative strategy utilized by Without any significant strategies employers. In the Doc Zone docu- being put forward, the future cermentary mentioned earlier, Perlin tainly looks bleak. Let’s hope 2015 says that, “Saving on labour costs, is a bit brighter. from an employer’s perspective, has illustration by caroline norman become in many ways the principal objective of having internships: to

VOL. 100 NO. 23 February 26, 2014

Festival du Voyageur

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photos of the 45th festival du voyageur by beibei lu

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

Arts & Culture

Calling all trans* writers Winnipeg to host landmark trans* literature gathering this May Anastasia Chipelski, staff

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his May, Winnipeg will have the honour of hosting “Writing Trans Genres: Emergent Literatures and Criticism” – a conference which will be “the largest gathering of its kind in Canada,” according to organizer Trish Salah.

“So often trans* people’s work is read as a symptom of our identity rather than as creative and critical writing that may arise from our experiences, oppression, and culture, but which is not reducible to it,” says Salah.

“The conference builds upon the recent increase in both creative and critical writing by genderqueer, two spirit, and trans* folks, and a number of academic panels and events.”

While formal academic panels and papers will be included in the

conference, it also includes many have important conversations about other works. The call for propos- the politics and poetics of our work, als extends an invitation to “writers, but because it claims the space of scholars, performers, critics, activists literature for and by two spirit, trans,* and community members to partici- and genderqueer people.” pate in developing critical contexts Keynote speakers include multifor reading and interpreting an disciplinary artist Aiyyana Maracle, emerging body of literature by trans- writer and photographer Jay Prosser, gender, transsexual, two spirit and and authors Rachel Pollack and genderqueer writers, on two spirit, Nathanaël. These keynote speeches, trans, and genderqueer terms.” as well as daytime readings, will be The call for papers and propos- open to the public, and registraals is open until Mar. 1, and Salah tion for the rest of the conference is hopes the conference will create the offered on a sliding scale. space for diverse, intergenerational conversations. “[This] conference is Writing Trans Genres will be held exciting not only because it brings May 22 to 24 in Winnipeg. Papers an unprecedented number of trans*, and proposals are due by Mar. 1, and two spirit, and genderqueer writers conference registration is due by together to read and perform our Apr. 15. For more information, visit work, and not only because we will www.writingtransgenres.com

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Taking up space with rock ’n’ roll fury Vancouver duo the Pack A.D. takes over the Park Theatre Anastasia Chipelski, staff

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f you haven’t witnessed the rock ’n’ roll fury that is the Pack A.D., prepare to give your eardrums a smashing treat. The energetic guitar-and-drums duo is landing at the Park Theatre on Mar. 4.

The Pack A.D. made their name as a hard-touring garage/blues-infused band, and Becky Black and Maya Miller have criss-crossed the continent many times since 2006 in support of their last four albums.

“We quit our day jobs years ago, but we just barely survived – we just toured a lot and didn’t have apartments to pay rent for, and we were just sort of broke for a long time,” says guitar-shredding and howling lead vocalist Black.

The last year has been a taste of the quieter life, as Black and Miller have been at home in Vancouver writing and preparing for the next round of touring to promote their latest release, Do Not Engage.

While this album marks a turn towards the poppier, more melodic side of rock ’n’ roll, it’s also their first release after signing to Nettwerk Records, and features more vocals from Miller.

“She started writing songs and I was like, ‘well, why don’t you try singing, I think it would be cool’ [ . . . ] She was really nervous about it at first but I think she’s really used to it now,” says Black.

Black and Miller have undeniable chemistry on stage, and while Miller is holding down the beat

and wearing through the skins of her kit, Black is tearing up the rest of the stage. “I mean, [Miller]’s gotta stay to the drums so I try to take up as much room as possible,” says Black.

While she describes her regular stage antics as “spazzing out,” Black admits to a short-lived stint trying to learn how to do the splits. “I thought that would be, you know, really unexpected and ridiculous, but it’s really hard to do the splits.”

While the splits may be out, and while Black is giving Miller’s kit a brief reprieve from being used as a launching pad, expect a furious romp through favourites like “The Water” and “Big Shot” from the new album.

Locals Pop Crimes and the Thrashers will be priming the stage and they—along with other rock ’n’ roll loving residents of Winnipeg— get big props from Black for continuing to exist here. “I think it’s kind of badass that people live [in Winnipeg].”

So come out and show them a good time with all your badass selves, okay?

The Pack A.D., the Thrashers, and Pop Crimes are playing at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Mar. 4 at the Park Theatre. Tickets are $17 in advance, $22 at the door.

VOL. 100 NO. 23 February 26, 2014

Arts & Culture

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image provided by Prairie Theatre Exchange

When our humanity meets mental illness The Valley portrays the experience of individuals, families, and police when dealing with mental illness Lukas Thiessen, staff

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f you want to be confronted with the challenges of being human sans heavy-handed preaching, then check out the upcoming production of The Valley at Prairie Theatre Exchange (PTE).

The play is the newest by multi-awardwinning Canadian playwright Joan MacLeod, bringing her total number of works for the stage to an even 10. This piece was written in light of the death of Robert Dziekański, who was fatally tasered at the Vancouver International Airport by RCMP officers in 2007.

In the play, a teenager who has recently entered university falls into depression and drops out of school while living with his mother. The action also follows a woman coming out of post-partum depression and her relationship with her husband, a police officer. The teenager and the officer encounter one another on Vancouver’s SkyTrain, where the incident with Dziekański is evoked.

“I’m a professor of writing at UVIC [University of Victoria] and the character of Connor in The Valley is really familiar to me,” says MacLeod. “He’s fictional, of course, but a young man who is suddenly coping with mental illness his first year at university is a narrative I know all too well.”

With an oeuvre full of plays, poems, and professorial work, MacLeod is skilled at capturing essential human qualities in her writing. At the same time, she has the openness to allow others to bring her writing to life.

She was at the Banff Centre in the then Advanced Writers’ Studio as a poet in 1984, while the Playwrights Colony was also happening. She spent time with other playwrights and found a new venue for her writing.

“My work—poetry with a strong narrative and a novel that was written in the first person—was much stronger out loud than on the page.”

After starring in her first play when the lead was unable to fill the role at the last minute—a position she hopes to never revisit—she now crafts the script and then passes it on to others to manifest it.

“I have never directed my own work. I’d be terrible at it. I have weak visual skills,

I’d say. For me plays start with my love of language, with creating characters and letting them speak and help me tell their stories in a way that feels right and true,” says MacLeod.

“It’s always scary and thrilling working with directors—and actors and designers for that matter—and of course their vision is going to be different than mine but that’s okay. That’s good. My job is to write strong dialogue and tell a good story. The director and actors will do all the rest.”

Toby Hughes, the actor playing Connor, is back at PTE where his acting career began before he was a decade old. He took classes there until he graduated from high school, and then helped found Outside Joke Improv during his first year of university.

Hughes credits director Ann Hodges for making it possible to have a natural flow in the characters’ movements, while also allowing the audience to see all the characters from multiple angles at PTE, which has a thrust stage, so the audience is on three sides.

In addition to Hodges’ direction, the cast received assistance from mental health experts and police officers that joined them in rehearsal to offer advice and insight.

Although the topic is depression, that doesn’t mean the play has one tone.

“The show is just human and also quite funny,” says MacLeod. “I wanted to look at what connects us.”

Hughes concurs. “The play presents two functional, stable families and then explores how the home dynamics change with the introduction of a mental illness. It may seem like a downer, but Joan MacLeod’s script is far from heavy-handed. Although the subject matter is very thoroughly researched and explored, the play is grounded enough in real emotion that it never feels didactic.”

The Valley runs Feb. 27 until Mar. 16 at Prairie Theatre Exchange (third floor at Portage Place Shopping Centre). Tickets are available at the box office, located at the theatre; by phone, 204-942-5483; or online at www.pte.mb.ca. Prices range from around $24-43. There are affordable prices for students with valid ID as any unsold seats 30 minutes before show time are only $10.

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

Arts & Culture

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The show is about to begin

photos provided by Robert Dearden

The Blacksmith’s Ball offers a glimpse into growing circus community Anastasia Chipelski, staff

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he days of the iconic Big Top may have faded into history, but that doesn’t mean the days of the circus are over. According to a contortionist, a sideshow performer, and a juggler who calls himself a “oneman-circus,” we are on the verge of a new circus movement in Winnipeg.

The building momentum was evident on Friday, Feb. 7, when 17 performers got together for a soldout show billed as the Blacksmith’s Ball, held at the Gas Station Theatre.

Produced by local contortionist Samantha Halas, the ball included a variety of acts and genres not often seen together on one stage, including a mime, two pole dancers, a bed of nails, kung fu, belly dancing, aerial hoops, physical theatre, impersonation, spoken word, and a live band.

The ringleader of this circus came in the form of a blacksmith, Ethan Radstrom. By trade, he is a ferrier—a kind of blacksmith who works specifically with horses—and it was through this work that he was first introduced to the circus.

His other passion is storytelling and spoken word, and Radstrom’s small vignettes about the backgrounds of the other 16 performers provided the common thread for the show, as well as some comedic relief.

Radstrom met Halas while working on another show, the Laughing Boneyard Follies. They recognized that there was enthusiasm for variety shows, and began to think bigger: “How can we pull these people together and do a show that’s maybe a bit larger than one or two acts performing to 50 people?” asked Radstrom.

As the idea came together, Halas began to collect performers. This was her first experience producing, it was a challenge in the beginning.

“I think at first a lot of the performers didn’t even know if it was going to be a good show, so a lot of them didn’t quite trust me yet,” says Halas.

While she met a few of the performers through sharing other stages, many of the acts claimed one single place for their first contact with Halas: her contortion class. In addition to performing, Halas also teaches bi-weekly contortion classes,

which are open to people from all Girardin has noticed more jobs, walks of life. as well as a growing awareness of For Halas, the crux of the circus circus as both an art and a sport. “I spectacle is the physical element, think Winnipeg is on the cusp of evident in performances that “[defy] something really cool,” he says.

Winnipeg is also not quite as what we normally think of a human and how they work.” Beyond that, small as we might see it, says Halas, “circus” is a little harder to define: and she is constantly discovering “[It’s] just a word and it gets broader new people, new acts that she wants and broader and art gets broader and to incorporate into future shows.

If the Blacksmith’s Ball is any broader.”

Within the broad spectrum of indication, the act of pulling these circus, there are many smaller areas diverse performers together into of speciality—acrobatics, juggling, one show is an essential step in fosand sideshow, to name a few—and tering newer circus communities, while they hold shows with kindred and well-connected and enthusiperformers, it has been rare for them astic performers and producers like to come together for a multi-genre Halas are key.

At the conclusion of the ball, circus show.

Natasha O’Reilly, trained as a fire thanking Halas, the Blacksmith performer and does a bed of nails spoke: “She’s been the hub of our act as well, is used to working with wheel.”

From her many travels, Halas metal bands and pole dancers, but the Blacksmith’s Ball marked her has big visions for what is being first theatre show. “I think variety done elsewhere, and what circus can shows are really needed and really be, “and that’s why I’m so inspired make theatre that much more fun,” to give people [ . . . ] an insight into that. It can keep getting better and says O’Reilly.

Like many of the other acts better, and we don’t have to stay at preparing backstage before the big this one level.”

While Halas is proud of the work opening, she was nervous, but felt the energy of the new community. she’s done getting the ball together, This sentiment was echoed by belly she doesn’t see herself as the sole dancer Accalia Carmen, who was mover and shaker in town. “I really “ just excited to see everything come hope it keeps going, and that it’s [ . . together, especially with the drama . ] self-perpetuating, that it doesn’t piece, the live music, it’s unlike a need one person to keep going, that everyone keeps putting things in to show that I’ve been a part of.”

Halas spoke to the challenges keep going,” she says.

There was a lot to learn from as both of this segregation of acts in Winnipeg, and also of the lack of well—in terms of having more help opportunities for performers at a in producing and stage-managing, certain level to give circus work and offering a longer run rather their full attention. “[They] just than a one-night engagement—but give up because there’s nowhere to as a first-time producer, Halas is perform; you just train and train confident that there is room to grow. and train and nobody sees it. It’s “For us to make a circus culture here, we have to make our own path and kind of anticlimactic.”

She says that beyond a certain cut our own obstacles down, you level, performers often have to know?”

Despite the obstacles, it is clear leave Winnipeg if they want to work, which has been a hardship from the response to the Blacksmith’s felt by the circus community for Ball that Winnipeg is ready for this kind of show. The ball sold out three many years.

There is evidence of change, as weeks in advance, and Halas was many see growth in the circus com- bombarded by requests for tickets to munity. Isaac Girardin performed the jam-packed 232-seat venue.

While the performers may hit the plate-spinning, juggling machetes, devil sticks, and rola bola at the ball. road to hone their various crafts, it He bills himself as a one-man circus, is clear that in Winnipeg, the cirand heads up the Central Canadian cus won’t be leaving town anytime soon.

Circus Arts Club.

The act ­­of pulling these diverse performers together into one show is an essential step in fostering newer circus communities

VOL. 100 NO. 23 February 26, 2014

Arts & Culture

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Review: Asphalt Watches Michael Carlisle, volunteer staff

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have watched many strange ani- time and effort into creating the mated films, but none as pecu- film. Working with flash animaliar as Shayne Ehman and Seth tion is tedious, as is putting the Scriver’s Asphalt Watches. The film incredible amount of detail into yields a Gonzo-esque experience – every scene. not that I’m advocating drug use, On the brightside, Asphalt but their employment might make Watches is rather inspiring. It’s for a more sensible experience than a unique animation experience watching sober. that you won’t find anywhere else.

Instead of making a docu- It takes imagination to its limits, mentary about showing that their eight-day creativity has no The characters, hitchhiking trip boundaries and across Canada, is not chained to which include the two filmreality. the ghost of a makers decided It’s a refreshto recount their ing c ha nge snowman and a adventure via from the stanWendy’s-loving animation; dard Disney, however, it’s DreamWorks, Santa Claus, are incredibly difa nd St ud io ficult to believe Ghibli movies absolutely bizarre that anything that often get a described in wide release in Asphalt Watches occurred in reality. North America and around the The characters, which include world. While I’m certain Ehman the ghost of a snowman and a and Scriver’s work won’t get a Wendy’s-loving Santa Claus, are wide release, at least not in major absolutely bizarre. The settings are theatres, I would encourage many incredibly surreal and the score people to see it, despite it not being consists of a ridiculously slow rap, outstanding. This is an art house not by talented musicians, but taken picture, and like many art house from the main characters’ words. pictures it will inspire intelligent One song is called “Don’t Forget discussions regarding its merit.

Your Boston Pizza.”

Despite the fact that the pic- 3/5 ture is absolutely insane, it just isn’t thrilling. Asphalt Watches has Check out more of Michael’s a 94-minute running time, but it reviews at goodbadcritic.blogspot. feels over twice that length. The ca, and catch a screening of Asphalt plot is overdrawn. Its bizarre stoner Watches at Cinematheque (100 humour does get some laughs, but Arthur Street) on Wednesday, ultimately I didn’t find it very enjoy- Feb. 26 at 7 p.m., as well as able. It’s unfortunate because you Thursday, Feb. 27 at 9 p.m. can tell the directors put a lot of

Dancing for the darkness

photo by Chris Friesen

Winnipeg band the Party Dress releases their debut EP Lukas Thiessen, staff

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rave Clothes,” one of the right until we added Hart.” three songs on the freshThe recording process mirrors man release from local trio the the method Victor Frankenstein Party Dress, is suited for use in a used to craft his human collage. film by David Lynch or Quentin “We did all of the recording and Tarantino. On this 7” EP, titled mixing ourselves, using a makeYou’re Dead, the group has dressed shift setup of mics, PAs, and a a dirty, beautiful villain in snake- laptop,” says Kroeker. The band skin shoes who dances in a smoky practices and records in one of the well-used spaces on the sechaze of carnage.

You’ve never experienced ond floor of the building at the garage rock like this before: northwest corner of Furby Street Imagine corpses suspended from and Portage Avenue.

“All the songs on the 7-inch are the rafters and a smorgasbord of genetic experiments gone recorded live off the floor to one wrong littering makeshift tables. track, with a couple extra guitar Somehow the tunes make you feel tracks and the bass tracks added sexy while also making you feel in after. It’s a little raw and imperfect at times, but it captures how afraid.

The owners of these sounds are we play live and that’s exactly guitarist/vocalist Reuben Todd, what we wanted.”

If this album is a monster, drummer Stefan Kroeker, and bassist Hart Koepke. Kroeker then the doctor who brought the explains in an interview with the lightning down is the man who Manitoban that the band’s name recently started Bonzer Records, comes from the nickname for the for which You’re Dead is the first fiancée of the titular character in release.

“When I was out for beers with the novel Miss Lonelyhearts by Depression-era American author Kevin Strang a few years ago, he Nathanael West. In the novel, the had a little sparkle in his eye when main character, a male advice col- he talked about starting a little umn writer, refers to Betty, his record label,” says Kroeker. Strang is the percussive counterpart of betrothed, as the party dress.

“There’s a bit of mystery and Kroeker in Pop Crimes, opening ambiguity attached to it, and we for the band at the release show.

“I am a huge fan of rawerthought it paired well with the kind of music we were writing,” sounding recordings and wanted to do a label based around says Kroeker.

Kroeker and Todd have been weirder-sounding garage and making music together for about punk bands,” Strang tells the a decade, and the former explains Manitoban. “Around the time that a year ago they began writing I had decided that this was the original material together, and approach I wanted to take, the Koepke joined them soon after. Party Dress had posted the three “Reuben and I originally wrote the tracks that make up the single songs that we’re releasing on the online; I liked them and figured 7-inch, although they didn’t feel they would make a good 7-inch.”

“When he approached us last summer and asked if the Party Dress would be interested in being Bonzer’s first release, we were blown away. He’s incredibly committed to music and local bands, and we’re honoured to be his guinea pigs. He’s given us the chance to put our music out on vinyl – something we’ve all dreamt about for years,” says Kroeker.

In addition to the release of You’re Dead, Bonzer is putting out some more albums soon, including recordings by Pop Crimes, Willower, Atomic Don & the Black Sunrise, and Mean Tikes.

Kroeker shares Strang’s desire to promote local music. “The rock ’n’ roll scene in Winnipeg is tight, and it’s always fun to play with friends who share an affinity for the darker side of garage rock,” says Kroeker.

“Music in Winnipeg has always been kind of a strange vice. I think a lot of us literally play to stay sane.” The drummer said he is glad that Union Sound Hall and the Windsor Hotel have filled the void left by the recent demise of both the Royal Albert Arms Hotel and the Lo Pub. If you want to dance to terrifying screams of music, check out the release show for You’re Dead by the Party Dress at 10 p.m. on Feb. 27 at Union Sound Hall (110 Market Ave.) with Pop Crimes and Atomic Don & the Black Sunrise. $10 gets you in, and another $3 gets you the album.

Until then, check out the songs at thepartydress.bandcamp.com

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Arts & Culture

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

event Listings The arts events to attend this weekend

music

visual art

Friday, Feb. 28 FINN / Sibyl 5 Fifty-five Osborne

Thursday, Feb. 27 The Party Dress 7” release show with Pop Crimes and Atomic Don & the Black Sunrise Union Sound Hall

Saturday, March 1 Rock Lake III cd release with the Zags and M&M Meats The Windsor Hotel

Tuesday, March 4 The Pack A.D. / Pop Crimes / the Thrashers The Park Theatre

Sunday, March 2 Jenny Berkel / Paul Bergman / Bobby Desjarlais Union Sound Hall

Wednesday, Feb. 26 Winnipeg Poetry Slam Bout #2 Featuring The Urban Indigenous Theatre Company The Kings Head Pub

other

Wednesday, March 5 Greg Rekus tour kick off with Sugarsick and Panicland The Windsor Hotel

Friday, Feb. 28 “All You Can Eat Taco” Madness Casa Burrito

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Graphics Editor: Bradly Wohlgemuth Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

Diversions

19

Comeback central Bisons rally from one game down, advance to Canada West semi-finals

Sports Editor: Marc Lagace Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Sports

Bison Let’s get critical briefs Post-season edition

Mike Still, staff Marc Lagace, with files from Mike Still

Women’s hockey

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he Manitoba Bison men’s hockey team entered playoff action with their spirits high after clinching a home playoff berth the week prior. Their opponents, the Mount Royal Cougars, were making their first-ever Canada West playoffs appearance and gave the home squad everything they could handle. The Bisons showed tremendous resolve after losing game one, eventually taking the series 2-1.

Friday’s action featured a double overtime thriller with a combined 103 shots on net. Mount Royal came out of the struggle with a 3-2 win.

The Bisons dictated the pace wrister slipped past Caligiuri, a rebound on an odd man rush. through the first 10 minutes of heartbreaking finish for Manitoba. Mount Royal stayed persistent and play after two Mount Royal penEach net minder played sensa- cut Manitoba’s lead to one on a alties. Once back at even strength, tional throughout, as Mount Royal’s 5-on-3 power play, but Dickin would the Cougars surged and outshot Dalyn Flette stopped 46 shots for secure the win, making no mistake Manitoba 14-9 in the period. Bison the win, while Caligiuri made 53 on the receiving end of a cross-ice goaltender Joe Caligiuri stopped saves in a losing effort. pass at 18:40, for his second goal of two tight scoring chances late in “We knew they [were] a physical, the game. the first to keep the game scoreless hard-working team, but it’s a playoff Caligiuri was firm between the after 20 minutes. game,” said head coach Mike Sirant pipes yet again, stopping 22 shots Relentless pressure from Mount post-game. “You can’t get discour- in the win, including two critical Royal forced the Bisons to take a aged, though. We’ve got to find a diving saves in the third. roughing penalty at 7:02 in the sec- way to score and find a way to win a Manitoba’s win set up a decisive ond. Just 12 seconds into the power hockey game.” third game on Sunday afternoon, play, Cody Cartier found the back After playing the seventh-longest where undisciplined play from of the net on a beautiful pass from men’s playoff game in Canada West Mount Royal and fast-paced play Matt Brown to put the Cougars up history, both teams were looking to from Manitoba would eventually 1-0. The visitors added to their lead shake off the fatigue the following lead to a 2-0 series-clinching Bison at 9:58, as Tyler Fiddler flew down evening. Despite a tough start, the win. the left wing, going stick side on Bisons emerged with a 4-2 victory Manitoba threw 16 shots at Flette Caligiuri. to even the series. in the first, and eventually grabbed Bison rookie sensation Jordan The first period began at a slug- the lead at 9:53. Luke Cain finished DePape scored his first Canada gish pace. Mount Royal got on off a long pass from Bestland. The West playoff goal off of a one-timer the board first, as Billy Marshall Cougars managed just five shots, and before the period ended. A num- forced the puck underneath the leg were visibly outmatched throughout ber of huge stops by Caligiuri kept of Caligiuri in a mad scramble at 6:11. the period.

Manitoba in the game, including The Bisons tied things up before the Duval added to the lead just a glove save in close while falling period ended, with Dickin scoring under three minutes into the second, backwards. Heading into the third, off of a great pass from DePape with burying a pass from Lewadniuk.

Mount Royal’s lead was cut to one. just 1:01 remaining.

Mount Royal again managed very The Cougars took a costly interThe Bisons—led by Darren little and surrendered four minor ference penalty with less than three Bestland, who was a force all week- penalties. minutes remaining in the third, and end on the boards—picked up their The Cougars showed urgency in the Bisons pounced. After Caligiuri physical game in the second period. the final 20 minutes, entering the was pulled for a 6-on-4 advantage, The uptempo play led to a goal at Bison zone on a frequent basis, but Brendan Rowinski deflected a 10:48, as Jesse Paradis flipped a were shut down by the Bisons’ stout Taylor Dickin shot into the back of loose puck in the crease over Flette’s defence, whose efforts ensured a the net at 18:94, sending the game shoulder for the 2-1 lead. Despite 24-save shutout for Caligiuri. into overtime. taking a five-minute major at 11:26, Manitoba now advances to the The first overtime settled noth- the Bisons stayed strong defensively Canada West semi-final, and will ing, as both goalies were outstand- and held onto their lead heading into play on the road against Calgary in a ing. Manitoba appeared physically the third. best-of-three series this weekend. exhausted heading into double overManitoba put the game away in photos by beibei lu time. The Cougars ended things at the third. Ian Duval made it 3-1, fol4:09, as Brenden Turnbull’s quick lowing up on an Aaron Lewadniuk

The 17-7-4, fourth-ranked Manitoba Bison women’s hockey team was ready to do battle in the post-season. The Bisons hosted the Regina Cougars in their first home playoff series since the 2010-11 season, when they went on to capture their second Canada West Championship.

This year the Cougars finished fifth in the Canada West standings, with an overall record of 11-13-4.

The Bisons went 3-1 against Regina in the regular season, and were looking to continue their regular season success in the quarter-final matchup.

Unfortunately, Manitoba ran into a hot goalie, netting just one goal over the two games played at Wayne Fleming Arena, and was bounced from the playoffs in the first round.

Special teams was the difference in game one on Friday, as Regina scored on both of their goals on the power play, en route to a 2-0 victory.

“You kill off every power play against you in the last five games, then you give up two in a playoff game – that’s just not gonna get it done,” said head coach Jon Rempel.

The following afternoon, the Bisons were hoping to take the series to a deciding third game. It was not to be. Regina scored three unanswered goals in the final 13 minutes, eliminating Manitoba with a 3-1 win. Kyleigh Palmer scored the lone goal for Manitoba early in the first period, but Regina ultimately completed the sweep to move on in the Canada West playoffs.

Track and Field

The Bison track and field team earned seven medals at the 2014 Canada West Track and Field Championships. Hosted by the University of Alberta, the two-day event was held on Feb. 21 and 22.

On day one, five Bison athletes competing in individual events and one relay team reached the podium.

In the men’s pentathlon, Wyatt Eyford finished in first place with 3,711 points while teammate Arthur Buchanan finished in third

place with 3,496 points. Matthew Fitkowsky earned silver in the men’s 300-metre with a time of 35.32 seconds.

Melissa Richards tied for second in women’s pole vault with a jump of 3.62-metres, and Wilfred Samking finished third in the 60-metre hurdles with a time of 8.44 seconds.

In the women’s 4x800-metre relay, Manitoba finished with a time of 9:18.

On day two, fourth-year track star Buchanan finished in third place in the men’s high jump with a leap of 1.98-metres. Bison teammate Neil Clark ended up tying for fourth place with a jump of 1.95-metres. The men’s 4x400-metre relay team clinched a bronze medal with a time of 3:20.44.

Overall, the Bison men’s team finished in fifth place overall with 50.5 points, while the women’s team finished in seventh place with 22 points.

Three Bison athletes qualified for nationals: Eyford, Fitkowsky, and Richards will be heading to Edmonton for the 2014 CIS T&F Championships from Mar. 6-8.

Swimming

Three Bison swimmers took to the pool at the 2014 CIS Swimming Championships, hosted by the University of Toronto. But all eyes were on Dillon Perron; the thirdyear Bison athlete and team cocaptain had a phenomenal weekend, reaching the podium and setting multiple provincial records during the three-day event.

Perron won the first national swimming medal for the University of Manitoba since 2006 on the first day of competition, in the men’s 100-metre breaststroke. His time of 1:00.86 is a new provincial record.

On day two, he set two more provincial records: a time of 2:12.76 in the 200-metre breaststroke and 24.28 seconds in the 50-metre butterfly.

Bisons Artur Kroitor and Kimberly Moors improved on their results in previous appearances at the national championships, and both managed to crack the top 10 in one event: eighth for Moors in the women’s 50-metre butterfly and 10th for Kroitor in the men’s 50-metre freestyle.

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Sports

VOL. 100 NO. 23 February 26, 2014

A phenomenal journey The story of Bison point guard Christiane Fischer

Bisons second seed at CIS championships Settle for silver in Canada West showdown vs. UBC

Mike Still, staff Marc Lagace, staff

photo by geoff lister

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photo by beibei lu

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hristiane Fischer has come the court. She has been a team capa long way over the past five tain for the last two seasons, and led years. Hailing from Bietigheim- the team in assists this past season Bissingen, Germany, the 5’6’’ point with 53. guard has found success everywhere Canada has been a perfect fit for she’s travelled. the point guard, who has found the Fischer’s North American jour- style of play suits her. ney began in the 2009-10 season at “Canada’s kind of a hybrid between Northeast Community College in German basketball and culture and Norfolk, Nebraska. The Northeast the U.S. basketball and culture.

Hawks compete in the Nebraska U.S. basketball is very individually Community College Athletic based and very scoring based [ . . .

Conference (NCCAC). ] Germany is very structured. You “When I first came over to North don’t have a lot of freedom to roam America I thought I wanted to play around, and I don’t really like that Division I NCAA [basketball],” said much either.”

Fischer. “It didn’t work out at first so I “Canada’s kind of a mix,” remarked thought I would go to Nebraska, play Fischer. “For me that was kind of my junior college, and then go on.” perfect fit.”

She found immediate success While Fischer has continued to in Nebraska: Fischer was named excel on the court, she has also been to the 2009-10 NCCAC women’s very productive in the classroom. In all-conference team, helping to lead April 2013, she joined four other stuthe team to a conference champion- dents and five University of Manitoba ship. She was named team captain faculty members in attending the and averaged 6.5 points per game the G20 Youth Forum in St. Petersburg, following season. Fischer was also Russia. This past season was Fischer’s Academic All-Region in 2010 and final year of CIS eligibility, so while Academic All-American in 2011. her time on the court in a Bison uniDespite her triumphs away from form may be over, she is planning to home, Fischer wasn’t completely continue to challenge herself, both happy with how things were going academically and athletically. in Nebraska.

“This year I’ve spent a lot of time “It was a different culture; it was thinking about indigenous issues in rural Nebraska so it was very differ- Canada, and indigenous politics,” ent from German, urban life. The said Fischer. team was fun, but the people around “I would like to pursue that. So I’m were not so much in accordance to going to take a year off, probably go my lifestyle.” back to Europe and play some basThat’s when Manitoba came ketball, just because I’m not ready to knocking. Women’s basketball head give it up yet, and it’s too much fun.” coach Pam Danis recruited Fischer No matter what Fischer decides for the 2011-12 season. to do next, she will fondly look back “A great opportunity came up and on her experiences in Winnipeg.

I got the chance to come up here and “[They are] amazing people. I love play basketball, so I took it – and from Winnipeg, I love the people here. I then on, I’ve been a Bison,” Fischer love how international it’s becoming told the Manitoban. more and more. I think the warmth Since arriving in Manitoba, of the people here is totally making Fischer has been a leader on and off up for the cold we get.”

he University of Manitoba wom- was impressed with his team’s perforen’s volleyball team is off to the mance in the win, which guaranteed national championships in Regina, Manitoba a berth at nationals and SK after earning silver at the Canada set up a showdown with the topWest Women’s Volleyball Final Four ranked team in the nation, the UBC this past weekend in Vancouver.

Thunderbirds.

Reading week synced up nicely “We need more of the same,” with the Bisons’ training schedule, Bentley told GoBisons.ca when as players could focus on their goal asked what it would take to topple of reaching the podium out West and the T-Birds. securing a spot to challenge for the “We can’t worry about their side CIS national title. Manitoba was the too much. Our side needs to be what only team representing the prairies, it was tonight and more for us to be as UBC, Trinity Western, and UBC successful. We will take on the chalOkanagan rounded out the top four lenge. Obviously, they are the favouteams in the conference. rite, but we will do what we can to The Bisons came into the week- make the match interesting.” end knowing they only needed one UBC proved to be too much for win to clinch their berth, and they Manitoba. UBC held Pischke and did so with a dominating straight- Cockrell to a combined 13 kills, the sets victory over the Trinity Western same number as UBC’s Lisa Barclay, Spartans 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-23). who was centre stage all night for the Taylor Pischke and Rachel Cockrell T-Birds and later named the 2013-14 led the Bison attack with 12 and 11 Canada West MVP. kills respectively, while Brittany Despite settling for silver, the Habing had a game-high 35 assists.

Bisons achieved their ultimate goal of Bison head coach Ken Bentley qualifying for nationals, where they

have officially been seeded in second, just behind UBC. They play their first match Friday, Feb. 28 against the seventh-seeded Ottawa Gee-Gees of the Ontario University Athletics (OUA). This is the first time the Bisons have qualified for the CIS Women’s Volleyball Championships since the 2009-10 season, in which they lost to UBC 3-1 in the gold medal match.

Manitoba played Ottawa in a pre-season friendly, which Ottawa won 3-2. Coach Bentley described the match as ‘more challenging’ as the Bisons were without Piskche, Caleigh Dobie, and Erika Sandor.

So far, the Bisons have achieved two of the three goals they set for themselves at the beginning of the season: to host a playoff series, and then to qualify for the national championships “Our final goal was to win [a national championship]. We’re certainly capable of it, it’s not going to be easy,” said Bentley.

“That’s what we trained for. That’s what we put all this time in and lifted all those weights, it’s for this moment.

I think we’re all really excited to go and challenge ourselves to play our best volleyball.”

The Bisons may have some support joining them on the road for their championship run; the notorious Big Horns posted the following via Twitter early Sunday afternoon: “Hotel booked. See you in Regina.”