University denies role in residence assault last October
Support resources and standard security measures are the formal response
Mikaela Warkentin, staff
Last October, the U of
M’s residences were rocked by the assault of a then-U of M student living in the Arthur V. Mauro Student Residence in the early morning hours of the 25th. Garry Junior Edwards, convicted in 2013 of two violent sexual assaults, bypassed residence security measures and broke into the victim’s room. He was apprehended by police later that day, in the 1800 block of Pembina Highway. Edwards has since been arrested and charged with breaking and entering, sexual assault, rob-
bery and attempting to overcome resistance by choking, suffocating or strangling a person.
In May, the former student filed a statement of claim alleging that the university in part “created the opportunity” for the assault to take place, due to a lack of enforcement and appropriate safety measures. Further in her claim, the woman shared that long-term effects of the attack include anxiety, depression, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder and night terrors. For this, she is seeking coverage for past and future healthcare
services, along with general damages, special damages, punitive damages and aggravated damages.
The university’s statement of defence rebuffs claims that the victim’s lack of security measures played a role in the attack and claims that Edwards did not exploit “an opportunity created by the university’s failure.” Their defence also claims that the perpetrator alone should receive full blame for physical or psychological harm caused by the attack, and that blame could be shifted onto the former student for “failing to
ensure the door to her room at the premises was locked.”
The U of M media relations shared that as the matter is currently in front of the courts, the administration is unable to comment on the claim further.
In the months following the assault, around-the-clock security was implemented in the residences. This protocol has shifted for the upcoming Fall semester, to instead have security stationed in the residences from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., seven days a week.
Administration shared that this is in addition to the pre-
existing constant security personnel present on the campus, which includes U of M security, private contracted guards, and institutional safety officers.
Resources for the U of M community that are recommended by the administration include the Sexual Violence Resource Centre along with a move to remind the community of safety measures individuals can take. The administration also suggests staying tuned for upcoming safety sessions offered by U of M security.
U of M student leaders gather to advance anti-oppression on campus
Roy Albright Obah, staff
The U of M’s Office of Equity Transformation hosted a one-day forum on Aug. 10 at the Fort Garry campus, bringing together student leaders committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-oppression work.
The forum provided a platform for students to share strategies, build networks and strengthen their ability to address systemic barriers on campus. Tina Chen, U of M vice-provost (equity), opened the gathering by setting the community guidelines and its purpose. “The goal was to support a whole range of students, thinking about students who are representing systemically marginalized communities on campus […] students who have been doing work on the ground to advance equity, anti-oppression, social justice, diversity inclusion,” she said.
One of the day’s central ses-
sions was a plenary conversation moderated by Kay Maskiw-Connelly, a former fellow in the Fellows in Equity, Anti-Oppression and Social Justice program, cohort 2. The featured speaker, Kristin Witwicki, master’s student at the University of Winnipeg, drew connections between environmental change and social justice. She focused on the disproportionate impact of climate change on Indigenous and First Nations communities, stressing the need to prioritize their leadership in crafting responses.
empathy and listening,” and emphasized the importance of creating space for First Nations communities to lead their own strategies of resilience.
The forum’s approach extended beyond traditional panels. Students were invited to engage in creative and participatory activities. Ralph Bryant, creator of the Love
mental racism were carried out. These sessions offered student leaders opportunities to deepen their understanding of structural inequalities and sharpen their leadership skills.
“Change starts from empathy and listening”
— Ethan Wong, president of the U of M Book Society
For some of the participants, this session was the highlight. Ethan Wong, president of the U of M Book Society, said it “highlighted a connection between sustainability, climate change and equity that is often overlooked.” He added, “change starts from
Notes Campaign, led an interactive session on mental health. Participants reflected on their personal experiences with mental wellness and crafted messages that will later circulate across U of M campuses as part of an awareness campaign.
Concurrent workshops which addressed intersectionality, ableism and environ-
Samiat Oni, an attendee and incoming fellow of cohort 3 of the fellowship program found these workshops as a moment of discovery. “One subject I really learned about for the first time today was accessibility in a deeper sense, not just physical accessibility, but also digital, academic and social accessibility.” She added, “I hadn’t fully realized how many barriers can exist in areas like course design, event planning or even everyday communication, and how these can unintentionally exclude people.”
and recognition. Participants reflected on the visibility of student-led equity initiatives, particularly in the university’s photo library and communications. Chen acknowledged the concern, saying, “We heard from a lot of students that also felt that they were doing the work, but maybe the university was not seeing their work.” She added, “We wanted to make sure that we were engaging them and coming with a way to bring people together to network and be supported in that work.”
Chen also pointed out the Fellows in Equity, Anti-Oppression and Social Justice program as a cornerstone of her office’s efforts. The ninemonth initiative has supported two cohorts of students and will launch its third this fall. She said the program “is a huge highlight, not just for
The forum created a space for dialogue on representation Cont’d p. 3 / the <
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Equity forum builds inclusion and amplifies marginalized voices at U of M
< Cont’d from front page
the opportunity and the work [with] the students [...] but also knowing that this is an incredibly unique program.”
She added “It really is one of the best things around this new role.”
Chen addressed the challenges inherent in equity work. “Every time I do something, someone comes forward to tell me about how it could be more and could be done better,” she said. She
described this as a challenge rooted in high expectations, but one that signals trust in the university to listen and make changes.
As the day concluded, participants were invited to reflect on how future forums could be improved. The closing activity allowed students to identify priorities for more inclusive programming and stronger institutional support.
For Oni, the forum left a lasting impression of what
collaboration can achieve. “I plan to take what I’ve learned and integrate it into the spaces I’m part of,” she said.
Chen hoped the forum would leave students with a sense of solidarity and possibility. “I hope that the students go away feeling like they have made valuable connections with other students […] that they can also understand that the work they are doing is connected with work happening in a whole range of places.
“I hope that they come away with some new knowledge […] a better understanding of intersectionality […] and the different ways that advocacy and activism take place so that we all come away a little bit more enriched and perhaps a little bit outside of our own comfort zones.”
The Office of Equity Transformation provides leadership at the U of M to address oppression, remove barriers to participation and advance
equity, fostering a campus and community committed to accessibility, diversity and inclusion.
To explore opportunities and take part in upcoming events this fall, students can visit umanitoba. ca/equity-transformation/ learning-and-engagement.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY AMY ZHANG
UMSU summer recap
Student union president Prabhnoor Singh shares summer highlights
Mikaela Warkentin, staff
U MSU president
Prabhnoor Singh spoke with the Manitoban about what UMSU has been up to during the summer months, Singh’s highlights of stepping into an UMSU executive role, and what is on the horizon for UMSU this fall.
Bringing office hours to the public
Singh is starting his term with a focus on the U of M community through an unorthodox set of office hours. “My office hours were not in my office, but they were actually at IQ’s.” ‘Pool with the President’ is an initiative began by Singh in an effort to open up more lines of honest conversations with the student
body. He said “sometimes topics were difficult or there were discussions that some people might be a bit afraid to bring up, but these were some moments of personal connection that made […] this role really meaningful.”
Seeing the potential of UMSU
The Student Union Development Summit was an additional summer term highlight for Singh. The conference is held by the Alma Mater society at the University of British Columbia and serves as an opportunity for student unions across Canada to network and learn from each other. For Singh, the way that student clubs are run at UBC stood out. He said UBC
has “about double our student population […] UMSU has close to 200 student clubs that are usually active throughout the year, [UBC] run close to 400. They have their own building […] it’s really cool.”
“It really opened my eyes to see what’s possible for UMSU,” added Singh. “There’s a lot of work ahead for sure, but it just shows you that […] we have so much potential to grow and evolve.”
At-home advocacy
Singh also spoke about the honorary UMSU Way sign installed at the intersection of Chancellor Matheson Road and University Crescent at the end of May. As part of previous UMSU president Divya Sharma’s term, the naming hon-
Jab, jab, right hook!
Pan Am Boxing Club student promo starting Sept. 1
Jesse Brogan, staff
Pan Am Boxing is pacing into the school year with a special promo for students, offering Winnipeg’s hardest workout at a discounted cost. The appeal of boxing is not only the physical challenge but the sense of accomplishment, stress relief and the community it provides.
The student membership promo starts Sept. 1, and registration ends Sept. 30. This comes packaged as a four-month membership for the price of three. That rings up as $210 while a standard one-month membership costs $105.
“Boxing offers students a stress reliever, a way to get your mind off school and assignments,” said Administrative Assistant and longtime member Jesse Jordan, who has trained for over 10 years. “It also offers a bit of a community. There are always new people here, and people who have been here for decades. It’s very welcoming.”
Unlike traditional gym training, boxing keeps participants engaged both mentally and physically. Classes provide a commun ity connection with others and a sense of accomplish ment after class.
While the classes are challenging, they are also engaging. As Jordan noted, you can sharpen your skills if you want, or “zone out and hit the bag.”
oured the over 100 years of student advocacy UMSU has under its belt. For Singh, the naming provides a “powerful reminder of UMSU’s legacy.”
Singh added, “every morning I travel on that road and I just think about the many students that came to the U of M campuses before me.”
One event for student advocacy, the planned Tuition Freeze Rally, was initially planned for this summer, but will instead take place in the near future with a date to be announced soon. The reasoning behind this was twofold: lower student body engagement during the summer, and the desire to walk into this with “a stronger front,” alongside other Manitoban student unions. “A cap on tuition would basically benefit all stu-
dents in the province,” said Singh. “We want to make sure that it’s a strong and united effort when we move forward with it.”
Looking forward to the fall term
The halls of University Centre have been empty compared to the fall and winter semesters, a sight that Singh shared is “a bit heartbreaking.” “I look forward to welcoming all these students back on campus,” he added. “Usually, when you think of the University Centre, it’s packed, so I can’t wait to see the same vibe.”
Pan Am Boxing is located in Winnipeg’s Exchange District and emphasizes inclusivity through unique community programming. Alongside their back-to-school student promo, Pan Am Boxing has free youth classes and ‘Umbrella Boxing,’ a weekly class dedicated to 2SLGBTQIA+ participants.
The gym also operates Pan Am Place next door, which is a transitional housing program.
These programs set Pan Am Boxing apart from larger commer cial gyms.
“We have a ton of free programming and ways of supporting the community that a lot of bigger gyms don’t necessarily have,” said Jordan.
For students looking for a different and affordable way to reduce stress and invite some physical activity into their schedule, the September student promo may be an entry point into something that extends beyond fitness with a chance to join a new, dynamic, and supportive community.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY PAN AM BOXING
Scent the season anew
New business creates a custom fragrance-building experience
Jesse Brogan, staff
As students across Winnipeg prepare their online calendars, buy fresh notebooks and choose the best mechanical pencils that will need to be refilled, a new kind of back-to-school ritual is taking shape. This one does not involve textbooks or timetables, but fragrance bottles.
Scent the Soul, a unique new business located at 285 Maxwell Place, offers a createyour-own fragrance experience where visitors can mix, test and personalize scents in any combination they want. Custom scents may reflect visitors’ memories, moods or sense of style.
Scent the Soul, launched last month by co-owners Ohine Seidu and Sashana McLeod, aims to fill a gap in Winnipeg’s retail landscape. Inspired by a workshop they attended in Toronto called Orris Labs, the pair decided to bring the idea home.
“We don’t have this in Winnipeg,” said Seidu. “Perfumes or fragrances have always been a luxury product. But for us it was more like a powerful trigger of memory, emotions and identity. We are kind of fascinated by how a single scent can remind us of someone or a particular time in our childhood.”
Inside the workshop, customers are seated at a table lined with rows of bottles
offering up to 77 scent options, which range from fruity and floral to woody and earthy. Guests typically spend up to two hours experimenting with combinations and learning the art of layering scents, guided by staff, before bottling their own signature fragrance.
The experience can also accommodate birthday parties, bridal groups and families. Students have also been among the early customers, and Seidu said that customers come in with plans to match their scent to the season.
The pricing is designed with accessibility in mind. While high-end perfumes often sell for $200 or more, a full workshop experience at Scent the Soul costs about $85. Discounts are available for firsttime visitors, and customers receive a lifetime loyalty card offering 10 per cent off future visits.
The accessibility of the product continues with every recipe recorded. Once a customer creates a signature fragrance, it can be reordered without repeating the full workshop. Plus, their custom fragrance can even be delivered directly to their door.
For Seidu, who is also a student taking online classes, the workshop is about more than business. He describes it as a space for connection and self-expression.
“The workshop is not just about mixing the ingredients. It’s more like a self-expression,” said Seidu. “Each student, each participant, they bring their own story to the table, they bring their own preferences.” Through these workshops, Seidu said we become human by opening up
to one another. Every conversation is welcome.
He recalled one customer who asked for a scent that reminded them of their late grandmother, and the importance of having the conversation to get the details right and remind the customer of a past experience
of theirs. Some, he said, simply want their fragrance to standout to turn heads the moment they walk by. In the end, the Scent the Soul workshop aims to help people create a personal fragrance to express themselves in their day-to-day lives.
CAMI celebrates Colombia’s independence in Winnipeg
CAMI brings Colombians together to celebrate culture and community
Roy Albright Obah, staff
The Colombian Alliance in Manitoba Inc. (CAMI) brought the warmth and vibrancy of Colombian culture to Winnipeg during a festive celebration honouring Colombia’s independence day on Sunday, July 20.
The event, marking the 215th anniversary of Colombia’s 1810 declaration of independence from Spain, served as a cultural feast and dance, uniting Colombians from across the province.
The festivities commenced on Friday, July 18 with a flag-raising ceremony at Winnipeg City Hall, attended by community leaders, including representatives from the Elmwood area. This set the stage for the main Sunday gathering — a vibrant display of Colombian heritage fostering community spirit.
Among the attendees was Dana Hernandez, a fourth-
year honours anthropology student at the U of M. Hernandez, who has been immersed in Colombian culture since childhood, spoke about CAMI’s role in helping Colombians adapt to life in Canada.
“It’s an organization that helps Colombian immigrants, refugees [and] newcomers with resources to get settled here.”
English and music classes are also provided “so that people can begin to really settle and find community in Manitoba,” she included.
to accessibility, offering programs freely to the community, crediting significant support from benefactors like the late councillor, Jason Schreyer, who helped CAMI “tremendously” over the past several years.
Cardenas urged Colombian students at the U of M to get
enas noted, referring to traditional Colombian folk music classes held weekly.
“It’s an organization that helps Colombian immigrants, refugees [and] newcomers with resources […] so that people can begin to really settle and find community in Manitoba”
— Dana Hernandez, U of M student
Diego Cardenas, a CAMI volunteer since 2019, shared his personal connection. “The biggest joy [CAMI] brings me is keeping our Colombian culture […] alive.” He emphasized CAMI’s commitment
involved with CAMI’s community and their culture. “I’ll invite them to just party like Colombian people party, to bring some joy to their lives.”
CAMI offers programs that preserve tradition and encourage social integration. “Every Friday is Gaita,” Card-
Also present at the celebration was Marleny Bonnycastle, an associate professor in the faculty of social work at the U of M. A Canadian Colombian herself, Bonnycastle serves as a board member and an active contributor to CAMI where she supports capacity building, funding initiatives and grant applications. This organization, she said, “brings [together] different generations of people,” something she sees as “amazing.”
She stressed CAMI’s inclusive approach to all ages, stating the organization’s role in helping newcomers adapt to life in Canada through community-led initiatives.
According to Cardenas, it is easy to connect with CAMI. “Our lines are always open. We have WhatsApp groups […] you can just join them to know when the events are going to be.” He added membership is “always free.” More information can be found on their website, colombianalliancemb.org.
The July 20 celebration exemplified CAMI’s ongoing success in creating a vital sense of home and cultural continuity for Colombians in Manitoba.
Founded in 2018 CAMI is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Colombians arriving and residing in Manitoba. Its mission focuses on implementing social projects that promote well-being and culture, facilitate integration and foster community development.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY SCENT THE SOUL
LEFT: OHINE SEIDU, RIGHT: SASHANA MCLEOD
HSC celebrates Janmashtami with community
Students unite through music, dance and tradition to celebrate Lord Krishna’s birth
Roy Albright Obah, staff
Music and devotional songs filled the Engineering Atrium at U of M on Friday, Aug. 8, as the Hindu Students Council (HSC) held its Janmashtami celebration. The event marked the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and brought together faculty, students and families for an evening of cultural performances and community gathering. Originally scheduled for the U of M quad, the celebration was moved indoors due to bad weather.
Diya Jairath, HSC vice president, said, “Janmashtami is Lord Krishna’s birth […] celebrated with bhajans (devotional songs), chanting and re-enactments of Krishna’s birth story.”
the dance performances showcasing incredible talent and adding so much energy to the celebration,” said Bhavya Vats, vice president of events management. She described the planning process, “It was a well-planned effort where every team member contributed their skills and creativity […] We divided tasks so each part of the event could be handled efficiently.”
The evening was not with-
for sound and stage, create more opportunities for audience interaction and continue featuring vibrant performances, beautiful decorations and a variety of vendors.”
Divyanshu Chadda, vice president of external and internal affairs, serving as master of ceremonies for the program, noted the extensive work that went into preparing the celebration. “Preparations involved weeks of planning to ensure that the event was authentic and welcoming for all the guests,” he said.
“The purpose of this gathering was to have a lively celebration with our community […] Those away from their families have a chance to celebrate without missing home”
— Diya Jairath, HSC vice president
“Lord Krishna’s life and teachings focus on the importance of love, compassion and selfless service.” She added, “the purpose of this gathering was to have a lively celebration with our community […] Those away from their families have a chance to celebrate without missing home.”
Attendees danced to traditional tunes while performers presented cultural pieces. “The biggest highlights were
out challenges. Ashish Charaya, marketing president, said there “was a major sound issue.” Charaya added, “this setback delayed our event by about an hour and 45 minutes.” Despite the delay, Charaya said the turnout was “very good” and attendee feedback was “overwhelmingly positive.” He promised, “we’ve learned a lot from this experience […] so we’ll be better equipped next time.” Charaya added, “Students can expect our future events to be even more organized, engaging and inclusive […] We plan to bring in more professional support
For the HSC, Janmashtami is also about community building. “Our aim is to build a community and be involved on campus, we want to engage students in festivals and cultural activities but also support each other as students,” said Jairath.
Students interested in joining HSC can find the membership registration link in the group’s Instagram bio. “We welcome everyone,” Jairath said, “and cannot wait to expand our community.”
For updates on upcoming events, follow HSC on Instagram at @hsc_uofm.
Research & Technology
Surveillance and sense of safety Study explores Winnipeggers’
Mansura Akter Meghla, staff
W hen Graham Baffour
Adumata heard about a stabbing incident at Winnipeg’s Millennium Library, the first thought that crossed his mind was, “It could have been me.”
Adumata, a U of M sociology graduate and a regular visitor to the Millenium Library, then found himself reflecting on the role of surveillance in public spaces. “I know that there are CCTV (closed-circuit television) in public spaces. So, I asked myself, couldn’t this CCTV or the personnel there intervene to prevent such an occurrence?”
That question became the foundation of his master’s research. The research explored how people in Winnipeg perceive CCTV surveillance in public spaces. It particularly focused on how surveillance relates to people’s sense of safety and whether it influences their behaviour or not.
Adumata said his work was shaped by personal experience and frequent media reports of crime. “Every now and then, you will hear of people being stabbed and you will see […] people breaking into shops,” he noted. These concerns, he added, motivated him to examine whether surveillance acts as a deterrent to crime.
Through interviews with participants from different backgrounds, the study revealed that individuals interpret surveillance through the lens of their lived experiences.
“Winnipeg is a multicultural society,” Adumata said. “People have different opinions about surveillance.”
One Indigenous participant described CCTV as a tool of oppression, while another participant, who identified as White, considered it a normal aspect of public life. A third participant of African descent referred to CCTV as an “unseen eye,” expressing discomfort with “being watched 24/7” despite not engaging in any wrongdoing.
According to Adumata, participants who had lived under strict government systems tended to view surveillance more critically, often associating it with state control. Some described it as a tool used to monitor and control the population, while others said the constant presence of cameras made them feel objectified, as if they had to justify their presence in public spaces.
There were also noticeable differences based on gender.
perceptions of CCTV in public spaces
While not the central focus of the study, Adumata observed that female participants were more likely to view CCTV positively.
His study showed women feel CCTV “will maybe serve as a form of evidence after a crime has been committed [against them],” he explained. Some participants said they felt safer knowing a camera was nearby, noting that individuals who are sober and aware of their actions may back off when they see a camera.
Male participants “felt that it would be difficult for people to attack them because they can fight back,” so to them it did not matter if there was a CCTV around or not, he said. Although, “surveillance has become part of modern soci-
eties,” the research revealed concerns about the misuse of surveillance data and the potential for racial bias. Some participants in the study questioned the individuals reviewing the footage and the standards used to label certain behaviour as suspicious. Participants also stressed the need for accountability, with several calling for stronger data protection measures. For many, the issue was the lack of transparency around who monitors the footage and how decisions are made.
One participant suggested including people from diverse backgrounds in surveillance roles to help reduce bias. This is “so that there will be a holistic surveillance,” to avoid targeting a particular group of
individuals. The idea was if monitoring is dominated by a single group, there is a risk of reinforcing stereotypes and misjudging behaviour based on preconceived ideas.
The placement of cameras also came up frequently. Participants suggested CCTV is often installed in high-traffic areas rather than in locations where crime is more likely to occur, such as alleyways or back entrances of buildings.
Others felt that CCTV should not be used as a “standalone” crime prevention tool — cameras need to be supported by other measures.
Some participants believed “there should be police on the road, monitoring others. There should also be adequate lighting […] regular checks on the surveillance cameras to
know that they are working,” Adumata explained.
Adumata’s research revealed that CCTV is often seen as a symbolic gaze, one that influences behaviour in line with social or religious norms. It showed that public perceptions of surveillance are shaped by a combination of personal safety concerns, socio-cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs and broader trust in public institutions. “Surveillance goes beyond cameras and technology,” Adumata confirmed.
He hoped his findings will encourage policymakers to consult communities before installing surveillance systems and to adopt strategies that are responsive to people’s concerns.
GRAPHIC BY EMMA GILLICH / STAFF
Of plagues and pests A tale of ecology and vector-borne diseases
Boris Tsun Hang Leung, staff
Recently, there have been outbreaks of chikungunya fever across the world, affecting regions such as China, Bolivia and various countries bordering the Indian Ocean.
Symptoms of the disease include a sudden fever and debilitating joint pain. Although many patients make a full recovery, infants and the elderly are at risk of organ damage and even death. Currently, there is no specific treatment for the disease, and vaccines are not widely available nor used.
The chikungunya virus is mostly transmitted between humans by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which are mosquitoes with a distinctive, spotted black and white colouring. When a mosquito feeds on an infected person, it too becomes infected with the virus and imparts it on whoever it feeds from next.
Chikungunya is an example of a vector-borne disease, meaning that it is transmitted to humans via living organisms, usually arthropods such as mosquitoes, ticks and flies. In this case, the mosquito passes on the disease by harboring pathogens inside its body and biting its victim.
In the transmission cycles of other diseases, however, vectors may pick up germs on the outside of their bodies and infect others through physical contact. This is how the housefly infects humans with yaws, cholera and salmonella, for example.
Chikungunya is historically endemic to tropical climates but, as of August, there have been 111 locally acquired cases in France and seven in Italy this year.
Unfortunately, the emergence of vector-borne diseases and their spread from endemic to previously lowrisk locales are not purely natural phenomena — they are also results of the ever-shifting ecologies that humans create.
To fully understand the current distribution of diseases, we must first turn to the past.
Some pathogens responsible for vector-borne diseases have been around from time immemorial. The oldest sample of the malaria parasite, for instance, dates to tens of millions of years ago and was found inside a mosquito trapped inside amber in the Dominican Republic.
Hunter-gatherers in the past experienced diseases such as malaria, but around
12,000 years ago some of them started to cultivate crops, domesticate animals and settle in villages. This shift, known as the Neolithic Revolution, birthed a new set of disease dynamics, and population growth, urbanisation and animal domestication all facilitated the spread of diseases or gave rise to new ones.
Over centuries, agriculture has only grown, now with substantial changes to the environment. For example, the clearing of forests for farmlands and livestock has created more open spaces, which are favourable breeding conditions for malaria-spreading mosquitoes.
Moreover, human settlements have been encroaching into forests due to population growth and urban expansion, especially in developing countries. People who live in these newly settled areas are at a heightened risk of infection as they are more likely to encounter vectors.
Currently, the mosquito is by far the deadliest animal on Earth, claiming more than 700,000 lives each year. However, vector-borne dis-
eases are not equally distributed across the global population. 94 per cent of malaria infections occur in Sub-Saharan Africa, while South and Southeast Asia and tropical Latin America are most affected by dengue. These are some of the least developed regions of the world where disease burden is compounded by poverty, inadequate housing and the lack of access to quality healthcare.
It may seem as though much of the Western world is spared from vector-borne diseases, but climate change has led to the expansion of disease vectors into new territories. Recently, a combination of warmer weather and floods has allowed mosquitoes and ticks to establish themselves in Europe, causing an upswing in dengue, West Nile virus and tick-borne encephalitis infections in its temperate regions. It is also suggested that Europe’s relative lack of immunity and recent experience with such diseases will cause heightened morbidity and mortality.
In Canada, Lyme disease is the most reported vec-
tor-borne disease, with most cases appearing in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. Annual infections have increased dramatically over the past two decades from 144 cases in 2009 to 5,239 in 2024, though underreporting could obscure the actual number of cases.
Canada is no exception to the global trend of increasingly numerous vectors and associated diseases. With warmer weather, ticks have longer growing seasons, more suitable habitats and more opportunities to infect people.
The rise of vector-borne diseases across the globe has provoked numerous infection control measures from habitat control to insecticide-treated bed nets, but intervention strategies are not unsullied by controversy.
In the past decade, people in malaria-stricken countries across the world have been spotted using treated mosquito bed nets as fishing nets, leading to overfishing and, potentially, the contamination of water bodies.
Despite being made illegal by governments, impover-
ished fishermen continue to fish with treated nets in order to make ends meet. A New York Times YouTube video has even described their situation as “fight malaria or starve.”
It has also come to light that the use of pyrethroid insecticides, a popular choice in control programs, has created selective pressure for insecticide-resistant mosquitoes, rendering control efforts less effective. Furthermore, pesticides in general may cause a loss in biodiversity by affecting the growth, reproduction and behaviour of non-target species.
The story of plagues and pests is not a simple tale of man versus insect, but a convoluted narrative involving our evolutionary past, climate change and global inequalities. There seems to be no clear solution on the horizon, but there is a growing awareness that human health is intrinsically tied to the wellbeing of our environment — perhaps this knowledge will be our most powerful tool moving forward.
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To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column, and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely. In Straights, like Sudoku, no single number 1 to 9 can repeat in any row or column. But rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. Each compartment must form a “straight.” A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but it can be in any order, eg [7,6,9,8]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to see how “straights” are formed.
Summertime sadness
Trapped in a summer slump
Quinn Mayhew, staff
Every year, I feel as if summer has slipped by without me achieving anything at all. At any given moment this summer, I was either lazing around with my feet kicked up on my leather chair or working my part-time job.
I grew up with my summers never being all that productive. I never went to summer camp, not once, and my form of entertainment was often wrestling with my sister for the TV remote so I could watch Gravity Falls
Summer is often built up as the epitome of the year that everyone waits for. There is an expectation that you are supposed to take a trip or go to the lake, see friends or hit up your local pub every weekend and so on.
As I’m writing this article, I have “Summertime Sadness” by Lana Del Rey playing on repeat while eating from a huge bag of Lay’s chips. It may be fair to say my summer definitely did not live up to the expectations I had created in my head.
This idea of what a ‘successful’ summer should look like adds pressure on people’s plans. For me, my lack of money this summer became a difficult issue to overcome. My lack of motivation comes from burnout from the previous academic year and, even now, I still feel like I have yet to fully recover, despite having months to relax.
Though I am surrounded by family, friends and the opportunity to go out, I do everything I can to avoid leaving the house. I opt instead to be kept company by my cat and whatever piques my interest on Netflix.
Everywhere I look, everyone seems to be having fun. It feels almost comical when you have no school to distract you, and Instagram keeps feeding you endless images of beach houses and Italian getaways that everyone but you seems to be enjoying.
Television programs also
help push this idea of summer that just feels so unrealistic. Much of these unrealistic versions of summer often stem from either cartoons or popular television shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty, which you might be living under a rock if you have not heard of by now.
The series showcases a love triangle, blending emotional intensity and a romantic fan-
tasy. This show takes place in a huge summer beach house just off Cape Cod. The plot revolves around one girl and her romantic interest in two brothers.
This show depicts an ideal summer surrounded by parties, a huge beach house and young love. This TV show idealizes a version of summer that leaves me comparing my life to this made-up romance
fantasy that simply may not exist in the real world.
I think these depictions of what summer is leave us feeling as though we’re doing summer wrong and ultimately make us believe that this unrealistic version of summer is somehow achievable for everybody when it’s not.
Summer is supposed to be, in my opinion, carefree and about doing what you want,
not what everybody thinks you should be doing.
Perhaps it’s not knowing what the days of summer will look like that makes summer all worth it, the thrill of waking up and not knowing what you’re going to do for the day, instead of already having everything mapped out.
Maybe it’s not knowing that makes summer worth it.
GRAPHIC BY EMMA GILLICH / STAFF
Lessons from Dead Poets Society
What the cult classic film can teach us about student life
Boris Tsun Hang Leung, staff
Thirty-six years after its release, I recently had the opportunity to watch one of the cult classic back-toschool films, Dead Poets Society. Although filmed more than three decades ago, this story of a gang of awkwardyet-driven New England schoolboys and their eccentric English teacher continues to provide insight on how to make the most of our time as students.
In the movie, shy Todd Anderson is enrolled in a posh boarding school where schoolboys are governed by rigid time schedules and traditionalist, near-authoritarian teachers. Todd quickly becomes close friends with his roommate Neil Perry and a crew of other students, who are all in Mr. Keating’s English class.
To the students’ surprise, Keating instructs them to do bizarre tasks, from standing atop desks to marching in the school’s courtyard to teach them important life lessons. The boys, feeling inspired, take the lessons to heart and seize the day in their own ways, though not without consequences.
Many of us at U of M may find it difficult to relate to the White Anglo-Saxon Protestant characters and the repressive preparatory school setting in Dead Poets Society. However, as I approach the end of my undergraduate degree, I cannot help but reflect on my time in university in connection with the film.
Thinking outside the box
Keating teaches his students to think differently and to let go of stifling conventions that do not serve them. In one scene, he asks his students to rip out a chapter from a textbook that reductively suggests a poem can be evalu-
ated based on its “perfection” and “importance.”
University should be a place for innovation and academic freedom, so the film teaches us not be afraid to use the lessons we have been taught in unorthodox ways, or even disregard them sometimes. It might be helpful to still learn the rules first, however. As the saying goes, ‘learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.’
The power of the humanities
In the film, Keating says, “medicine, law, business,
engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.” Keating’s passion for poetry shows the boys how art can be used to express oneself and challenge oppressive power structures. In an era of capitalism where profitability is prioritized above all, ambitions in the humanities can often be overlooked as trivial pursuits or unwise career choices. Not everyone can pursue literature, theatre or music as careers, but perhaps use one of your electives to take a humanities class you are
interested in — you might be surprised by what you can get out of it.
Friendship
This is a theme that has been repeated ad nauseam in popular media, but Dead Poets Society excels in depicting the close bonds between the boys. They constantly tease each other with playful banter, but they also care deeply for each other when tragedy strikes.
I have met more people during my degree than I ever had in the previous years of my life. Some will stay, many will go, a few may remain in
my life for years to come, but the impact of these connections made in university will last my whole life.
Carpe Diem
Most importantly, Mr. Keating urges his students to seize the day, be daring and to live without regret, within reason.
Think about why you first started university. How can you make the most out of your time here in this fleeting, formative part of your life? In essence, what would it mean for you right now to truly seize the day?
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TOUCHSTONE PICTURES
Stanley County Cut-Ups releases “All Aboard”
Local band pays lively tribute to classic bluegrass song
Boris Tsun Hang Leung, staff
L
ast month, the Manitoban bluegrass band Stanley County Cut-Ups released its latest single “All Aboard,” a cover of a classic bluegrass song. With powerful vocals backed by high-energy musicians on guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and bass, the Cut-Ups take listeners on a thrilling musical train ride.
Tim Osmond, who plays banjo in the band, wrote that “All Aboard” was first recorded by The Del McCoury Band in 2001.
“Del McCoury is a living legend of bluegrass music and is still performing in his 86th year on Earth.” On behalf of the band, Osmond said, “all of us love his music and appreciate the contribution and inspiration he has given the world […] This song in particular was a favourite with the band due to [its] kickass drive, and T.J.’s vocals just nail it.”
“All Aboard” tells the story of a speaker on a train when a mysterious stranger strikes up a conversation with them about the fellow passengers. The train reflects a poignant metaphor for life — some pas-
sengers are so preoccupied with trivial matters they forget to look out the window and enjoy the ride.
The band’s passion for the original is certainly reflected in their cover. T.J. Blair, the main vocalist on the track, delivered a strong performance. His vocals are powerful, resonant and with an edge of roughness to evoke the rugged landscape of the Appalachian Mountains where bluegrass originates.
Though not a bluegrass musician, I instantly recognized the dexterity, groove and finesse required of the instrumentalists to execute the virtuosic licks and solo passages in the track. Recorded and mastered in Winnipeg by Jaxon Haldane and Jamie Sitar respectively, the sound quality is nothing short of superb.
Osmond explained that the Stanley County Cut-Ups began almost two decades ago when he started playing with bassist Jess Reimer and mandolinist Jeremy Hamm. Coincidentally, the three musicians all lived on Sherbrook Street.
“We originally met one
day while we were playing on our respective porches, and between the sounds of the buses and motorcycles, I could hear a mandolin and bass coming from somewhere. And they could hear a banjo coming from somewhere. We’ve been playing together ever since,” wrote Osmond.
With guitarist T.J. Blair and fiddler Jeremy Penner joining soon after, the band was
complete. Osmond described the Cut-Ups as enjoyers of the classic bluegrass sound who play country-flavoured music with a folksy twist.
The band is currently on track to perform gigs across Manitoba in the fall and at the Folk Music Ontario Conference in Ottawa in October.
“We’re hoping to bring our brand of Manitoba bluegrass outside the province, next
year and beyond,” Osmond said.
“All Aboard” is available for download on Bandcamp and at stanleycountycutups.com. Follow the Stanley County Cut-Ups on Instagram and Facebook at @stanleycountycutups to keep up with future performances and releases.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY WINNIPEG FOLK FESTIVAL
Bisons men’s football season starts August 28
Head
coach Stan Pierre shares thoughts on the team’s preparation for the new season
Abdul-Jalilu Ahmed, staff
The Bisons men’s football head coach Stan Pierre has stated that preparations for the 2025 season are going well as the team looks ahead to the season opener.
“We just finished our twoweek training camp and completed an exhibition game last night. So we’re moving forward and the team is coming together, and we’re looking forward to our start next week in Vancouver.”
Pierre outlined the steps needed to successfully integrate both experienced and young athletes. “It’s a balance of catching the new guys
up but trying not to lower the veteran players’ expectations about some of the things we’re going to do.” He added, “It’s a balance, for sure, but the bottom line is we have to make sure we’re preparing our most inexperienced players, because it’s going to be, frankly, harder for them to transition.”
He noted that the exhibition games played so far have been valuable for the team’s development. “We’re learning lessons every day. That’s basically what we’re doing with the [players], finding ways to make them better and teaching them ways
to do things better. So, there’s always lessons, win, lose or draw, in a football game, and the [players] will be in here at noon, they’ll be watching the film and trying to improve.”
Pierre hopes to guide the athletes with his experience while also looking forward to learning in his new role. “My experience hopefully will help me guide these players, especially in some of their life situations. I’ve seen a lot of different situations with our student athletes over the years, but I think I’m experiencing a lot of new things in my new role as well. So there’s lots of learning for me to do as well.
So I think we’ll spend a lot of time learning from each other this season.”
According to Pierre, the upcoming season will witness “a team that’s very competitive, that will play very hard, be very disciplined [and] will represent the university in a positive light.”
Pierre continued, “It’s the beginning of my chapter as head coach. So hopefully they’ll set the foundation for the future years of what the expectations are now to play for the U of M.”
Pierre stated that the team will remain committed to hard work and preparation
for the season. “Every week’s a new challenge, a new team, and it always seems like we’re bustling to try to get prepared for the next week. So, the one thing I will promise you is we will work very hard to try to make sure that we’re prepared.”
The Bisons men’s football team will play the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds in their season opener in Vancouver on Thursday Aug. 28 at 8 p.m. CT.
PHOTO BY NISCHAL KARKI / STAFF
The Bisons are back!
The Bisons women’s soccer season kicks off on August 29 against
Abdul-Jalilu Ahmed, staff
Women’s Soccer
The Bisons men’s and women’s teams are gearing up for the 2025-26 season, which will feature a full schedule of home and away games throughout the campaign.
Men’s Football
The Bisons men’s football team will open their season away against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 8:30 p.m. CT. They will then face the Calgary Dinos on Friday, Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. CT.
The Bisons’ home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. CT, when they host the Saskatchewan Huskies at the Princess Auto Stadium. Homecoming follows a week later on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. CT, as the Bisons take on the Alberta Golden Bears at the Princess Auto Stadium. To close out the month, the
Bisons will travel to face the Regina Rams on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 3 p.m. CT.
In October, the Bisons return to action on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 12 p.m. CT with another matchup against the UBC Thunderbirds. The Bisons will host the Calgary Dinos on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. CT, before wrapping up the regular season on the road against the Saskatchewan Huskies on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 3 p.m. CT.
The Hardy Cup semifinal is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1, followed by the 88th Hardy Cup final on Saturday, Nov. 8.
The Bisons women’s soccer team will kick off their season on Friday, Aug. 29 away against the MacEwan Griffins at 1 p.m. CT, followed by a second match in the series on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 1 p.m. CT. The team will travel to face the Regina Cougars on Saturday, Sept. 6 and Sunday, Sept. 7, with both matches scheduled for 1p.m. CT.
For their first home games, the Bisons will host the Mount Royal Cougars at the West Turf Field on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 12 p.m. CT and Sunday, Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. CT. They will then welcome the Saskatchewan Huskies to Princess Auto Stadium for back-to-back evening matches on Friday, Sept. 19 and Saturday, Sept. 20, both kicking off
at 7 p.m. CT.
The Bisons will wrap up their September schedule with two away games against the Calgary Dinos on Friday, Sept. 26 and Saturday, Sept. 27, both starting at 8 p.m. CT.
On Saturday, Oct. 4, the Bisons will play the Alberta Pandas at 1 p.m. CT, with the second match of the series taking place the following day, Sunday, Oct. 5, also at 1 p.m. CT.
The Bisons will then welcome the Lethbridge Pronghorns at West Turf Field on Saturday, Oct 18 at 11 a.m. CT and on Sunday, Oct 19 at the Princess Auto Stadium at 12 p.m. CT.
The Canada West quarterfinal is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 24.
Men’s Basketball
The Bisons men’s basketball team will take part in an exhibition tournament from Thursday, Oct. 9 to Saturday, Oct. 11 at Investors Group Athletic Centre.
The Bisons will open the regular season on Friday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. against the Brandon Bobcats. The following weekend, the Bisons will take on the Regina Cougars on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. CT and Saturday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. CT.
The home opener for the Bisons comes at Investors Group Athletic Centre on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. CT against the Saskatchewan Huskies, with the second game of the series happening on Friday, Nov. 7 at the same time.
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