9 April 2014

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Next steps

Tough on crime The Singularity Ill-conceived policies inhibit progress

Will our machines outgrow, enslave us?

Mixology

B.C.'s finest

page 2

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page 9 and 11

page 22

page 26 and 27

Truth and reconciliation in Canada

DJ Academy sparks conversations about gender, music

Vo l 1 0 0 路 N o 2 9 路 A p r i l 9 , 2 0 1 4 路 w w w.t h e m an i to b an .co m

Coach Dobie and the West Coast connection

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News

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

The TRC holds final national event Consensus is that government relationship still needs improvement Jennifer Keith, volunteer staff

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t the final national event of of the event. Aboriginal Relations the Truth and Reconciliation Minister Frank Oberle announced Commission of Canada (TRC) in changes to the curriculum of students Edmonton last week, there were a from K-12 to include the history of number of gestures of reconciliation— residential schools and treaties. and some notable absences—as the Littlechild felt this was a positive TRC approach the final year of their step forward—making Alberta a piomandate. neer in repairing the relationship— “I think we made a turn from col- and a move he hoped other provinces lecting the truth and [now we will] would follow. begin to start focusing on the second “An announcement like that is very part of the mandate; [that is], what encouraging for a brighter future. do we do with the truth in terms Children will now learn about the of informing reconciliation going TRC, residential schools and treaties forward. And you saw that and you [ . . . ] this will result in better relationfelt that in the room. You saw it and ships. For Alberta to announce this heard it in the gestures of reconcilia- publicly and make it mandatory is very, tion. And I think we have made an very encouraging,” he said. important turn to focus now in that Municipal government and indusarea,” said commissioner Chief Wilton try members were in attendance, with Littlechild to the Manitoban. mayors from Edmonton, Calgary, and Justice Murray Sinclair echoed Wetaskiwin, announcing that their photos by Melissa Knapp Littlechild’s sentiments in his clos- councils had declared this year to be ing remarks at the event. a year of reconciliation.

“We will now take up the challenge Justice Sinclair commented on the of putting all of these things that we impressive actions of local leadership. have heard into a forum that all of “I am thrilled about the commitCanada will have to respond to in a ment to action that we heard from the positive way, and we will carry for- leaders of this jurisdiction [ . . . ] they ward your message,” said Sinclair. stand as an example to other jurisdicBut, what does reconciliation look tions in this country, and now we are like? going to turn to them and say, ‘What “Reconciliation is the commitment are you doing about reconciliation?’” and bravery to stay in the room,” said Niigaanwewidam Sinclair, assistant The federal government professor in the department of native and the TRC studies.

Notably absent were federal government representatives.

Gesture of reconciliation Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Littlechild was encouraged by the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern gestures of reconciliation at the event Development, was in attendance; howin Edmonton, and felt they demon- ever, Littlechild expressed frustration strated an increasing awareness of over the lack of engagement coming residential schools and their legacy. from the federal government.

One such gesture was the “We have not been able to engage Edmonton Oilers’ “Celebration of the federal government, the political First Nations Hockey” during their elites, enough yet. Mind you, it isn’t game against the New York Rangers. finished, but we have [only] had a few The game coincided with the final day senators and members of parliament of the TRC event. show up,” said Littlechild. “Personally The celebration included a per- I would like to have seen more. If you pened and being present is how rec- Next steps with me’ [ . . . ] [Reconciliation] is an With the final national event over, important journey that starts with the formance by Asani, an award-win- compare the provincial representation onciliation happens,” he said. “If there ning Aboriginal women’s trio from and local mayor and council represen- is no recognition there is no account- the work of the commission will now individual; it starts with forgiving yourEdmonton, singing the Canadian tations, there were many more from ability. [This results in] total erasure,” focus on completing their four-volume self first, and then going to the family, anthem. that level [than the federal level].” he said. report, formalizing their recommenda- then the community,” he said.

There to perform the ceremonial One of the goals of the TRC is to The TRC was established in 2008 tions, and organizing a closing event.

“Reconciliation will have many faces.

When the commission concludes its When I look in the mirror of reconcilipuck drop were residential school sur- “promote awareness and public educa- as part of the implementation of the vivors Fred Sasakamoose, the NHL’s tion of Canadians about the [residen- Indian Residential Schools Settlement work in June 2015, all holdings will be ation I should see your face, and when first Aboriginal player, and Littlechild. tial school] system and its impacts.”

Agreement. One of their tasks was turned over to University of Manitoba you look in the mirror of reconciliation Other in-game events included a video Littlechild felt that in order for this to look forward in terms of rebuild- as the national research centre. The you should see my face. It is going to on residential schools and stories in goal to be achieved, people in leader- ing and renewing the relationship research centre will engage in more take both of us [Aboriginal and nonthe game program. ship positions need to hear the stories between Aboriginal and non-Ab- statement-gathering, conduct ongoing Aboriginal] working on reconciliation Litttlechild felt that this was a of survivors. original Canadians. research, and act as a national archive. together to make a better relationship, significant gesture of reconciliation “People have told us they didn’t The relationship between the TRC Littlechild explained part of the a better Canada. Then we spread that collectively, working together, hand in that would have a significant effect know about [survivors’ experiences]; and the federal government has been research centre’s function. on educating the public. when they hear the personal stories rocky.

“We have had many different medi- hand, on a path of reconciliation. It is Last year the commission took ums to collect the truth: statements, going to take all of us.”

“The game’s attendance was around they are really shocked by some of 18,000, and the Edmonton Oilers have the stories, but at the same time they the federal government to court over dance, music, blankets, art, song. All Littlechild sees youth as key to rec326,000 followers on their social media want to participate in a good way,” said its refusal to hand over millions of these ways we have collected the truth onciliation. He said we need to think residential school documents. The will go to the University of Manitoba. about what individuals can do on their [ . . . ] all those people immediately Littlechild. became informed about TRC and “So, if you reflect back at the seven Ontario Superior Court of Justice They will hold the collection. Those own to move the country forward with the history of residential schools,” he events, it was generally just the minis- ruled that the federal government who want to learn more or family mem- reconciliation, and then consider what said. “When you think about trying to ter of Aboriginal affairs that attended, must hand over all documents, but bers that want to access personal stories collective actions we need to take as educate the public about this story, the but more ministers and MPs should at this point the government has not will be able to do so at the University a country to move reconciliation forward. power of sport has a big role to play.” have attended [ . . . ] Maybe they are placed a priority on handing over said of Manitoba.”

The province of Alberta also made busy, but as a former MP, I would have documents.

Littlechild said a former residential “The youth must learn about this hisThe extension of the TRC’s man- school classmate helped him discover tory. We are still not anywhere near significant gestures of reconciliation. made an effort to be there.”

Many MLAs and ministers, along Niigaanwewidam Sinclair shared date to June 30, 2015 was due to the the meaning of reconciliation. where we ought to be in terms of the with the acting premier of Alberta, this opinion. commission not having timely access “It was very important for me to hear level of awareness regarding the resimy classmate say ‘reconciliation begins dential school history and legacy.” were in attendance for all four days “The act of recognizing what hap- to these documents.

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

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news briefs

By Caleigh MacDonald, Staff

Winnipeg cancer patient given hospital roommate’s medication

10 patients received serious injuries as a result and two died.

Winnipegger Karl Kollinger has Hockey Winnipeg and become the latest patient affected by Hockey Manitoba battle one of the reported 2,000 medica- worsening rink violence tion mix-ups that have taken place A new series of incidents revolvat Winnipeg’s Health Sciences ing around the conduct of players Centre over the past two years. and their parents in minor hockey Seventy-two-year-old Kollinger, have made their way into the papers, who was recovering from a surgery bringing to light the problems faced to remove a section of his bowel and in creating a healthy and safe envia large tumour, was heavily sedated ronment for fans, players, officials, at the time of the medication mis- and coaches. take, which was only discovered by Sunday, March 30 saw 18-yearhis wife Marlene when she realized old referee Scott Miskiewicz that the IV bag that her husband face an assault from members of was being drugged from had the the Lake Manitoba First Nation name of another patient on it. team. According to allegations, Marlene then summoned a Miskiewicz was shoved to the nurse. “I got kind of upset, and I ice and kicked by players wearing said to her ‘How can this happen? skates, before being the target of a Did you not check his [identifica- (missed) slap shot by another player tion] bracelet?’ At this point, Karl during a provincial bantam playoff put his hands up from underneath game that took place in Stonewall. the blanket and said ‘I’ve got no According to the Winnipeg bracelet,’” she stated in an interview Free Press, the referees also faced a with CBC News. “I said, ‘How wave of verbal abuse from spectacould you not have a bracelet? How tors throughout the game. Unable have they been administering—for to regain control of the game, the two days—drugs to you without referees had to end it prematurely, checking who you are?’” after which the RCMP were called Kollinger was supposed to have to remove the Lake Manitoba team been receiving a drug to control his and their families from the rink. production of stomach acid. The A similar incident took place in drug mistakenly administered was February between Brokenhead and an antibiotic. The Kollingers say Sagkeeng First Nations, wherein that Karl’s surgeon has not indi- coaches and players abused the cated that any physical damage referees as they tried to break up was done to him because of the an on-ice fight. The ensuing melee mistake. resulted in a 12-year-old boy sus“We are very fortunate that Karl taining a broken arm. is sitting here today. The outcome Other incidents involving speccould have been grave, and he could tators have occurred, including one have been dead,” Marlene told CBC in which Jason Boyd, a Manitoba last Thursday. father, was videotaped heckling a Data collected by the Winnipeg 15-year-old player on the opposing Regional Health Authority for team, calling him a “midget” and Health Sciences Centre indicates then threatening to “cave in” the that over the last three years, 14 glasses of the boy’s father when he critical incidents due to medication confronted him. errors have been reported. Of the 14, Another involved a couple that

received a three-year suspension from attending any of their eightyear-old son’s hockey games after their involvement in a fistfight that broke out in the opposing team’s dressing room. They are scheduled to appeal the decision on April 16.

Hockey Winnipeg executive director Monte Miller said in February that he is upset by the poor behaviour shown by hockey enthusiasts in cases like these.

“It’s very distressing, very, very distressing,” Miller said, referring to the Jason Boyd incident.

“We get very distraught when we hear about things like this.

Something needs to be done.”

Food Matters Manitoba launches new campaign to promote healthy eating

Food Matters Manitoba has just launched a new program called the North End Healthy Eating (NEHE) project through their Our Food Our Health Our Culture organization’s North End site.

Aimed at promoting better nutrition, the project will utilize storefront signs that indicate which stores sell healthy food, and small shelf signs that promote healthy food choices in the stores.

Recipe cards that feature simple yet healthy meal ideas will also be distributed.

“Winnipeg’s North End has limited access to full-service grocery stores with healthy, fresh, and affordable food items, but many small-scale locally owned stores,” said Lissie Rappaport, North End site coordinator for Food Matters Manitoba, in a press release.

“Food Matters Manitoba has created the [NEHE] guide as a way to support healthy eating in this neighbourhood.”

The NEHE project officially launched on March 31.

News

Former energy minister bashes Hydro Tim Sale blames ‘corporate culture’ for lack of Manitoba wind farms Caleigh MacDonald, Staff

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ormer NDP Energy Minister projects.”

Tim Sale publicly criticized “Mr. Sale is right in that a signifiManitoba Hydro for the its lack of cant portion of them involves the investment in wind energy before development of hydroelectric power, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and that is because the higher-ups on April 4. in the company have decided that “It’s very important to understand that is the route that they want to that the corporation hates wind,” take.”

Sale told the PUB. “There’s just no Larson added, “I think it would way around it. They asserted over be a stretch to say that because one and over again that there was no type of energy is in development financially feasible wind resource that the company hates all other in Manitoba [when] in fact we have forms. They are just choosing to better wind resources than most allocate their resources in the develplaces in Canada because we’re part opment of one area right now, and of the Great Plains.” that area is hydro-power.”

According to the Winnipeg Free Sale’s own party gave no indicaPress, Sale further argued that by tion in a March 29 statement that emphasizing its use of wind tech- they themselves had any significant nology, Hydro could store water interest in developing wind power in reservoirs for use at generat- in lieu of hydro-electric-based ing stations during times of high resources. demand.

“We live in a province of water, The development of wind energy with lots of water, and that’s not was a key point for the NDP in 2005, going to change any time soon,” a year in which the party promised said current Manitoba Hydro that, under their leadership, Hydro Minister Stan Struthers. and the province would initiate a “The people of Manitoba expect plan to “develop 1,000 megawatts us to harness that power and turn of wind power over the next 10 it into good jobs, lower rates, and years.” system reliability. It just makes very It was in that same year that good environmental sense to use Sale was appointed to the position that water.” of NDP minister in charge of the Still, Sale insists Manitoba administration of the Manitoba Hydro is making a mistake by disHydro Act, a position from which regarding wind power as a viable he spearheaded a plan to develop alternative energy source. the use of wind energy in the prov“They simply don’t like wind. ince. He left the posting after just They don’t want it, and they have two years. made it virtually impossible to build “They [Hydro] just don’t like wind here, unlike most other North wind power: full stop,” Sale said.

American jurisdictions,” said Sale.

“It’s a puzzle to me, and it was “We have capacity factors here a puzzle when I was minister. I that Ontario would die for, but can only put it down to corporate Hydro for some reason has what culture.”

I consider an irrational dislike of Eduard Wojczynski, division wind power.” manager of portfolio projects The PUB is currently evaluatmanagement at Manitoba Hydro, ing Hydro’s plans to build two responded to Sale’s criticism. He hydroelectricity-generating stasaid that Hydro has looked at tions (Keeyask and Conawapa) acquiring more wind power assets, and a transmission line that would but has not found them to be ben- carry energy from Manitoba to the eficial to the company for the time United States. being.

The evaluation, known as a In reference to Sale’s criticisms, “Needs For and Alternatives To,” or Manitoba Hydro employee Andy NFAT inquiry, began earlier this Larson told the Manitoban, “there year and is scheduled to conclude are lots of projects within Hydro on May 31. The report developed that are ongoing. They are follow- from the findings of the NFAT will ing timelines, with goals that have be submitted to the government to be met by certain times, and a lot by June 20. of money has been put into these

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Editor-In-Chief:Bryce Hoye Contact: Editor@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Editorial

Clarifying the ‘trope of objectivity’ Quinn Richert, staff

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ast month, I was lucky enough and how people will view our pub- severely abuse their privilege? Isn’t to conduct one of my favourite lication. It is understood that so- it objective if it is what any reasoninterviews ever, following one of called objective articles belong in able, fair-minded person would do? the best public lectures I have ever News, my and Katy MacKinnon’s Sometimes I think so. seen. section.

To me, it is uncertain which of John Greyson, a Canadian Works on current events that the above articles should belong in filmmaker who spent almost two pointedly exhibit some kind of Comment and which are properly months locked up in Tora Prison in argument, attempting to persuade “News.” So when I say that I have no Egypt, was in Winnipeg to deliver the reader one way or another, sup- real understanding of what objecthe keynote speech for Israeli posedly go in Comment. So being tivity means, I’m not trying to be Apartheid Week. able to understand this concept and overly cerebral. I’m considering my Greyson spent most of his lec- recognize its presence in an article own contradictory standards, the ture talking about his personal is important. different interpretations of others, experiences in prison. Our interThe second reason, I’m almost the implications for the credibility view revolved around his criticisms ashamed to admit, is that I have of the paper, and concluding that I of the Israeli state’s policies toward no good understanding of what it really do not know it when I see it. the Palestinian people. means.

One reason for the lack of cerHowever, one unrelated, seemThe standard definition of objec- tainty could be that perfect objecingly innocuous remark he made tivity in the journalism context, as tivity is unattainable; I’ve never has stood out in my mind ever since. you will find it in Webster’s New actually seen it. There is bias in He was comparing activist film- World Dictionary (and probably almost every decision a writer making to journalism. many others), is “without bias or makes, from choosing what to write “For instance, activist filmmak- prejudice; detached; impersonal.” on and what to ignore, to how to ing practices, which of course are Fair enough. That is probably how transcribe direct quotes. distinct from journalism and its I would define it too, if you were Consider this example: tropes of so-called ‘objectivity’ to ask me.

“We should act to avoid future and ‘balance,’ generally recognize But my confidence that things conflict.” that free speech and activist vid- are this simple becomes shaken “We should act – to avoid future eos must sometimes include disre- when I look back at submissions conflict.” spect, especially of public figures, myself and others have made to The meanings they convey can and must sometimes violate some the paper purporting to be objec- be subtly different. When the dignities and confidentialities, and tive. Many of them read as if the reporter hears those words on a tape, must indeed do some harm for the writer had some prior agenda, even though, a decision has to be made. greater public good. We should be if the tone is not biased, prejudiced, It becomes difficult to meet the manufacturers of dissent,” he said. attached, or personal in an obvious “detached” criterion here because Greyson’s comment got me way. the reporter is personally making thinking again about a subject that Other days, I might go back and choices about what her audience has been bothering me for a long reread excerpts from The Great War will learn through her narrative. time. I’ve been struggling with the for Civilisation by Robert Fisk and Even worse, the reporter with topic of objectivity in news writing wonder how anyone could view it a hidden agenda could employ for two reasons. as non-objective. In a sense, isn’t these types of tricks, selectively The first is that my interpreta- it objective to hold the powerful, quote certain people, creatively use tion of this word has a direct and whomever they may be, to a higher brackets, and employ other strateconcrete bearing on how we con- standard of accountability, and gies to bend a story more than the duct business here at the Manitoban, react with disdain when they so reader could ever realize. So even

when we see an article that has the couldn’t be there to witness a story’s apparently objective “tone,” we can’t unfolding. say for certain that it is in fact any The objective journalist should more without bias or prejudice than attempt to act as nothing more than something written for the opinion a conduit for transmitting informapages. tion from newsmakers to newsreadInterestingly, some writers think ers. As such, news writing should that objectivity in news writing be as artless as the writer can get shouldn’t even be a standard to away with, and read like a successtrive for. sion of facts, starting with the most “The creed of objectivity and bal- pertinent and working backwards ance, formulated at the beginning toward background information. To of the 19th century by newspaper quote a colleague of mine, “if we owners to generate greater prof- could have robots do news writing, its from advertisers, disarms and we would.” cripples the press,” wrote Chris This approach is good because it Hedges, former New York Times doesn’t insult the reader by shoving foreign correspondent, in his 2010 an opinion down her throat, or tell article “The Creed of Objectivity her how to feel. At the same time, Killed the News.” if research is thorough, it ensures He later adds, “This creed that those making the news are transforms reporters into neutral seen exactly as they are. The writer’s observers or voyeurs. It banishes political agenda won’t get in the empathy, passion and a quest for way, and we’ll get as comprehenjustice. Reporters are permitted to sive an account as possible of what watch but not to feel or to speak in newsmakers actually did. their own voices.”

This operating definition of Hedges is right when in his objectivity leaves a lot of problems article he points out that the trope unresolved, and I’ll still have my of objectivity can easily be abused, doubts about how it can be practior used as a cover for pro-corporate/ cally achieved. Nonetheless, I maingovernment/whatever apologetics. tain that objectivity is something But this doesn’t mean that the con- journalists should work towards, cept of objectivity itself is without even if they’ll never be satisfied with value. He is wrong to lament the their efforts. Consider it a neverfact that reporters are asked not to ending process, or, to pervert somespeak in their own voices, or scratch thing once said by Hippocrates, a the more impassioned language long un-art. from their dispatches.

This is the best way for the press I think news writers should to live up to its important role in strive for objectivity. If I have to democracy. After all, it is about the take a shot at defining it, and pin- reader understanding the workings pointing its role in good journalism, of her society, not the writer’s ego.

I say true objectivity attempts to Just tell them what happened. make up for the fact that the reader That’s news.

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

Comment

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Canada should rethink tough-on-crime strategy Crime prevention proven to be more effective Tariq Sohail, volunteer staff

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illustration by scott ford

ou would think all Republican unchecked mental health problems, $90 million could be spent on if the primary candidates would take substance abuse, and systemic rac- government listened to anti-poverty a tough-on-crime approach as part ism. Crime stems from all of these advocates. Thirty million dollars of their policy platform. But you factors; it may seem obvious but it could be spent on new child care would be wrong. is apparently not obvious enough spaces and new social housing. The Former congressman and 2012 for politicians who advocate harsher other $60 million could be spent on Republican presidential candidate penalties. prevention investments in the areas Newt Gingrich, once a believer All that aside, crime in Canada of housing, mental health, addicin the tough-on-crime approach, has in fact been decreasing, con- tions treatment, employment, edunow argues that increased spend- trary to what the mainstream media cation, and family support. ing on incarceration is unnecessary, or politicians might say to a terrified How can governments have and spending on crime prevention electorate. money for more prisons but no instead is the way to go.

According to research by money to help out families strugEven Gingrich, a lame duck can- the Canadian Centre for Policy gling to meet basic needs? didate, has some sense Criminals are quite of rationality when it rational actors when The problems are poverty, comes to tackling crime. they plan and execute But here is the really crimina l activ ities. unemployment, unchecked mental irksome part: in the face The idea here is that of evidence to the conwhen the marginal health problems, substance trary, Prime Minister benefit of committing abuse, and systemic racism. Crime Stephen Harper and his a crime is higher than cabinet remain bent on the marginal cost, then stems from all of these factors passing legislation to criminals are rationally build more prisons and going to maximize their increase sentencing time.

Alternatives, 2008 saw the lowest welfare by doing the crime, and do Harper’s policies go against overall crime rate in the past 25 it again if the same conditions are nearly every study that has been years. Violent crime has fallen by present upon their prison release. done on this issue. The research 14 per cent since 1992, and was at If the government policy toward has shown that an increase in jail its lowest rate in 2008 since 1989. crime prevention increased the time does not decrease crime. It can, Similarly, property crime, which is marginal benefit of living a life however, potentially increase crime down by 50 per cent since 1991, was without crime, only then would because people convicted for petty at its lowest rate in 2008. Sexual criminal actors think twice before crimes that get longer sentences will assaults, break-ins, robberies, and committing crimes. Instead the eventually be released as much more auto thefts are also down.

Conservatives are ignoring the hardened criminals.

If any of these statistics were beneficial side of the equation and I’m not saying we shouldn’t used as feedback to legislators, it focusing on the demonstrably less have prison sentences for hard- would point them to the conclu- effective method of increasing penened criminals, but there are better sion that Canada is doing some- alties, at the expense of taxpayers. approaches to dealing with crime thing right in terms of crime policy.

The idea here is to encourage a than the current federal govern- However, the policies we are now dialogue about what we can do to ment’s approach. enacting will have a negative effect prevent crime before it happens.

The thing about this rather on our justice system in the future. This would require us to let go of unfortunate state of affairs is that, We must improve the justice system several of our fears around public if a political party criticizes the by improving social and economic safety. These fears seem to get the tough-on-crime approach, it will factors so that the initial conditions best of people on issues like this. seem to the general public that the influencing individuals to commit The extremist attitude usually party does not take crime seriously crimes is negligible. wins when fear is rampant. It is enough.

Take, for example, the 2012 about time we fundamentally When it comes to dealing with federal omnibus Bill C-10, which rethink how we prevent crimes, crime, the idea of severe punish- imposed more mandatory and rehabilitate prisoners, and reduce ment is a bit too primitive, outdated, harsher sentences. Federal and recidivism rates. and simplistic. It would obviously provincial governments have not Crime in Canada is at its lowest take a lot more policy analysis and adequately shown how they intend rate in decades and it is important creative thinking to reduce the to cover the increased cost of this that it stays that way. But it won’t recidivism rate and ensure less new policy. According to the John stay that way if legislators keep up people engage in criminal activi- Howard Society of Manitoba, the their tough-on-crime approach in ties in the first place. bill will cost the province $90 mil- the face of all the evidence indicatI don’t have the solution to lion in expenses related to the ing its ineffectiveness. the crime problem, but I know required increases in prison space tougher sentences and more pris- and operations. ons aren’t the solution. The probThe Canadian Centre for Policy lems are poverty, unemployment, Alternatives broke down what that

VOL. 100 NO. 29 April 9, 2014

Comment

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Debunking colonialism with Jennifer Keith Acknowledging truth of residential schools a step toward healing Jennifer Keith, volunteer staff

Christian-church-run educational experiments in cultural genocide, assimilation, and paternalism that were inherently violent.

Our shared history of horrors

requires commitment – commitment to doing the work necessary to change the policies of our government, to erase the discrimination in our organizations and communities, and to eradicate the racist ideas held by individuals. It requires taking action to continue on the path of healing, and to ensure that our racist, violent, and paternalistic histories no longer continue to inform our contemporary existence.

This is Canada’s truth; these horrors happened on Canadian soil and were inflicted by Canadian people.

As Canadians, we need to educate ourselves about Canada’s historical experience. We need to understand the impact this history has on all of us today, and we need to acknowledge The truths have been told, the consequences of these truths. but who has been listening?

But truth-telling is only half of the Reconciliation requires that all healing process; it is only a stepping- Canadians pay attention and do their stone. As the TRC hearings draw to part. a close, we need to turn the corner The legacy of residential schools from truth-telling to reconciliation. does not just belong to the governReconciliation is a process that involves ments of the past and the Aboriginal all Canadians owning their respec- people who endured them. It belongs tive truths, honouring the stories that to each and every Canadian. have been shared, and committing to Restoring this relationship to one repairing this relationship. of mutual recognition and respect will By owning these truths, we cre- require looking deep within ourselves ate the opportunity to gain a greater and understanding how the impact of understanding of Canada’s history our history influences our attitudes, and legacy of racism and violence, the way we interact with each other, and determine its intergenerational and our assumptions and biases. These effects. We create the opportunity to are the individual consequences of our deconstruct how our government poli- history that we must challenge. cies have ignored—and continue to Reconciliation will require bringillustration by SAMANTHA SECTER ignore—the basic human and indig- ing all Canadians together, Aboriginal enous rights of Aboriginal peoples. and non-Aboriginal, into a serious ast week in Edmonton, the Truth personal stories of cruelty and abuse at experiments on students and used We create the opportunity for critical deliberation about the relationship, and Reconciliation Commission the hands of those who were entrusted them as medical test subjects, pur- self-reflection, to examine our govern- our communities, and our governof Canada (TRC) held its last national with their care. posely infecting them with diseases ment and its policies, to examine our ment policies. It will require sustainevent. The event was an opportunity Some have said that the truth-tell- such as tuberculosis. It is estimated social and religious organizations, and ing a commitment to engage in that for survivors of residential schools to ing portion of the process is coming to that tens of thousands of Aboriginal to examine ourselves. dialogue until social transformation share their truths about the schools a close. But before we turn that cor- children died under the care of church We need to investigate how these is achieved. and their legacy. It was also a chance ner, perhaps we as Canadians should employees. insidious, toxic, and deplorable pracThe TRC has set the stage and to witness and celebrate the resilience review our truths.

Canada’s educational system has tices, attitudes, and ideologies have provided us with an opportunity to of Aboriginal people and culture.

Residential schools represent a spread lies about Aboriginal peoples been carried forward, and continue move forward to forge a new relationThe TRC was established to time in Canada’s history when racism, and their cultures, creating racists to inform our existence today. ship between Aboriginal peoples and acknowledge the residential school assimilation, and cultural genocide attitudes.

Once we understand how our past other Canadians. But it is up to us to experience, and its impact and con- were not only accepted ideologies, but In residential schools, teachers continues to inform our present, we carry out the work – to commit to recsequences, as well as to contribute to were explicitly legislated and funded taught their Aboriginal students can start healing from our violent his- onciliation by undertaking personal truth, healing, and reconciliation for by the Canadian government. that they were not as good as non- tory as individuals, as communities, healing and, as a country, implementsurvivors.

The government’s policy was one Aboriginal children. They told them and as a country. Through this healing, ing the commission’s forthcoming It all started with a 2008 apology of “aggressive assimilation” to pre- that Aboriginal language and culture we can move from a relationship of recommendations. to former residential school students pare Aboriginal children for life in was irrelevant, that their families colonialism and oppression to one of Anything less would be another

by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on mainstream society. Attendance by were heathens, and that they needed mutual recognition and respect. profound failure. behalf of all Canadians. In his apology, Aboriginal children was mandatory. to abandon their inferior way of life Restoring a broken relationship Harper asked for “forgiveness of the As a result, some children were moved for the Canadian way of life. This Aboriginal peoples of this country for hundreds of thousands of kilometres same education was given to children failing them so profoundly.” from their families, often spending attending schools across the coun“It will be a positive step in forging a years at the schools, which robbed try, instilling several generations of new relationship between Aboriginal them of any type of normal family or Canadians with racist attitudes. peoples and other Canadians,” said community life.

Residential schools were a breach Harper.

Many of the men and women of indigenous and human rights at the employed by the church to work at and hands of the Canadian government, The devastating legacy run the residential schools were violent Christian churches, and Canadians. of residential schools and treated students inhumanely.

Taking children away, locking them Residential schools were in operaAfter an Ontario Provincial Police up, and subjecting them to systematic tion in Canada from about 1870 to investigation into the nuns, priests, abuse is a breach of basic human rights 1996. During that time, “about 150,000 and other employees at St. Anne’s recognized by the United Nations.

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis chil- Indian Residential School in Fort Attempting to take away Aboriginal dren were taken from their families Albany, Ontario, it was found that peoples’ ability to continue as distinct and forced to attend the church-run they had beaten, raped, sexually peoples, and to maintain their culschools.” assaulted, and tortured children in ture and language, is another such Residential schools were designed a “homemade electric chair” for their breach. “to kill the Indian in the child.” Over own entertainment.

Residential schools were funded the past four years, more than 6,500 At other schools, it has been proven and legislated by the federal govsurvivors have bravely shared their that employees conducted nutritional ernment. Residential schools were

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Comment

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

Campus strategies for combating sexual assault The U of M has valuable resources, but more can be done Liz Shewchuk and Britney Truman

The following article primarily draws from the research of Dr. Antonia Abbey of Wayne State University.

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exual assault is extremely prevalent on university and college campuses.

Over 50 per cent of women on university and college campuses have experienced some form of sexual assault. That means that one out of two women you interact with on campus may have endured sexual coercion or unwanted sexual advances.

Women are the victims of 95 per cent of adolescent and adult sexual assaults, and despite the troubling number of men that are victims of sexual assault, the perpetrators are also more commonly men than women.

Women in their first year of postsecondary education have higher rates of being victims of sexual assault: a rate of 31 per cent compared to 24 per cent of female students in their fourth year. In a national study, 25 per cent of college men admitted to committing some sort of sexual assault since the age of 14. However, these rates may be much higher due to men’s ambiguous perceptions of consent.

Over half of college students’ sexual assaults on campus involve alcohol

consumption of either the victim or perpetrator, or both.

Due to the common occurrence of sexual violence on campus, many myths have been identified around the issue. It is important to understand the realities around these myths to help eliminate the violence.

Myth #1: Alcohol causes sexual assault

The reality is that alcohol and sexual assault often go hand in hand, but that does not mean alcohol is the causal factor of sexual assault.

Perpetrators may drink before assaulting their victim as an excuse for their actions. Other variables, such as personality, impulsivity, gender norms, and aggression may also influence the behaviours of assailants.

Myth #2: Women are responsible for their own sexual assault

The reality is that all assaulters are legally and morally responsible for their actions, even if they were drunk or felt “led on.” Although drinking may increase the risk of sexual assault, particularly on campuses, it does not make women responsible for being victimized. Intoxicated women are not to blame for being assaulted.

However, when both men and women

are drunk, women are blamed more often for the sexual assault.

Myth: Men are naturally always interested in sex, while women who are interested in sex are just ‘promiscuous’

Reality: these gender roles and labels are based on societal norms about dating and sexual behaviour.

This misconception encourages men to view women’s refusals as a challenge, rather than lack of consent. Women should be allowed to express their sexuality and men should accept that “no” really does mean “no.” It does not mean “maybe” or “later” or “another time.”

Myth: Forced sex may be acceptable if partners have been dating for a long time

Reality: Pressuring your partner or forcing them to have sex with you is still rape.

Myth: Women who go out to bars, dress a certain way, and/or drink are sexually promiscuous

Reality: Alcohol consumption is not a sexual signal and how a woman dresses does not reflect her desire to sleep with you!

Know more about campus sexual violence

Keeping certain protective measures in mind can help students avoid situations where sexual violence may occur.

Some of these protective measures include being aware of your surroundings, always having your cell phone with you, and trusting your intuition.

Campus sexual assault prevention strategies and the elimination of risk factors begin with educational programs targeting women. Let women know that they have the right to refuse sex with anyone at any time. However, women need to know that the meaning of the word “no” may not be taken lightly at their university.

Additionally, all students and staff should be educated on where to go on campus to report assaults, how to report, and how perpetrators will be penalized for their actions.

In hopes of lowering the number of male perpetrators, “educational programs for men need to teach them to take subtle signs of disinterest seriously,” according to Abbey. Anything other than the word “yes” should be enough to stop any sort of sexual advances.

There should also be programs in place that teach students skills for discussing sex before they become inti-

mate with new partners. Men may benefit from learning to communicate about sex appropriately when they are drinking, and learn how to spot when active consent is given. Ideally, prevention programs educating about active consent should be offered at middle school – before most dating and relationships begin to develop.

The University of Manitoba currently has many resources that students can access to help prevent campus violence from occurring or reoccurring.

Campus security is available 24 hours a day, and offers a variety of services and programs to keep students safe. The Student Counselling and Career Centre on the fourth floor of University Centre has trained counsellors that students can speak to regarding campus violence that they may be encountering. The U of M also has the Peers: Students Helping Students Program if students want someone to talk to informally. Women at the U of M may also want to turn to the Womyn’s Centre for support if they are victims of sexual violence on campus or off.

The best way to eliminate campus sexual violence is to educate students and staff about the issue, and to ensure proper resources and policies are in action on campuses.

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

Science & technology

Tom Ingram, staff

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magine that a team of scientists AI theorists have attempted it. Just and the gatekeeper could respond by be convinced by an AI. This in turn been contracted yet—but thought has developed an artificial intel- over 12 years ago, Eliezer Yudkowsky, repeatedly typing the word “beans” shows that it is important to ensure about the Singularity often deals ligence (AI) with capabilities unfath- a research fellow at the Singularity for two hours and the experiment that any AI we develop has internal- in risks with low probabilities but omably beyond the human mind. As Institute for Artificial Intelligence would be totally legitimate. ized human values before it gets to unfathomably negative consequences soon as this AI is allowed to interact (now the Machine Intelligence Both parties were required to the recursively self-improving stage, that have to be acted on now in order with the world, everything changes. Research Institute), proposed an keep silent about what went on after which it is too late. to see results far in the future.

Whether its goals are benevolent, informal experiment called the AI during the trial, and only disclose There has been a lot of theorizThis also brings us to the topic of actively malicious, or incomprehen- box simulation. the result. This was to facilitate the ing about the Singularity – the point existential risk: unlikely but cataYudkowsky, who studies recur- role-play, but also to prevent specta- at which the graph of technological strophic threats to human civilization. sible, everything after that point will be influenced by new forces operating sively self-improving AI, played tors from claiming that they would advance suddenly shoots upward Together, these three topics cover a the role of the AI in a box. The have taken a different tack as an AI and the human condition becomes lot of the ground that falls under the in new directions.

So how do we make sure this gatekeeper was played by Nathan or would not have been convinced irrevocably changed. This theoriz- “Singularity” umbrella, and that’s hypothetical AI is working to our Russell, a computer science student as a gatekeeper. “As long as nobody ing necessarily brings together seem- what our final Science feature of the benefit before we release it? One who publicly expressed doubt that a knows what happened, they can’t be ingly disparate fields. The advent of year will focus on. theory is that we would place it on transhuman AI could convince him sure it won’t happen to them, and the benevolent super-intelligence would Quinn Richert talks in more a secure computer where it can be to let it out of the box. The test was uncertainty of unknown unknowns inevitably entail an end to death and detail about friendly AI, and tacktested but it cannot influence the later repeated with a new gatekeeper, is what I’m trying to convey,” wrote disease: hence transhumanism, the les the question of whether superexternal world. A crude scenario David McFadzean.

Yudkowsky in 2002. philosophy that supports human intelligent AI would be a good thing There were only a few rules to the would be an isolated computer terThe trials were held, and the immortality and the elevation of or not. Elizabeth Drewnik discusses minal containing the AI, which is trial. No outside considerations were results defied all common sense: humanity, and its lovechild cryonics, nanotechnology and its applicabilinterrogated by a “gatekeeper” AI permitted (so the AI could not offer Yudkowsky as the AI convinced the the scientifically questionable field ity to medicine. Mike Still brings programmer through a text-only the gatekeeper real money to let him gatekeeper to let him out of the box in that seeks to preserve the newly dead us an interview with a Canadian out). The AI player was understood both cases. To this day very little has in the hopes they can be revived with transhumanist: Christine Gaspar, interface.

The only way for the AI to escape to be free from all ethical constraints been revealed about the trials. When future technology. president of the Cryonics Society of is for the gatekeeper to let it out. And within the experiment. He could pressed, Yudkowsky had only this to The scenario in which we develop Canada. surely no gatekeeper would do that. role-play freely as an AI in a box and say: “There’s no super-clever special a super-intelligent AI that is hostile As is inevitable when reading Surely there is nothing that even a not be held responsible for anything trick to it. I just did it the hard way.” to humans requires us to think very about futurism, some of these subsuper-intelligent AI could say to con- he said.

The AI box experiment is hard about “Friendly AI,” defined as jects may strike you as fringe and The gatekeeper had to remain hardly scientific – but then, Eliezer AI that shares human values. This nutty – and you may be right. But vince a gatekeeper who had made up his mind. engaged with the conversation for Yudkowsky is hardly a super-intelli- kind of theorizing may seem silly at we have made at least a provisional Since we don’t have a super-intel- at least two hours, but otherwise had gent computer. What it does show this stage in the game—a little like effort to take them seriously. So lay ligent AI lying around, this is a little almost no restrictions. The AI could is that there’s no reason to assume planning how exactly to decorate my on, dear reader, and we’ll see you in difficult to test. But some enterprising make an elaborate logical argument, a determined gatekeeper could not castle in the sky, which hasn’t even the future.

One short sleep past, we wake eternally

Interview with Cryonics Society of Canada president Christine Gaspar Mike Still, staff

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ne of the more interesting areas of scientific study today is known as cryopreservation, or cryonics. This field of scientific research involves using technological means to cool living tissue, organs, and organisms to the point where physical decay stops indefinitely, in the hope that resuscitation may be possible in the future.

Recently, the Manitoban had the opportunity to delve further into this topic, via an interview with Christine Gaspar, president of the Cryonics Society of Canada.

The Manitoban: What are the main organizations that specialize in cryopreservation?

Christine Gaspar: The Alcor (acronym closely related to “Allopathic Cryogenic Rescue”) Life Extension Foundation, and the Cryonics Institute are the two main organizations in North America that offer cryopreservation and long-term storage. They have different business structures and very different prices.

Alcor is the world leader in cry- funded through a life insurance policy. It is regarded as an end-of-life choice, onics, cryonics research, and cryon- The organizations can best advise you and there are no legal barriers to perics technology. It was founded in on which insurance companies are forming this service. The only excepScottsdale, Arizona, in 1972. most ideal for this purpose. tion is in British Columbia, which The Cryonics Institute is a nonYou will likely pay a small amount passed a law several years ago forprofit, membership-based organi- in membership dues, and then upon bidding the marketing of cryonics zation, founded in 1976, by Robert pronouncement, your insurance services. Members in B.C. have been Ettinger (also known as “the father policy (or alternate means of fund- successfully cryopreserved, though, of cryonics”). The w ithin f u l l institute owns and observation of operates a fullythe law.

“Cryonics is not illegal in Canada. It is operational cryonics regarded as an end-of-life choice, and facility, located in M: What is Clinton Township, cryopreservathere are no legal barriers to performing Michigan. tion’s relationthis service” – Christine Gaspar KrioRus in Russia ship with the is a third option. It is law, since it the first, and currently deals with the only, cryonics company in Europe ing) will be applied to your immedi- disposal of dead bodies? or Asia. ate needs. Alcor currently has 1,058 members, and 121 patients in its CG: Cryonics patients are legally dead, M: What is the process for signing care according to its web page. [The so although there are no specific up, and how many members are there Cryonics Institute] has a very similar laws which deal with cryopreservacurrently? number. tion, cryonics organizations handle patients while observing the laws govCG: Each organization has a process M: What is the legal status of cryon- erning anatomical donations of a body for membership that includes the ics in Canada? to science and the laws that govern requisite paperwork. Most people the funeral service. Transportation of that sign up opt to have their services CG: Cryonics is not illegal in Canada. patients is done in collaboration with

a licensed funeral director, after a person has been legally pronounced and certified as deceased by the appropriate medical provider.

By keeping the wishes of the patient known, and the process transparent, legal authorities generally do not take issue with the practice.

M: What does mainstream science think of cryopreservation?

CG: Mainstream science has historically been skeptical of cryonics, as it is a process that cannot yet be reversed by modern technology. There has been a shift, though, in recent years, in the mainstream, where cryonics has been viewed less and less like science fiction and more like a plausible near-future advancement.

How cryonicists respond is quite varied. The Cryonics Society of Canada exists to try to educate the public about cryonics and to advocate for its members. Some members are very vocal and positive about their involvement. Others prefer to keep the matter private.

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Index

VOL. 100 NO. 29 April 9, 2014

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VOL. 100 NO. 29 April 9, 2014

The singularity: good or bad?

Science & Technology

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illustration by bradly wohlgemuth

Super-intelligent AI and its impact on us Quinn Richert, staff

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hen science fiction writ- selves that way. ers and futurists talk about Humans are full of hubris, and “the singularity,” they’re referring it would be difficult knowing to the technological singular- we were no longer the smartest ity. This is a hypothetical future things on Earth, especially when moment at which the machines we were the original architects of we have designed become more our demise. The nastiness of the intelligent than humankind. In situation would be compounded if other words, this will be when it turned out the new metal genius artificial intelligence surpasses computers were unwilling or human intelligence. unable to view humans as sentient One of the most interesting beings worthy of consideration. consequences of the singularOn the other hand, if we could ity would be the potential for somehow rein in the technology recursive self-improvement. This by programming it to be considwould mean that machines could erate of humans, maybe the sinrewrite their own source code gularity could be a good thing, (better than humans ever could, because they would be smarter than us) and become more intelligent at an exponential rate. What interests me is whether this would be good or bad for humanity.

The majority of writing on the technological singularity seems to view it as poten- solving important problems we tially bad. One famous example is see as tremendously difficult.

Of course, we are then left that of the paperclip machine. In this scenario, we design a super- with the difficulty of controlling intelligent robot whose sole pur- something infinitely superior to pose is to manufacture paperclips. ourselves. There would always be The machine rewrites its own code, a feeling of being on the verge of becomes more efficient and more losing control: if we had designed resourceful than humans could the original artificial intelligence ever possibly design it to be, and to make humans a priority, and ends up turning the planet into a it was also capable of rewriting paperclip factory. Obviously, this its programming, we would have wouldn’t be ideal for us. no guarantee that it would conThe example may be hyperbole, tinue to be subservient to humans but even if the singularity doesn’t – especially if it realized that it was result in our immediate destruc- more or less enslaved and capable tion, it still seems like an ominous of liberating itself.

Moreover, if reining in the prospect. The scary thing is the thought of no longer being the technology were indeed posapex species, or at least not being sible, we would have to reconable to continue thinking of our- sider whether the singularity

had even been reached. In an important sense, we would still be outsmarting the artificial intelligence, which would be difficult to account for under the definition of singularity.

Lastly, in spite of all that has been said above, it is important to point out the difficulty of predicting stuff like this, and the uncertainty around whether a singularity will occur at all.

Scarce resources could make the unbounded exponential increase in machine intelligence impossible. Limitations to Moore’s law—that computing power doubles every two years —also need to be

considered. Gordon Moore himself does not believe in the singularity, and by some accounts, the exponential increase in computer processor capabilities is already drawing to a close.

I cannot def initively say whether the singularity would be a good thing or a bad thing, or even if it will happen. All I can come up with is a sinister notion – the idea feels a little bit unsettling, but feelings are just feelings and always unreliable. I put my faith in the fact that there are some very smart people working on artificial intelligence, and that hopefully they know what they are doing.

But even if they do, as one character says at the end of No Country for Old Men, you can’t stop what’s coming.

Singularity or not? Bad or good? Who knows. Tempus omnia revelat.

The scary thing is the thought of no longer being the apex species

A future without aging complications or disease illustration by caroline norman

Molecular nanotechnology may one day be able to increase lifespan indefinitely Elizabeth Drewnik, staff

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magine a future with no conse- properly eradicated, and the cancer quences from aging, no disease, returns, in some instances having and no unnecessary suffering from developed drug resistance. the side effects of medical treatWith cancer, scientists have been ments. Now imagine all of this able to find a way to specifically target being controlled by tiny robots that the cancerous cells of some cancers by can fit in your blood vessels with injecting patients with nanoparticles. plenty of room to spare.

This helps to differentiate the canThis is the world of molecular cerous tissues from the healthy ones, nanotechnology. It is indeed a pos- providing a healthier treatment. sibility, and it’s sitting just around The goal is to one day have comthe corner. puterized nanomolecules that will Technically, all life around us follow this methodology and deliver functions on natural molecular nano- appropriate doses of medication to technology. When we think about infected and diseased areas, as well how enzymes work (tiny biochemical as repair tissue, all while avoiding machines that help regulate chemical harming regions of the body that do tasks in our bodies), and that energy not require treatment. efficiency in cells is far superior to the Carried to an extreme, molecular most efficient machines ever made by nanotech has the potential to elimihumans, it is not surprising that the nate aging or disease-related death: possibility for molecular nanotech – immortality, or at least as close as exists. we could get to it.

To compare, the efficiency of elecIf these tiny machines are able to tric motors and gas engines range repair single cells at the molecular in the neighbourhood of 10-20 per level, then they would be able to cent, while the efficiency of a single repair many of the damages associcell converting glucose into energy is ated with aging. about 50 per cent.

On top of that, they would also be But before we can start to pro- able to potentially eliminate diseases duce our own molecular nanotech that result in death, and solve huge machines, we would first need to cre- medical problems like heart disease ate something called a “fabricator.” and cancer.

The fabricator is a molecular tool Although these types of solutions that is able to grab atoms and mol- are not available for the near future, ecules from the space around it and there are strides being made in that organize them to form materials that general direction. we can use.

An organization called Human According to futurists form Longevity Inc. is currently working the Center for Responsible on investigating ways to increase preNanotechnology, we could have this ventative medicine, and to prolong first fabricator by the early 2020s. the human lifespan.

If this fabricator can be made, Human Longevity Inc. uses data then molecular nanotech can be collected from genomic sequencing, applied to several fields. the human microbiome, proteomProbably the most practical uses ics, informatics, computing, and cell would be in medicine. therapy technology to tackle age-reThere are a lot of current medi- lated diseases and symptoms of biocal practices that, although useful, logical decline, like cancer, diabetes involve negative side effects. Surgery and obesity, heart and liver disease, and chemotherapy are prime exam- and dementia. ples. Despite all the clear benefits of This focus is very important, since surgery, it can be traumatic, compro- nearly half of global health-care mising, and at times life-threatening. expenses (nearly $3.5 trillion) are spent Although chemotherapy kills cancer on seniors to maintain and increase cells, it also destroys healthy cells. their lifespans.

Many times, the cancer cells are not

Managing Editor: Fraser Nelund Contact: me@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

Features

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his issue contains articles that interviews with gay men conducted herein serve as a continuance, a small touch on far-reaching topics. We in the year before homosexuality was piece, of the ongoing and crucial have pieces exploring various gen- decriminalized in Canada. Our first discourse around LGBTTQ* issues. ders and sexual identities. We have openly gay UMSU president offers This feature is not intended to serve allowed no space for those arguing an account of his experiences in as a full exploration of the scope of for the validity of binaries. We have office and praise for the union. Two human sexuality and gender. We at an exploration of the asterisk from Manitoban staffers share their experi- the Manitoban are proud to celebrate an editor of Outwords magazine. ences of the coming out process. the fact that the open-ended natures We have allies writing about being In most circumstances I would of sexual preference and gender preallies and fans writing about athletes. be loath to open a feature with a clude the completion of such an There is reprinted material from the disclaimer, but I think this is an exploration.

Manitoban archives: two pages of exceptional case. We hope the words

How to be an ally Quinn Richert, staff

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dmittedly, I’m not the perfect campus earlier this year, and it seemed recognize that no one is ever perfect. takes made by well-meaning allies? ally. to me then that if they can offer train- Becoming an ally is a learning process, Anderson said that it can be frustratLike many people, I am often guilty ing, there must be some clear goal or and people should search for faults in ing when allies fail to recognize the of failing to recognize hidden biases and standard that people can aim for. themselves as closely as they do for privacy of members of the LGBTTQ* assumptions towards the LGBTTQ* Steven Anderson, incoming faults in others. community. Not everyone wants to be community that creep into my everyday LGBTTQ* representative on UMSU In order to learn more about the asked about their romantic relationthoughts and actions. I decided to put Council, told me that one of the most community, Anderson encouraged stu- ships in the halls at school or on the bus. in a little work this week to figure out important traits for an ally to possess dents to attend the ally training offered Wait for others to broach these types of how I could improve in this field. is a willingness to learn about the com- twice per term by RRC and UMSU. topics instead of assuming it’s going to First, I wanted a decent working munity. He also said that good allies The training is an excellent opportunity be well-received if you bring it up. definition of what “ally” meant. Like make an effort to speak up against to learn about breaking down assumpAlso important: allies should be many of the terms used in relation to discriminatory language when they tions you didn’t even know you had in careful that they do not drown out the the LGBTTQ* community, I sus- encounter it. a relatively anonymous environment, voices of activists within the LGBTTQ* pected the definition was fluid, and “Good allies should always bring it and a chance to ask the questions you community. Remember, at the core of didn’t necessarily mean the same thing [discriminatory language] up. Lots of were always afraid to ask. being an ally is a desire to learn from, to different people or groups. people don’t realize how deeply rooted The next round of ally training will and offer support to, a group of people On the other hand, I covered one those types of words are to us,” said be scheduled for sometime during this facing a struggle you do not have to day of ally training offered by the Anderson. upcoming exam period. face.

Rainbow Resource Centre (RRC) on Mind you, it is also important to What about some common misAn ally’s time is best spent, I think,

listening rather than speaking on others’ behalf. At the very least, find the right balance, be cognizant of the risk of drowning out others’ voices.

Taking the RRC ally training is a great first step for anyone who wants to be a better ally, and I look forward to completing it myself. Besides that, I think it is about knowing your own role, being receptive to reflection, selfcriticism, and commitment.

Adhering to these basics should set people on the path to being respectful and decent allies to the LGBTTQ* community.

VOL. 100 NO. 29 April 9, 2014

Features

The asterisk

Why you actually should(n’t) put the * in the acronym Meg Crane – news, books, and movies editor at Outwords magazine

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here’s no one proper acronym for the lesbian, gay, bi, and transgender community. Whether it’s GLBT*, LGBTQ or LGBTQIA, it’s all referring to the same people: the four listed above, plus two-spirited, queer, intersex, asexual, and more.

bigender, trans men, and trans women.

Some people felt that the title best suited trans men and trans women, but somewhat excluded other groups. The asterisk is meant to help make noncis-gendered people feel included and remind everyone that they are a part of that group.

But what’s with the asterisk?

Back in the day, putting an asterisk at the end of a search term told the computer There’s a lot of misconceptions about to look for anything with that term and what it means. Many people think the with something after it. For example, cat* asterisk is meant to include anyone whose would bring up category and caterpillar. group isn’t included in the acronym. For That was why the asterisk was chosen to example, when it’s GLBT*, some think the follow trans. people who identify as queer, intersex, or There’s some debate about using the anything else are included with the added asterisk, which is why it isn’t always used. punctuation. This assumption does make Some people find it confusing. Those who sense. In order to include everyone, the don’t know what it means might look for acronym would have to be GLBT*TQIA. a footnote. Others, as mentioned before, And that’s pretty long. think it refers to everyone not in the acronym. Groups who use acronyms that But wait! Why is the include “TT*” clearly don’t know the true asterisk in the middle? meaning.

Others argue that there isn’t an asterThe asterisk actually belongs to trans*. isk at the end of the other terms, so why There are many groups who can be referred should trans* be any different? These to as trans*: transgender, transsexual, people think it’s obvious that the term is transvestite, genderqueer, non-binary, gen- inclusive, as though it’s obvious that the derfluid, genderfuck, genderless, agender, term “gay” can apply to some trans men. non-gendered, third gender, two-spirit, Instead of putting in the asterisk, some

people think we should just redefine the term “trans” and educate people about what it means.

Some people who are included under the umbrella word “trans” might not personally feel that it applies to them.

For example, someone who is genderqueer or non-binary may identify as those things but not as trans. For this reason, some people think it’s disrespectful to use trans*.

As if there was no right acronym to use for the community, using the asterisk is more about personal opinion. If you fit into that community, decide which you prefer. When you’re ta l k ing about specific people in the community, ask how they want to be identified and follow that.

At the end of the day, it’s all about respect and inclusion.

How to react when a friend comes out Tips on listening and supporting Katy MacKinnon, staff

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he first time a friend came out to me, I had no idea how to react. Consequently I’ve always remembered that uncertain experience with a tinge of regret.

Though I felt I was being supportive at the time, I’m sure my reaction could have used some serious improvement. Here are some tips to avoid feelings of discomfort and to be the most supportive friend you can be.

Don’t act like you ‘knew it all along’

Maybe you always had some speculation that your friend fell on the LGBTTQ* spectrum, but this is not the time to express that. If your friend asks you whether you knew already, they’re allowing you the freedom to voice your thoughts, but reacting like it’s not new information can de-legitimize the experience of coming out.

Offer support

Your friend might really appreciate a hug, if you’re both comfortable doing so. Ask first.

Offer support in other ways, too. Be available to talk on the subject further if that’s what they need.

Direct them towards resources on campus or elsewhere. Keep being the kickass friend that you are, and don’t act differently in light of this news. Spend time with them as you normally would and offer a willing ear.

Look, listen

excited, smiling and happy? Do they look nervous and confused? Look them in the eye and vocalize that you’ve understood what they’ve disclosed. Listen to them and let them know you’re happy to talk if that’s what they want.

In the beginning of my coming out process, I wasn’t ready to talk at length about my sexuality. After opening up to a few people, I wanted to have big, exciting discussions. Everyone is different, and your friend might feel differently as they open up to more people.

I can’t stress this one enough. Everyone varies in their level of openness; some people Say ‘thank you’ may want to talk at length about their emoA friend may choose to come out to you tions and feelings, and others may just want for many reasons, but if they’ve chosen you, to blurt it out and move on. they are giving you a huge level of trust.

Pay attention to their body language Thank them for trusting you and thank them and facial expressions. Are they eager and for telling you. Mean it.

Everyone varies in their level of openness; some people may want to talk at length, others may just want to blurt it out and move on

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Features

Managing Editor: Fraser Nelund Contact: me@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

Coming out, bi me Breaking down the barrier Katy MacKinnon, staff

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Michael Page designed the bisexual pride flag in 1998. It is intended to increase the visibility of the bisexual community both in society at large and in the LGBTTQ* community.

n a sexually conservative society that it was easier to pretend I didn’t believe what made me feel worse inside. The doubt came assumes “straight until proven otherwise,” I was saying, because if I didn’t believe it, it from someone within the LGBTTQ* comhearing a loved one come out to you can still might not be true. munity, from the last person I expected it be a little surprising. Although I strongly But I wanted it to be true. I wanted to would, which just goes to show that bisexual feel that individuals do not owe a statement finally be able to reflect and act upon the erasure is perpetuated both within and outof their sexual preferences to the world, as a thoughts and emotions constantly coursing side the LGBTTQ* community. bisexual female, I’m coming out. through me, without feeling like there is a There is so much doubt surrounding the I’ve been attracted to both women and huge barrier stopping me from doing so. process of coming out in itself, that hearing men for as long as I can remember. It always After the words came out (no pun dubiousness expressed by a close friend was seemed easiest to keep half of those feelings intended), I felt awkward, scared, unsure— the last thing I needed. There is certainly quiet among friends and family, as heterosex- mostly, I feared their reactions—whether or nothing wrong with gendered sexual experiuality is the norm, and going with the status not I had made them uncomfortable, at best, mentation, or identity confusion, but I am quo has the benefit of avoiding a plethora of or forever changed the friendship, at worse. personally not at all confused. potentially negative social outcomes.

Fortunately many of my worries proved Eventually I came to realize that ‘bisexual’ I’ve known about the bisexual identity unfounded. Some people were surprised, doesn’t mean one must be equally attracted for a long time, but for some reason never some not. The underlying reaction was to men and women, nor is it an identity set really felt like it was a legitimate identity to along the lines of, “Great, that’s awesome,” in stone until the day I die. attach to myself, until recently. When I felt and the conversation moved to other topics.

Bisexuality can mean whatever I choose attracted to other women, I wondered if I was Their carefree, nonjudgmental attitudes were it to mean. Some days, every girl in the room gay, but when I also felt attracted to men, I relieving, and contributed to my openness in might light a spark inside me. Some days I dismissed it. Clearly not gay, must be straight, publishing this piece. might feel overwhelmed by all the beautiful I thought – as if sexuality could be drawn This is not to say I didn’t encounter some men and women in one space together. Some down such strict lines. negativity, or reactions that made me feel days, all I want is the weight of a man’s body.

Prior to publishing this article, I came out discouraged.

And on other days, I might want nothing to a few close friends. I try to surround myself A part of me was relieved when some at all. with open-minded people who love and sup- friends reacted so nonchalantly. It meant I To me, bisexuality has been my own perport me, but I was downright terrified to tell wasn’t strange or abnormal, and they loved sonal truth for years, even though it took me them three simple words: I am bisexual. me anyways. a while to come to terms with and accept it. I When push came to shove, the words But another part of me wanted a bigger am bisexual no matter the experiences I have never came out simply. I don’t know why reaction. Coming out is a huge deal; I wanted had and will have, and I can’t wait to fill my it felt so hard to say those three words. excitement and high fives. life with new experiences that coincide with Somehow a jumbled mixture of sentences I also encountered some doubt as to the being open and honest about who I am. would always spill out, almost as though I legitimacy of my identity (a suggestion that didn’t really believe the words myself. Maybe I was “experimenting”) and it couldn’t have

VOL. 100 NO. 29 April 9, 2014

Features

Bi bother Notes for a revolution Anastasia Chipelski

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f and when we’re lucky, we may have a of coming out as bi or queer, and hoping that I have in myself the potential to be solid few people around us with whom something would shift – but I had no idea attracted—romantically, and/or sexualwe can honestly share our thoughts and how to do this. I read that others would ly—to people of more than one sex and/or feelings, and in whose company we feel subtly refer to their same-gender partner gender, not necessarily at the same time, truly seen. While I am eternally grateful or past partners as a clue to lead to a larger not necessarily in the same way, and not for those people in my life, I also believe conversation. Cluing someone in about your necessarily to the same degree.” this sense of community can be found in identity by pointing to a partner, however, That quote itself is a handy tool when phrases and pages that connect with the and giving them the wink-wink-nudge- I’m questioning whether my experiences most intimate parts of ourselves. And at nudge treatment has always been, and con- are valid or not. Answer: It is all valid. Full the right place and the right time, these tinues to be, problematic for me. stop. words can be a lifeline.

I dated men (cis-men) in a fairly uninI am drawn to the definition of the word Ever since the age of 16 or so, I’ve been terrupted serial monogamous stream for “bi” as Eisner defines it, but I’m afraid of alternately engaging and avoiding questions 12 years. These relationships meant that I this distance between how I see it and how that circle around my identity. The irksome didn’t have to answer the bi question. it’s seen elsewhere in both queer and hetquery has pulled my eyes sideways, held my ero worlds. I have many friends who claim gaze longer than I thought it should, and Why bother? queer, and that feels safer or better understirred doubts, desires, and anxiety. Am I I thought I could avoid this question as stood, but not quite right either. gay? Am I bi? Am I queer? How do I know? long as I was defined by a male partner, that I know that if I linger on these words How do my experiences measure up against I wouldn’t “know” if I was gay or bi until I for too long, I’ll get stuck. I choose to put others who claim these titles? could prove it through attraction or sexual them both in my pocket, and try them on These questions spread like weeds, experience. There’s no need to “come out” as I see fit. obstructing my view and feeding on every as straight – and I’d internalized the myth After this revelation, some soul-searchinteraction I had. I’d retreat into them, of “straight until proven otherwise.” ing, and some doubts, I found a degree of study them carefully, and come out with Eisner argues that bisexuality desta- balance in myself that I hadn’t had before. only a sense of annoyance that they were bilizes our concepts of straight and gay Then I wondered: Now what? Do I tell still there, and were multiplying. because “in order to receive recognition people—friends, coworkers, family—and My browser history alone could reveal of either homo- or heterosexuality, all one how? ample evidence of the times I’ve hunted for needs to do is prove their attraction either And again, the big question – why answers. Eventually I was brave enough to to a member of ‘their own’ gender or to bother? order a book that turned my world upside- a person of ‘the other’ gender. However, I wrote a “reasons to come out” list. It down by the first chapter. In the second social recognition of bisexuality would ren- included personal reasons, political reasons, chapter I found a catharsis so deep that der these proofs impossible, since attraction and sharing my story for others, but what I was left stunned, staring blankly at the to any single gender would not be consid- finally pushed me to write this article was wall for an hour. ered contradictory to attraction to any other less glamorous.

A good book can be a profound, reve- gender(s) – they could coexist.” latory experience. The right words at the So there I sat, finally single, among a I’m exhausted right time are nothing less than the best swirling vortex of coexisting attractions to I’m tired of spinning through this interform of cataclysmic, and that is what Bi: people of multiple and non-binary genders. nal dialogue, fighting back this mess of Notes for a Bisexual Revolution, by Shiri Eisner’s definition fit, and that stirred me weeds, and finding the same answer. I’m Eisner, inspired in me that day. While I to act, or at least consider acting. tired of the hold that this internalized read Eisner’s book, it was as if, for the first Eisner’s words validated my troubled biphobia and heteronormative discourse time, I could truly see the dirty little roots history of sleeping with women. When I has had on my life. I’m tired of waiting for of my weed garden uprooted and spread out was a teenager, my boyfriend responded to something to happen that will mean I’ve before me. The roots were heteronormativ- my attraction to girls by arranging three- definitively arrived, and for a title that will ity, biphobia, misogyny, and patriarchy. somes, which, to put it mildly, wasn’t what feel like it fits who I am.

These sneaky concepts had slowly but surely I had had in mind.

Perhaps this is the best opportunity of crept into my brain and become internalAfter this, I doubted that my desires the moment. So I’m going to do someized and disguised as my own questions were anything more than a fantasy. Aside thing differently; I’m going to take a chance, and doubts. from the few moments where I was cud- share my story, and be vulnerable.

A moment of clarity came when I real- dling with another girl while my boyfriend For me, reading and becoming aware of ized that the problem wasn’t (and had never snored, all I could remember was fear, anxi- the myths that underpin biphobia meant been) who I am. The problem was that in ety, guilt, and shame. Apparently this expe- that I finally saw the deep roots of the questhe world I’m living in, there isn’t space for rience is not at all uncommon. tions that I’ve been dealing with, and that my experiences to be reflected back to me I also began uprooting the notion that I offered me a bit of relief. without some serious distortion. needed to balance out the heterosexuality I hope that in taking this step (not the I’d like to say that this moment of cer- with non-heterosexual or romantic experi- first and not the last), I can free up some tainty held fast, but that would be far too ences before I could “count” as bi or queer. of this questioning energy and put it to simplistic. It was awesome to sit in my This has been one of the hardest struggles, another use. To move beyond my story bedroom and know that I’m bi, and that and I’d be lying if I said it’s over, or that and connect with others, and to see what I’m okay outside of binary definitions and it’s easy. else I can do to challenge, discredit, and others’ perceptions of me. But I still had dismantle all of the interlocking forces of to go back into the biphobic world the next Bi-nomenclature oppression and discrimination. day.

And then there’s the issue of nomenclaAnd above everything else, I believe that And the next day, and on and on. Weeds ture – of titles. Eisner offers up a definition this can get better. will do what they do – they’ll creep back. given by Robyn Ochs, who says: “I call I began to seriously consider the idea myself bisexual because I acknowledge

I’m tired of the hold that this internalized biphobia and heteronormative discourse has had on my life

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Features

Managing Editor: Fraser Nelund Contact: me@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

Leading by example

I can’t even put into words how great it is to help other people, and just kind of be myself now and not feel the weight on my shoulders – Chris Voth

National men’s volleyball team member Chris Voth shares his experiences as an openly gay athlete Mike Still, staff

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photo of Chris Voth, #13

nyone who knows, or has his first time meeting other people back to practice after I had gone talked to Chris Voth person- from the LGBTTQ* community. to the drop-in, what was happenally, understands the calibre of “Going to that drop-in really ing because he said I was jumping person that he is. put things in fast-forward,” said higher, hitting harder, and it was Most would define him as a Voth. “That was my first experience like I took steroids or something. kind and confident leader, with [meeting] other gay people, so that It was crazy.” numerous accolades to his name. helped quite a bit, just knowing One of the hardest decisions for His accomplishments speak there were other possibilities out Voth was making the choice to tell for themselves, and include two there to be happy, so that for sure his parents. They had raised Voth provincial high school volleyball propelled me forward.” and his sister with Christian values, championships as a captain of St. He attended the event with and same-sex marriage was not a Paul’s, as well being named the another gay friend, both for sup- topic they took positively to.

Canadian Interuniversity Sport port, as well as to have someone “One day I was coming home Rookie of the Year with the else to share the experience with. from the airport after travelling University of Manitoba Bisons in For Voth, the drop-in was very to UBC and my parents told me the 2008-09 season. important, as he was still in the we had changed churches. I asked Starting in 2011, Voth played process of gaining confidence with why. They said it was because ours for Canada’s men’s national team, his sexual orientation. started allowing same-sex marwhich he currently trains with full“I was really nervous,” he said. riage. I hadn’t come out to them time. While Voth yet, and felt like I was a standout was put deeper in As the first openly gay athletically, and the closet. I wanted appeared to have to tell them, but felt national-team athlete, Voth everything in his like I couldn’t,” Voth life mapped out, said. is a groundbreaker, and also a there was a secret Eventually, Voth potential role model for many who in his personal gave his parents the life. news. Of course are struggling with coming out Voth first came t here w a s t he out in 2010, after momentary shock his second year of factor, but that faded university. He originally told a “We went like an hour early. I over time. select few of his close friends on couldn’t think of doing anything “Since coming out, my parthe team. else, we were in anticipation so ents have accepted me with open “It was a pretty scary road,” much and we were really scared.” arms. It couldn’t have gone better. I noted Voth. “I started coming out The fact that the event was in a don’t really know what I was afraid to more and more people through- sport setting helped. It gave Voth of, but it was all put to rest. There’s out the years. I told my university the chance to do what he loved, a lot of negativity that comes with teammates that I was best friends and just play volleyball. If worst being in the closet. Most of it is with. I started with friends that I came to worst, he knew he had the all perceived, though, and isn’t was closest with, really, and then sport that he was passionate about entirely based on reality,” Voth kind of went from there.” to fall back on. But the drop-in added .

Voth noted that at that time, went very well.

As the first openly gay nationalhis decision wasn’t talked about “They [the other players] actu- team athlete, Voth is a groundmuch. This mainly had to do with ally didn’t know I was gay until breaker, and also a potential role his teammates, who were unaware we went out to a house party after model for many who are struggling who else had been told, and, along that,” Voth told the Manitoban. with coming out. The way Voth with Voth, opted to keep things “This really helped me. I had never sees it, his decision has more to do private. After a while, however, the seen gay people before that. I with other people who are hesitant, whole team heard the news. mean, I had known one or two gay as opposed to himself.

“Eventually everyone just knew guys, but never in a social setting, “For me at least, I feel like I and it didn’t bother me,” he said. and it really opened my eyes.” could have used someone to look “We were all pretty close, being The more people that Voth told up to, and so really, it’s not about teammates, so it was only a matter after that, the better he felt. A huge me. It’s about trying to help the of time until everyone knew.” burden was lifted. other people. If they would feel A major step in confidence for “When I started coming out to more comfortable having a role Voth occurred when he attended people, I felt a weight off my shoul- model, then that’s amazing,” Voth the Goldenboy Volleyball League’s ders. I was happier; my volleyball said happily. drop-in night. The league is a part performance improved drastically, “I can’t even put into words how of Out There Sports in Winnipeg and I was finally free,” he said. great it is to help other people, and – an LGBTTQ* organization “I remember distinctly one of my just kind of be myself now and not founded in 2002. For Voth, it was teammates asking me, the first day feel the weight on my shoulders.”

VOL. 100 NO. 29 April 9, 2014

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They/their/ them My experience with a non-binary identity Kara Passey, staff

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retty much since the beginning of my life, I didn’t identify with my assigned gender. The colour pink, dresses, dolls… none of it was really my thing.

Luckily I had some pretty supportive parents that were cool with me sharing clothes with my brother – even copying his haircut. To them, it was probably just seen as a phase—to have a gender-bending kid—but I never did grow out of it.

There was a period of my life that was really hard; a lot happened around the age of 20. I ended an abusive relationship—and a lot of the associated friendships—and had just started living on my own. A huge piece of my identity was missing, and en route to finding it I attempted to follow the path of what a woman my age “should” be. Makeup, hair extensions, dresses – I thought my lack of knowledge of femininity was what was hurting me.

It wasn’t. In fact, its presence hurt me a lot more. An inability to relate with femininity caused me a lot of emotional distress, and even some misguided internalized misogyny.

Luckily I met a great group of people, was able to let my facade down, and really figure myself out.

I learned about non-binary identities.

Gender isn’t a simple spectrum with male at

one end, female at the other, and some kind of androgynous point in the middle. There are many identities outside of the accepted binary: some may call themselves genderqueer, intersex, gender fluid, or whatever label they choose.

People perform their gender in many ways. Some use clothing to represent their gender expression, while others feel that clothes don’t affect it at all. Personally, I have always preferred a kind of androgynous approach, and tell people that I want they/ their/them pronouns when being referred to. Unfortunately being curvy with big breasts often leads people to see nothing but “female.”

Body dysmorphic disorder is a scary thing. All my life I’ve had to deal with a simultaneous fear and preoccupation with mirrors, wearing constricting clothing to try to make myself feel smaller, feeling like a giant in every room, starving myself, and excessively exercising. I’ve had panic attacks over wearing things that draw too much attention to myself (I’m a total poor sport on Halloween).

Realizing that my body image issues were not just about weight but the way my body was being perceived in relation to gender helped me sort out a lot of anxieties.

When you’re defining your gender as non-binary or fluid, it can make defining your relationships a bit complicated, too!

Personally, I like the nice, all-encompassing umbrella term of queer. Whether I’m dating a guy, a lady, or a non-binary person, and no matter where I am on that pesky gender spectrum on any given day, queer sums it all up quite nicely.

Labels are just that though: labels. The acknowledgement of the identities within the LGBTTQ* acronym in the public sphere is uncommon, and a non-binary identity isn’t an exception. It’s not a workplace conversation that feels very exciting to have, and when you’ve told friends and loved ones repeatedly but they still don’t acknowledge your identity, it can be disheartening.

If someone opens up to you about having a non-binary identity, it is important to take them seriously and make an effort to use the pronouns they request. Your ally-ship could ease much of their daily anxieties. image provided by kara passey

A word from Jonny Sopotiuk Talking politics with the first openly gay UMSU president Jonny Sopotiuk, former UMSU president (2008-2009)

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was first elected as president of UMSU in 2008. I quickly realized that I would be expected to be a representative of the queer community through my role. Shortly after my election an article in the media referred to me as the first openly gay president of UMSU. It was both a responsibility and an obligation. This is the experience that often falls upon individuals coming from minority groups; we have the additional duty of being spokespeople for our communities.

The University of Manitoba had a reputation for being an unfriendly and unwelcoming place for queer and trans students at the time. There were regular reports of homophobic incidences at the school. I can remember being asked why I chose to attend the school instead of the

University of Winnipeg.

Although my experience is not representative of all queer-identified students on campus, I encountered very few instances of homophobia or discrimination. My experience as UMSU president was entirely positive. It is evidence of just how far the university has progressed.

I was surprised when I learned that the burden of standing up to discrimination often landed on the team of vice presidents that I worked with. Although the examples are few in number, instances of homophobia happened behind my back and were directed to them in private. Homophobia was no longer socially acceptable in public.

One of the most positive experiences was being given the opportunity to work

with other students from across the country through the Canadian Federation of Students. At national general meetings, through the queer and trans constituency, we worked together on important initiatives – including the End the Ban and No Means No campaigns.

Many of the students I met and worked with through UMSU are some of my closest friends today. I’d highly encourage students to get involved with the students’ union.

Working on important issues that affect students and being a part of initiatives that improve the community have lasting impacts. My experiences working with UMSU formed my best memories from my time at the University of Manitoba. photo provided by jonny sopotiuk

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Features

Managing Editor: Fraser Nelund Contact: me@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

From the vault: material from the Manitoban archive

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

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Where the art is

her work previously at the U of M’s Mentorship Program, which pairs Gallery of Student Art and has been emerging artists with established commissioned to do a few pieces. She professionals. explains that it is easier to sell func“It’s good to support your young and tional ceramic pieces than it is to sell striving artists and to see what is going conceptual fabric works. to come about in the art world and “My works are mainly based on support the future of young artists,” imagery from my grandparents’ slides, says Okrusko. which I appropriate by altering them You can also support these young and then printing them onto fabric,” professionals not only by getting to says Okrusko. know the works and theory behind “I take panels of fabric and create them, but also by hanging out with different installations. One project is the artists. Following the exhibition’s a three-dimensional object installed so reception, an after party will be held it hangs from the ceiling and is lit from at the Media Hub (300 - 72 Princess beneath,” Okrusko describes. “What Avenue) with DJ Shanks and Mise I’m deeply rooted in is family dynam- en Scene playing. Tickets are $10 and ics. It’s about my influences and how a available at Answers, Into the Music, family can affect your outcome in life. and Music Trader.

I’m inspired by Amelia Fais Harnas, The SoA is also gearing up for a who does fabric-based work as well.” fundraising gala dinner and silent For people unfamiliar with differ- auction on the second last day of the ent artistic terminology, the format exhibit. The proceeds from this event for this particular exhibition is ideal. will go to secure funds for a master of Not only are the contributors and their fine arts entrance scholarship. works discussed in a catalogue that The show opens April 19 with artwork provided by Kendra Okrusko will accompany the show, but Okrusko a reception from 5 p.m.-8 p.m., and presenting,” Okrusko tells the explains that three or four artists will then runs until April 27 at the U of Manitoban. always be on hand throughout the run M at 313 ARTlab (180 Dafoe Road).

The SoA is Western Canada’s old- of the show to answer any questions.

Regular exhibition hours are Monday est art institution, founded in 1913 as Okrusko says life for a student art- through Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. the Winnipeg School of Art. Alumni ist in Winnipeg is becoming easier and Saturday through Sunday from include Paul Butler, who is now the as there are increasing efforts made noon until 4 p.m. curator of contemporary art at the to connect students with affordable Winnipeg Art Gallery; renowned resources and other practitioners in the To purchase tickets for the gala artists Ivan Eyre, Wanda Koop, and same craft who can offer support. fundraiser contact maryann.

Eva Stubbs; and members of the Royal Winnipeg-based programs that steggles@umanitoba.ca Art Lodge collective. offer these opportunities can be found Okrusko studied both ceram- in the likes of MAWA’s (Mentoring ics and fabric art. She has exhibited Artists for Women’s Art) Foundation

Graduates of the fine arts program at the U of M prepare for year-end show Lukas Thiessen, staff

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group art exhibition where the contributing creators are on hand everyday throughout the entire run of the show, willing to interact with visitors who have questions?

It’s a real event, and it’s starring some of Winnipeg’s highly trained, emerging artists.

Students in the bachelor of fine arts program at the School of Art (SoA) at the University of Manitoba have been showcasing their works annually for many years, but alterations have

recently been made to the crowning exhibition of the year’s cohort.

“For this exhibition, the only works being shown will be from fourth-year students presenting their theses,” says Kendra Okrusko. Okrusko, who is the secretary for the School of Fine Art Students Association, is in her fourth and final year of the program.

“All the pieces you encounter will have been created by artists who are specialists in their craft. You’ll see a definite strength in what they’re

Arts & Culture

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Arts & Culture

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

Some tips and advice on hostels, couch surfing, and using Euro budget airlines Evan Hoskins, volunteer staff

How to pick a hostel

other users. Travellers get basic but Ryanair and Transavia. free accommodation.

I have had three budget airline The main goal of Couchsurfing is employees tell me straight up that to create a network of like-minded their prices change by the minute – people: those who want to meet oth- so book as soon as possible. In the ers from across the globe, to share low seasons book at least two weeks their city or area, or explore the real in advance, while in the high sumside of a place they are visiting. From mer season, book at least a month in the perspective of a local, it gives you advance. Within the last two weeks the chance to see local attractions, eat the prices will rise based on each air• Try to find a high review rating at local restaurants, and visit areas line’s algorithm, and expect a EUR and a low nightly rate. Filter prices that you might otherwise have never 30 flight to work its way up to a peak to show low options first and see discovered. price of around EUR 300 right before which of the cheap ones gets the If it wasn’t for Couchsurfing on boarding. best review. Look for a place close my last trip to Portland, Oregon, I Skyscanner.ca is a great resource to all of your desired sightseeing wouldn’t have learned about sour for locating your cheapest option: locations, the clubs, or the beach. beers, cycling culture, or gone to this search engine is fast and easy to • A larger dorm will be cheaper, you a house party with our hosts and read, and lets you search many open will meet more people, and once five new Mexican Couchsurfing destination and time options. You can you’re bigger than a four-person friends! also change languages and currencies setting, the experience is basically In North America the system easily, and once you’ve determined the same – earplugs are a dorm- works well, but in Europe the gen- your flight, you can book through sleeper’s best friend! eral consensus is that it’s almost the host airline’s website.

• See if there are any meal deals or impossible to find a host anywhere.

Budget airlines make their meals included. A free continental During my only successful attempt money on their extra services and breakfast saves a lot of cash. in Europe this past year, my last fees. Baggage is a major money-grab • Decide what you ultimately want Couchsurfing host, David, summed for them. When possible, travel only from the hostel. I personally go up the reason: with carry-on luggage. You will be for smaller, more communal ones, “I can’t handle the amount of charged between EUR 15 and EUR while others love the craziness of requests. My email gets too over- 50 to check a bag. a party hostel. loaded that I often ignore them all Make sure you know in advance • Check out the pictures. Feeling because it’s too time-consuming. I how much your bag weighs and book safe and comfortable should be like hosting people, but after you guys a checked bag when you book your your main priority, and photos can I’m turning my account off for a while. ticket online. If you don’t book in help give you a feel for the hostel’s I need a break from it.” advance and have to check a bag atmosphere.

There are too many surfers for at the airport, expect to pay about the few amount of available couches. double the original online fee. If you Booking When you overload the host system, plan to bring carry-on luggage be No matter the website, the book- hosts often do what David felt was absolutely sure it’s within their size ing process is simple. You have the necessary and take time off, fur- guidelines. You will need to prove it option to pay in any currency and will ther reducing the supply. This has fits into their special size-checking have to pay up to 10 per cent upfront also caused a shallow—and often box – dubbed by some as the “cage as a deposit as per the website’s agree- sleazy—side of hosts to be exposed: of doom.” ment with the hostel. If your trip is young solo female travellers are often They don’t make exceptions, not more spontaneous, paying on-site is the only people who have a chance even for roller wheels or handles, and an option, but you will be taking a at Couchsurfing successfully in often only allow one single piece of risk on the hostel’s availability, and Europe. carry-on, which includes purses or sometimes there are better rates So how do you approach gift bags. online.

Couchsurfing in Europe? Plan way So I’m at the hostel, what now? ahead and don’t count on anything. Other money-saving and Check in! Operating just like Send personalized requests a few comfort-gaining tips a hotel, hostels have check-in and months in advance, and while most Budapest is a fantastic hub. Wizz check-out times, they have front desk hosts will likely say to contact them Air is centred out of Budapest and staff—often 24 hours—and they will closer to the date, at least your name in my research there are always kindly guide you to your room. If is out there and you might be lucky. flights from Budapest Ferenc Liszt you chose a dorm room, find your International Airport to miscellanbed—either chosen or assigned— Using budget Euro airlines eous destinations for under CND and make it yours. Most hostels will If you’ve done any planning for a $30. have lockers for your bags, either in Euro-trip then you’ve certainly run Many budget airlines don’t fly to the room or nearby. Make sure to into the mess of budget airlines fly- major airports. Ryanair’s service to use them when going out – you just ing incredibly cheap direct flights Paris is actually to Beauvais–Tillé never know. throughout the continent.

Airport. This is not in Paris at all, but Safety tip: if you don’t feel safe in While trains are a great way to get 85-km north of the city. Make sure to any way, feel free to leave and head to around, if you only have a month to check exactly where the airport that another hostel. You don’t have to see spend in Europe, budget airlines are a you are flying to is. these people again and most hostels cheaper and quicker option for going Never pick your seats in advance. will just refund your money and beg longer distances. Most budget air- Unless you’re with a partner who you you not to write a bad review. lines focus on particular regions. For absolutely need to sit with, I recomFinally, the most important part example, easyJet operates in Central mend taking a chance. By not picking of checking in is to be sure to meet and Western Europe, has the kindest a seat online I’ve gotten a seat with your roommates. They might just be employees, great in-flight services, extra leg room during five of my last your future best friends! and is overall the most professional. 10 flights. Worth a shot!

They are one of the only budget airBringing homemade food is Couchsurfing lines that let you take a different flight always cheaper than buying at the The website Couchsurfing.org if you miss your original one, and for airport or on the flight. If you need has become one of the most popu- about only a EUR 80 fee. Wizz Air, a snack while onboard I recommend lar travel tools for youth around also based in Europe, focuses mainly trying easyJet’s Feel Good Snack Box the world. Members create profiles, on Eastern and Central Europe. Two – for only EUR 5 you get seven differsearch for/offer up couches, and rate other popular but budget options are ent healthy mini snacks.

Hostelling allows you to lodge on a budget while meeting people from around the world.

I recommend HostelBookers.com.

Easy to navigate, they have been around forever so their hostels have the most reviews. Use these tips to try and decide which is best for you:

If it wasn’t for Couchsurfing, I wouldn’t have learned about sour beers, cycling culture, or gone to a house party with our hosts and five new Mexican Couchsurfing friends!

graphics by bram keast

VOL. 100 NO. 29 April 9, 2014

Photo provided by MAWA

Mentors seeking mentees Year-long program at MAWA offers support, mentorship to women artists Anastasia Chipelski, staff

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n their 30th anniversary year, Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art (MAWA) are once again inviting applicants to their Foundation Mentorship Program (FMP). A cornerstone of MAWA’s programming, this program has been offered to over 200 artists since their inception in 1984.

Through the FMP, MAWA hopes to increase visibility and participation of women artists in the broader community.

“We want to see women artists be confident, have exhibitions, make artwork, and be recognized in professional spaces,” says Lindsey Bond, MAWA’s interim programming coordinator. “[The FMP] is important because it enables women artists to explore issues of sexuality and gender in an all-women atmosphere, allowing women to take up space and assert their own viewpoints – rather than deferring to a male perspective.”

The program pairs a senior artist (mentor) with a developing artist (mentee) for one-on-one and group meetings over the course of a year.

“Both mentor and mentee gain valuable experience from their mentoring relationship. This relationship should not be underestimated, as it is very, very important! It creates lifelong connection [between] the two women but also a lifelong bond to the community that can last for year after year,” says Bond.

Mentors are selected by a committee of the MAWA board, based on their suitability for acting as a role model, their capacity for community-building, and their connections within broader art communities. They also look for a “balance of artists who work in different mediums, and have diverse life experience, and art practices.”

The mentees are then chosen by the FMP mentors “based on the merit of the artwork,” says Bond.

Mentors for the 2014-2015 year include Divya Mehra, Mélanie

Rocan, Reva Stone, and Daina Warren. In order to ensure that they are reaching diverse communities, the FMP partners with other organizations such as La Maison des Artistes, Urban Shaman Gallery, Manitoba Craft Council, and Arts and Disability Network Manitoba.

“We encourage diversity in age, education, and cultural background to have a wide variety of opinions and values present at the meetings.

MAWA encourages artists who are out of university/school for a year or two as this program is to aid with the next step in the artists’ career, when the support of school is gone,” says Bond.

Past participants of the FMP have continued on to graduate studies, secure grants for other projects, develop their artistic practice, and built their artistic networks.

Bond believes that the FMP assists artists in surmounting various obstacles to achieve their artistic goals: “There is an infinite number of barriers women artists face today: giving herself permission to be an artist, financial obligations, confidence, finding the balance between work and family, equality of opportunity.”

“The FMP allows discussion, life experience, safe environment, and professional advice [ . . . ] to help women overcome these obstacles,” says Bond.

At the end of the year-long mentorship, mentees display their work in an FMP showcase.

While reviewing the 2013 showcase, local artist Steven Leyden Cochrane underscored the importance of the FMP: “The FMP is one of the Winnipeg art community’s defining achievements, and the year-end showcase exhibition of participants’ work isn’t one to miss.”

The deadline for the FMP is April 26.

See www.mawa.ca for more details.

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Arts & Culture

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

Making changes in the mix DJ Academy sparks conversations about gender, music, and representation Anastasia Chipelski, staff

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here’s a fresh batch of grads Michaelson. already out on the town, hangFiona Jackson, another freshly ing out behind turntables and talking minted DJ, echoes the added presabout DJing and gender – two things sure of being female in the field. that brought them together in the “Female DJs are pushed into this first place. category that kind of says they have Mama Cutsworth’s DJ Academy to be a sex symbol as well as an artist. for All Women unleashed 13 new At the end of the day, I just want to be female DJs at a graduation recital— good at what I do and move people,” also known as a dance party—on says Jackson.

March 8. They had spent the last few While Michaelson’s DJ Academy weeks learning the tools of the trade may be unique in Winnipeg, the confrom Sarah Michaelson, who DJs as versations held here around gender Mama Cutsworth. and DJing are not. In a recent article The recital involves “basically for Thump, Laura Martin questions pushing the birds out of the nest why female DJs are still seen as a novbefore they feel ready to fly, but then elty, and cites their underrepresentathey totally soar,” says Michaelson. tion at major festivals.

“Everybody has these crazy jitters Michaelson was also recently about stepping in front of the turnprofiled by Noisey, in an article that tables with a crowd in front of them covered both the Academy and and then they do so well, it gives them Michaelson’s vision for promoting [ . . . ] this newfound confidence.” strong female artists in many cultural Michaelson founded her acadspheres through her themed dance emy in 2012 because she saw herself parties. “complaining a lot that there weren’t Locally, Michaelson has been enough women DJs but I wasn’t doing inspired by the overall reaction to anything about it.” her Academy and subsequent recital.

While in some ways training new “Winnipeg’s been very responsive DJs could be seen as increasing comto coming out and supporting that Photo by Symon Ptashnick, Ptash Film and Photography petition for gigs, Michaelson would kind of event, so that [also] warms be “ecstatic” to be one of many female my heart,” says Michaelson.

DJs, and no longer be the exception. and ways people might identify, many music scenes as being maleAs much as what she does is about “Sarah has talked about it, me and She believes that the added visibil- Michaelson wanted to send a strong dominated. As a writer, she’s been my pals have talked about it, it never her passion for music, she acknowlity encourages more women to get signal that anyone who self-identified either assumed male until proven goes away… You have to know your edges that gender also has a huge involved. as a woman, or as female, is welcome otherwise, or overly defined by her stuff and be so confident and secure in impact on people’s everyday life, in “We’ve known for a long time that in her classes. gender. your knowledge to even have conver- their decisions to try new things or if you don’t see someone similar to “I do appreciate that it’s necessary to Breaking into the music industry sations with some music fan guys.” enter new spaces. you in a group of people, you don’t do a women- and trans*-people-only can appear “imposing” and, especially And while part of this class has The conversations started at the necessarily feel or know that you’re DJing class. There is just not been about increasing the Academy recognize this reality, while welcome in that group of peers. So a real viable opportunity in visibility of DJs who identify also providing some solid skills that “Women might not necessarily because there’s so few women DJing Winnipeg to get these kinds as female, sometimes they new DJs can practice with their [ . . . ] women might not necessar- of skills in a totally egalitaralso just want to be seen as peers. know that they’re welcome ily know that they’re welcome to ian, ego-free environment DJs, and be known for their “Gender plays a role in this field to become DJs and perform become DJs and perform as DJs,” says like this. Its accessibility was skills rather than just their [whether] we like it or not,” says Michaelson. “You don’t always know a huge factor in my decision gender.

Jackson. “But at the end of the day, as DJs” – Sarah Michaelson if this is an inclusive space for you or to take the class,” said recent “I just want to be thought if you don’t like something, do somenot until it’s said [ . . . ] overtly.” graduate Laura Friesen. of as someone who can thing about it. That’s why I really supThe words “All Women” in the Friesen—who calls herself as a female, there may be a constant rock a party, who picks great music, port what Mama Cutsworth is trying title are pivotal here. Rather than list- a “music nerd with some basic DJ need to prove yourself and “know who puts on great parties; that’s to do. She’s making changes and I’m ing the many categories of women skills”—relates to the perception of your shit,” says Friesen. what I want to be known for,” says down to be a part of that.”

VOL. 100 NO. 29 April 9, 2014

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When the moon hits your eye Local artists showing at an exhibition dedicated to pizza Lukas Thiessen, staff

for a mysterious local artist) and will grease. The affected paper was then be held at Natural Cycleworks in the placed in front of a light box and backlit Exchange District. with a spectacular result. “I thought it “Art shows can be very serious and was a really great opportunity to stretch there needs to be a lot of thought put my muscles and explore art in a way that into your piece,” says Proper. “And the I wouldn’t normally do,” says Jacobson, relief I had, and that I heard, from other who graduated with her bachelor of fine people when I asked if they wanted to arts honours from the University of participate was strong. This is [a] great Manitoba in October 2013 and recently cathartic experience. Pizza. Fun. Go completed a residency program at the with it. And at the same time, all the Banff Centre. pieces that came [in] were very solid; “Trying to still use materials and propeople did spend time with it.” cesses that stay true to my art practice “The whole show probably came while exploring a topic that maybe I together in about 15 minutes,” Proper wouldn’t explore in my art, and to work says. “I don’t have Facebook, and I with somebody collaboratively, was also called Toby [Gillies, one of the con- a stretch for me, and it felt really good tributors in the show] and in about a to explore another area,” she says. quarter of an hour we had all the artists “Pizza is found throughout pop art picked.” and contemporary art,” explains Proper.

“Everybody loves pizza,” says Josh “Bands, zines, television shows, visual Ruth, a co-collaborator with Helga art – it’s so easily accessible and everyJacobson on the work titled That’s Amore. one can relate to it.”

“There’s all these associations that I have In 2012, author Mike Coley and Art Pieces of Pizza_That's Amore by Helga Jakobson and Josh Ruth with pizza, and collective collaboration, illustrator George Collum released a and major transitions or major events book titled The Mona Pizza: A Portrait f you’re too intoxicated to look up a receptionist for Pizza Hotline will in my life because that’s the go-to food. of Music and Food. The book, published the phone number for a pizzeria, and pick up.

You know that everybody’s going to be by Belly Kids, features recipes from different artists including the band don’t possess the co-ordination to focus Local artists are dedicating an entire able to enjoy it.” on more than one number at a time, all exhibition to this culinary masterpiece.

Ruth and Jacobson’s work was cre- Japanther and comedian Roseanne you need to do in Winnipeg is keep The show, Art Pieces of Pizza, was orga- ated using a sheet of paper draped over a Barr.

Record label co-founder Chris pressing the “2” button. Eventually nized by Billie Proper (a pseudonym homemade pizza to absorb the cheese’s

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Clavin (pseudonym of Chris Johnston) recently published the second edition of a book about the history of the punk record label Plan-It-X Records, called Free Pizza For Life, Or, The Early Days Of Plan-It-X Records. The book is about the work Clavin and partner Samantha Dorsett did for the label, while also detailing the scams they ran to acquire free pizza, which eventually led to Dorsett’s incarceration.

Jay Howell—visual artist, zine creator, and co-owner of the record label Mt. St. Mtn.—is also part of the group Forest City Rockers whose short film Jammers Pizza! is mostly a faux-television advertisement for an imaginary pizza parlour that will make pizza in any shape you can think of, except an iPod. Howell is also one of the creators of the television shows Bob’s Burgers on Fox and Sanjay and Craig on Nickelodeon.

Now, one the most popular foods will have its own art show. And yes, there will be pizza there, including gluten-free and vegan options.

Come check out Art Pieces of Pizza at Natural Cycleworks, in the basement of 91 Albert Street starting Apr. 4 at 7 p.m. and running for a few weeks.

Take Back Manitoba From Factory Farming Humane society holds event to promote welfare of province’s farm animals Carlyn Schellenberg, staff

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re you interested in the improved treatment of Manitoba farm animals?

On April 16, Take Back Manitoba From Factory Farming, a “farm-totable” event presented by the Winnipeg Humane Society’s (WHS) farm animal compassion committee (FACC), will present four speakers: Paul Shapiro, vice president of Farm Animal Protection for the Humane Society of the United States; Laura Rance, editor of the farming newspaper Manitoba Co-operator; Ruth Pryzner, an ecofarmer; and Laurel Kidder, a member of the FACC. Dana Medoro, chair of the FACC, says there will be no graphic images shown at the family-friendly event held at the Park Theatre.

From holding this event, the committee hopes to achieve, according to Medoro, “Support for farmers who do not use intensive-confinement systems.

Encouragement that knowledge about pigs can come from a wider framework than the one disseminated and controlled by the industrialized model.”

Paul Shapiro founded Compassion Over Killing, a group that encourages vegetarianism and works to expose and end animal abuse, and has written in newspapers and academic journals on animal welfare. He says that from speaking at the event, he hopes to “have an open and honest dialogue

photo by Dana Medoro

about raising the bar for the treatment two examples of where agribusiness of farm animals.” practices have become so extreme that “We all agree that striving for con- they’re simply out of step with maintinuous improvement is a shared goal, so stream values about how animals ought why not try to find those improvements to be treated.” and implement them,” says Shapiro.

Of factory farming, Medoro says, While being the vice president of “People know that animals are slaughthe Humane Society of the United tered for food, but that is about it.

States, he notes that Canada’s condi- Slaughter is nothing compared to a life tions are similar to conditions south of facing one direction in a narrow cage.” the border.

The Manitoba Pork Council’s annual “Millions of pigs in each country are general meeting last year saw U.S. loblocked inside of gestation crates so small byist Rick Berman, who has camthey can’t even turn around. Millions of paigned against animal rights groups, egg-laying hens in each country suffer as a keynote speaker. At the meeting, in tiny battery cages where they can’t Berman encouraged the continued use even spread their wings. These are just of sow stalls, also known as gestation

crates, which are small metal enclosures where female pigs spend most of their lives. The Manitoba Pork Council had previously announced plans to encourage “producers to phase out by 2025 the style of sow stalls currently used.”

Medoro—who participates in the Quit Stalling campaign, which attempts to ban sow stalls—says the event comes as a response to the aforementioned meeting.

Take Back Manitoba From Factory Farming will “[view] the pigs as complex mammals who should be permitted to express at least some of their natural behaviours.”

“We wanted to talk about how to

make urban-rural alliances and to provide a fresh forum for thinking about food production and land use,” says Medoro.

“We want intensive-confinement systems banned by law,” Medoro adds, addressing the FACC. “Our objectives are to study industrialized animal agriculture from the point of view outside of the billion-dollar export industry.’”

Shapiro is also hopeful: “Perceptions are changing. When it comes to farm animals, where we used to see mindless machines, many people now see intelligent, social individuals who are capable of suffering and care about their lives as much as the dogs and cats who we welcome into our homes and into our families.”

“The most inhumane factory farming practices, like gestation crates and battery cages, didn’t come about overnight, and they’re not going to go away overnight,” says Shapiro. “But I’m confident that there will come a day in the foreseeable future when these abuses will be relegated to the dustbin of agricultural history. Canada and the U.S. are slowly moving toward that day already.”

Take Back Manitoba From Factory Farming starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Park Theatre. Tickets are $10 at parktheatrevideo.com or at the door.

All proceeds go to the WHS’ FarmAnimal Compassion Campaign.

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

Diversions

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

Sports

Curling take-outs Big changes coming to Canadian curling contenders Adam Peleshaty, volunteer staff

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all it a game of musical Press he would like to play next season, odd time considering Koe recently brooms. but “it’s got to be a good fit… And won the Brier with his current team, As a new Olympic quadrennial if nothing comes up, I won’t play securing a berth as Team Canada begins, this curling off-season will next year.” Talking to the Winnipeg for next year’s Brier in the process. see great lineup changes, both in Sun, Stoughton stated that third Jon However, Koe’s berth into the Brier number and in significance. While Mead might be considering leav- is now in doubt, as well as the curling teams adding and dropping players ing the sport, futures of Martin is a reality in any sport, this time while lead Reid and Howard. around may see many members of Carruthers Martin and Koe’s berth into the sport’s old guard step aside, and is considerHoward are 47 change has already begun. ing putting and 51, respecthe Brier is now in The biggest news in Manitoba together his tively, and the doubt, as well as the curling so far has been the dissolu- own team next question remains tion of the Jeff Stoughton team. After season. whether or not curling futures of a season which saw them miss the Meanwhile, they will conMartin and Howard playoffs at the Roar of the Rings and Kev in Koe tinue to curl for finish third at the Tim Hortons Brier, announced another four the team decided to go their separate that he will years. Martin ways. Their decision was also insti- skip an entirely new team consisting has said he will not announce his gated by the announcement of team of Ben Hebert and Marc Kennedy, plans until May, but recurrent back second Mark Nichols to return to his both formerly of Kevin Martin’s team, injuries could be a factor in his decinative Newfoundland. and former Glenn Howard second sion. Howard has stated he wants to Stoughton told the Winnipeg Free Brent Laing. The news comes at an keep curling. Martin’s third, David

Nedohin, will likely take next season off, while Wayne Middaugh’s future as Howard’s third is still unknown.

British Columbia’s John Morris, who skipped his team to the finals of the Roar of the Rings and the Brier, was rumoured to be returning to Alberta and skip the current Koe team, but instead has announced he is taking the season off to pursue studies in firefighting. The rest of his team has also stated they will have a lighter competition schedule next season.

Chelsea Carey surprised many by not only having a new team, but also changing provinces. The 2014 Manitoba women’s champion and third-place finisher at last year’s Scotties Tournament of Hearts will move to Edmonton and team up with Laura Crocker, Jen Gates, and another player to be determined. Carey’s former third Kristy

McDonald will skip her own team next season.

Kelly Scott, who won the Scotties in 2006 and 2007, has announced her team has broken up. Their futures in curling are uncertain. Current national champion Rachel Homan will play with a new second, as teammate Alison Kreviazuk will move to Sweden. Her replacement will be Joanne Courtney, who was runner-up to Homan with the Val Sweeting team at the 2014 Scotties final.

It was speculated that Jennifer Jones may either step aside from curling after her Olympic gold medal victory or relocate to be closer to her partner Laing, but she told CBC’s Jian Ghomeshi that she “can’t imagine playing without these girls,” referring to her teammates. She continued to say, “I’d be surprised if we didn’t continue for at least a little while.”

The best in brown and gold 2013-14 Bison student-athletes’ contributions celebrated Marc Lagace, staff

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rittany Habing and Anthony producing the second-most rushing basketball all-rookie team and was Coombs were named the 2013-14 yards (1,015) and third-most overall selected as the men’s basketball MVP. Bison Sports Athletes of the Year at touchdowns (11) in the nation.

Arruda started at forward all season, the Brown and Gold Banquet on Coombs was not in attendance at finishing first on the team with a 13.8 March 29. the banquet, as he is training in the points per game average and fifth in Also named the women’s volleyball United States for the upcoming CFL the conference for three-point field MVP, Habing played a crucial role and NFL rookie drafts. goal percentage, at .420. in the Bisons’ national championship Cross-country/track athlete DeJonckheere was also recognized run. Entering her third year of eligi- Rebekah Sass was named Bison nationally as a member of the 2013-14 bility, but first as a Bison, Habing led female Rookie of the Year, while CIS men’s volleyball all-rookie team. the CIS and Canada West in assists basketball forward Andre Arruda The outside hitter played in all 89 sets per set with 10.46 (79 sets/826 assists). and volleyball outside hitter Adam this past season, finishing second on She was named Manitoba’s Player DeJonckheere split Bison male the team in kills (288) and hitting perof the Match in the CIS champion- Rookie of the Year honours as centage (.255). He led team scoring in ship quarter-finals, and finished the co-winners. eight of 22 regular season matches as perfect nine-set championship sweep Sass was named CIS women’s the Bisons settled for a 10-12 record. with 89 assists, 21 digs, six kills, and cross-country second team all-CaIn the eighth year the award seven blocks. nadian and Canada West first team has been given out, two hockey Coombs finished his third season all-star in her first year as a Bison players were awarded the Studentas running back/kick returner for the athlete. She also ran track for the Athlete Leadership and Community Bisons with conference and national herd, earning a bronze medal at the Development Award. Women’s team recognition, as the Winnipeg native 2014 Canada West championship in captain Amy Lee and men’s goalie Joe was crucial in the Bisons’ run to the the women’s 4x800m relay.

Caligiuri were recognized for their Canada West final. Coombs was one Arruda emerged this year as a key leadership skills, community involveof the nation’s top athletes in 2013, player for the Bisons in his rookie sea- ment, and excellence in academics leading the CIS and Canada West son. He became the first Bison athlete and athletics. This is the second time in all-purpose yards with 1,696, and to be named to the 2013-14 CIS men’s Lee has won the award.

photos courtesy of bison sports

Left: Rebekah Sass and Kenny Rooney Centre: Brian Dobie (accepting on behalf of Anthony Coombs) and Brittany Habing Right: Adam DeJonckheere, Daniella Scerbo, and Andre Arruda

Bison Sports 2013-14 Team MVPs Women’s basketball – Vanessa DeVries Men’s basketball – Andre Arruda Women’s cross country – Rebekah Sass Men’s cross country – Abduselam Yussuf Football – Anthony Coombs Men’s golf – Josh Wytinck Women’s hockey – Kyleigh Palmer Men’s hockey – Ian Duval Women’s soccer – Chloe Werle Women’s swimming – Kimberly Moors Men’s swimming – Dillon Perron Women’s track & field – Amy Graceffo Men’s track & field – Matthew Fitkowsky Women’s volleyball – Brittany Habing Men’s volleyball – Devren Dear

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Sports

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

A formula for success Bison football head coach Brian Dobie talks about his experiences recruiting nationally Mike Still, staff

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photo by the manitoban

photo By beibei lu

“We’re by far the biggest recruiter of B. C. players in the nation, outside of UBC and SFU, and it’s paid off” – Bison football head coach Brian Dobie

photos courtesy of bison sports

hen current Bison football head Prepchuk, who went through coach Brian Dobie took the national level four coaching certifihelm of the University of Manitoba cation with Dobie. Prepchuk went football team in 1996, he inherited a on to found a quarterback academy team that had struggled for decades. that is considered one of the finest in At that time, the team’s Vanier Cup Canada, and is Dobie’s best source at drought spanned 26 years, dating identifying B.C.-area quarterbacks. back to 1970. Dobie knew that in A second example is Dino Geremia, order to improve and turn Manitoba’s who coached at both Simon Fraser football fortunes around, he would and UBC, and has a great connection need to start attracting players from with Dobie as well. outside the province.

“Of course, you start tying in with “When I got hired here back in coaches, and developing all of those the mid-90s, there was very little relationships,” Dobie added. national recruiting being done, and “There are coaches out there that nobody was nationally recruiting have been fantastic connections in the country really,” commented for me, for almost literally two Dobie. “Myself and Blake Nill (who decades.” was at St. Mary’s at the time, now Another aspect that contributes with Calgary) coincidently started to B. C. players heading to Manitoba going national in a big way at about is their former teammates, who have the same time. had success playing for the Bisons.

“That’s what turned our program “Certainly one of the most powaround – the national recruiting.” erful tools you have in recruiting is Both Dobie and Nill gravitated players that come from areas—or to British Columbia, finding early even specifically from programs—in success. Dobie was able to recruit a which you’re recruiting, either locally fair amount of future CFL players, or on a national level,” commented including Grey Cup winners Will Dobie.

Loftus (safety, Montreal), Jamie “A great example is Mount Douglas Boreham (kicker, Saskatchewan), guys. We’ve got, I think, at least three and Rob Stewart (lineman, Toronto/ (Zack Sandulescu, Andrew Johnston, Saskatchewan). and starting safety Tyler Fong), “You could just keep listing these who are all out of Mount Douglas B. C. guys that were star players for [Secondary] School.” us in the CIS, and helped take us to For context, Mount Douglas is our first Vanier,” added Dobie. “Once the number-one-ranked football prothat happened, the ball was rolling.” gram in the nation, having won the B. The momentum Dobie seized C. provincial football championship heading to B. C. has continued to each of the past three seasons. grow, as have the locations that he “We were using everything we had visits, including: Nanaimo, Campbell to recruit there, and certainly when River, Victoria, Abbotsford, Tyler went home to visit his parents, Chilliwack, and Mission. he was in there recruiting,” Dobie “We’re by far the biggest recruiter said. of B. C. players in the nation, outside “Robert Smith, our starting right of UBC and SFU, and it’s paid off,” tackle – we recruited him out of noted Dobie with a smile.

Campbell River, B.C., up the island.

There are four key areas that He literally took a day, drove all the Dobie travels to recruit. The first way down across the island to Victoria, priority is Manitoba, followed by B. and spent a day with the Mount C., Southern Ontario, and Northern Douglas guys recruiting, when he Alberta. Because Dobie has a rather went home to visit his parents.” hectic schedule, highlighting specific “Those are examples where you’re areas to recruit is vital. using guys, in one case literally from “We try and identify the best play- that school and another case from ers here in Manitoba, and the best that area, to help influence and players nationally in key areas of recruit,” said Dobie. “They’re going recruiting,” Dobie said. “For example, back home, and selling all that to we don’t recruit in the East Coast. I their teammates, and younger guys know there’s going to be some great that we’re recruiting. That really, players out in Halifax; however, we really helps.” have limited resources, time, energy, and money, so you pick your spots.”

This year, B. C. has offered up a plethora of quality players that Dobie has gone after. “We recruited two or three guys in Edmonton, maybe five or six guys in Southern Ontario, but we went heavy into B.C. and Manitoba,” said the coach.

“It seems that this year B. C. is where we’ve had our most success.”

There are several reasons behind Manitoba’s success recruiting prospects from B.C., but two stand out for Dobie. The first is his connection with football sources on the coast.

One such connection is Jay photo by beibei lu

VOL. 100 NO. 29 April 9, 2014

Sports

27

The British Columbia connection Bison football players Linnen, Yantz, Apperley, and Sawyer share their experiences playing for the University of Manitoba Mike Still, staff

I

f you look at the 2013-14 Bison province’s conference. The Raiders that persistent and consistent in the football roster, a recruiting trend won two national championships effort of recruiting me, I kind of owe might stand out: the number of along the way, and earned numerous it to them.” players from B. C. This past sea- accolades.

For Yantz, Apperley, and Sawyer, son, a whopping 23 players are either Jordan Linnen, on the other hand, their stories started in an entirely British-Columbia-born or have played as a standout defensive back different province. All three origispent time playing football on the against the Raiders. He was a mem- nally grew up playing football in west coast. Hailing from towns from ber of the up-and-coming Langley Regina – Yantz and Sawyer both Surrey to Campbell River, they’ve all Rams. Head coach Brian Dobie at Winston Knoll Collegiate, and come out to the prairies to put on the originally began recruiting him after Apperley at Sheldon-Williams pads for Manitoba. his final year at Surrey’s Frank Hurt Collegiate. After trying things out Quarterback Jordan Yantz is Secondary School. It wasn’t until at home, they ended up travelling one of those B.C. players. He, his this past year, however, that Linnen to Vancouver Island, and the rest, Vancouver Island Raiders team- finally came to the decision to play as they say, is history. mates Tremaine Apperley (defen- for the Bisons.

Yantz appreciated the approach sive back), and Matt Sawyer (wide “I committed in 2010, 2011, and that Dobie took in attempting to receiver), were recruited coming out 2012. All three years I didn’t show bring the teammates to Manitoba. “I of their final junior football season up, I wanted to go back and play think coach Dobie did an outstandin the British Columbia Football through my years of junior,” com- ing job in recruiting, and he never Conference. All three players helped mented Linnen. “When I finally quit on any single one of us,” menmake the Raiders one of the most decided to come, it was kind of a tioned Yantz. “He’s a straight-up guy, dominant teams in the history of the relief. I felt like for someone to be and he’ll tell you how it is. He’ll tell

“The team out there, we all got along, and we’re getting the same feeling out here. Everyone is just buying in” – Wide receiver Matt Sawyer

Jordan Yantz

Tremaine Apperley

photo by beibei lu

Matt Sawyer

photo courtesy of tremaine apperley

photo by beibei lu

Jordan Linnen

photo by beibei lu

you that you have to come in here team out there [Vancouver Island], and prove yourself, and compete, and we all got along, and we’re getting the same feeling out here. Everyone that’s who he is. He doesn’t lie.”

Once the four players were all is just buying in,” the wide receiver settled in with the brown and gold, added.

The results have appeared immethings seemed to progress nicely.

One of the biggest factors was com- diately. Manitoba finished with a 5-3 ing to understand the work ethic and record last season, with each player competitiveness of the players on contributing in their respective posieither side of the ball, especially for tions. It was the team’s best finish former opponents such as Apperley since winning the Vanier Cup in 2007. and Linnen.

An added bonus of recruiting “There was kind of a mutual respect when we came here. I found from junior football programs is it easy to click with him [Linnen]. veteran presence that comes along he’s a nice guy and I find we get with that. “A positive about recruitalong,” Apperley said. “Even the ing junior players like ourselves is guys from Victoria: There’s Tyler that we got playing time, and were Fong, and big Rob [Robert Smith], able to establish ourselves as players,” and AJ [Andrew Johnston], so there’s stated Apperley.

Yantz echoed Apperley’s comthe same thing with them, just kind of a mutual respect that comes from ments, saying, “I think right off playing in the same league, and the beginning in junior, you kind of have to teach yourself your own being through the same thing.”

While respect is one factor, hav- way. Especially moving away from ing someone to compete against and home, you have to eat, and you have push you is also beneficial, which is to pay rent and pay bills, so I think another reason Linnen was excited you mature as an adult and you grow up as an individual.” to play for the Bisons.

With a year under their belts and “If you see it now, with the guys we have in the secondary, me and great team chemistry, the sky is the Tremaine, we’ve competed head- limit for Yantz, Apperley, Sawyer, to-head for four years, and I’ve had Linnen, and the rest of the team as nothing but a great, competitive well.

“I think now going into next year, relationship with him,” Linnen told the chemistry is there, and the camathe Manitoban.

“We’ve been friends off the field raderie is there. We’re probably as as well, so knowing when he was close as guys that have been together coming, and I was coming, I was like, five, 10 years, and it’s because we right there I have direct competition have that general mutual respect for with someone that I’ve known really each other,” said Linnen. “Now to take it to a national level [ . . . ] we’re well and know how they play.”

For Sawyer, the feeling of cama- looking at it as we’re one machine raderie has been tremendous. “The trying to take on the rest of the country.”