27 February 2013

THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA STUDENTS’ NEWSPAPER

Rally for action at U of M page 3

n e ws

co m m e n t

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

a rts & c u lt u r e

s p o rts

Three Minutes

Sprawl talk

The Pirate Bay

Risk + reward

Rubber match

Grad students pitch breakneckspeed thesis presentations

page 4

Should city develop better development fee policy? page 10

Following the exploits of a few torrent wranglers page 11

Winnipeg Adventure Film Fest takes over Park Theatre page 13

Vo l 9 9 ½ · N o 2 3 · F e b r ua ry 2 7, 2 0 1 3 · w w w.t h e m a n i to b a n .co m

Men's hockey forces third playoff game against Huskies

page 19

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Index

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 23 February 27, 2013

News

| pa g e s 3 – 6

4

Internation news briefs

5

Temporarily displaced

Science & Tech

11

Editorial

| pa g e 7

cover image

“UMSU Rally” by Beibei Lu

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

UMSU

| pgs 11–12

The sky is falling

Arts & Culture 13

Risk and reward

13

Locals to look out for

| pgs 13–17

| pa g e 8

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Diversions

| pa g e 1 8

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Comment

| pa g e s 9 – 1 0

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Sports

10

Important lessons

| pa g e s 1 9 – 2 0

19

Basketball team hits roadblock

20

The 2013 Manitoban hockey pool

Based on the campus rally last week, what is your opinion of the privately owned company, Aramark, controlling most the the campus food service?

Toban Talkback

Q:

Nawaz Shah

Harshvir Bali

Davids Nesca

Alison Ostry

“All of these restaurants should be under UMSU [ . . . ] The motive of any business is to make profit [ . . . ] Food is pretty expensive on campus and [there is] a lot of exploitation.”

“Somebody does have to control [campus food] even if they do control a larger portion [ . . . ] I think it makes people slightly uncomfortable that this one company controls so much.”

“It would probably be better in general to have smaller companies and even privately owned small businesses [to] supply the food rather than bigger companies because the bigger companies are everywhere else.”

“I think it's pretty good, [the food] is kind of expensive. I don't really eat a lot of the food here.”

Rachel Wood, staff

2nd-year ar ts

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2nd-year ar ts

Senior News Editor: Rachel Wood News Editor: Jill Patterson Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

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News

Hundreds gather to protest Rally for action at U of M calls campus privatization into question Quinn Richert, staff

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long with five campus labour unions, the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) held a rally at Chancellor’s Circle, outside the administration building, on Wednesday, Feb. 13 to protest various forms of privatization at the U of M. Additional unions present to protest included the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA), CAW Local 3007, AESES, and CUPE locals 3909 and 1482.

A flyer distributed by UMFA

lists many grievances that the union, which represents U of M academics, has with the administration.

Among these are confidential corporate contracts, which “place unnecessary restrictions on academics.” One such contract with Xerox includes “penalties for faculties and departments who make less than a minimum or more than a maximum number of copies.”

UMFA also takes issue with the presence of the International College of Manitoba (ICM) on campus. ICM

is run by Navitas, an Australian com- department, are adamantly against versity administration’s unwillingness pany, and is involved in recruiting it and I think most departments are,” to consider students’ interests when international students for pre-uni- Scott said. it comes to developing the recently versity courses held on the U of M The Canadian Union of Public purchased Southwood Golf Course. campus.

Employees (CUPE) distributed “The recent purchase of the Previous reports by CBC and the flyers at the rally stating that ICM Southwood Golf Course [ . . . ] Manitoban discussed how ICM has “doesn’t always inform TAs that they gives the U of M a real opportunity been accused of misleading students are working for ICM and not the to directly expand available housing into thinking they are registered as university,” and that “academic staff that meets students’ needs. However, University of Manitoba students, who work for ICM are not protected with planning and development now when in fact they are not. underway, the adminisKevin Scott, a senior tration has resisted both “When we treat our campus instructor in the departmaking student housing a ment of biology, spoke priority for the project and services like businesses, students with the Manitoban about giving students a voice become the university’s why UMFA takes issue on what those housing with ICM. developments will look customers. Not major “They’re using equiplike,” she said. ment that science students Members of the stakeholders. Not the livelihood paid for in their teaching Canadian Auto Workers of the institution.” – Bilan Arte labs, in rooms that all (CAW) union, which taxpayers pay for to make represents caretakers money for an Australian on campus, took to the company,” said Scott. by a union.” podium following Arte to voice their Cameron Morrill, past-president UMSU president Bilan Arte also concerns. of UMFA, echoed Scott’s sentiment weighed in on ICM during a speech Many stories of conflicts between and expanded on the reasons UMFA from the steps of the Administration caretakers and Aramark were disapproves of ICM. Building. recounted, including multiple cases “One of the issues we have with “Our concern was not only because of managers yelling at workers, and ICM is they don’t offer the academic of the way our university’s reputa- an incident in which an employee freedom offered to professors and tion was being hurt by these [CBC] undergoing chemotherapy was asked instructors in regular classes. Also, reports or because students from this to provide a doctor’s note in order to ICM has different policies about campus felt that they were misled by be allowed to wear a headscarf durintellectual property than the uni- recruiters. Our primary concern was ing work. versity has and that is a big deal for that these students have no repreSix days after the rally, an email us,” said Morrill. sentation and no one to advocate for invitation was sent to members of the “My central issue with ICM, how- them or defend them against unfair university community announcing a ever, is that we could have [provided a treatment by their institution,” Arte town hall style meeting to be hosted channel for international students to said to the crowd of hundreds.

by U of M president David Barnard be brought up to speed] without them.

Arte also spoke about the selling on Friday, Mar. 1 at 10 a.m. in the We didn’t need a private corporation of essential campus services, such Manitoba Room, University Centre. to come on campus to do that.” as food and janitorial facilities, to The event is open to the public.

Scott also mentioned that the Aramark.

“The entire university community department of biology has openly “When essential campus services has an opportunity to express their expressed its disapproval of Navitas. [ . . . ] are sold off to huge multi- views and concerns, and work out “We called a meeting with our national corporations like Aramark, ways to move forward, and make departmental council and we voted when we treat our campus services sure that the university remains the nearly unanimously—there was one like businesses, students become the attractive institution that it is,” said abstainer—and our department head university’s customers. Not major an administration representative to wrote a letter to the dean saying we stakeholders. Not the livelihood of CBC. will not willingly support or work the institution.” with Navitas in any way. We, as a Arte went on to criticize the uni- photo by Eusebio raposo

National news briefs Jill Patterson, staff

Canadian government to cut military spending

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced plans on Feb. 22 to cut spending in the military by between $1.1 billion and $2.5 billion over the next three years.

These spending cuts are part of a larger plan to restructure the military such that administrative costs will be reduced and funneled instead to frontline initiatives. It is unclear, however, what exactly will be affected by the budget cuts. Also undecided is which missions and assignments the military will be engaging in lieu of the cuts.

Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Tom Lawson said in response that this will allow certain efficiencies to be made.

“So let’s do this really tough work and see what efficiencies we can get through our processes, and then we’ll talk about a rewrite, or at least a refinement or refresh of [the] strategy.

That makes good sense to me.”

Both sides have blamed the other for not providing enough concessions.

Rudy Husny, the spokesman for Trade Minister Ed Fast, commented that the core issues of Canada are the priority.

“We continue to appreciate and encourage the EU’s high level of ambition, especially on the core issues of importance to Canada.”

Canadian EU free trade Husny also stated that the governnegotiations at standstill ment is seeking an agreement that Negotiations of free trade agree- “reflects an appropriate balance of our ments between Canadian and respective interests.”

European Union (EU) officials have EU Trade Commissioner Karel halted due to a lack of agreement. De Gucht claimed that the discus-

sions would be aborted if Canada did not provide a satisfactory offer.

“What was on the table simply didn’t please me, so I didn’t make an agreement. They need to make additional steps and, if not, there will not be an agreement.”

Newfoundland fishing boat capsized off coast

A fishing boat from Newfoundland capsized 129 nautical miles from the coast of Halifax on Sunday, Feb. 17, due to poor weather conditions.

Searches have been conducted of the overturned vessel and there have

been reports that no bodies have been found, although the five fishermen remain missing.

In a statement issued by the RCMP, Department of National Defence, and the Canadian Coast Guard, it was reported that, “the over-turned Miss Ally is located 129 nautical miles South East of Halifax, where the water depth is 900 metres and combined with sea and weather conditions the location of the hull further complicates efforts to investigate the submerged portion of the hull.”

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News

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 23 February 27, 2013

Three Minute Thesis brings research to the public Graduate students strive for best three-minute presentation of their thesis Alycia Rodrigues, staff

T

he last week of February brings the U of M’s first Three Minute Thesis competition (3MT), which aims to present graduate students’ research to the public in a coherent and interesting fashion.

Initially developed by the University of Queensland in 2008, the competition came to Canada in 2011 and was designed for graduate students to explain their research in a way that the general public is able to understand. In three minutes, with only a onepage slide show, students have to outline their research and explain why it is important.

The U of M competition will hold three heats of ten graduate students, with the top three of each heat continuing on to the final competition. The judges of each heat were chosen based on excellence in teaching.

The final competition will be held in the Robert B. Schultz Theatre on Mar. 6 from 7-9 p.m. The judges for the final competition are chosen for their excellence in public speaking, leadership, and journalism.

Final competition judges include University of Manitoba Board of Governors chair and Innovate Manitoba executive chair Janice Lederman, Winnipeg Free Press editor Paul Samyn, and Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy and Southdale MLA Erin Selby.

The first prize winner will receive $5,000 and the second prize winner will be given $2,000. Along with the prizes, the top winners will receive prestige and opportunity. In the final

competition, the audience will also choose a people’s choice winner, who will be awarded $1,000.

Jay Doering, the vice-provost of graduate education and dean of graduate studies, told the Manitoban that the competition requires graduate students to think critically about their research in a different way than they would think about it with fellow peers.

“The 3MT competition is about public speaking – the ability of a challenger to engage and captivate the audience using their oratory skills and only one slide. It has elements of a theatrical performance because the presenter must use tone, expression, gestures, and not just words to convey their message and passion for their research topic,” said Doering.

He explained that it is a chance for students to connect with the public in a way that holds their interest and sparks their imagination. Their passion for their research must stand out in a way that makes it understandable.

“The competition is important to

the university because it showcases messages that will help overcome the university’s exceptional graduate barriers associated with social change. students. Graduate students are the Their research falls under the Centre engine of university research, creativ- for Human Rights and they work ity, and innovation.” closely with First Nations communKatelin Neufeld, one of the com- ities. They also host a series of free petitors in the first heat, shared her public seminars titled “First Nations experience in preparing for the event and the Right to Water.” with the Manitoban. She said it was “Public support is a key part of challenging to centralize the exten- social change; however, people sive amount of research work into are often motivated to resist social one focus. Instead of focusing on the change and maintain the status quo,” research process, she decided to con- she said. centrate on what she believed people Neufeld said that she is excited for would be interested in hearing, which 3MT to bring awareness of the issue involves theories and statistics. and her research to the community, “I tried to pinpoint the ideas that despite her nerves about competing. would be most interesting and rel- Her goal is to create positive change evant to people outside of psychology,” by increasing the amount of public said Neufeld, who is in the first year awareness. of her master’s program for social “Simply participating in this compsychology. petition will help to increase awareThe main goal of Neufeld’s ness of the issue, but winning would research is to help with the develop- likely draw even more attention and ment of bringing clean running water hopefully more support.” to all First Nations homes, as 28 per cent of First Nations homes do not have this basic need.

Neufeld currently collaborates with her peers to develop advocacy illustration by bradly wohlgemuth

i n t e r n at i o n a l news briefs

ADULT PARTICIPANTS WANTED for research study

about learning to instruct persons with developmental delay or autism. Min. Gr. 11 education required, participation may last a total of 25 hrs. $100 honorarium offered.

RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDED, $100 HONORARIUM PROVIDED What’s it about? We’re evaluating the effectiveness of computer-aided instruction to teach Discrete-Trials Teaching (DTT) - the basis of early behavioural intervention for children with autism.

What will I do? Participants will be assessed on their DTT knowledge & skill, before and after studying a manual, and/or completing a computerbased course.

Where will it happen? Assessments of DTT knowledge & skill will occur at the University of Manitoba. Studying & computer assignments wil l occur where participant desires.

Maximum participant time may be up to 25 hrs.

You will receive an honorarium of up to 100 dollars.

Participants must be adults with minimum Gr. 11 education.

For more information, contact Jade at 256-4301, ext 5434; umwightj@cc.umanitoba.ca

By Jill Patterson, staff UN denies compensation to Haitians infected with cholera

The United Nations (UN) has denied the request from Haiti for compensation for its citizens affected by a cholera outbreak.

The outbreak is thought to have started from a leaking sewage pipe from a UN camp. The UN, however, denies having caused the epidemic, saying that the cause of the breakout is impossible to determine.

The disease has killed approximately 8,000 people and has infected close to 600,000 people.

A spokesperson for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that the claims for millions of dollars in damages are “not receivable” due to the 1947 convention, which permits immunity for actions of the UN. Afghan president orders U.S. military out of region

The Afghan president has ordered the U.S. military out of the Afghan province of Wardak due to allegations of torture and abductions.

The U.S. was asked to leave within two weeks of Feb. 24.

Aimal Faizi, a spokesman for the president, said that the request for the U.S. to leave was mainly due to the conduct of some Afghan members of the U.S. forces.

“There are some individuals, some Afghans, who are working within these cells, within these [U.S.] special

forces groups. But they are part of U.S. special forces according to our sources and according to our local officials working in the province,” he said.

A U.S. spokesperson said that all allegations of misconduct are taken very seriously, but he could not comment specifically about this incident.

Palestinian prisoners partake in one-day hunger strike

Thousands of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel participated in a one-day hunger strike on Feb. 24 in protest of the treatment and subsequent death of a fellow detainee.

Arafat Jaradat died as a result of a heart attack at the age of 30. Israel has begun an investigation into the matter.

Israel Prisons Service spokeswoman Sivan Weizman said, “About 3,000 prisoners announced that they would refuse meals.”

Jaradat was imprisoned under suspicions of throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers. When news of his death spread, members of his community engaged in throwing stones at Israeli security officials. This resulted in retaliation

by Israeli forces that involved tear gas and grenades.

The office of Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad released a statement expressing “deep sorrow and shock over the martyrdom of prisoner Arafat Jaradat.”

Senior News Editor: Rachel Wood News Editor: Jill Patterson Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

News

5

Temporarily displaced 5 Days for the Homeless participants prepare for the event Rachel Wood, staff

I

n an effort to raise awareness about homelessness and gather donations for a local non-profit organization, several University of Manitoba students are preparing to spend five consecutive days sleeping outside as a part of the national campaign, 5 Days for the Homeless.

The Asper school of business is housing the campaign for the fifth year, raising money for Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY), which works with and supports street-involved and homeless youth in Winnipeg.

Emily Ashley, a marketing and finance student in the Asper school of business, has been involved in the campaign in previous years, but only in the planning process. This year will be her first as a participant sleeping outside.

“I would love to say that I was fully excited but I am kind of nervous to be honest [ . . . ] you

have to reach a state of vulnerability when you are doing this and I’m not used to that,” admitted Ashley.

Supply chain and logistics stu-

dent Jill Stevens was a sleeping These include restrictions from areas participant in 2012 and has taken that their student card allows them on the marketing responsibilities of exclusive access to, and any food the campaign this year. consumed must be perishable food “It was a challenge [ . . . ] One gathered through donations; they of the biggest things I realized will also not receive income, have throughout the campaign is no participation in any personal that I knew I was going home communication media, and will on Friday so I just had to get to demonstrate continued attendance that day and then I was done, in their classes. whereas someone who is homeThroughout the campaign’s hisless doesn’t have the luxury of tory, the event has produced some getting to that target date,” said criticism. Claims that the particiStevens of her experience. pants are not truly experiencing Stevens continued to explain homelessness is a common critique that the campaign t-shirts par- that the students have faced. ticipants wore acted as a security “We really stress that we’re not blanket throughout the week. trying to imitate homelessness “I could hide behind that because you can’t really do that. t-shirt, whereas someone that We just want to start a conversawas actually homeless wouldn’t tion about the topic so that people be able to explain to people why are educated on the facts of youth they didn’t look as put together homelessness,” said Ashley. as people expect them to.”

Stevens continued, “At the end Participants in the campaign of the day, RaY supports the camwill sleep outside from March paign [ . . . ] They agree with what 10 – 15 and must follow strict rules. we’re doing.”

In 2012, nearly $20,000 was donated to RaY through fundraising activities that occurred during the weeklong event, including a coffee house, pancake breakfasts, and a barbeque, all of which are included in this year’s campaign.

While raising money for the non-profit and educating the student body on youth homelessness are the main focuses of the event, 5 Days for the Homeless also unintentionally serves to change common perceptions of Asper students.

“People usually have a stereotypical belief that business students are all about the bottom line and making profit and, in reality, [ . . . ] we do [the campaign] for something bigger: for social responsibility and to make a difference,” said Ashley.

photo by beibei lu

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News

Senior News Editor: Rachel Wood News Editor: Jill Patterson Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Research on residential schools catalogues student deaths at 3,000 Project will continue investigations to fulfill five-year mandate Quinn Richert, staff

N

ew research shows that at least 3,000 children died while attending the Indian residential schools (IRS) system in Canada.

The research was, and continues to be, conducted under the Missing Children Project, whose establishment was recommended by “a working group of multi-party representatives under the direction of the interim director of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC),” and was subsequently undertaken by TRC. TRC documents indicate that it is required to “prepare a report on the history and legacy of the IRS experience” under their five-year mandate. The documents go on to say that cataloguing student deaths and disappearances will be an integral part of this report.

Furthermore, the published mandate for the TRC states that a major goal of the commission is to “create as complete as possible an historical record of the IRS system and legacy [which] shall be preserved and made accessible to the public for future study and use.” The five-year mandate also promises the construction of a research centre.

Thus far, the research remains

unpublished. A recent report by the Canadian Press says that the estimate of 3,000 deaths since the beginning of the IRS during the 1870s might increase as researchers continue to comb through archival materials.

In fact, the number of confirmed deaths rose dramatically from June of last year to the present. A TRC news release dated June 11, 2012 declares, “to date, the Missing Children Project has identified approximately 600 cases of Aboriginal children who died while attending residential schools.”

That same release says that the Missing Children Project has been using data acquired from “federal government and church records which are not complete.”

The research also provides insight into the most common causes of death amongst children at

the schools. Tuberculosis was shown to be a constant threat to students, as was the Spanish flu during the years of 1918-19.

As Alex Maass, research manager for the Missing Children Project, recently told the Canadian Press, “the schools were a particular breeding ground for TB [ . . . ] dormitories were incubation wards.”

Other causes of death were said to include fires and malnutrition, amongst others. Abuse of students by staff was also rampant at residential schools.

Documents cited by the Canadian Press and accessed by the Missing Children Project show that the death rate at residential schools did not begin to noticeably decline until the 1950s.

Peter Kulchyski, a professor in the native studies department at the University of Manitoba, clarified to the Manitoban that, while the general idea underlying residential schools for Aboriginal children was racist and assimilationist, it is important in light of the recent research to draw a distinction between the church-run and government-run systems.

“The government-run residential schools were better than the church-run residential schools,” said Kulchyski. “The church-run schools had very poor standards. You often had a situation where predators could survive and thrive and that aggravated the problem.”

“Government-run residential schools had higher professional standards in terms of who they hired, and also had better quality food. You didn’t have a system where all the better food went to the priests and nuns.”

Despite this, Kulchyski pointed out that in either case, “they were still pulling children away from their families and expecting them to learn in a language that might have been their second language. There were all kinds of problems.”

Kulchyski said that it is important to recognize that

TRC was funded by the settlement and is not overseen by the Canadian government.

“It is a very important thing to say because it means that the commission has an independent status. Its job is not to tell Stephen Harper what he wants to hear, but to determine and publicize the truth.”

The TRC is a commission with a mandate “to learn the truth about what happened in the residential schools and to inform all Canadians about what happened in the schools.”

TRC was established as part of a settlement agreement when residential school survivors brought a lawsuit against the Canadian government and churches involved in running the schools. That settlement granted the TRC a five-year budget of $60 million, as well as individual “compensation for former students.”

Speculating on what the relationship between the Canadian state and Aboriginal communities would look like today had the residential schools system never existed, Kulchyski says that it is hard to say, but nevertheless, “you would see a lot of communities that had much stronger Aboriginal culture.”

illustration by justin ladia

Girl Guides celebrate World Thinking Day Youth learn about world issues and leadership skills Alycia Rodrigues, staff

G

irl Scouts from around the mental health in 2012, according to world gather every year on Feb. the event’s website.

22 to celebrate World Thinking Day, This year brings a double theme a day designed to teach Girl Guides of two issues that are reliant on one about world issues, and this year the another. The first, theme is centred on women and titled “together we children. can save children’s The international Girl Guiding lives,” focuses on and Scouting movement has grown to infant mortality, include over ten million women from while the second over 145 different countries since it issue, “every mothwas founded in 1910. World Thinking er’s life and health Day (until 1999 known as Thinking is precious,” focuses Day) has been celebrated every year on maternal health. since 1926.

T he World There are four main goals of World Association of Girl Thinking Day: learning more about Guides and Girl other international Girl Guides, Scouts are chalengaging in fun educational activities, lenging their members to question the fundraising, and earning a badge. rate of infant mortality and maternal Each year brings a different theme, health. According to their statistics, with previous years focusing on world 90 per cent of infant mortalities in issues, such as water access in 2008; the U.S. occur in newborn babies one HIV, aids, malaria, and other diseases year old and under. This is due, they in 2009; extreme hunger and poverty say, to lack of equal opportunity to in 2010; gender equality and empow- access the necessary prenatal mediering women in 2011; and environ- cal attention in countries that do not

provide healthcare. Economically dis- and take action on important issues gram ensures that it is relevant to the advantaged pregnant women, who are facing girls around the world, and to interests and issues of girls today. It disadvantaged because of either pov- fundraise to support the Canadian is important for the leaders to have erty or language barriers, are then put World Friendship Fund, which helps access to resources and opportunities at risk along with to support Guiding in countries that that they can in turn share with their their fetuses. They are not as fortunate as we are here in Girl Guides. Recent changes include stress the impor- Canada,” said Callahan. uniform redesign and special projects tance of governParticipating in Girl Guides helps such as sustainable living initiatives, ment policy and women in the future by allowing girls empowerment actions, and increased fairness in society. to develop skills at their own pace opportunities for international and Sharron in line with their interests, she said. national travel.

Callahan, the This includes a vested commitment to A major program review is set for chief commissioner community service, using opportuni- the years 2013-2015. Part of this will of Girl Guides ties to think and act beyond what is allow the girls to provide feedback and Canada, told the normally expected, and connecting advocate for issues that are important Manitoban that with nature through activities such to them. a day like World as camping.

“Thinking Day activities are a great Thinking Day is “Guiding is respectful and inclusive way to build interest in the wider important because it enables young of all girls and women, [and] provides world, that leading girls can do to girls to engage in activities at a local a safe environment where girls can discover how individual actions can level, which have a global impact by explore issues that are important to have a global impact,” said Callahan. raising awareness and generating them in environments that are learn- “If everyone did just one action to meet interest in world issues. ing, fun, adventurous, challenging, the Thinking Day themes, the world “Thinking Day is a wonder- and empowering.” for children and women would be ful opportunity for girls and their An important part of the Girl greatly improved.”

Guiders to participate in activities and Guide program is to be open to projects with global themes, to learn change, said Callahan. The pro- illustration by bradly wohlgemuth

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t this very moment, people are lan- the hands of the state. Sadly, the revolution guishing in dark prisons, families are in Egypt has made matters worse for the living in fear, and entire communities face Christian community. Since the revolution, oppression, persecution, and even death, more than 100,000 Coptic Christians have for nothing more than worshipping in fled Egypt, and over 100 have lost their accordance with their own beliefs. lives due to violence.

This is difficult to imagine for many In China, Falun Gong practitioners are of us, as Canada is a land of diversity of forced to express their faith in secret. Those religious faiths. Yet, the equality, toler- in the Falun Gong often face imprisonance, and freedom we enjoy in Canada is ment and violence. not shared by religious minorities in many In Saudi Arabia, the Shia Muslim countries. minority faces significant discrimination, The following list—­­while nowhere near while textbooks created by the state incite complete—can give some idea of how hatred against Jewish people, Christians, widespread the oppression of religious and “polytheists.” minorities is, and how important it is to In Tibet, Buddhists face state oppresstand up for freedom of religion: sion, and in recent months there have In North Korea, Christians are targeted been several self-immolations by Buddhist as being part of the “western enemy,” and monks in protest of the denial of their freeface imprisonment, arrest, and execution at dom and human rights. the hands of the totalHere in Canada, itarian Communist those who practice regime. these faiths are safe, In Canada, we know In Iran, adherand free. This is someents of the Baha’i thing we often take that freedom of faith suffer from viofor granted, but it is religion makes us lence at the hands of something we should the Iranian regime. cherish and defend, stronger, not weaker.

Baha’i adherents are not only abroad, but also spied upon by at home as well. the government, have As we can see, no had their holy sites destroyed, and have faith community is immune from persebeen tortured and imprisoned. cution. Many of these countries oppose In Pakistan, Ahmadi Muslims have freedom of religion because they feel that suffered repression as well as terrorist being open and accepting of diverse faiths attacks. In 2010, two Ahmadi Mosques makes them weaker. This attitude is based were targeted by individuals associated on fear, and it is wrong. with the Pakistani Taliban, and more than Governments are, in the end, nothing 85 innocent people were murdered. but a group of individuals. And to allow In Bangladesh, many Hindus face one group of individuals to deny others oppression and violence. the right to live in accordance with their In Egypt, the Coptic Christian com- principles, is to oppose the very essence of munity has long suffered from resistance at what it means to be free. Understanding

this, we know that individual freedom is not possible without freedom of religion, and freedom of religion is not possible without individual freedom.

It is with this understanding that we acknowledge the fact that the countries where freedom of religion is strongest are also the places where it is safest for those who do not adhere to a religious faith.

Freedom of religion protects all who wish to live in a free society.

Freedom of religion also provides the opportunity for faith-based organizations that are doing incredible work around the globe. Countless lives are saved because of those who give their heart and soul to bring peace, hope, and healing to the most oppressed and impoverished corners of our world. The members of these organizations make tremendous sacrifices and place their lives at risk to help others.

In Canada, we know that freedom of religion makes us stronger, not weaker. Canada is the home of countless individuals, families, and communities, who have fled persecution for their beliefs, because in our nation, people can be true to their faith and live according to their deepest beliefs, and still be fully equal members of our Canadian family.

Freedom of religion is at the core of who we are as Canadians, and by standing up for the right of all to worship and live in keeping with their consciences, we will continue to renew and revitalize the spirit of diversity, tolerance, and freedom that makes Canada the great nation we are today.

Spencer Fernando is the comment editor for the Manitoban. illustration by silvana moran

Comment Editor: Spencer Fernando Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

9

Comment

Economic concerns

Louis Riel Day

How we can avoid America’s struggles

Why it’s important

Richard Jung

Steven Yaschuk

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he United States and its neighbours experienced the Great Recession due to the U.S. housing bubble that erupted in late 2007.

The Great Recession was due to a combination of “crises” in the United States, including a high household debt of US $13.8 trillion (roughly 160 per cent household debt/GDP ratio), a housing bubble, a large government budget deficit, and a trade deficit – which occurs when imports are greater than exports in a nation.

Canada appears to be experiencing similar conditions as pre2008 U.S., with a record high household debt-to-GDP ratio of 164.62 per cent. The breakdown of the debt reveals that 64 per cent is due to mortgages, 28 per cent consumer credit (i.e., credit cards), and 8 per cent non-mortgage loans.

Paired with this large debt is the slowdown in the labour sector, when the economy unexpectedly lost 21,900 jobs in January. The unemployment rate has decreased from 7.1 per cent to 7.0 per cent; this is a misleading statistic, as individuals who give up on their job searches are no longer counted within the unemployment rate.

Many economists in Canada are trade deficit has been reduced arguing that the labour market from $1.7 billion to $901 million. caught up with the slow growth On the surface, the decrease in in the economy. Nonetheless, deficit appears to be an improvethese are not the most comfort- ment to our economy, until we ing statistics. get a closer examination behind Along with a large household the numbers. The decrease in debt and weak economic growth trade deficit occurred due to a 0.9 is another problem: the so-called per cent decrease in exports and housing bubble. Since 2000, 2.8 per cent decrease in imports.

Canadian housing prices are up Our dependence on other econoalmost 100 per cent from their mies’ improvements to better our previous values, and combined domestic conditions should be of with about $500 billion in high- concern. risk or subprime mortgages, this With a halt in the Keystone XL makes up nearly 50 per cent of our pipeline with our primary tradhousing market. The government ing partner, economic growth in is making it harder for individuals Canada could be imperiled. What to purchases houses with the cur- is also alarming is that approxirent low interest rates by making mately 80 per cent of our exports mortgages more difficult to obtain; are directed to the U.S., showing however, many cities in Canada a large interdependence between (mainly Vancouver and Toronto) the two economies. As the saying are seeing a large decrease in goes, never put all your eggs in housing sales. In order to sustain one basket. That’s why the governlong-term growth, Canada will ment’s effort to introduce free trade need a correction in its housing agreements to Asia and developing prices, and will have to increase its a possible pipeline to export oil to interest rates, though preferably in the Asian market is very important the future, as doing so right now for future economic growth, and would have detrimental effects on will help Canada continue to avoid households with large debts. the economic issues that persisIt is true that the Canadian tently trouble the U.S.

o some, Louis Riel Day is just the Métis weren’t even considered any other provincial holiday, full-status Aboriginals under the giving citizens a nice long week- Indian Act. This shows the relend. In other provinces (such evance of Riel’s plight in today’s as Alberta or Saskatchewan) it’s Canada and the importance of this known as Family Day, and serves day to Manitobans, as these values its purpose of reinare still cherished. forcing “family Coincidentally, values,” those vallast Friday kicked Louis Riel ues differing from off Festival du is one of family to family.

Voyageur, another In Prince Edward Manitoba celebrathe utmost Island it’s called tion of heritage and “Islander Day” to pride. It is a great controversial celebrate pride week of trading figures in in the province. and dress-up, espeBut in Manitoba cially if you are a Canadian it’s more than Francophone, as history, but just values and the festival is cenpride; it’s the histered on French who doesn’t tory of where we culture and enterhave come from tainment, but enjoy a little and how we have that doesn’t stop contention? grown.

Anglophones from Louis Riel is enjoying it. one of the utmost Though many controversial figures in Canadian Manitobans see the festivities as history, but who doesn’t enjoy a an extra day of rest, the few who little contention? He fought the went out to Riel Day celebrations, federal government, supporting as well as the Festival du Voyageur, provincial control over federal truly experienced what it means to jurisdiction, and advocated for be Manitoban.

Métis rights. And until this year,

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10

Comment

Comment Editor: Spencer Fernando Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Important lessons What Idle No More has taught me

Subsidizing sprawl The infrastructure deficit continues Steve Snyder

Chris Hearn, volunteer staff

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dle No More, the movement that better. Well, it turns out we have shot up online out of nowhere the exact same racial divide here. appears to have faded just as quickly. And I’m disappointed.

Trying to find mention of it in the Idle No More is about creating a media is becoming a chore these better relationship between Natives days. It’s sad to see the wind go and non-Natives. On the plate are out of the sails on this so quickly, treaty issues, housing, education, because at the core it is an important and the environment. Now, these movement. can be solved through good negoBut what I am walking away tiations and a dedication to change with from the Idle No More move- and improvement. However, stampment is a sense of frustration with ing out the racism and discriminamy fellow Canadians. I have been tion can’t be done so easily. completely disillusioned at the blaWhen Chief Theresa Spence tant racism and ignorance shown was on her much-publicized hunso often when talking about First ger strike, I will admit that I lost Nations people in this country. patience with her. I supported her Canada is seen as a multicultural at first, but as time went on, I felt nation that is inviting for people that it was turning into a farce and from all over not helping t he world. to accomplish I don’t think But, for some much. Now, reason this although I disthere is anyone in openness to agreed with her, include new I was appalled Canada who thinks Canadians by how many that the status in our grand criticisms mosaic doesn’t of her were quo is working seem to extend steeped in steat the moment. to Nat ive reotypes and Canadians. racism. It’s Though I have one thing to no statistics to back it up, from disagree with a person or question observation I believe that the level what they are doing; it’s another of racism and discrimination is thing to attack them based on their highest towards Aboriginals in race. I felt that it was completely this country. unnecessary, counterproductive, There have been continuous and downright rude and destrucattacks that imply that Aboriginals tive to bring racist attacks into the are lazy people who just sponge off equation. the government, are addicts, can’t After seeing what has happened, handle money, can’t be trusted, etc. I think it’s time for a new movement.

You name it, it’s been said and it has It’s time for Racism No More. Look, just blown me away. Not only is it we don’t all have to agree on how deliberate and open, but it seems to move forward on the issues Idle to be commonly accepted, deeply No More brings up, but surely we rooted, and in my opinion is NOT can discuss them without the racbeing discouraged enough within ism. I don’t think there is anyone our society. While we wouldn’t in Canada who thinks that the staattack almost any other race using tus quo is working at the moment. bigoted racial slurs or stereotypes, We need change. We know that. there seems to be no problem using But, in discussing change, what we them when it comes to Natives. don’t need is racism and stereotypes Why? tainting the conversation. It gets I used to look south of the border us absolutely nowhere and ends and see how race is still such a divi- up dividing us as Canadians. As sive issue there. I felt smug thinking the saying goes, united we stand, our multicultural society was far divided we fall. Let’s not fall.

A

s much as it pains me to say this, essence, these higher density units have to worry about it. In 2012, the I always get excited when the are generating a subsidy to their less two biggest infrastructure projects City of Winnipeg’s yearly spend- dense counterparts in the suburbs. the city “needed” were the Chief ing budgets get released. The These flat taxes encourage land use Peguis Trail extension and the documents, released by the City of patterns that promote sprawl and Waverley West Arterial Roads, Winnipeg on Jan. 9, are the pre- inefficient urban development. both of which are multi-million liminary capital and operational According to documentation dollar projects, not including spending plans for the 2013 fiscal in the Capital Budget, the City of additional federal and provincial year, and a five-year forecast of Winnipeg is projected to grow in contributions. future spending.

Many proponents of the Chief population over the next 20 years.

This year, for the second year in After a lull in the population levels Peguis Trail extension state that a row, the City of Winnipeg has in the 90s, the City of Winnipeg the funds made available to the city approved a tax increase, this after experienced a boom, growing by through the P3 Canada Fund would a 14-year tax 60,000 in 12 not have been possible if we didn’t freeze from years from build it, to which I say the funds 1998 to 2011.

1999 to 2011. could have been made available The city must The approved According to if the city put together a funding develop better tax hike of request for Rapid Transit. projections, 3.87 per cent is If the city persists on this path this growth policy behind their slightly higher will continue of fringe subdivisions, we will get development fees. than the 2012 despite our to a point where our infrastructure increase of crappy weather funding needs far exceed our means 3.5 per cent. and even crap- to generate those funds. The city While I understand that the city pier football team. must develop better policy behind needs additional revenue, I do not Sources peg the increase their development fees. Until it costs believe that these flat rate increases between 150 and 200 thousand over developers a substantial amount are fair to all citizens.

20 years. Coupled with this increase more for Greenfield development What these flat increases show is a need for more dwelling units – over infill, they will continue to is that the City of Winnipeg still between 87,000 and 103,000. To put build these sprawling divisions and subsidizes urban sprawl. Why that number into perspective, the create an ever-increasing infrastrucshould a condo dweller, whose new Waverley West subdivision is ture burden on the city. infrastructure costs to the city are expected to increase housing stock far lower than a McMansion owner by 12,000 lots. in the suburbs, pay the same mill If this sprawl continues you can rate and be subject to the same tax expect the city mill rate to be far increases as the suburbanites? In higher by the time us students will illustration by bradly wohlgemuth

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11

Avast, me hearties!

A look at the new documentary on The Pirate Bay Tom Ingram, staff

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n 2009 four Swedish men— decided to film the events surround- tigating the case accepted a job from Peter Sunde, Fredrik Neij, ing the proceedings. The result was Warner Brothers. It is now certain Gottfrid Svartholm Warg, and released early this month. It’s called that the judge, Tomas Norström, is Carl Lundström—were sentenced TPB: AFK, so named because of a member of a pro-copyright group to a year in jail and fined US $4.5 Sunde’s remark that he prefers the – and the case’s prosecutor and two million. The crime? Operating The term AFK (away from keyboard) significant entertainment industry Pirate Bay, the world’s largest file- to IRL (in real life) to highlight lawyers are members of the same sharing site, the fact that the group. The obvious conflict of interwhere milInternet is real. est was not disclosed and, incredMuch of the lions of files The film con- ibly, the defendants were denied a re dow nsists mostly of a retrial. argument in favour loaded every interviews—of There’s no doubt that the film is of The Pirate Bay day, mostly— f igures from slanted in the defendants’ favour. let’s not kid both sides of But it’s not as pronounced as you hinges on the fact ourselves— the trial—with might think. The film does not shy that the shared illegally. some key foot- away from the fact that Sunde is an The Pirate age of the trial idealist with incredibly naive ideas files never actually Bay is a torand of a raid on about the future of copyright; Neij rent tracker.

The Pirate Bay’s an “alcoholic racist asshole” who pass through If you want data centre. Its sees the site as an intellectual chaltheir servers. to download thesis is that lenge and doesn’t care about the the trial was legal meaning of his actions; and a video, for example, you a trumped-up Svartholm Warg an anarchic junky download the corresponding tor- political prosecution by technologi- who takes pleasure in doing things rent file from The Pirate Bay’s web- cal incompetents against a band of he’s not supposed to. site. This file contains information bright but confused idealists.

The film points out the bizarre The prosecutor and the various contortions of logic whereby they about the video, such as its size, a bit of text that will let you verify the entertainment industry lawyers are able to define spam as “emails video’s integrity, and the address for attached to him are shown to be that I haven’t requested” and plead ignorant of the nature of The Pirate ignorance about any illegal activity the tracker. and the The tracker is a server that acts as Bay’s operations coordia sort of broker, efficiently matchnated ing up groups of peoby ple who their site, which is, after all, just a communication mechanism like the phone or semaphore.

Most importantly, it shows that, despite Sunde’s wellmeaning efforts, they really have no well-thought-out alternative to the status quo. It becomes clearer every day that copyright law is in need of drastic overhauls, but The Pirate Bay may not be a already tenable have the way forvideo to ward. Sunde et al. people are right that we need reform, but environment who need it. they have nothing more to add. in which it exists. For From there, the The film is, conveniently, being users’ computers take over entirely, example, the prosecutor confuses distributed for free on The Pirate exchanging bits of the video file megabytes and megabits, an error Bay. It’s available through other between them with effectively anyone familiar with computers avenues, too, but if you’ve never torno further involvement from the is unlikely to make. An industry rented a file before, I would encourtracker. Much of the argument in lawyer mistakes “Kopimi,” a minor age you to try it. These are issues favour of The Pirate Bay hinges Pirate Bay-related slogan, for the that are hard to talk about unless on the fact that the shared files name of an entire movement. They you have firsthand experience, and never actually pass through their continually advance their idea that you may never get a better chance The Pirate Bay is an elaborate, well- to get something legitimate off The servers.

The Pirate Bay has been in the funded operation. As Neij puts it, “I Pirate Bay. news more or less continuously over don’t think they can grasp the idea the last few years, and when its three of an organization that doesn’t have operators (Lundström was an early any boss.”

As for corruption, the trial was financial backer who has little to do with the site’s operations) were apparently rife with it. The film illustration by james culleton put on trial, a documentary crew alleges that the police officer inves-

Science & Technology Editor: Bryce Hoye Contact: science@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Science & technology

The sky is falling Meteor breaches Russian atmosphere, asteroid passes by Earth all in same day Ian T. D. Thomson, volunteer staff

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n Feb. 15 at 3:20 Coordinated anticipate the meteor over Russia.

Universal Time a mete- However, NASA correctly preorite exploded over the city of dicted that the DA14 asteroid was Chelyabinsk in central Russia. never going to impact Earth.

Travelling at a speed of around 18 Although the Russian meteor km/sec (40,000 mph) when it broke was only one-third the diameter the Earth’s atmosphere, the meteor of the DA14 asteroid, infrasound created a shock wave that damaged data from around the world has several buildings and windows led to an estimate of nearly 500 within Russia’s Ural Mountain kilotons of energy liberated by the region. The trail left behind by the meteor’s explosion. By comparison, meteor could be seen as far as 200 the shock wave (or sonic boom) and associated energy released by the km away.

The descent of this meteor atomic bomb that was dropped occurred 16 hours before an aster- on Hiroshima in 1945 was 15-16 kilotons. oid, labelled “2012 DA14,” The damage caused was expected to The impact left pass by Earth. by the impact 1,491 people Although it is wave following the interesting that injured, including these two astrometeor explo311 children; sion included nomic phenomena occurred 200,000 however, no deaths on Feb. 15, the square metres of s h a tRussian meteor were reported. and the astertered w indow glass in oid flyby were independent events.

Chelyabinsk. Among the many NASA reported that “the tra- homes and businesses damaged jectory of the Russia meteor was was the Chelyabinsk Zinc Plant, significantly different than the tra- which received the worst hit, with jectory of the asteroid 2012 DA14, some of its walls having collapsed making it a completely unrelated after the meteor’s energy release. object.”

The impact left 1,491 people injured, News of the Russian meteor including 311 children; however, no spread quickly, as videos, several deaths were reported.

Russia is not unaccustomed to from dashboard cameras of cars in Russia, went viral over the internet. objects from space landing in its The videos showed the meteor shine territory. A meteor shower struck brightly and pierce across the sky the village of Tsaryov in southat a fast rate. NASA used many of ern Russia in 1922 with 1.6 tons of these videos to determine that the meteor fragments. meteor was moving from north to The recent meteor seen near south. This was in contradiction Chelyabinsk has been compared with the trajectory of the DA14 to a 1908 event in Tunguska, where asteroid, which was moving from a meteor exploded above the south to north when it passed by Podkamennaya Tunguska River in Earth.

Siberia (what is now Krasnoyarsk The DA14 asteroid flyover was Krai, Russia) and flattened around the closest an object of its size has 2,200 square kilometres of forest. It approached Earth in recorded his- remains the largest natural explotory, coming within 27,700 km sion recorded in recent history. above the Earth’s surface – closer The two serendipitous though than several of the world’s orbiting unconnected astronomic events satellites and around 1/13th of the occurring on the same day has distance from the Earth to the sparked a conversation in the space Moon. With an estimated diameter and lay community surrounding of 45 metres across and a mass of the technologies humanity cur130,000 metric tons, the 2012 DA14 rently employs to track incoming asteroid was much larger than the space objects. While one was a Russian meteor, which was esti- predicted and benign passerby, the mated to be 17 metres across and 10 other—the meteor—was unanticimetric tons. pated and unwelcome – a quaint While the 2012 DA14 asteroid reminder of how utterly vulnerable was expected to fly by planet Earth we are to the capricious workings on the 15th, space experts did not of the cosmos.

12

Science & Technology

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 23 February 27, 2013

The evolution of religion and morality Researchers explore cultural evolutionary roots of religion Devon Hanel

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esearchers at the University iours are linked to within-group soliof British Columbia (UBC) and darity and cooperation, will be the Simon Fraser University’s Centre for focus of research, from which related Human Evolution, Cognition and questions about cognition and historiCulture (HECC) have received a cal/cultural processes may emerge. $3 million grant from the Canadian UBC researcher and primary Social Sciences and Humanities investigator of the CERC, Edward Research Council for a project “aimed Slingerland, calls for consilience at exploring the cultural evolutionary between the humanities and the sciroots of religion.” ences to properly engage the projThe Cultural Evolution of Religion ect’s research. In a recent paper titled Research Consortium (CERC) “Religious Studies as a Life Science” project brings together scholars, (coauthored by Joseph Bulbulia), both local and international (part- Slingerland states, “progress in the ner universities include Oxford and study of religion requires extensive Harvard), from a range of disciplines. collaboration between life scientists Researchers from the humanities, and classical scholars of religion.” natural sciences, and social sciences Slingerland adopts this view on will focus on understanding the com- the study of religion, noting, “while plex origins of religious behaviour preliminary results from the biology and morality. of religion are impressive, much of The HECC’s purpose, according the science of religion is conducted to its website, is “to create a research by scholars who have only a casual and training hub that will simultane- acquaintance with religious facts.” ously advance understanding of the These biologists of religion include human species within the framework Richard Dawkins, who labels religion of Darwinian evolutionary theory, as a “meme” (i.e., a cultural unit of and encourage evolutionary scientists evolution) or collection of memes. to incorporate cultural learning and Memes, which include “tunes, ideas, cultural evolution in explanations of catch-phrases, clothes fashions,” are human thought and behaviour.” a possible explanation for the emerThe CERC’s primary question, whether religious beliefs and behav-

gence of religion or belief in god.

“God exists, if only in the form of a meme with high survival value or infective power,” claims Dawkins in

gene, the individual, and the group.

Slingerland notes three evolutionary models of religion proposed by biologists of religion. Some researchers understand religions as “cultural by-products” and consider religious traits to be “by-products of functional designs.” Dawkins’ memetic theory of religion falls into this group. Others view religion as somehow conferring individual adaptations for cooperation, in which religiosity and associated characteristics are thought to possess survival value for the individual organism. Lastly, the “cultural group adaptations” view asserts that “religious cultures evolve to benefit religious groups.” Wilson’s idea of multi-level selection would fall under this third category.

The CERC is dedicated to bridging an overplayed dichotomy between science and other fields of inquiry. Slingerland states, “biological approaches to religion are not

merely optional.” However, classically trained scholars too must inform scientists, as Slingerland cautions, “a science without facts is not a science.”

Ultimately, the CERC is an excellent example of multidisciplinary research and strong Canadian scholarship in a global initiative. These researchers are digging at a fertile bed of knowledge that requires both the modern tools of science and, despite those who deem them outmoded, the tools of religious studies to penetrate and extract rich facts about religion and morality.

The study of religious behaviour and morality provides insight into one of life’s endless forms—the human mind—to which illumination can only make it all the more beautiful and wonderful.

The CERC is expected to report its results in 2018.

transfers between cells create more variations amongst members of the same species, possibly influencing the evolutionary process.

But do viruses themselves evolve?

Since viruses undergo random mutation and gene exchange much more often than other organisms, it is difficult to trace back their lineages in time.

Proposed theories for virus evolution include: First, the “escape theory” that long ago some genetic material somehow escaped from the nuclei of living cells.

The genetic material became doomed What came first, the to search, zombie-like, for host cells virus or the cell? in order to replicate.

Viruses may play an important role Second: cells evolved from viruses. in the evolution of other biological Some early viruses came together, organisms. When viruses replicate, gathered some structure around them, they sometimes first splice fragments and evolved into cells. of their genes in with those of the host And finally: ancient viruses were cell. The host cell then propagates; much more complex, like cells, and successive generations of cells contain have since devolved into simpler and express the genetic characteris- organisms. tics of the virus as their own. Gene This third option is supported by

the case of giant viruses, called giruses.

Discovered relatively recently, many giruses have more genetic sequences than some single-celled organisms.

Strangely, some of these sequences are instructions for processes which cells routinely perform, like gene translation, but which are useless to modern viruses.

Could it be that these genes are remnants of a more complex, cell-like virus ancestor? If viruses used to be alive, but have evolved into non-living structures, then we are forced to reconcile the difference between living and non-living states.

“Progress in the study of religion requires extensive collaboration between life scientists and classical scholars of religion” – Edward Slingerland, UBC his 1976 book, The Selfish Gene.

Others such as David S. Wilson have theorized religion as the product of multi-level selection, a biological position that claims natural selection works on multiple levels, such as the

illustration by caroline norman

Viruses: Are they alive or zombies of the microscopic world?

Laura Cobus

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magine a single living cell, its tiny organs and brain-like nucleus protected from the world by a strong cell wall. Suddenly, a virus touches down on the outside of the cell like a spacecraft landing on the moon. Similar to a parasite, the virus injects its genetic material through the cell wall, taking control of the host cell.

The cell is forced to make copy after copy of the invading virus, and soon the cell dies a violent death as the new viruses burst forth.

This example of a virus “life” cycle is staggeringly common; in the oceans, a viral infection occurs 1023 times per second! Despite their ubiquity, the exact nature of viruses remains somewhat mysterious. Early virus research in the 1930s described viruses as completely non-living packages of biochemicals. Today, scientific opinion varies over whether viruses are alive or not. The debate revolves around several key issues:

Reproduction

When a virus is not inside a host cell, it exists as an inert particle called a virion—otherwise known as the "virus particle"—and generally consists of genetic material (RNA or DNA) and a protective protein coating. In this state, a virion is similar to an acorn, which is inactive, but has a latent potential for life. An acorn, however, has the ability to use energy and to grow into something else entirely, whereas a virion only possesses the genetic instructions for how to grow another virion.

A virion needs the resources of a living cell to put these genetic instructions into action, which is why it must take control of a cell. And if a virus can’t self-replicate or convert food to energy, is it a living thing?

Viruses and the environment

Some viruses have influence over their surroundings on a worldwide scale. For example, marine algae

called Emiliania huxleyi periodically produce massive blooms, which are subsequently killed off by viruses named EhV viruses.

The destruction of the blooms releases chemicals into the atmosphere that induce cloud formation and rain.

Intriguingly, the EhV viruses seem to lie in wait inside the algal cells, and then kill all of them when the total size of the blooms reaches a critical mass. Does such control over the environment and climate mean viruses deserve a place on the “tree of life?”

So, are viruses alive?

It is too soon for a scientific consensus on this question – as many of the issues outlined here are still being investigated. Clearly, viruses blur the line between the living and the nonliving. Today’s young virologists can look forward to taking part in a fascinating debate.

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

13

Arts & Culture

Risk and reward The Winnipeg Adventure Film Festival Katy MacKinnon, volunteer staff

A

ction. Adventure. Adrenaline.

Autana has it all.

Take part in the first Winnipeg Adventure Film Festival at the Park Theatre on Tuesday, Mar. 5, to see the film Autana and three other adventure films.

Sonnie Trotter, Canadian climber and adventure enthusiast, will also give a multimedia presentation.

Ivan Hughes, originator of the festival, started the Squamish Mountain Film Festival eight years ago. Hughes hopes to continue with the Adventure Film Festival in Winnipeg each year.

Autana is an award-winning film, taking place at the Cerro Autana mountain in the Amazon.

Climbers Leo Houlding, Sean Leary, and Jason Pickles defy odds as they attempt to climb a part of the mountain that has never been climbed before.

The climbers must pretend to be tourists as they pass through military checkpoints to reach Cerro Autana.

The mountain is sacred, and they must gain access to it from the local Shaman. Their journey promises to be exciting and entertaining as they experience jungle creatures and extreme humidity.

The Denali Experiment, Tent Bound in Devil’s Bay, and Cascada will also be shown at the festival.

In The Denali Experiment, skier Sage Cattabriga-Alosa and snowboarder Lucas Debari take on the Denali Mountain. The North Face athlete team help out the climbers as they embark on the hardest expedition of their lives.

Tent Bound in Devil’s Bay takes place in Newfoundland as four

climbers attempt to climb a 1,200foot granite wall.

“For the climbers, their experience

graduating high school, continually seeks new heights and adventure.

“Although I love and miss my fam-

became as much an inward exploration of their own hopes, anxieties, and fears as it was an exploration of the vertical walls,” says Hughes.

In Cascada, viewers join paddlers and cinematographers on a journey through a remote Mexican jungle.

Hughes describes the activities in the film as needing a careful balance between risk and reward. “[They are looking for] the perfect waterfall, and the perfect shot.

Paddler and cinematographer alike explore a world beyond the expected,” says Hughes.

Sonnie Trotter, who is set to make a live presentation before the film, has experienced this balance himself. His presentation will include multimedia slides and clips from his mountain adventures.

Trotter, 33, who has not been home for more than three months since

ily greatly, I will never regret leaving behind the suburban sprawl of southern Ontario to explore a world of uncertainty, a world of great character, raw beauty, and individual expression,” says Trotter on his website, www.sonnietrotter.com.

For Trotter, travelling is about cultural immersion rather than a traditional vacation. He tries to stay as long as he can in the places he visits and truly experience the culture.

Trotter has been all over the world, including Mexico, Australia, and India. He has also spent a large amount of time in North America, spending a very small amount of money and climbing as many mountains as possible.

He bel ie ves in t ravel wholeheartedly.

“I read somewhere that life is a great book, and for those who don’t travel

only read one page. I think we were has managed to spend so much time born to move and to challenge our away from home and travelled to so bodies and broaden our minds; when many places, the answer may be in his we don’t, our lives and cells grow choice of accommodation. stagnant,” says Trotter.

Last year, Trotter and his wife According to Outside Online, moved into a van.

Trotter had a childhood dream “Living in a van allows the entire of being a ninja. From there, world to be your personal backyard. he dreamed of being an archi- You live and love, outside. The best tect. This high school dream part for me is connecting with the influences his current choice of natural rhythm of life,” Trotter wrote mountains to climb. on The Cleanest Line (Patagonia).

“I’m attracted to visually aesThe experience has increased his thetic lines, the kind of climbs environmental awareness, and his that look more like art sculp- perception of the difference between tures than anything else,” he wants and needs. He learned importold Outside Online. “Thinking tant lessons, such as the increasing about it now, I think being a need to conserve water. Trotter and professional rock climber is half his wife practiced conservation methninja, half architect.” ods such as saving pasta water for tea, Climbing has always been and drinking water used for steaming an adventure for Trotter, but vegetables. not always in the good sense.

“One day, our children’s children In Arizona, he experienced a might not have the same luxuries we bad accident with his friend Steve. do. The things they want might also After an 80-foot be the things fall, the two men they need, and Trotter, who has had to go to the water might be hospital in Las one of them.” not been home for Vegas. They Trotter is more than three thought their looking forward climbing careers to presenting in months since were over.

Winnipeg. graduating high Trotter’s “I’m really positive attitude stoked to come school, continually allowed him to to Winnipeg to continue the be part [of] a seeks new heights sport. brand new fesand adventure.

“I think climbtival and share ers just always some stories find a way back with an enthuif they truly love it. You see it every siastic crowd. I’ll definitely have to day, people with both minor and blog about this!” major injuries still getting outside Tickets to the festival can be purchased and still getting after it, and that’s at www.whattheheck.ca. They are $15 in just awesome.” advance, and $18 at the door.

If you’re wondering how Trotter

Savant Flaneur David Skene, volunteer staff

D

o you remember that episode whirring and Nathan Krahn bows of Seinfeld where Elaine’s boy- his head and puts his bow to the friend is obsessed with that song strings, magic happens.

“Desperado”? Every time he hears Outside of Savant Flaneur, the it, his eyes glaze over and he gets two are responsible for expandlost in an internal world of his own ing the sounds of numerous local design. I have a song that does acts and lending grandeur to the that to me; it’s called “Coffee with work spilling forth from the local Penguins” by an organ and cello duo music scene. Aside from his solo act, called Savant Flaneur.

Sequin, Leroux has been known The song is a sweeping piece that to share the stage with fellow speaks volumes in its short run time. vintage organ enthusiast Smoky It’s a testament to music’s ability to Tiger, he has added a layer to a yet capture the intangible, ephemeral unreleased song by Ex Modern aspects of the human experience. Teen, and recently debuted a new When Scott Leroux gets his organ act with Jennifer Sparling, the

fully heartfelt cello to David Fort’s alt-folk extravaganza Twin and is a member of the hauntingly sweet Form Giants and the charmingly rustic Eagle Lake Owls.

With a resume that reads like a who’s who of Winnipeg’s weird and wonderful, why is it that the quirky orchestral sounds of Savant Flaneur hold such sway over me?

Why do their songs cut me to the quick when both men have so many projects?

Uncanny Valley Girls, that is sure Maybe it’s because they seem to excite and challenge audiences to mostly perform at unorthodox citywide. Krahn has added a taste- venues: house shows, galleries and

The absence of stage, theatrical lighting, or a PA forces an intimacy with their audience that is very endearing.

their series of performances outside Jonnies Sticky Buns. The absence of stage, theatrical lighting, or a PA forces an intimacy with their audience that is very endearing. You can’t chat to your friend or order another drink; it is not designed to make you turn off your mind and dance. With songs like “Coffee with Penguins,” they literally invite the listener to focus their mind on “that moment in a film where the two lovers haven’t kissed yet, but you know they are just about to.”

Where else do you find music like that? Nowhere, that’s where.

14

Arts & Culture

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 23 February 27, 2013

Five reasons why Louis Riel was a badass motherfucker Five unconventional ways to interact with art in Winnipeg Jenna Diubaldo, staff

1. He’s super controversial Depending on who you ask, Riel was either a hero or a traitor. He led the Red River Métis to rebel against the Canadian government and petition for their rights as a people, which included fighting wars and at times sentencing death to prisoners. Either way it’s pretty badass to be regarded as a historical figure that deserves his own day of commemoration.

2. He was one of the first Métis advocates W hen the Hudson’s Bay Company began negotiations between the Canadian government for the sale of Rupert’s Land (now known as all of Manitoba, parts of Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Nunavut, and various American states), the Métis were in need of a leader to fight for their right to the land they lived on. Riel—an educated, charismatic, bilingual man—led the charge and petitioned the Canadian government literally to his death. Now that’s pretty badass.

3. He pretty much singlehandedly organized a rebellion of an entire nation of people Riel’s charisma and education served him well as the leader of the Métis provisional government.

He was able to effectively nav igate the political system and make it clear to the Canadian government that the Métis were not going to be ignored; he did this by making demands, seizing forts like a boss, and travelling to Ottawa to demand negotiations with government officials. Riel was also successful in rallying Red River residents to thwart Canada’s attempts to infiltrate their land and f ight for their rights as French-speaking peoples.

Sunday Mass > 11am, Christ the King Chapel Weekday Mass > Tue-Fri 11:45am, Side Chapel Volunteer musicians & singers are welcome for choir practice > 5:30pm Fridays, 10am Sundays Coffee House > Mar 2 C a m p u s

M i n i s t r y

8:00pm | Fundraiser for students involved in spiritual & social justice activities.

Volunteer entertainers welcome.

Hanley Memorial Lecture Series > Mar 3-4

“A Teaching Church that Learns: The Art of Magisterium” presented by Gerard Mannion, PhD

St. Paul’s College University of Manitoba 70 Dysart Road Winnipeg, MB R3T 2M6 umanitoba.ca/colleges/st_pauls

For more information, contact: Sr. Elaine Baete 204 474 9784 | ELAINE.BAETE@ad.umanitoba.ca Fr. Michael Koryluk 204 474 8460 | korylukm@cc.umanitoba.ca Eliude Cavalcante 204 474 8645 | cavalcan@cc.umanitoba.ca

4. He was instrumental in the creation of the province of Manitoba Say what you will about Louis Riel, but the fact is that Manitoba likely wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for him. The Métis provisional government—as formed by Riel and other delegates—made several lists of demands and presented them to the Canadian government, insisting that the Métis peoples be recognized as their own nation and that their right to the land they lived on be observed.

These lists of demands eventually went on to form the basis for the Manitoba Act; legislation passed in 1870, which, among other things, created the province that we know and love.

5. He lived and died for what he believed in Riel devoted the entirety of his life to ensuring that the Métis nation was taken seriously and seen as its own body of government apart from Canada. While his efforts were not without success, the Métis peoples did eventually lose their land rights and the prosperity that came with it. Riel spent a large part of his life wanted by the police and eventually surrendered after many years of fleeing, hiding, and fighting. Riel was charged with treason, sentenced to death, and eventually hanged in Regina on Nov. 16, 1885.

Just before he was hung, a guard asked him for a souvenir and Riel is quoted as saying: “I have nothing but my heart and I have given it long ago to my country.”

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

Arts & Culture

15

Homemaking aceartinc. presents new work by Chantel Mierau Kara Passey, staff

H

omemaking by Chantel Mierau,

opening at aceartinc. on Friday, Mar. 1, uses traditional textile methods with a contemporary twist. Six videos, one installation, and a performance all involving handmade textile works make a commentary on comforts, discomforts, traditions, chores, and the artist’s personal history and reflections on being Mennonite.

Mierau, a graduate from the University of Manitoba’s school of fine art, is known for her work done with knitting and sewing. She has thoroughly exhibited her work across Winnipeg, and has received awards from the Manitoba Arts Council and Video Pool. Mierau pushes the boundaries of traditional processes by bringing in contemporary elements such as video, performance, and installation.

In her thesis year, Mierau took knitting to a new level. Her piece, “Humility, Fear and Trembling,” used sewing thread for yarn and sewing pins for needles. She completed close to 20 tiny red scarves and the piece included a video of her working.

“Because of their scale, and their DNA-like structure, this work brings to my mind thoughts about heritage and lineage, as well as traditions, practices and even belief systems that inescapably get passed down from

generation to generation,” Mierau told the Manitoba Crafts Museum and Library.

“I learned to knit when I was 18, and then started using it for nonfunctional pieces two years later upon entering art school. I find that knitting embodies much of the subject matter I want to address in my art such as care, tradition, work and home.”

Mierau’s new films include footage of people in the process of making textile work, but others also show her completed—and otherwise nonfunctional—pieces being put to use.

In the film Larva, the artist is

able, but it prevents the wearer from the feeling of entrapment in repcompleting a basic, domestic task,” etition,” says Mierau. “[I called the says Mierau. film Wednesdaying] as a reference to The film was shot outside of the days of the week, and the idea Winnipeg in rural Manitoba, which of having a chore for every day of Mierau says references her personal the week.” history.

Homemaking is the debut of six “I wanted to reference [my upbring- new films by Mierau and an instaling]; it’s about home and tradition. lation of the spider webs made during There is something comforting about the filming of Wednesdaying. During a traditional lifestyle, but there is also the opening night reception on Mar. a restricting quality.”

1, Mierau is planning a new perforIn Mierau’s film, Wednesdaying, mance, which she has mostly kept several women who are dressed in under wraps so far. white, resembling nurses, sit around “I don’t know how much I want to a quilting frame and work together to tell you,” Mierau says with a laugh. weave a large spider web with white “When does it go from a teaser to a thread. The video, about 12 minutes spoiler?” shown outside, wrapped up in what long, plays on a loop, and it’s difficult Mierau has built a table with can be best described as a giant slip- to distinguish the beginning from the mops for legs, which she plans to per sewn shut across her back. Mierau end. Watching the women’s hands push around and use to mop the galcrouches inside of her knitting, with pass threads and weave the web gives lery. She will be wearing a masked her hands close to her face, resem- the viewer a calm, lulling feeling. The headdress and what can best be bling a slug. As the larva, she picks repetitive quality represents chores described as “homemaker’s clothes,” up a ball of yarn and strings it across and traditions shared by women in as a character that Mierau describes the doorway of an abandoned barn, a community setting. as an archetype of a “good woman.” making a clothesline, and then pins “The women are representations, Upon the table she will write on reca tea towel to it. The film is about five not characters. I am drawn to ano- ipe cards and pass them to people she minutes long, and the whole time she nymity; there is something about wants to communicate with. struggles with the basic task while being in a group or a community that But what will they say? inside her knitted skin. makes you become a bit anonymous. “Some advice, some recipes.”

“A lot of my work is about comfort It is more about the group than the Homemaking will be at aceartinc. and discomfort. The larva costume individual.” from Mar. 1 until Apr. 5. There will be is this really nice and knitted thing “[The film is also a commentary] an artist talk with Mierau on Saturday, [ . . . ] that you think of as comfort- on the qualities of tradition and Mar. 9.

Dream, love, cure Locals combine music and skateboarding to raise money for cancer Jenna Diubaldo, staff

B

E:Cause Industries was started on stage and then hang out and chat

by Jay Fulmore and Mat Perlman with kids. I booked the Winnipeg as an outlet to not only book some date of that tour and BE:Cause cool shows, but more importantly [Industries]’ involvement has grown help out some local charities along from there.” the way.

Skate4Cancer founder Rob Dyer “Mat and myself have been started the organization soon after involved in the music and arts com- losing his mother, grandmothers, and munity here in Winnipeg since we close friend to cancer. Skateboarding were young, and wanted to use what demonstrations and live music we had learned over the years to do events provided a vehicle for Dyer something positive, and support vari- to engage youth in order to promote ous community organizations and cancer awareness and prevention non-profits,” says Fulmore. “We’ve techniques. done six big events in the past five BE:Cause Industries will be hostyears as well as a bunch of smaller ing a Skate4Cancer fundraiser on Mar. concerts, dance parties, and an art 1, which will include performances show/sale.” from local talent such as the Noble One of BE:Cause Industries’ Thiefs and the Angry Dragons. f lagship events is their annual Funds raised on Mar. 1 will be put Skate4Cancer concert series which towards organizing the aforemenaims to raise cancer awareness in tioned annual concert series orgayouth. nized by BE:Cause Industries, which “I met Rob Dyer six or seven years includes a huge outdoor Skate4Cancer ago through mutual friends and even- event scheduled to take place at the tually learned about Skate4Cancer,” Plaza Skate Park at the Forks on May continues Fulmore. “My band at 25. This event features live music from the time joined [ . . . ] a couple other 12 – 15 acts, skateboarding competiacts on the Cure is Knowledge Tour, tions, and a slew of prizes. which was a cross-Canada tour of Also present will be Dyer himself free all-ages concerts where the bands to talk to attendees about topics such would play and Rob would give a talk as the importance of cancer aware-

ness and how knowledge is the only cure for cancer.

“Armed with the understanding that 80 per cent of cancers can be prevented with early detection and healthy lifestyles, The Cure is Knowledge proposes that the only cure currently available is knowledge,” reads the Skate4Cancer website.

“By creating educational campaigns that are easy to understand, we hope to inspire youth to incorporate preventative methods into their busy lives. Our approach includes informative videos, social media pushes and effective blogs as well as several informative campaigns.”

Also included in the concert series is a pre-party boasting a night of heavy music at the Windsor Hotel on May 24, as well as an after-party on the evening of May 25 at a yet to be disclosed location.

All funds raised from these events will be donated to a local cancer-related organization. Last year BE:Cause Industries donated

for deeper penetration into tumours and provide options for more efficient removal of the tumours,” says Fulmore.

Some might ask why Fulmore and Pearlman pour their hearts and souls into the work that they’re doing for nothing in return, and the answer is simple.

“BE:Cause Industries was created to effect a positive difference in the world,” says Fulmore.

“We are dedicated to supporting great causes, and the people who run them.”

Support Skate4Cancer by checking out the Noble funds to the HSC Foundation, which Thiefs [sic] and the Angry Dragons at the contributed to the purchase of a new Windsor Hotel on Mar. 1. Visit www. piece of medical equipment called a dreamlovecure.org for more information Hitachi Ultrasound Prosound 7. on Skate4Cancer, Rob Dyer, and how “This innovative ultrasound equip- you can be a part of the cure. ment provides enhanced detailed image information to physicians and the sophisticated probes allow photo by Tomas kubalcik

16

Arts & Culture

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 23 February 27, 2013

Event Listings

MUSIC

ART

Thursday, Feb. 28

Friday, Mar. 1

Trust / ERAAS / Kindest Cuts

Anti-Love Show by Mr. Peanut and Ms. Jellybean

West End Cultural Centre

OTHER

The Edge Gallery

Thursday, Feb. 28

Friday, Mar. 1 – Apr. 5

Unbelievable Bargains / Hostile Life / Atomic Don / The Black Sunrise

Homemaking by Chantel Mierau

The Windsor Hotel

Saturday, Mar. 9

Tuesday, Mar. 5

Thursday, Mar. 7 – Apr. 6

CRAFTSTRAVAGANZA!

Bestiaire by Denis Côté

MAWA, 611 Main St.

RAW: Gallery of Architecture and Design

Herstory: Art by Women in the University of Winnipeg Collection Gallery 1C03

aceartinc.

Friday, Mar. 1

Friday, Mar. 1

TIMES IS UGLY by Daniel Ellingsen

Marduk / Moonspell / Inquisition / The Foreshadowing / Deathwolf

Zsa Zsa West

The Zoo

Friday, Mar. 1

Saturday, Mar. 9

A.D.D. / Molting / Saünlust II / The Psychics and Friends

PegGay VI – Queer Dance Party

Negative Space

Negative Space

Friday, Mar. 8 – Apr. 19

Thursday, Feb. 28

Unravelled

Chesterfield Magazine release with Smoki Tygr

University of Manitoba’s School of Art Gallery

672 art (Sargent ave.)

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

Arts & Culture

17

Me-Made March Local artisans encourage Winnipeg to embrace the ethical and handmade Jodie Layne, staff

“W

e have a lot of creative people

with unique fashion sense, so we thought it would be nice to build a handmade wardrobe community in this city,” says Alesha Frederickson, co -organizer for Me-Made March.

Alongside Melanie Wesley, Frederickson is presenting a challenge to dress and accessorize yourself with items that you have crafted, up-cycled, or have been handmade by an artisan. The pair partook in an online challenge by the same name last year.

“I think at its core, this challenge is about embracing your inner maker.

Learning to look past the (sometimes) imperfect seams of a handmade garment and being proud to wear those garments which are uniquely yours,” says Wesley.

They decided to launch the challenge in a real way in Winnipeg, and give people the necessary tools to participate.

Workshops teaching how to make the aforementioned leggings and

underwear as well as tank/sac dresses, scarves, cowls, collars, and other neck accessories will run every Saturday at Tara Davis Studio Boutique in the Exchange District.

“I think some of the workshops are going to be an eye-opening experience for people, and show them it really is possible to make your clothing. We all have to start somewhere,” says Frederickson.

Wesley says that the pattern for her sac dress workshop is only two pieces and is so simple that anyone can do it. Frederickson agrees and encourages new enthusiasts and the sew-curious to come out and give it a try.

The challenge seeks to combat “Fast Fashion,” the common consumption habits to buy cheap, poorly made, trendy clothing from retailers like Forever 21. Participant Jennifer Lee Smith, who is taking the tights and sac dress workshop, says that she loves getting dressed but struggles with finding ethical clothing.

“It is hard to find clothes that make me feel pretty and fashion forward and that are affordable. [I want to know they] come from a good place, that no one has suffered to make

Aside from the ethical reasons to make your own clothes, simple delight and enjoyment is forefront. [them], and that [they won’t] end up in a landfill in a few months.”

Smith says the only way she feels she can control this is to make her own clothing, and it is a huge part of the reason she decided to participate.

Frederickson agrees, saying many is different from someone telling you people participate in “Fast Fashion” they like what you shopped for; it is because the days of owning quality a sense of pride in creating things pieces are over. Making your own with your own hands and mind and clothing can be an affordable anti- getting practical use from it,” says dote to the exploitative labour and Frederickson. environmental practices of massWesley, Pinchin, and Smith all say produced garments but can be quite that the community formed around time-consuming – Me-Made March crafting is a huge motivator and benhas an answer to that. efit of making your own things.

Finding the time to create can be “I believe that making offers difficult, and Wesley suggests that a many solutions for economic and good alternate option is buying from social injustice – at home and globother people making things from ally. Making has unlimited potential; hand like Tony Chestnut, Andee it’s at the very heart of all of us. It Penner at Sew Dandee, and Lennard connects me to my family and friends Taylor. and someone I’ve never met across “Winnipeg is loaded with tons of the globe,” says Wesley. talented designers and makers; it’s If anyone is interested in signing up so important we support them,” says for workshops or learning more, they Wesley. can visit the Facebook event page for Aside from the ethical reasons Me-Made March. Workshops are $50 to make your own clothes, simple for one, or two for $85, and the schedule delight and enjoyment is forefront. is posted online. There will be an open “There is a certain kind of joy house on Friday, Mar. 1, where you can when you put something on that you bring in things to up-cycle, learn to knit, made, and you get a compliment. It sign up, or chat with the organizers.

Intersectional politics Book review: Defiant Daughters Jodie Layne, staff

“L

anguage distances us from

sonal experiences are well-informed.

to attention a common hypocrisy in

the reality of meat eating, thus While the Sexual Politics of Meat is a society: caring for the welfare of reinforcing the symbolic meaning of heavily academic book, the anthol- companion animals and ignoring the meat eating, a symbolic meaning that ogy is more accessible in its delivery, welfare of animals we have grown is intrinsically patriarchal and male- which is a good thing. up eating. oriented. Meat becomes a symbol for Organized into categories named One of the most affecting essays what is not seen but is always there after animals and finishing with is “A Moment of Truth” by Rochelle – patriarchal control of animals and “Woman,” the essays are varied and M. Green, which explores the corof language,” says Carol J. Adams in range from theory to personal expe- relation of rape and animal products, her 1990 book, the Sexual Politics rience. With diverse voices, Defiant and deconstructs the familiar saying, of Meat.

Daughters provides the intersectional “feeling like a piece of meat”.

Adams presented the theory that feminism and animal rights were intrinsically linked. Like one can have white privilege, male privilege, or straight privilege, Adams argues that humans have species privilege.

She proposed the theory that consumption of flesh gave women and animals more common ground than we would care to admit, and that their struggles were interconnected.

Thousands agreed and the book became required reading in gender studies classes and in feminist circles.

Two decades later, young feminists still see the validity in her theory and the issues are still as relevant as ever.

Defiant Daughters is their analysis of current issues and attitudes and response to the original text.

Growing up in a culture that tears apart our self-esteem through media and then sells it back—allowing factory farms to flourish while selling us on the benefits of dairy, eggs, and milk—the need for this analysis is obvious and the contributor’s per-

theories of feminism and other analyEvery anthology will undoubtedly ses of oppression and cultural influ- have a piece that doesn’t seem to fit, ence. Exploring and “Opening themes like Veins” by Kim bodily accepSocha is that “This book could t a nce , a r t , piece. It’s long easily be considered free-range and meandermeat, queering and felt required reading ness, breastdisjointed, for feminists, feeding, and offering no gender equality real stimulatvegans, and those amongst others, ing analysis. who fall under this book does Just as its look at the issue predecesboth categories.” from all angles sor, this book and in that way could easily encourages be considered readers to make their own connec- required reading for feminists, vegans, tions between feminism and animal and those who fall under both categorights. ries. It is non-alienating and could In “Sustaining Rice,” Carolyn challenge the thinking of even the Mullin explores her Mexican identity most devoted carnivore. This vibrant, and the connection between the com- accessible, and interesting anthology modification of the bodies of women is provocative and will inspire critical and animals in art with nuance and thinking and conversation for years justified anger. The essay “Knowing to come.

Ignorance” by Vidushi Sharma brings

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

Diversions

18

lauren boulet

PHOTOS —of the—

WEEK Downtown

by Fayassir Haqna

emilie st. hilaire

Incantation

by Olga Radzikh Do you have a super awesome photo that you want the world to see?

No matter if you took it using your camera or your smart phone, send your “PHOTO OF THE WEEK” to PHOTO@THEMANITOBAN.COM. curtonbummings.tumblr.com

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

19

Sports

Huskies pull away from Bisons in Canada West Semifinals Men’s hockey team loses in decisive third game Derek Gagnon, staff

T

he Canada West Semifinal between the Manitoba Bisons and Saskatchewan Huskies was not at the venue the Bisons likely would have preferred after seeing their second place position evaporate in the last game of the season. Nonetheless, after sweeping Regina in the Canada West Quarter-final series, they went into Saskatoon raring to go, winning by scores of 6-2 and 5-0.

Friday night’s game did not go how the Bisons would have liked, as the Huskies dominated the opening period. Sixteen shots were put on net, and by the time the period ended four shots had evaded Jesse Deckert and made their way into came up big while facing elimina- the scoresheet to make it 2-0 after the Bison net. tion. They would add three goals two. The Huskies struck quickly in The second period saw the teams in the period as they won by a 4-1 the third to make it 3-0 less than a trade goals, with Ian Duval finding margin, with Deckert turning aside minute in, and 4-0 just four minutes the net for Manitoba. Saskatchewan 33 of 34 shots and the Bisons get- later; the Huskies were in the drivadded two more in the third period ting goals from Ian Duval, Dane er’s seat. The Bisons had a number to make the final score a resounding Crowley, Matthew Lowry, and of chances in the period, including 7-1 victory for the Huskies. It looked James Henry. a few on the power play, but a lone as though Saskatchewan’s path to The Bisons victory meant a rubber Ian Duval goal was not enough, as the Canada West Final would be match would be needed on Sunday the Bisons lost 4-1, eliminating them an easy one. night to determine who would move from the Canada West playoff series The Bisons had different plans, on to play Alberta in the Canada 2-1. though, and played a much better West Final.

Despite losing twice, the Bisons game on Saturday night. Despite Unfortunately for the Bisons, got some good performances in the an undisciplined game that saw they got off to another slow start playoffs worth noting: the Bisons face nine separate on Sunday night. Twelve shots • Fifth-year Bisons netminder Saskatchewan power plays, the against in the first period to just Jesse Deckert went 3-2-0 with Bisons relied on the steady play of four from the Bisons saw U of M one shutout and a 91.4 per cent goalie Jesse Deckert to keep them trailing by a score of 1-0. Despite a save percentage. He was a big in the game. The Bisons held a 1-0 better period by the Bisons, it was reason the Bisons made it as lead going into the third period, and once again Saskatchewan finding far as they did.

• The top line of Ian Duval, Tyler Dittmer, and Blair Macaulay decimated the Regina Cougars, and the hope was for similar results in Saskatoon. However, Macaulay was injured after being boarded in the first period of Friday’s game and would miss the remainder of the series, a huge blow to the team as their leading point getter in the regular season was sorely missed.

• Ian Duval managed to accumulate 11 points in five games, with three goals and eight assists leading all Canada West players in points after two rounds.

• In his second-last week as a Bison, fifth-year forward Tyler

Dittmer put up nine points in five games, with a dominant four-goal night in the decisive game against Regina, earning him Canada West Male Athlete of the Week honours.

• Blair Macaulay was a force on offence against Regina, so it’s no wonder his absence was felt against Saskatchewan. The speedster notched six points in three games.

• Fifth-year Tyler Feakes and graduating players Matthew Lowry and Del Cowan also concluded their Bisons careers in Saskatoon this past weekend. photos by raisa pezderic

Basketball team hits roadblock Also: results from Track and Field Canada West Championship Marc Lagace, staff

A

fter slipping into the Canada West playoffs despite losing to U of W in their regular season final, the Bison men’s basketball team was eliminated from the post-season on the road by the University of Victoria in two straight games.

Manitoba finished with a 14-8 record tied for second place in the Prairie Division with Winnipeg and Alberta. The team travelled to the west coast to take on the 16-6 Victoria Vikes for a quarter-finals best-of-three series.

In game one, the Vikes were three-for-three from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter as they pulled ahead of the Bisons. On the other end of the court, the Bisons went 3-for-12 in their own three-point attempts as they fell 76-70. Jonar Huertas led all players with 16 points in game one.

In the second game, with the Bisons season on the brink, the Vikes

muscled their way into the next round with a solid performance.

Victoria took the lead in the first quarter and never looked back, outscoring Manitoba 73-50 heading into the fourth quarter.

Once again, shooting percentages told the story of the game, as Victoria made just under half of all their attempted shots (.435), while the Bisons struggled with a shooting percentage of 39.1 per cent, and only hit 4-of-19 threepoint attempts.

Playing the “what-if ” game is a mostly pointless exercise, but had the Bisons won their final regular season game against their cross-town rivals they would have surely benefitted from not travelling out west for their playoff series; the visiting team came up on the losing end in three of the four playoff matchups,.

*** The U of M Track and Field team found plenty of success at the

2013 Track and Field Canada second in the men’s pole vault with a West Championship at the U jump of 4.51m, and Wilfred Samking of Regina. finished third in the men’s 60m with Over the course of the a time of 6.89. two-day event, the Bisons had The men’s 4x200 and 4x400 relay six individual athletes earn a teams both finished in third place, spot on the podium, and also good for a spot on the podium. took two bronze medals in the By the end of the meet, Manitoba relays. finished third amongst all teams, On day one, two Bisons only 14 points back from the hosts reached the podium in the Regina in second. men’s pentathlon event, as Athletes who finish in the top two Arthur Buchanan earned a at a conference championship autosilver medal and Wyatt Eyford matically qualify for the 2013 CIS finished just 20 points back Track and Field Championships, from his teammate, settling held at the University of Alberta in for bronze. Wilfred Samking Edmonton, March 7-9. won bronze in the men’s 60m hurdles with a time of 8.43.

On the second day of competition, three more individual Bison athletes joined in on the medal haul; Alhaji Mansaray finished second in the men’s high jump with a photo by tyson jones jump of 2.06m, Eric Furletti finished

20

Sports

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 23 February 27, 2013

Wrestling to be cut from Olympics in 2020

Thin blue line Jets continue to struggle with injuries on defence Jenna Diubaldo, staff

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he return of defensive pairing Dustin Byfuglien and Zach Bogosian from the injury list signalled a sigh of relief for the Winnipeg Jets; the two make up some of the team’s top defencemen, with Byfuglien in particular providing a huge presence (figuratively and literally) both in front of the net and at the blue line.

“They’re obviously two big parts of our back end, and two guys that can log a lot of minutes and skate and help us out on the offensive side too,” said captain Andrew Ladd after a loss against the Philadelphia Flyers on Feb. 12.

Not surprisingly, Redmond will “It’s something where every guy Byfuglien, who has been strug- not return this season. in this room has to look at [himself] gling this season with a lower body “It was my skate that hit it,” first and realize that there’s more to injury, returned to the ice that eve- stated Miettinen. “I feel pretty give,” states Ladd. “You know, it’s ning against the Flyers, but does bad about what happened. I hope not okay to just go out there and not yet seem to be performing to everything goes well for Zach. For do your job and come off the ice. the best of his abilities. He has the short time that I’ve known him, We want guys to try to make an registered just two points (in seven he’s got a great will and spirit. I just impact every time they touch the games) since his return, and the hope the healing process goes well ice and make things happen, and 265-pound defenceman known to for him.” you’ve got to have that attitude to use his size to his advantage lately be a successful team.” seems somewhat hesitant to get After a long stretch on the road physical and throw his weight where the Jets have been able to Though the team against the boards in full force. pull in a few key victories, they will seemed to come On the same day that Bogosian head home to face the New Jersey finally made his season debut, the Devils on Feb. 28. The team will out of the gates Jets’ defensive lineup took yet likely look to Ladd to deliver in another blow with Tobias Enstrom this difficult game, as he is one of with a confident injuring his right shoulder durthe Winnipeg players, along with and fluid game, the Blake Wheeler and Evander Kane, ing the Feb. 15 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Enstrom, who has been able to consistently Jets have regressed the team’s point-leading defencefind the back of the net over the into the familiar man with two goals and 11 assists past few weeks, scoring eight points this season, underwent an MRI over the past seven games. Wheeler patterns displayed recently and will “be out for a little has also picked up the pace with in 2011/2012. while,” as head coach Claude Noel five points over three games for put it. the Jets.

The injuries only continue, “Right now we can’t afford [to] most recently with defenceman These setbacks have likely con- sit around here and wait for other Zach Redmond suffering a criti- tributed to the less than favour- guys to [step up]; everyone has to cal injury when he fell during able season the Jets have been jump on board and be a part of the morning practice on Feb. 21 and experiencing thus far. Though the solution,” said Ladd. “At the end of was stepped on by fellow teammate team seemed to come out of the the day it’s up to each individual to Antti Miettinen. The skate blade gates with a confident and fluid commit to getting better for your pierced through Redmond’s thigh, game, the Jets have regressed into buddy sitting next to you and for severing his right femoral artery. the familiar patterns displayed in the team.”

He was taken by ambulance to the 2011/2012, filled with clumsy plays hospital and straight into a three- and an inability to capitalize on photo by matt giesbrecht hour surgery to repair the damage. scoring chances.

The 2013 Manitoban Hockey Pool 1.

HoneyNutChelios 2. Obie 3.

Beautiful Bettman 4.

Return of the Kings 5.

Bombers 2 6. cptwish 7.

The Hershey Dee's 8.

Teemu's Salami 9.

1960 yankees 10.

Winnipeg Unchained 11. heydiddlediddlerayriceupthemiddle 12.

The Whale Tale 13.

Puckeaters

306.00 301.00 298.00 295.50 86.00 284.00 284.00 277.50 277.00 277.00 275.00 274.00 273.50

14.

15.

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Team Discovery Channel fishinabarrel Team Blue Ivy The Jack N' Hoff Team Don't cry, I was Olli Jokinen Tastes Like Burning SAS allstars Crusty Muffins Captain Morgan's Booty Beans Team Baldo Hejda's gonna hate

271.00 264.00 263.50 262.00 258.50 258.50 258.00 254.50 254.00 253.50 252.50 251.50

Opinion: How the IOC is Americanizing the Olympic Games Derek Gagnon, staff

illustration by mathieu boulet

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restling has been engrained in Olympic sport since its beginnings in Ancient Greece.

The sport has survived with only minor variations over the millennia since then, and was one of the original sports when the modern incarnation of the Olympic Games began in 1896. It is a sport of strategy and strength, and has been a staple of everything that the Olympic Games stand for as a competition, where equipment and training come secondary to brains and brawn. Natural talent is largely what wins medals in this sport.

But all that is about to change.

On Feb. 12, 2013 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted to have the sport dropped from all competitions starting in 2020. They deemed that the all-mighty dollar is more important than centuries of history and competition.

Why do I say this? Well it seems safe to assume that one of the primary viewing audiences is the United States, so there’s much to be gained from positive television ratings and commercial viewing.

Corporate sponsorships and merchandising influence how much the Games make as a whole, so it is easy to see why parties would be concerned about making money off of the Americans. But that doesn’t make it right.

The Olympic Games are supposed to be about fair and honourable competition, not about people making money. That seems to fall on deaf ears, though; the spirit of competition is being neglected as the Americanization of the Games takes place.

It has become a disturbing trend in recent years, how much a supposedly international sporting committee is catering to one country, as the United States gets increasingly favourable ruling for their athletes, with elitist views

coming through quite vividly. Golf, by no means a poor man’s sport, will be contested in 2016. Does the U.S.A. like golf? Yes, as long as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are weekly contenders. Baseball and softball, national pastimes in America, are up for inclusion once again in 2020. Basketball, a sport dominated by Americans, doesn’t seem to be in a vulnerable spot despite the lack of competition. Why? Because the Americans want it in. And then there are the sports almost exclusively catered to the elite - like dressage, which is essentially horse -dancing.

Wrestling is by no means an elitist sport, as all it takes is a singlet and some headgear. Twentynine nations were able to win medals in wrestling competitions in London in 2012, as it is truly an affordable sport. The Americans, who do not get a lot of exposure to the sport, did not pay much attention as countries like Iran, Azerbaijan, and Georgia earned medals in the various wrestling weight classes.

It is truly a sport where anybody can win. So what does the IOC propose they replace it with?

How about wakeboarding? Yes, that seems fair that a sport that requires access to a motorboat be played by nations in the developing world. I’m sure they’ll stand a great chance…

The IOC has really jumped the shark on this one and sold out entirely. The people in charge have made it overly clear this is no longer an athletic competition, but rather an easy way for greedy businessmen to line their pockets.

As the golden rule goes, so too do the IOC rules. Wrestling doesn’t attract American viewers, so it doesn’t attract American money.

That’s why it’s down on the mat, with little hope of getting back up.