3 December 2014

MANITOBAN the

THE OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA STUDENTS’ NEWSPAPER

Mapping sexual assault Anonymous maps provoke unidentified disclosure and discussion Page 7

Manitoban Literature Competition winners Page 11-13

Angels we have he(a)rd on high Bison Men's Chorus brings holiday cheer in annual Christmas concert Page 18 Vo l 1 0 1 · N o 4 5 · D e c e m b e r 3 , 2 0 1 4 · w w w.t h e m a n i to b a n .co m

Index

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VOL. 101 NO. 45 December 3, 2014

Editor-in-Chief vacant

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

Business manager Angela England

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

Advertising Coordinator Sara Bulloch

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Editorial

Senior News Editor Dana Hatherly

news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

News Editor Craig Adolphe

news@themanitoban.com/ 474.6770

Comment Editor Tom Ingram

News

Science

Online education to expand

Psychology to Neurosurgery

Provincial government to double-up online offerings

Dr. Michael Ellis discusses his career at the second MedTalks: Student Edition

page 4

page 14

comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Managing Editor Fraser Nelund

me@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

science & technology Editor Chantelle Dubois

science@themanitoban.com/ 474.6529

arts & Culture Editor Lauren Siddall

arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Sports Editor Mike Still

sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Copy Editor Carlyn Schellenberg

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Design

Design Editor Bradly Wohlgemuth

design@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

Graphics Editor Bram Keast

graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

Photo Editor Carolyne Kroeker

photo@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

design associate Scott Ford

scott@themanitoban.com

graphics associate Evan Tremblay

evan@themanitoban.com

Comment

Seasonal Silliness

Holidays aren't universal

Reporters

News Philma Scheepers News Ethan Cabel Science Jeremiah Yarmie arts & culture Ian T.D. Thomson arts & culture vacant Sports David Grad Assistant copy editor Kristy Hourd

Volunteer Contributors

page 9 Arts & Culture

From river rafting to releasing an album

Janelle Curry Kailey Trevithick Justin Ladia Kyle Mirecki Aldo Rios Ryan Sherbo

Will Gibson Katerina Koza Mariana Munoz Joshua Wright Alana Trachenko Josh Dookhie

Shawn Coates Andy Che

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Winnipeg band FINN reflects on releasing their upcoming EP

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Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #589160

On the right track Hynes wins first game as Bison coach page 22

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

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

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

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News

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Senior News Editor: Dana Hatherly News Editor: Craig Adolphe Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

UMSU neutrality sparks student criticism University of Manitoba Students’ Union speaks out against University of Winnipeg Students’ Association, Canadian Federation of Students’ Ethan Cabel, staff

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he University of Manitoba Students’ Union has said that it will not condemn impending budget cuts at the University of Manitoba, sparking criticism from students who claim that the union is not doing enough to protect their interests.

“They’ve stated that they are going to be neutral and I think that’s just unacceptable as a union that is supposed to represent students,” said Ian McDonald, a third-year philosophy student at the U of M. “This is an issue that will obviously be detrimental to all students,” said McDonald. “I don’t know their justification for this. Really, there isn’t a justification.”

Last Wednesday, a public assembly was held at the U of M as part of the “Stop the Cuts” campaign organized by U of M students in conjuction with the Canadian Federation of Students-Manitoba (CFS-MB). The public assembly provided information to U of M students about the cuts, which are set to average four per cent this year and four per cent next year, affecting both academic and non-academic units across the university.

Following the assembly, a student meeting was held to plan for future action surrounding the budget cuts.

The cuts have sparked criticism from a range of groups representing U of M students, staff, and faculty.

Critics include the Canadian Union of Public Employees local 3909— which represents sessional academic workers and teaching assistants— CFS-MB, U of M Graduate Students’ Association, and the University of Manitoba Faculty Association.

In addition to these groups, the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA) has condemned the impending cuts.

Kopp on union responsibilities

Jeremiah Kopp, UMSU vice-president internal, attended the public assembly on Nov. 26 and came away concerned about what he characterized as a preponderance of University of Winnipeg students and activists at the event.

“Budget cuts are an important subject for the University of Manitoba students,” Kopp said.

“I think the UWSA should mind their own business and stick to the University of Winnipeg issues, and the democratically elected University of Manitoba Students’ Union executives should be looking after student interests on our campus.”

According to Kopp, the staunch opposition expressed by CFS-MB, UMFA, and others does not adequately take into account the university’s complex budget outlook, limited revenue sources, and the need to balance competing priorities at the U of M. “[UMSU] will stay neutral on political issues.”

photo by Craig Adolphe, staff

“It is too early yet to have a deliberate response.”

Kopp argued that UMSU’s role is to be a mediator between various conflicting political interests.

Furthermore, he said he rejects the involvement of CFS-MB in issues concerning U of M students.

Last Wednesday, a public assembly was held at the U of M as part of the “Stop the Cuts” campaign organized

by U of M students in conjuction with the Canadian Federation of Students-Manitoba

organization that I don’t respect and the average University of Manitoba student doesn’t respect because of the way they conduct their business.”

Rorie Mcleod Arnould, UWSA president, was also present at the Stop the Cuts assembly. He said that the UWSA has a direct interest in opposing the cuts given that the U of M consistently receives more money from the provincial government annually than the University of Winnipeg.

“If the University of Manitoba administration is squandering public funds, that limits the ability of [the U of W] to get more money to offer services to [its] students,” Mcleod Arnould told the Manitoban.

“It is my problem. It’s everybody’s problem. How public institutions spend money is not something that Jeremiah Kopp or UMSU have sole jurisdiction over.”

Accounting for the cuts

Among the information presented to students gathered at the public “My view of UMSU’s role is one assembly on Nov. 26 was a budget of a mediating and clear voice to cut analysis by Cameron Morrill, U of M through various political interests,” associate professor in the department Kopp said, adding that there is sig- of accounting and finance. nificant room for common ground Morrill argued that the U of M between U of M administration, stu- operating budget shortfall—estidents, and faculty. mated by administration to be over “The CFS is irrelevant at the $10.5 million for the 2015-2016 acaUniversity of Manitoba and doesn’t demic year—is the result of transferrepresent students at the University of ring operating budget surpluses into Manitoba any longer.” Kopp contin- other areas, like capital assets. ued, “There are some good ideas that According to Morrill’s presentaCFS has, and they have some benefi- tion, the U of M transferred $56.6 cial campaigns, but ultimately it’s an million from its general operating

fund to capital assets in 2014. Capital assets constitute the “acquisition of, or renovations to, buildings, land, office equipment and furniture, heavy equipment, etc.”

the role of CFS-MB in the campaign to oppose budget cuts at the U of M. “I think that students, once they see the potential impact of these cuts, will see the role of the CFS in opposing them.”

However, not all students see the benefits of the CFS-MB stance.

“I think the UWSA Mark Stewart, fourth-year politshould mind their ical studies student at the U of M, agrees with Kopp that a balanced own business approach to the budget cuts controand stick to the versy is needed.

Stewart was the 2013-2014 presiUniversity of dent of the U of M Arts Student Body Winnipeg issues, and Council and worked as campaign manager for the “Refresh” slate of the democratically UMSU candidates that was elected earlier this year. elected University of “We, as a student body, need to Manitoba Students’ decide whether we want a cheap education or we want a good education.

Union executives We can’t have both,” Stewart said. should be looking He added that low tuition fees in Manitoba—coupled with unreliable after student increases in the annual operating interests on our grant from the provincial government—has put the U of M in a budcampus” – Jeremiah getary bind.

“The way the provincial governKopp, UMSU vicement’s budgets have been looking, it’s president internal entirely insane to expect there to be a sharp increase in funding towards education issues. It’s unacceptable for Zach Fleisher, chairperson for us to believe that the onus for payCFS-MB, defended the organiza- ing for education should fall on the tion’s “Stop the Cuts” campaign. government because what we’ve got “I think it’s clear that we’ve made right now is still one of the cheapest an impact on students who are con- educations in the nation.” cerned about class cuts, who are concerned about the potential faculty losing their jobs,” Fleisher said about

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News

Senior News Editor: Dana Hatherly News Editor: Craig Adolphe Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Manitoba throne speech prioritizes online education NDP government plans to increase number of courses offered online Craig Adolphe, staff; with files from Dana Hatherly, staff

photo by Carolyne Kroeker, staff

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t last month’s throne speech the provincial NDP announced a number of policies to be implemented in the coming year. While interestfree student loans have been heralded as a major treat for post-secondary students, a number of other policies that will affect students have been proposed. Among those is a two-fold increase in the number of courses to be offered online – from 500 to 1,000 across the province.

“We will build on the significant steps taken over the last decade to ensure post-secondary education is accessible and affordable,” said Premier Greg Selinger in a speech to media on Nov. 20.

Enrolment in online courses is already on the rise at the University of Manitoba. In the 2013/14 academic year, 9,318 U of M students were registered for online courses. That represents a 42 per cent increase from 2009/2010, when 6,547 students were registered for online courses.

In 2013/14, 151 online degree credit courses were offered across 12 faculties and 28 departments.

Extended education at the U of M, which oversees distance and online education, does not have access to the number of students who graduate either entirely or primarily through online courses.

Currently, U of M students may complete their bachelor of arts, bachelor of arts in geography, bachelor of social work, or post-baccalaureate diploma in education by taking distance and online education courses.

Students completing their bachelor of arts with distance and online education are able to major in Canadian studies, criminology, economics, English, geography, history, philosophy, political studies, psychology, and sociology.

Students who live in the city must come to the Fort Garry campus to write their exams as a component of

online courses that have final exams.

Students who do not live within city limits are not required to visit the campus; another location is selected.

Lynette Phyfe, interim director of distance and online education, told the Manitoban that online courses provide greater flexibility for students when it comes to time management.

“Courses that are taken through online delivery provide students flexibility for their schedule, location, and program completion.”

Canadian Association of University Teachers on distance education

The Canadian Association of University Teachers released a policy statement, last revised in 2009, which outlines its position on distance education. “[The Canadian Association of University Teachers] is dedicated to the removal of barriers that traditionally restrict access to and success in post-secondary institutions and to increasing equality and equity of educational opportunity for all Canadians.

“Distance education is one medium that allows post-secondary educational institutions to pursue these goals. Post-secondary institutions’ employers may nonetheless misuse distance education techniques to increase managerial control over academic staff and/or as a way to save money.”

The statement also lists a number of items that faculty associations should ensure are included in contract language as part of an effort to maintain a high-quality level of education.

These points include that “adequate time and resources are available to learn to use new computer technologies and distance education techniques”; “courses shall be taught by fully qualified staff”; and “academic staff have the right to determine the

method of course delivery.”

University Faculty Association, the The Canadian Association of University of Winnipeg Faculty University Teachers’ member asso- Association, the St. John’s College ciations include faculty associations Faculty Association, the Association from across Canada. Locally, these des professeur(e)s de l’Université de include the University of Manitoba Saint-Boniface, and the Manitoba Faculty Association, the Brandon Organization of Faculty Associations.

graphic by Evan Tremblay, staff

Local voices look at online courses

David Camfield, associate professor of labour studies and sociology at the U of M, was critical of the pro-

Continued on next page

VOL. 101 NO. 45 December 3, 2014

posed increase in online courses being offered in the province.

“Expanding access to post-secondary education is a good thing.

However,” Camfield continued, “I also have concerns about the quality of education. Not all courses are equally suitable for offering online.

In-person classes with small class sizes offer unique opportunities for learning. We need more of them; but, because of budget cuts, there are fewer of them available to students.

“Many of the new online courses will no doubt be taught by sessional instructors who are paid less than tenure-stream faculty, with little or no job security and weaker academic freedom protection. That’s a problem.”

Zach Fleisher, chairperson for the Canadian Federation of StudentsManitoba, shared some of Camfield’s concerns. However, Fleisher said that if the courses were used to help rural and distance students, then it would be a benefit to post-secondary students.

“I’m often wary about the usage

of online courses on university camFleisher noted that specifics in puses as there are concerns regarding implementing the plan were not yet the ‘mass production’ of education, available and said that he would be which could theoretically lead in turn monitoring its execution. to less professors “I don’t have the and offerings. exact information “Courses that are In my personal on how these new experience as developments for taken through online courses a student, I’ve online delivery are taking place. often leaned towa rds the Traditionally, the provide students in-classroom university would flexibility for their experience. have jurisdiction “My underon classes on its schedule, location own campus, so standing around we’ ll have to the provincial and program keep an eye on throne speech completion” – a nd on l i ne this proposal as it develops.” courses is that Lynette Phyfe, the new offerings interim director will primarily be Student experiences targeted towards of distance and rural and disDanielle online education tance students, Murphy, U of M in which case human nutritional this is a positive sciences student in development for extending education the faculty of agriculture and food to those who don’t always have access.” sciences, said she had some difficulty

News

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the first time she took an online Sabine Hergenreiter, a U of M course. student taking prerequisites for nurs“I took Statistics 1000 online for ing, has also taken online courses in about a month before the first mid- the past.

“I tried like three years ago, but I term; then I ended up dropping it.

“It was easier to teach myself, but didn’t find it was something for me I found it was really hard to disci- so I dropped the course.

“I found it really confusing at first pline myself to study. I was always studying for my other courses that actually and I had to talk to my sis[took place in a classroom] because it ter and she helped me a little bit,” would remind me what I had to do in Hergenreiter continued, “But I found the classes; whereas online, I had to that I wasn’t able to concentrate really remind myself, so I found that really [well]—just at home I guess—so I hard. So I ended up just taking it [the like the classroom setting way better.” next semester] in an actual classroom Hergenreiter was less willing to with a professor instead.” recommend online courses to a friend.

Murphy said she did better “I guess it’s convenient, but I really when she took the course on cam- wouldn’t want to do it again.” pus the following semester, but that she would still recommend online For more information about online courses to other people. courses offered at the U of M, check “I would [recommend it] – because distance and online education’s webmy roommate actually took a couple site: umanitoba.ca/faculties/coned of online courses this summer and she really, really liked them. Because she felt that she could just go home and work still, while she had the convenience of doing school.”

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News

Senior News Editor: Dana Hatherly News Editor: Craig Adolphe Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Robert-Falcon Ouellette wants indigenous university Winnipeg political figure developing business plan for aboriginal-focused academic growth Dana Hatherly, staff

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ess than 48 hours following the U of M had been steadily increasing and seeks to meet the demographic indigenous enrolment likely involve Access Program to serve as a support day of the Winnipeg mayoral in overall enrolment by one to three demands of the province. “a higher number of Métis and a pro- network to increase student success. portion who do not declare [indigeelection which saw Robert-Falcon per cent.

“You’re in a university,” said Ouellette place third, Ouellette Since the fall 2013 term, indignous status].” The U of M recognized Ouellette. “There are just certain some of the challenges to university things they just can’t do. The strucannounced that he is developing a enous enrolment has grown 1.3 per “By the time the business plan to start an indigenous cent to a total of 2,168 students. access and success faced by the pop- ture of the environment just doesn’t program proposal post-secondary institution.

Indigenous enrolment was ulations targeted by the strategic allow it.” makes it back to Ouellette said his plan is “to cre- recently slated at 7.9 and 4.2 per cent enrolment management planning Ouellette gave an example of a ate a privately-funded, elite univer- for undergraduates and graduates framework. hypothetical proposal for an eduthe community for cational program in environmental sity that would cater to indigenous respectively, and 7.3 of the general students.” university student population during An aboriginal focus science on a First Nations reserve. implementation, In his opinion, educational insti- 2013-2014. Ten per cent of the city Ouellette is the program direc“By the time the program proposal the community tor of the U of M Aboriginal Focus makes it back to the community for tutions are not fully meeting the of Winnipeg’s residents and 15 per Program (AFP). The role of the AFP implementation, the community may needs of aboriginal people across cent across the province of Manitoba may be under the province. were indigenous according to a 2006 is to offer programs, certificates, and be under new leadership, or people new leadership, or Furthermore, Ouellette said that Statistics Canada census. diplomas; take general courses from have left and interests have changed. there is a need for an indigenousThe U of M Board of Governors the university and then add an indig“That’s the nature of universities, people have left enous component to it; and try to get that’s how universities function; focused university in Winnipeg. The approved a motion stating that “by and interests have university concept that he proposed 2023 Aboriginal enrolment should out into the communities to offer they’re slow-moving,” Ouellette would operate at a high cost to reflect increase to 15 per cent of undergradsomething community-based. said in regards to the university’s changed” – Robertan equally high value of academic uate and eight per cent of graduate “The difficulty with that often is commitment to collaborating with standards for about 500 students with enrolment.” that the communities don’t have indigenous communities on research Falcon Ouellette, The approved motion was based money to pay for the programs, and that impacts them. an endowment fund to reduce the program director, tuition costs. on the strategic enrolment plan. so how do you get enough students Ouellette’s planned privately-run, This plan “serves as the road map to to fill up the courses?” indigenous-based university might U of M Aboriginal Indigenous enrolment achieving specific institutional goals, Ouellette said that the program is be in competition with the U of M, Focus Program The University of Manitoba’s over- typically connected to student body in a state of flux. targeting the same portions of the “It’s always hard to find money. The population for student recruitment all 2014 fall term enrolment as of Nov. size, enrolment mix, and revenue, 1 was reported at 29,657 students. This while also providing specific indicauniversity wants new programming and fundraising purposes. total represents a slight decline of 65 tors on the effectiveness of the learnIndigenous enrolment at the U of and they want it now but often it Ouellette said he is looking forstudents—about 0.3 per cent—com- ing environment.”

W showed that in 2012, about 12 per takes many years to push it through.” ward to his next challenge. pared to reports from this same time The University of Manitoba claims cent of students self-declared indigThe Aboriginal Focus Program is not a very large program. This last year. Over the past few years prior to have one of the highest indigenous enous status. to this recent minor reduction, the student populations across Canada, Ouellette said that reports on program merged with the U of M

VOL. 101 NO. 45 December 3, 2014

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Sexual assault maps U of M, Exchange maps provoke anonymous discussions about sexual assault Janelle Curry

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ast week, two posters fea- that all posters in University Centre turing hashtags such as must be given approval stamps at #BeenRapedNeverReported along Answers. The sexual assault maps with maps—one of the University were posted on spaces rented out by of Manitoba’s Fort Garry cam- U of M Conference and Catering pus and the other of the Exchange Services.

District—were posted next to the U Answers is not permitted to proof M Bookstore in University Centre. vide approval for materials without The #BeenRapedNeverReported any indication of affiliation within began trending on Twitter after sev- the university. eral women who came forward with allegations against CBC host Jian Ghomeshi were questioned about “Maybe you can why they did not report their violent catch somebody encounters to the police.

The posters were hung in a high- after the fact, but if traffic area on temporary dividers you actually started located in front of the food services that are presently under renovation talking about [sexual on campus. With markers attached assault] more and by string and tape dangling from the posters, the posters’ text is directed addressing the at passersby and requests them to write their own story of sexual issues, then maybe assault; mark the place(s) where it you wouldn’t need occurred; whether they reported it; and whether there are places they will all the cameras” – avoid because of fear of assault.

Erin McNally, U The posters’ heading reads: “Help us change the way violence against of M biological women is perceived.” sciences student As also read on the poster, “71 per cent of incidents of sexual assault are not reported.”

Statistics Canada’s 2009 general Conference and Catering Services social survey found that the rate of would not provide the Manitoban reporting sexual assault to police is with information about who was much lower than 29 per cent. They responsible for renting the spaces defined sexual assault as “forced or posting the posters on the rented sexual activity; an attempt at forced spaces. The U of M ancillary sersexual activity; or unwanted sexual vices—responsible for overruling the touching, grabbing, kissing, or approval materials—was unable to fondling.” provide any indication of affiliation According to the same report, in by the time of publication.

Canada in 2009—excluding data The Manitoban was unable to confrom the territories, and based on self- firm who was behind the posters. reporting in a sample survey—88 per Kunzman and Reanna Blair, photo by Carolyne Kroeker, staff cent of sexual assault incidences were UMSU’s women’s representative, not reported to the police. both said they had seen the posters In a fact sheet by the Canadian but did not know who had posted Though the maps draw atten- snoring, it’s not a quiet area! You’re it’s a culture that supports this Federation of Students-Ontario them. tion to sexual assault on campus lucky I did not destroy your dark star, individual.” about reporting sexual assault, they One Health Sciences Centre and downtown, McNally said that and entered your black hole.”

“University no longer exists solely noted that “statistics related to sex- sexual assault nurse, Candace Wylie, instances of sexual assault are not People immediately commented on the physical grounds of the camual and gendered violence are often said, “It is disconcerting. The post- limited to those locations. on the nature of the language. One pus,” Kunzman said in response to based on reports that are formally ers should be saying who it is from “I’ve experienced it on my own person asked, “Is that supposed to be the sexual assault threats that were reported to police. However, most because it is a very sensitive topic,” street before. Really, it could hap- a rape reference? Cause that’s ridicu- issued online. cases of such violence are not reported referring to the lack of information pen anywhere.” lous.” Another person commented “A lot of university life these days by victims for several reasons.” and indicated affiliation.

Wanda Hounslow, a U of M soci- that “rape jokes are bad.” occurs online. This is a community, One report on Canadian statistics “If you’re going to share [sexual ology student and the lead initiator of Other commenters appeared and you have to be a responsible citiread that there are 460,000 sexual assault] experiences, you should be the #NoMoreBlurredLines campaign to support the post, leaving mes- zen within it.” assaults each year. Out of 1,000 sexual offered information as to resources by UMSU, commented on the place- sages that included “LMFAO” and Hounslow is one of various stuassault occurrences, “33 are reported that you can access.” ment of the maps in the middle of “Buhahahahahhaha.” As of press time, dents and faculty members involved to police,” “29 are recorded as crime,” University Centre. the original post had received 52 likes. with the U of M Sexual Assault “12 have charges laid,” “6 are pros- A look at the maps “I noticed that I felt self-conscious The admin for UManitoba Working Group. This new initiative, ecuted,” “3 lead to conviction,” and Two comments written on the that someone would see me writing Confessions 2.0 said that, “the site’s established earlier this term, seeks to “997 assilants walk free.” campus map draw attention to places my story on there. It makes you real- aim is to give people a way to make address concerns about sexual assault where there are no cameras, one of ize how talking about this is still so public confessions anonymously. on campus.

A look behind the maps which states it made the commenter taboo.”

All confessions are user-submitted “The group is putting forward a The maps do not provide indica- feel unsafe at night. and unedited, and comments are streamlined protocol that each office tion about who posted them or which When asked if additional cameras A look online moderated.” [that deals with sexual assault on group or individual is responsible for would increase her sense of safety on The popular Facebook group “The more controversial or surpris- campus] can follow to address cases,” them. No one has yet come forward campus, Erin McNally, second-year called “UManitoba Confessions 2.0” ing to me that a post is, the more I’m said Kunzman. to claim ownership.

U of M biological sciences student, is followed by nearly 7,000 Facebook going to post it,” the site’s admin said The maps—having received the said, “No.” members. The group’s administrator in an interview with the Manitoban The group also put forth a web page official stamp of permission to post “Maybe you can catch somebody posts messages, broadly defined as last March. for public awareness about sexual posters in University Centre—were after the fact, but if you actually confessions received, from anony“I’m frustrated and I’m disap- assault on the university’s website, posted on wooden dividers in front of started talking about [sexual assault] mous U of M students. pointed, and I’m not surprised,” said giving clear definitions of assault and the temporary wall for the food ser- more and addressing the issues, then Last Tuesday, the following post Hounslow upon hearing about the consent. The page can be accessed at vices renovations. Rebecca Kunzman, maybe you wouldn’t need all the cam- was made: “#573: To the girl who post. “It’s a bigger problem than just umanitoba.ca/student/sexual-assault UMSU vice-president advocacy, said eras,” said McNally. woke me up in iqs (sic) because I was one individual [the original poster];

Editorial Editor-In-Chief: vacant Contact: Editor@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

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The new F word Misconceptions around a movement toward equality Lauren Siddall, staff

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he idea of feminism has been a after understanding the definition 25 to November 4, 1993.

This is why we need feminism. dominating theme in media and of feminism.

Malala Yousafzai was shot it the How can a word representing conversation this year. From Rosetta Several other female celebrities head by the Taliban for fighting for the movement for gender equality physicist Matt Taylor’s infamous shirt have decided to call themselves the basic right of women’s education. be ugly? splattered with bodacious women, “humanists” rather than feminists, We still celebrate individuEmma Watson perhaps said to Time magazine’s placement of including Madonna, Susan Sarandon, als becoming the “first woman to it best in her recent address to the the word “feminist” on their “which Sarah Jessica Parker, and Demi [insert accomplishment]”—as seen United Nations, as goodwill ambasword should be banned in 2015” list, Moore. in the Engineering Complex at the sador for UN Women, to launch her Campaigns entitled “Women University of Manitoba—which is “HeforShe” campaign. to numerous female celebrities outwardly stating their disapproval of Against Feminism” cite some of problematic. We should not need to “I decided I was a feminist and this the movement, the word “feminism” their reasons as “I don’t need femi- celebrate the achievements of women seemed uncomplicated to me. But my nism because my boyfriend treats separately from the achievements of recent research has shown me that has become pervasive.

But not in the way it should be. me right,” “I don’t have room in my men; distinguishing genders greatens feminism has become an unpopular When Shailene Woodley was heart for hate,” and “I embrace what the inequality between the sexes. word. Apparently I am among the asked if she is a feminist, she replied, makes me different from men. Being The fact is, women are still not ranks of women whose expressions “No because I love men, and I think different isn’t the same as being lower paid as much as men are; women are are seen as too strong, too aggressive, the idea of ‘raise women to power, or less important than men.” still not as likely to hold high execu- isolating, anti-men, and unattractive.” take the men away from power’ is To clear things up, the Oxford tive positions within businesses; In her campaign, Watson has never going to work out because you English Dictionary defines feminism women are still taught to have a man included both genders in an attempt as, “The advocacy of women’s rights escort them to their car late at night; to abolish the misconstrued “us vs. need balance.”

Taylor Swift gave a similar answer, on the grounds of political, social, women are still not given full control them” mentality. Feminism is not stating, “I don’t really think about and economic equality to men.” Not of the decisions they make regard- about hating men, oppressing men, things as guys versus girls. I never oppressing men in order to gain ing their bodies; women all over the suppressing masculinity, or playing have. I was raised by parents who power and authority. world still need to fight for education; the victim. It is believing that women Canada’s only female prime min- opinionated women who assert their are just as capable and deserving of brought me up to think if you work as hard as guys, you can go far in life.” ister was Kim Campbell, who sat in power are still “bitches”; and women opportunities as men are.

Swift has since changed her tune office for under six months, from June are still subject to “gender pricing.”

The problem arises when people

assume that increasing the status of women will decrease the status of men. Feminism does not mean men should not hold political office, ask women out on dates, hold doors open for women, tell a woman she looks beautiful, or run companies.

It means women should be allotted these opportunities too.

The conception of feminism as anything but a fight for equality between the sexes is indicative of the importance of the feminist movement and the need to abolish the extremist stereotyping of what it means to be feminist.

The counter-feminist movements, such as “Women Against Feminism,” are more damaging than they appear at first glance. By stating that women do not need feminism, these movements are negating the struggles of women everywhere in the fight for equal rights.

Counter-feminist movements are built upon selfish hypocrisy – an ideology built from a place of privilege. You may not need to fight for equal rights from the position you are standing in, but some women do.

Anti-feminist campaigns, while road-blocking the renewed feminist movement, also sustain the “ugly feminist” stereotype. Feminists are all too often portrayed as aggressive, angry, oppressive individuals who are more concerned with telling women what they can and cannot do than seeking equal opportunity. This is not the case.

“I decided I was a feminist and this seemed uncomplicated to me. But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word” – Emma Watson, UN Women goodwill ambassador In fact, it is ironic that feminists are criticized for being consistently depicted as angry. We should all be angry; if you are not angry, you are not paying attention.

It is 2014, and I am still taught that I should not walk alone at night, I am not expected to climb as high on the corporate ladder as men, I am still subject to unwelcome catcalls, and I am not taken as seriously as an authority figure.

And I’m in a position of privilege.

No, Time magazine, we do not need to ban the word feminist. We need to use it more often. graphic by Kailey Trevithick

9

Comment Comment Editor: Tom Ingram Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

What holiday season?

Generalizing about the holidays trivializes other cultures Tom Ingram, staff

A

s we begin to set up our non- holiday season. the year and are of widely varying denominational holiday trees and What I am alarmed by instead is length. Some of them are inextripaint the words “season’s greetings” this artificial notion of a holiday sea- cably attached to a religion, some in our windows, we are about to be son. When I was about seven, I recall are rooted in old traditions but not inundated with tiresome arguments my school putting up posters with necessarily religious, and some have about the secularization of the holi- the names of various holidays along gone over almost entirely to the comday season – why it’s a terrible thing with drawings of stereotyped chil- mercial machine.

But to hear all the talk of a “holithat must be stopped, and why it’s a dren celebrating these holidays. There great example of the progress made was one for Christmas, Hanukkah, day season,” or to see the posters hung

by Western culture.

Kwanzaa, Ramadan, and Diwali, and in elementary schools, you would These articles write themselves, so possibly others I’ve forgotten. think that these very different obserthere is not much point in reading vances were all merry late-December them. They are two complementary feast and gift-giving days differing examples of meaningless noise due from Christmas only in the date and The idea that a to obsessive thought patterns in our some of the decor. religion embodies public discourse. Whenever you see This has the effect of collapsing all one of these incessant, insoluble cultures down to one in our minds. the fundamental debates in the media, there’s probWe are taught to think of people principles of a way of from other cultures like the aliens ably some underlying confusion or manipulation going on. in Star Trek who are exactly like the life is alien to many First of all, let’s get a few things Earthlings in all respects except for straight: whatever one thinks of a plu- North Americans wearing an unusual hat. Most of us ralistic society, as a matter of pragmahave given up xenophobia, but we tism in a place where you can’t make have replaced it with xenoscepticism, any assumptions about the religious The point of these posters was which is scarcely an improvement. adherence of a stranger, it is useful to obvious: they were designed to The idea that a religion embodbe able to say some insipidly pleasant instruct us in the ways of pluralistic ies the fundamental principles of a society, portraying our own (mostly way of life is alien to many North phrase such as “happy holidays.”

And, conversely, the verbal acro- Christian or pseudo-Christian) Americans. The idea that these prinbatics that must be performed to observances as only one possibility ciples might differ from what we are avoid mentioning Christmas even among many. used to in important and complicated when it is clearly being talked about They did a good job of teaching us ways is even more so. are a little absurd, rather like charac- that others could be very much like But assuming that all cultures are ters in a 1950s sitcom using elaborate ourselves. But I think it was perhaps minor variations on our own makes euphemisms to avoid saying the word too good a job, which left us unable a lot of world events unintelligible. to conceive of people who think And, paradoxically, it weakens our “pregnant.”

So saying “happy holidays” is much differently from ourselves. sympathy for the rest of humandumb, but polite and harmless. And we were well-fed, clothed, pre- ity who cannot get over such petty There is no reason to get mad at dominantly white kids living in a very differences as what date to hold the your Walmart greeter. The phrase is safe part of the world and reasonably December feast and buy each other nothing to be alarmed by; it’s just a assured of a prosperous future. televisions and microwaves.

These holidays are all very difway for people from many different backgrounds to get along during the ferent. They occur in all parts of

graphic by Justin Ladia, volunteer staff

A wake-up call for the best country in the world Canadians are fortunate to be safe from terrorism Kyle Mirecki

I

n October, a disturbed and radicalized Michael Zehaf-Bibeau shot Cpl. Nathan Cirillo in cold blood while the reservist stood on guard at the National War Memorial, a symbol honouring the men and women who have fallen for Canadian freedom. Zehaf-Bibeau proceeded to hijack a ministerial car and charge the steps of Parliament, possibly with the intent to kill members of Parliament.

If this wasn’t an act of terror, what is?

A few weeks later, in the deadliest attack in Jerusalem in six years, the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, murdered four innocent Israelis during morning prayers. Hamas, which is recognized

by Canada and its allies as a terrorist organization, swiftly praised the murder. Like the actions of Zehaf-

Bibeau, this was a barbaric, evil, and Library, from 2000 to present, there cowardly attack. If have been 1,232 Israeli deaths as this wasn’t an act The only of terror, what is? a result of terror The only differattacks. The Israel difference ence between the Defense Forces attack in Ottawa report that, since between and the attack 2001, over 15,200 Canadians and in Jerusalem is rockets or mortars that terrorism is have been targeted Israelis when a deadly reality at Israel, mostly faced with such that Israelis confrom the Gaza front every single Strip, an average heinous acts is day. The only difof more than three that Israelis are ference between attacks every day.

Canadians and Try to imagine not afraid to call Israelis when faced what life would be with such heinous like if the threat a spade a spade acts is that Israelis of senseless terare not afraid to ror and murder, call a spade a spade. like the act of Zehaf- Bibeau, were According to the Jewish Virtual a regular occurrence, as it is in Israel.

It is worth reflection.

We shouldn’t be ashamed that we don’t always recognize terrorism for what it is. Canada is a strong, courageous, and peaceful country. Our Parliament, thankfully, spends far more time debating health-care policy and taxation than it does on security and counter-terrorism.

On the world stage we can be counted on to provide meaningful military contributions and take focused action where we can be the most effective, such as our current efforts against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, but this action has always been far from home. We are not afraid to stand up for what is right, even when it isn’t fashionable. However, until the recent terror attack, it has been decades since we have witnessed violence at the heart

of our nation’s capital.

Canadians should open their eyes to the fact that radicalism does not exist solely on some distant desert battlefield. If we remain ignorant to its proliferation, we do so at our own peril. While ensuring that our civil liberties are protected, it is vital that further efforts be made to appropriately address the issue of radicalism head on.

The poetic justice of this act of terror is that its effect on Canadians was the opposite of what was likely intended. It opened our eyes and hearts, brought us closer together and strengthened our will to continue to face evil as the best country in the world.

11

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

Thank you to our sponsors: David’s Tea, Thin Air, and the Manitoba Writers’ Guild.

In the prose portion

Runner up: Dan Hrynick with “The Life of Rye.” The winning entry: Alex Passey with “Looking Out.”

In the poetry portion Due to a large number of entries, three runners up were selected: Elizabeth Walker with “Lovers of Valdaro,” Kieran Dublin with “Mixed,” and Alex Passey with “Raindrops.”

The winning entry: Daniel Guezen with “Slough.”

Life of Rye Daniel Hrynick

It was a weird Thanksgiving. I peeled out of the driveway of my mother’s house in a LeBaron that she would never drive again. The last words I said to her were, “I’m leaving.”

I raced down the gently winding street of my otherwise perfectly quiet gated community. The old divorced battle axes couldn’t open the blinds fast enough to see who was making all that noise. At the front gate of the Golden Bear Estates (the developers swear they had no idea who Jack Nicklaus was) I came to an aggressive stop and let that butthead—Gord—open the gate for me. He was smiling at me with the mouth of a ventriloquist, saying through his smile, “you little fucker.” I wondered what his loudmouth wife had said to him before he left for work that morning. She probably told him to get a real job. Gord pressed the big green “OPEN GATE” button for me, and began with the small talk that is typical of subservience.

“Off to see your old man?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“Well, drive safe. Lot of people on their way to be with their families today.”

Had I not been in such a rush to leave, I would have put the top up on the LeBaron to avoid our excruciating exchange.

There was silence for what seemed to go on for generations when the gates of the Golden Bear Estates finally opened just wide enough to let an ’87 LeBaron go roaring through. As I left, Gord sighed and pointed his eyes to the ground. Without looking, Gord reached with his right hand, found the big red “CLOSE GATE” button, pushed it, and said to himself, “this is horse shit.”

Truthfully, I didn’t know where I was going with this LeBaron. Not to my old man’s house, that’s for damn sure. I’d pass on another awkward hello with a woman I was meeting for the very first time, thank you very much. The more I thought about where I was going to or running away from, the less I was focusing on my driving. My mind was wandering and the potholes were sitting there – waiting. Their mouths open like they were in line for the buffet at Cathay House. In no time, I hit a big one.

“JESUS CHRIST!” I yelled as the LeBaron drove over the concrete abyss. The force of the impact nearly threw me from the LeBaron. With my heart in my throat, I turned down the radio and slowed down to let the LeBaron tell me what kind of shape it was in. I could hear the sound of a terrible grind, and all I could say was, “this is horse shit.”

I pulled the LeBaron to the side of the road and turned on the hazard lights. Ahead of me, a city worker held a “SLOW” sign in her left hand. Road work ahead. She let the sign lean against her body as she adjusted her glasses, pushed her hair aside, and dug deep in her pockets to find a smoke. She eventually found a cigarette in the pockets of a co-worker who was holding a shovel but not paying attention. She lit the cigarette, took in a deep haul, and exhaled a toxic cloud of relief. She then jerked her arm out to reveal her wrist watch from underneath her long-sleeve safety gear, checked the time, and while shaking her head, muttered something like, “this is horse shit.”

After a long, blank stare into the distance, the city worker turned her attention to the LeBaron. She was likely wondering what a LeBaron with the top down was doing on the side of a busy street with no parking. After a while, though, I could tell that she recognized the LeBaron. And I knew she did, because she was my mother’s old friend and current number one enemy, Judy. I put my head down, wishing that I had put the top up on the LeBaron, and reached for my phone.

“Great, now what?” I wondered aloud. I couldn’t call my father, I just made my mother cry, and I didn’t have the Haynes Repair Manual for mid-size Chryslers 1982 thru 1995. Minutes passed while I sat frozen in the LeBaron. My forehead had taken the shape of the steering wheel when suddenly, I heard a low, growly voice from the passenger side say, “you look lost, man.

You okay?” I lifted my head to turn towards the voice, and was shocked when I saw who it was. It was Hudson, the talking polar bear from the Assiniboine Park Zoo. “Uh-uhhhh… s-sure.”

graphic by Bram Keast, staff

“Listen, man, I’m not gonna hurt you, but it’s important that I get into this LeBaron.”

“S-sure thing, w-whatever you n-need.”

Hudson hopped into the LeBaron. Reluctantly, I turned off the hazard lights, put the LeBaron into drive, and drove the LeBaron slowly past Judy, like the sign said. She smiled the same ventriloquist smile as I had just seen on Gord’s face, waved politely as acquaintances should, and butted the shoveler’s cigarette on the road with her CSA safety boot.

“You know her?”

“N-no, n-not really.”

“Hey now, I’m on your side. Don’t be afraid, man.”

“O-okay.”

“Ha-haaa, that’s right. You got it, man.”

What ensued was a daring journey to the north perimeter of Winnipeg in a struggling LeBaron. A journey of discovery made possible by the unlikely pairing of two of Winnipeg’s more privileged lost souls. We took turns both as the talker and the listener, hoping to discover more about ourselves and each other. Hudson wanted to know why people would want to live in a gated community. He would say, “man, that sounds like horse shit.” I would then ask Hudson why some animals could speak to humans but other animals could not. Or why people only gave a shit about the animals who could speak to humans in the first place. Hudson wanted to understand why a white boy from high-income earners would be so strongly opposed to going to university, getting a job, paying taxes, or voting. He wanted to know why it was so difficult to make a city work. “You all value the same basic things, don’t you?

You know you’re not that different from us polar bears, man,” Hudson said with a grin. I wanted to know how Hudson got out of his cage so easily, and why he thought the LeBaron could

make it all the way to Churchill. How far away did he think Churchill really was?

“You know, Hudson, the plight of the polar bear is something else.”

“We’ll be fine, man. You humans worry about us too much.”

“Hey, we just want to make sure we don’t lose polar bears.

Big tourism draw, you know.”

“I know, man.”

And then, the wheel finally stopped turning. The journey to the north perimeter was barely incomplete. The LeBaron let out a terrible roar as the front passenger-side wheel broke off from the axel and came to rest in a wetland drainage trench.

The wheel stood as a rubber prairie monument until the next generation of workaday Winnipeggers eventually grew sick of the wreck of the old ’87 LeBaron off Highway 7.

A cold, October wind was blowing in from the north, carrying with it the smell of horse shit from the ranches surrounding Winnipeg. Why, why did I leave the top down? Before self-loathing could start to consume us, Hudson looked at me and said, “good luck, man.” Hudson crawled out of the LeBaron which was now only partially blocking the right lane of Highway 7. Irate motorists honked as they passed by.

I watched Hudson walk north until he was completely out of sight, and then I called my mother. She finally arrived, and I quietly got in her truck. We both sat, listening to a CJOB newsman cover the developing story of Hudson the polar bear’s daring escape from the Journey to Churchill exhibit at the Assiniboine Park Zoo. In the silence of my mother’s truck, as we turned into her tire-marked driveway, I heard that Hudson had been located and captured by the new police chopper. Hudson was on his way to his new home in a more secure area of the zoo.

12

Features

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

Looking Out Alex Passey

“Can you please just get out of my way?” Melissa demanded.

“Seriously, what the hell?” Amy objected as Melissa’s elbow dug into her ribs, jostling her away from the bathroom mirror.

“I was in here first.”

“Yeah, but Evan is going to be here soon,” Melissa said. She was already pulling her makeup kit out of the drawer, not bothering to spare even a sideways glance for her sister. “So I’m kind of in a hurry. You can have the bathroom when I’m done.”

“No, I was here first,” Amy argued. “So you can have it when I’m done.”

This time Melissa did spare a sickeningly sweet look of indulgence for Amy. “Oh, I’m sorry, big sister,” she said. “Do you have a date tonight too?”

“Why do you have to be such a bitch?” Amy asked. Melissa was always taking shots at her like she was ugly and couldn’t possibly get a date, despite the fact that they looked so similar to each other. Amy might not dress as alluring or wear as much makeup, but she knew could attract a guy if she wanted to. She didn’t really see the appeal, though.

“All I want to do is brush my teeth and stuff,” Amy said, trying to be diplomatic. “I won’t even be five minutes. Just let me go first.”

“Brush your teeth?” Melissa scoffed, already applying her mascara. “Why bother? No one is going anywhere near that mouth. Now will you please get out of here so I can have some privacy?”

Amy did step out of the bathroom then, but only a step, because that was how far she needed to go so she could lean over the railing and yell downstairs to their mother.

“Mom, Mel is being a bitch again!” she shouted.

“Watch your mouth, young lady!” her mom shouted back.

“Well it’s true,” Amy said.

“I don’t want to hear that language in this household. I raised you better than that.”

Amy rolled her eyes. “Can you just tell her to get out of the bathroom? I was in there first.”

“God, can’t you people shut up?” Melissa said. “I’m trying to concentrate.”

And with that she slammed the door shut.

“Just let her be,” Mom called up to Amy. “She won’t be long.

A little waiting isn’t going to kill you.”

“You know she takes forever in there,” Amy complained.

“Besides, I was in there first.”

“Amy, she’s your little sister,” Mom said, starting to sound impatient. “Cut her some slack. You’re supposed to be looking out for her, you know.”

Amy rolled her eyes again. Right, she was supposed to be looking out for Melissa. She wasn’t even a full year older, but it was like their parents expected Amy to carry Melissa around in a little pouch like some kind of marsupial guardian. If they were out playing hopscotch on the sidewalk and Melissa fell and scraped her knee, the question was always why Amy wasn’t keeping a closer eye on her little sister. Or if Melissa’s grades weren’t as good as Amy’s, it was always asked why Amy hadn’t done more to help Melissa with her schoolwork. And when the two sisters fought, as they had many times, both verbally and physically, it always boiled down to why couldn’t Amy be the mature one and broker peace. Everyone was always clamouring to give Melissa the whole world on a silver platter and Amy’s only purpose in life was to make sure that she didn’t drop it and smash it to pieces.

“Whatever,” Amy muttered. She stormed downstairs, making sure that every stomp of her feet reverberated through the house. She slumped onto the couch in the living room, picked up the remote, and started flipping through the channel guide.

She scrolled fast, squeezing the little down arrow like she had the remote pinned in a thumb war. She wasn’t even paying attention to what was on the screen. Amy just wanted to sit there and fume.

Melissa came racing down the stairs then, not seeming in much better spirits than Amy despite having won the battle for the bathroom. Melissa threw open the door of the linen closet and began rifling through it.

“Are you done yet?” Amy asked.

“Does it look like I’m done?” Melissa asked. She spread her arms out wide to accentuate the fact that she was clad in nothing more than a towel and a bra.

“Well, hurry up,” Amy told her.

Melissa turned back to the closet. “I’d be done a lot faster if there were ever enough towels,” she said.

Then something caught Amy’s eye.

“What the hell, is that my bra?” she accused.

Melissa turned again, smiling that insufferable smile of

graphic by Bradly Wohlgemuth, staff

hers. “This?” she asked innocently. “I’m pretty sure it’s mine.

You really think this would fit you? It would hang off you like grapes in a hammock.”

“We’re the same cup size, Mel,” Amy said.

“Sure we are, sis. After a box of Kleenex or two.”

“You are such a bitch,” Amy said, shaking her head.

“Whatever. By the way, where are the car keys?”

“Why? This is my night with the car.”

“So? You’re not going to use it. Evan’s car is in the shop and he needs me to drive tonight.”

“Not my problem,” Amy said smugly, glad to finally have the upper hand on her sister.

“No way are you ruining my night,” Melissa said. “Mom! Amy won’t let me take the car out!”

“Why won’t you let your sister use the car, Amy?” Mom’s voice drifted out to them.

“I might want to use it later,” Amy said.

“Oh yeah?” Melissa sneered. “What for?”

“I was thinking about going to see a movie or something.”

“Oh come on, by yourself?” Melissa said. “Don’t be so lame.”

“Just let your sister use the car, honey,” Mom’s tired voice decreed. “There are plenty of movies you can watch on TV.” “Oh my god, fine, whatever,” Amy huffed. “The keys are on my dresser.”

“Thanks,” Melissa smirked. Then the doorbell rang, and Melissa’s face contorted in horror.

“Oh my god, he’s already here!” she cried, turning and racing back up the stairs. “Tell him I’ll be right down!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Amy said, pulling herself up off the couch.

Amy opened the front door and there was Evan, in all his stereotypical jock glory. His blond hair was cut short and neatly combed to one side. The sleeves of the baby blue shirt he was wearing were long, but it was tight enough that the muscles underneath were obvious anyway. He looked like he’d been plucked right out of some teen movie from the 90s.

“She’s still in the bathroom,” Amy said, doing her best to smile pleasantly. “Come on in and have a seat.”

“Okay, thanks,” Evan said.

“Is she going to be long?” he asked, settling into a place in

the middle of the couch.

“She should only be a couple minutes,” Amy said. She came to stand near the edge of the couch and cocked her eyebrow at Evan.

“Sorry, did you want to sit down?” Evan asked, moving to scooch over.

“That’s okay,” Amy said. She stepped over Evan with one leg and sat down in his lap, straddling him and locking her fingers behind his neck. “This spot is fine.” She lunged forward and assaulted him with a deep, hungry kiss.

“Whoa,” Evan said, grabbing Amy’s shoulders and holding her back, after a few seconds had passed, mind you. “We can’t be doing this.”

“You didn’t mind last time,” Amy said saucily.

“Yeah, but… Jesus,” Evan said, glancing over his shoulder nervously. “Mel is right upstairs.”

“Oh, we have plenty of time,” Amy purred.

Amy locked Evan in another violent kiss, and this time he didn’t resist. She ran her fingers through his hair, or tried to, and was totally unsatisfied by the lack of a mane she found there.

She ran her hands over his body and was mildly disgusted by the bulk of corded muscles under her fingertips. She tried not to cringe as his hands crept up under her shirt, and his tongue probing her mouth made her feel faintly like vomiting.

Her hands slipped down to unbutton his pants.

“Okay, whoa,” Evan said, bringing events to a stop once more.

“Come on, baby,” Amy breathed. “What’s the big deal?”

“Okay, I’m ready!” chimed Melissa’s voice from upstairs.

Evan was up like a shot, tossing Amy aside so she landed gracelessly on the couch. “Hey, babe,” he said. “You look great.

Ready to hit the road?”

“You know it,” Melissa said. She turned and shot Amy a snarky grin on her way out the door. “Don’t wait up.”

“Don’t worry,” Amy said, perfectly mirroring her sister’s smile. “I won’t.”

Melissa shut the door and Amy blew out a long sigh. At least she had the bathroom to herself now, because a nice hot shower sounded like the best thing in the world.

VOL. 101 NO. 45 December 3, 2014

Features

13

Slough Daniel Guezen

pulled from the depths of mire by contractions and gloved hands we emerge to brightness and uncertainty a disruption of the stagnancy that reigns over a plain populated with thin trees like crooked cribposts or ancient tombstones lining the shores to watery wounds from a wanton glacier’s thrust that moved like we moved, crawled, staggered the first steps we took away from repose we learned to laugh and slough it all off old library books, newspapers, birthday cards, unmailed letters, hoarded cans of tea steeped in hospital bands and concert ticket stubs, crumbling dried flowers and herbs and the friction of day and night grown thick on neglected surfaces until the only things we have left are thinned skin and lucid whispers

graphic by evan tremblay, staff

graphic by Bram Keast, staff

Raindrops graphic by Bradly Wohlgemuth, staff

The Lovers of Valdaro Elizabeth Walker

Bright moon and sun Where two is one, Are Cosmic lovers leaping

Alex Passey

Mixed

graphic by Bram Keast, staff

Kieran Dublin

Rotating gaze Form nights and days, Fixed distance ever-keeping.

In the wake of the scoop, I was born.

Many dreams bestowed upon my back; decolonization, the dream but nightmare to some.

Igniting the skies With watchful eyes, Bear witness to the sorrow

But who am I, of the mixed blood, to help those who reject me?

I, too, have felt the same anger, have I not?

Of the lovers’ embrace Whose unknowing face, Shall never know tomorrow.

I was once known as half-breed, I am now known as Métis— an insult just the same.

Two hearts entwined Till time unwind, A pair forever sleeping; It’s The Unquestioned Last, Eternal cast; For Love can’t stop the Reaping.

I am proudly mixed. And I do not wish to borrow title from independents who dish out title so begrudgingly.

I am mixed and I am proud, and perhaps you will accept me when we take the same blows upon the battlefield.

So simply we slip from the sky So fast can this plane, of friction and flame Vanquish us into vapour Not eviscerated, but evapourated Back to whence we came Cloud nine runs parallel to the ninth ring of Hell But for a while we freely fall Plunging to uncertainty Beautifully, devastatingly free In flight we catch nothing but light Reflecting prismatic iridescence so bright Plummeting gems tumble from space A small splash on Earth, without a trace of grace

But there the tale does not end We pool and we puddle, we gather and grow We stream between dreams, in rivers we flow Combined our shimmer shines a thousand fold We dance in the summer and wait out the cold Though by design, through turmoil or time Back to the sky, we all make the climb But still the tale does not end We, the diamond sea We, the crystalline clouds We, the omnipresent ocean We, divine and damned and drowned

Science & technology 14 Science & Technology Editor: Chantelle Dubois Contact: science@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

MedTalks the talk A lecture series shedding light on life as a medical doctor Jeremiah Yarmie, staff

D

o you want to be a physician? become a medical doctor.

Chances are the thought has The SSA partnered with the U crossed your mind at one point in of M’s Undergraduate Psychology your life.

Students’ Association (UPSA) for The University of Manitoba Ellis’ talk.

Science Students’ Association (SSA) Ellis received his bachelor of is endeavouring to shed light on what science degrees in psychology and life as a medical doctor is like through medicine, as well as his MD, from the MedTalks: Student Edition lec- the U of M. In his medical training, ture series.

Ellis was able to travel to prestigious The series is developed by the SSA institutes and work with influential in collaboration with the college of researchers and clinicians in the field medicine’s continuing professional of neurosurgery. development division.

Eventually, Ellis joined the Pan According to U of M science Am Concussion Program as its medistudent Ian T.D. Thomson, the cal director. The program, to which co-ordinator of the lecture series, every child with a concussion in the inaugural MedTalks: Student Manitoba is referred, provides indiEdition lecture took place on Oct. 9. vidual care for patients. The program Dr. John Embil did a talk on infec- also carries out interdisciplinary contious diseases found in Manitoba and cussion research.

Ontario, which “wasn’t for the faint Ellis concluded his talk by sharing of heart,” said Thomson. some key advice with the audience.

Embil is a physician, U of M pro“Find your mission,” Ellis urged, fessor, and the director of the Health highlighting the importance of readSciences Centre’s infection preven- ing, volunteering, utilizing social Ian T.D. Thomson (left) and Dr. Michael Ellis (right) photo by Jeremiah Yarmie, staff tion and control unit. Embil’s passion media sites such as Twitter, and talkfor infection control education has ing to others. field. Suffice to say, it’s a very broad “In Manitoba there is still a very continue with the idea of partnerseen him collaborate with the likes of Ellis also encouraged the audi- subject. With MedTalks: Student urgent need for us to have great peo- ing with student groups to further Kermit the Frog, and don an alter-ego ence to find mentors, and listed the Edition, we hope to share with stu- ple in the field of medicine,” said Ellis. the MedTalks: Student Edition named Soapy, who spreads the good individuals who helped him along his dents what different physicians across Thomson hopes MedTalks: name, like we did with UPSA,” said word about hand-washing. way. Finally, Ellis told the audience Winnipeg observe and deal with on a Student Edition will grow into a Thomson.

On Thursday, Nov. 20, Dr. to “have a lot of faith.” regular basis,” said Thomson. popular lecture series for students Keep your eyes out for the next Michael Ellis—U of M alumnus, “There are many students within Medical outreach events like within the faculty of science, and at MedTalks: Student Edition lecture. neurosurgeon-scientist, and medical the U of M faculty of science who are the MedTalks lecture series can the U of M as a whole, leading into It may inspire you to begin the first chapter of your own medical career. director of the Pan Am Concussion interested in the discipline of medi- help open the doors to medicine- next year.

Program—joined U of M students cine; however, they may not be aware curious students from a variety of “I haven’t confirmed a speaker at to discuss the path that led to him of all the interesting specialties of the backgrounds. this time; however, I would like to

Effects of oral contraceptives on the brain Study suggests oral contraceptives may have an effect on facial recognition Chantelle Dubois, staff

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ral contraceptive pills were both combined and progestin-only first produced in the United oral contraceptive pills.

In the experiment the subjects States in the 60s, revolutionizing sexual health for women all over the were shown 20 faces of both males world. Millions of women around and females with neutral expresthe world use hormonal methods of contraception, but effects of the use The relationship of these medications are still being investigated. between the use of Recently, researchers in Austria found a possible link between oral contraceptives brain function and the use of oral with brain structure contraceptives.

The two most common types of and related oral contraceptives to be used by women are the combined oral con- behaviours has only traception pills, which contain the recently begun to hormones estrogen and progestin, interest researchers or progestin-only contraceptive pills.

In this study, 20 women between the ages of 20 and 33 participated in experiments with facial recogni- sions for three seconds. During this tion performance. The subjects in time, subjects were asked to indicate the study had either never used oral whether the face was male or female. contraceptives, used oral contracepHalf an hour following the initial tives for a duration of less than a year slideshow of faces, another slideshow to five years, or were currently using of 60 faces was shown to participants. oral contraceptives. The women who Thirty of those 60 faces were from the had used or were currently using oral previous slideshow and participants contraceptives included those using were asked to indicate if they had seen

the face before or not.

Subjects also had MRI scans of their brains to determine physical differences in specific areas.

The results were that the women using anti-androgen oral contraceptives had more grey matter in the area of the brain relating to facial recognition, and were also the subjects with the highest scores in the facial recognition tests.

What the experiments did not account for were age, the androgenicity of progestin in the birth control pills, and whether or not effects of oral contraceptives were reversible or dependant on the duration of use.

Negative long-term effects of the use of oral contraceptives, such as depression and higher risk for bone density loss, have been studied before.

Positive side-effects range from the ability to control reproduction, acne treatment, and a reduced ovarian cancer risk.

Positive effects of birth control— including other forms beyond just oral contraceptives—extend to social and economic impacts. One positive relationship, among many others, has

graphic by aldo Rios

been found between access to contra- the use of oral contraceptives, brain ception and the pursuit of post-sec- structure, and related behaviours is ondary education. Such correlations a new area of interest for researchers. relate to the ability of women and their partners to choose when to have When choosing whether or not to use children. oral contraceptives, it is always imporWhat the study in Austria aims to tant make an informed decision while do is explore effects of oral contracep- considering both the pros and cons, tives that have not been previously and consult your family physician for considered. The relationship between advice on what may be the best option.

VOL. 101 NO. 45 December 3, 2014

Isaac Newton’s genius still meaningful today Newton’s contributions have been influential for many years in many disciplines

Science & Technology 15

Fractal butterflies Research with graphene helps reveal unique phenomenon for the first time Chantelle Dubois, staff

Ryan Sherbo

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saac Newton’s fundamental ment of bodies. This work was pubwork on motion and gravity may lished in 1687, with support from have been challenged by Einstein’s astronomer Edmond Halley after theories in the early 20th century; a period of intense study, as the but the ideas and mathematical Principia. In this work, Newton foundations laid out in Philosophiae laid out his famous three laws of Naturalis Principia Mathematica, motion and used them to make more commonly known as the many accurate predictions of the Principia, are still relevant. Most motions of the planets, as well recently, in the European Space as detailing motion of fluids and Agency’s mission to deploy the sound waves. It was not until the Philae lander on a comet, Newton’s end of the 19th and beginning of theory of gravity played a crucial the 20th century that the theories of quantum mechanics and relativrole.

“It’s all down to Isaac Newton ity would begin to bring Newton’s now,” said European Space Agency work into question. senior science advisor Mark McCaughrean. “It’s down to the Most recently, in laws of physics.”

One of the most essential fields the European Space of study within space missions is the study of orbital mechanics.

Agency’s mission to Orbital mechanics rely on the laws deploy the Philae of universal gravitation to predict how space crafts, planets, and stars lander on a comet, behave near one another. A look Newton’s theory into the life of the man responsible for the fundamental theories which of gravity played have made space missions, like the a crucial role Rosetta mission, possible may help us appreciate how far we have come in the realm of science.

While Newton was a prolific Born in 1643 in England, Sir Isaac Newton left behind a life as and influential scientist, he faced a farmer to study at Cambridge, many challenges, particularly in where he was exposed to the begin- the form of volatile disputes with ning of the scientific revolution his contemporaries. Accomplished started by Copernicus, Kepler, and scientist Robert Hooke initially Galileo. While Newton studied challenged Newton’s views on the sciences, he also gained a key light, leading to friction between interest in philosophical questions. the two during the 1670s and 80s.

After Newton’s graduation in Later, Hooke accused Newton of 1665, he was forced to return home plagiarizing his idea of a gravitafor 18 months due to the plague tional inverse square relationship, sweeping Europe at the time. relating the force between bodies During this time, thought to be to their distance from each other, his most productive, he generalized which Hooke had mentioned in a the results of the binomial theorem correspondence with Newton.

Similar diff iculties arose in mathematics, began developing his ideas of light, colour, and between Newton and German optics, and laid down some of the mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm early foundations for calculus. In Leibniz in the early 1700s. Both this period, it is said that Newton men claim to have developed the observed the falling apple that theoretical foundation for the techwould inspire his theory of uni- nique of calculus, a dispute which to this day has not been fully resolved. versal gravitation.

Newton also suffered from anxUpon returning to Cambridge, Newton’s scholarship became more iety and experienced several nervwidely recognized. He began to ous breakdowns which interrupted expand on his theories of light his work and study.

Newton may have been a difand colour, proposing that light was made up of particles and that ficult scientist to work with but his white light was composed of many crucial contributions to math and different colours. While his particle physics are just as important today theory of light struggled against as they were over 300 years ago. the wave theory proposed by other scientists, his ideas were still very influential, and were publishedin his book Opticks.

More influential was his work on planetary motion and the move-

graphic by Scott Ford, staff

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apash Chakraborty is a Tier-1 a hexagonal-single-layer substance.

Fractal butterflies are an interCanada research chair in When layered with graphene and esting property to appear in grananoscale physics, and a physics rotated, the two layers create moiré phene research. Chakraborty’s and astronomy professor at the patterns. These patterns result in post-doc students are researching University of Manitoba. His stu- larger, similar hexagonal shapes some of the characteristics of the dents are doing research into fractal which appear periodically with phenomenon resulting from the butterflies – a mathematical phe- the degree of rotation. graphene experiments, an exciting The mathematical result: frac- topic considering how recently the nomenon expected with the behaviour of electrons in a magnetic field. tal butterflies. This experiment is initial observation was made.

This phenomenon resembles the the first time that fractal butterA breakthrough in graphene shape of butterflies, being repeated flies have been observed in nature, production could someday lead to infinitely. Such a pattern is called bringing to life the theory devel- the production of bendable, flexa fractal, where the pattern is self- oped in the 70s. ible, foldable, and highly sophisGraphene is one of the most ticated nanosensors which could similar at every scale.

In 1976 a formula for the frac- important materials being revolutionize medicine, and the tal butterf ly phenomenon was researched today. The material is production of sophisticated nanodeveloped by Douglas Hofstadter, made of a single layer of carbon, electronics which would completely whose name may be familiar to fans which is highly conductive, 100 change computing. of the Big Bang Theory. Leonard, times the strength of steel, highly Some of the greatest difficulthe show’s experimental physicist, flexible, has fast-moving electrons, ties in the production of this matewas named after Douglas’ father, and may potentially change the rial include purification, avoiding future of electronics.

Robert Hofstadter. imperfections in the single layer “Graphene is likely to replace such as wrinkles, and producing it Shortly after developing the formula, Douglas Hofstadter left the silicon in electronics,” said in a way that is economically and field of physics, but the phenome- Chakraborty, one of world’s lead- environmentally sustainable. non remained unobserved for many ing researchers in graphene.

Studying the phenomenon of years. Physicists tried to replicate Graphene’s potential in elec- fractal butterflies may help scienthe behaviour in artificial periodic tronics applications is so great that tists learn more about the properties systems, such as with semiconduc- many large companies and govern- of graphene, and potentially lead to tors, but the experiment failed to ments are spending billions of dol- insight on how to isolate it. produce a fractal result. lars to research the material.

However, in May 2013, scientists “Currently there is no simple way To learn more about graphene researching graphene came upon to isolate graphene,” Chakraborty research at the University the phenomenon after experiment- told the Manitoban. “Only very of Manitoba, contact profesing with boron nitride substrates. small amounts have been produced sor Chakraborty at tapash.

Like graphene, boron nitride is at a time so far.” chakraborty@umanitoba.ca

Diversions Graphics Editor: Bram Keast Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

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graphic by Katerina Koza

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Arts & Culture Arts & Culture Editor: Lauren Siddall Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

A star of Christmas

Radio host shares obscure and rare music through annual Christmas compilations Ian T.D. Thomson, staff

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or those in the music industry, What?), he saw it as a one-time excuse releasing a Christmas single or to compile a few of his favourite songs. album is a rite of passage, bordering “I’d always loved Christmas time on mandatory. With the bombard- as a kid for all the usual reasons and ment of Christmas music each year, loved finding a new cool rockin’ ditty it can sometimes be an arduous task I could celebrate the season with that to separate the good from the down- wasn’t one of the same tired old standards,” said Reid. right awful.

“It was so much fun to do, it Enter: Stu Reid.

As host of CKU W 95.9’s became a tradition.”

TwangTrust, Reid has been releasing Coinciding with the release Christmas compilations of obscure of the 2014 Reid Family Christmas Christmas songs and covers annually Spectacular, Reid will give away the since 1996. As a Christmas music col- CD to listeners on his radio show lector, Reid acts a liaison for listeners during the month of December. who want to hear arcane and interestOver the years, Reid’s reputation as an expert on interesting ing holiday songs.

“Bad Christmas music is undoubt- Christmas music has led to unique edly the worst music there is, but opportunities for the radio host. On the great stuff is great regardless of Dec. 11 at Cinematheque, Reid will your feelings on the holiday itself,” be introducing the premier of Jingle Bell Rocks, a documentary that looks explained Reid to the Manitoban.

When Reid released his first at alternative Christmas music and Christmas compilation (Holiday its collectors. As a great aficionado, Tunes for the Hippest of Teens: it seems only appropriate that Reid Everybody Out There Been Good or introduce the film.

When asked about items in his collection, Reid notes one in particular: a vinyl copy of the 1980 release Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album. Signed by Jon Bon Jovi, who performed vocals on the album, Reid’s fondness for the record lies not in the music, but in the story.

“It’s a horrible album with no redeeming musical qualities, plus I can’t stand Bon Jovi. But he was at least nice enough and had enough of a sense of humour to sign it for me instead of ripping it up like I probably would have done,” explained Reid.

“I’d gladly share a mug of nog with Jon.” Stu Reid is the host of TwangTrust every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. on University of Winnipeg radio station, CKUW 95.9. Reid will give away his 2014 Christmas compilation CD on his show starting Dec. 3 as well as Dec. 11 at the Cinematheque’s premier of Jingle Bell Rocks.

graphic by Evan Tremblay, staff

Hark the [health board] angels sing Misericordia Angel Squad don wings and halos for annual fundraiser Lauren Siddall, staff

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or the 19th year, the Misericordia are rewarded with coffee and cookies Heath Centre (MHC) takes to provided by Starbucks. the streets as the Angel Squad to Kim Siddall, chair of the raise money for the hospital and for Misericordia Health Centre Misericordia Place, its long-term care Foundation Board of Directors, facility. strongly believes in the power of the This year, the foundation is fundraiser. focused on raising money for life “I can’t tell you how it really kicks enrichment services, such as art, off the holiday season. You don’t feel music, and garden therapy at the like an idiot dressed as an angel when Great-West Life Rooftop Garden there are 70 of you [ . . . ] I’m very and Solarium. While health care at passionate about it,” Siddall told the the facilities heavily depends upon Manitoban. funding from the government, there “The Angel Squad is probably our are things the government cannot marquis event in terms of a reflecprovide. tion of our brand. [The Misericordia Queue the Angel Squad.

Health Centre] is a community-based The premise is simple: volunteers— health care facility and our specialty ranging from employees of MHC, to is healthy aging. Because we are a politicians, to schools in the neigh- faith-based centre, the angels are an bourhood—dress up as angels, stand emblem for us and Angel Squad is a on the Maryland Bridge, and wave great event because it gets the comin hopes of getting commuters to munity involved.” donate by pulling into the loop at Volunteers from the United Fire MHC off Sherbrook Street. Donors Fighters of Winnipeg, Virgin Radio,

the Winnipeg Free Press, Starbucks, not able to leave the residency, due to allows them to feel at home. and several schools in the community health issues, mobility issues, or othThe programs can also have theraare getting involved this year. erwise, making the “extras” funded peutic effects.

By focusing on funding life- by donations from the community “Music, for example, has been enrichment opportunities for the that much more important. proven to have a calming effect, to residents in this year’s Angel Squad “Anybody who has ever had a fam- provide significant joy to people who fundraiser, MHC will be able to pro- ily member who is in some sort of have dementia. Sometimes it even vide patients with creative outlets, as long-term care or long-term living brings them back to us for a bit. We well as visitors for individuals who facility knows the importance of the have a program that provides iPods do not have many to help make their extra stuff in improving their quality and headphones to residents that worlds as big as possible. of life [ . . . ] it makes a big difference.” allows them to choose to listen to “For older citizens, creativity gives Misericordia Health Centre music they love and remember,” said them an outlet. It certainly helps with Foundation executive director Patti Smith to the Manitoban. keeping their memories and minds Smith agrees.

“For us, it is all about the village.” fresh, and also working and things “Life-enrichment programming like that. Dementia is obviously a is something that we at MHC The Angel Squad will be on Confusion problem, loss of memory is a problem Foundation are very passionate about Corner with Virgin Radio Dec.2, on in elderly people and some of their [ . . . ] we believe [these] are not just the Maryland Bridge Dec. 3 and 4, lives get very small. And so for them, ‘extras’ but in fact are essential quality and in the 201 Portage Avenue and to have people come in and do music of life issues that we must address 360 Main Street Starbucks locatherapy or art therapy, or things like for those living in our care at MHC.” tions on Dec. 4. You can also donate that, can really improve their lives,” The life-enrichment programs $10 by texting ANGEL to 45678. said Siddall. assist the patients in maintaining as Misericordia Place and MHC normal a life as possible. For many of are filled with individuals who are the residents, the extra programming

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Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Lauren Siddall Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Not so silent nights Three musical events to carry you into the New Year Ian T.D. Thomson, staff

Photo provided by Ian Smart Photography

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ith the holidays quickly approaching along with the obligations they entail, tracking down good musical events can be a daunting task. Here are three December events that will make the search easier and tide you over until 2015.

The Bison Men’s Chorus Annual Christmas Concert

On Dec. 14, the University of Manitoba Bison Men’s Chorus will be performing their annual Christmas Concert at Charleswood United Church. The event will include audience participation to get people in the festive spirit, as well as performances of both traditional and seldom-heard Christmas songs “As always, the chorus members will attempt to express their love of music and fellowship with enthusiastic and sensitive performances of all types of Christmas music,” chorus member Paul Hope told the Manitoban.

The Bison Men’s Chorus began in September of 1985 by Larry Patterson of the U of M faculty of education,

and is affiliated with the Desautels faculty of music. The communitybased chorus is comprised of U of M graduate students, faculty, staff, and alumni, in addition to community members of the surrounding Winnipeg area. Since its inception, the group has released two cassettes and three CDs, their most recent being He(a)rd Across Canada (2010).

In keeping with their Christmas tradition, the chorus will be donating any of the free event’s offerings to a local charity. This year, the proceeds will go to Ronald McDonald House Manitoba, an organization that offers housing for families in Winnipeg when their children are receiving treatment for an illness.

While the event is off-campus, Hope wishes for continued support from the U of M. “We’d love to see lots of members of the university community to help us celebrate the season.”

The U of M Bison Men’s Chorus performs their annual Christmas concert

on Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. at Charleswood United Church (4820 Roblin Blvd).

It is free admission to attend, with donations to the Ronald McDonald House Manitoba greatly appreciated.

The Bros. Landreth: “Bros. on the Run”

To help ring in the New Year, local alt-country act the Bros. Landreth will be performing a cover show at the Park Theatre. The band will be covering the music of Paul McCartney and the Beatles for a “Retro New Year’s Eve Party.”

The Bros. Landreth, made up of brothers David and Joey Landreth, have received critical and popular appraisal since the release of their debut album Let It Lie in 2013.

In addition to plans for more continental success, the band has remained prominent in the local music scene. Along with their special New Year’s show, the band will continue their reign in Winnipeg with a sold-out show at the West End Cultural Centre on Dec. 6.

For the New Year’s Eve cover show, it was an easy decision to focus on the music of Sir Paul McCartney.

“As always, the chorus members will attempt to express their love of music and fellowship with enthusiastic and sensitive performances of all types of Christmas music” – Paul Hope, Bison Men's Chorus member “We came up with the idea together with Erick Casselman, who owns and runs the Park [Theatre].

We have started almost every Bros.

Landreth concert with a Paul McCartney song and we’re all pretty huge fans of his,” explained David to the Manitoban.

“When he suggested a tribute as a theme for the night Joe [Landreth] and I blurted ‘Paul’ simultaneously.”

Along with playing multiple sets of classic rock music, the night will be themed around the era of the groovy 70s.

The Bros. Landreth bring “Bros. on the Run” to the Park Theatre (698 Osborne St) on Dec. 31. Tickets are $34.99 (champagne included) and are available at Ticketfly.com

The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra with Erin Propp: Suite Messiah Photo provided by Carl Dong Photography

Bringing the big jazz band flavour

to the holidays, the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra (WJO) will be performing George Frideric Handel’s suite Messiah at the Winnipeg Art Gallery on Dec. 14.

The suite Messiah, composed by Handel in 1742, was originally presented around the Easter holiday.

However, over time, the composition took on a new interpretation.

“Like the Nutcracker (which we performed last December), Handel’s Messiah is very much associated with the Christmas season,” explained WJO artistic director Richard Gillis to the Manitoban.

The Messiah suite will be split into three movements: “And The Glory,” “Sheep to Keep,” and “Hallelujah.”

While pieces of the Messiah such as “Hallelujah” are often attributed to choruses, the WJO’s interpretations are more “opened up” – in “Hallelujah”’s case coming to a ravishing conclusion.

Along with Handel’s magnum opus, the event will feature jazz renditions of holiday favorites such as “Huron Carol,” as well as music by other jazz artists, such as Nat King Cole.

The event will also feature collaboration with singer-songwriter Erin Propp.

Propp has collaborated with the WJO on two other occasions, including debuting with the WJO in 2012.

For the December performance, Propp will be joining the orchestra for a rendition of “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

“We always love to collaborate with the talented and charismatic Junonominated Erin Propp,” said WJO general manager Brent Johnson to the Manitoban.

The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra performs Suite Messiah on Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Tickets are $35 and are available at winnipegjazzorchestra.com

VOL. 101 NO. 45 December 3, 2014

Winter Folk Fest Escape the deep freeze with an afternoon of great music

Arts & Culture

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Adventures of FINN Less rafting, more guitars Alana Trachenko, volunteer staff

Joshua Wright

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n the midst of the mid-winter blues, when thoughts of a warm summer afternoon seem to be only a faint memory—when shoveling, hibernating, and studying become all too familiar—hope exists.

This much-needed silver lining can be found in a music-filled retreat from the “big city” of Winnipeg to a festival designed to warm the bodies and souls of attendees.

In Portage la Prairie, about a 75-minute drive west of the U of M, the one-day Winter Folk Fest will be returning for its third year, after being established in 2013 as a vibrant mid-winter sanctuary.

On Feb. 8, 2015, from 1:30 p.m.-5 p.m. the single-day folk festival— relatively small and intimate in comparison to others—will be held in the stunning Trinity United Church, built almost 120 years ago. The historic church, situated in Portage’s downtown, boasts a beautiful interior with vaulted ceilings and fabulous acoustics.

Since its beginnings, Winter Folk Fest has showcased a multitude of eclectic talent.

The 2015 Winter Folk Fest lineup is sure to, once again, make for an amazing experience.

Portage la Prairie singer-songwriter Ed Goertzen, performing jazz-infused root music, will open the folk fest.

Slated to follow Goertzen is Vancouver’s Ben Rogers, who embodies the values and musicality of traditional folk, Americana, and country – captivating audiences with his storytelling abilities.

Winnipeg’s Emma Cloney, a recent U of M graduate, will be taking the stage after Rogers.

Inf luenced by blues, bluegrass, Celtic, and country, Cloney also incorporates pop elements to her melodies. Notable members

Photo provided by Emma Cloney's Kitchen Party

of Cloney’s band include Patti Kusturok and Jeremy Rusu.

Following the first three acts, Cloney’s five-piece band is excited to bring the Prairie Kitchen Party to the festival as a new feature.

The workshop will include guest musicians Goertzen and Chris “The Accordion Guy” on stage with Cloney and her band.

The festival concludes with the AfterFest Jam, immediately following the workshop. The jam session is open to everyone and is hosted by the Winnipeg group TWIN, who spend their summers touring and performing in Manitoba and beyond, travelling by canoe along river ways. The duo is currently on tour in the United States, introducing a new genre known as North Americana to the contemporary music scene.

Participants of the AfterFest Jam are invited to bring an instrument to play along with fellow musicians, to create music through rotational improv.

Early Bird tickets can be purchased online until Dec. 24 through Brown Paper Tickets. By taking advantage of the Early Bird rates, students get in for $10 with Student ID, and adults for $15. Tickets for children 12 and under are free and families can purchase a ticket to admit all members for $50.

t is a chilly Tuesday night when I arrive at Cousins Deli & Lounge to meet with Winnipeg band, FINN. The guys seem to decide unanimously on dark beer, and we hole up in the quietest corner we can find.

Right away it’s obvious – they are ready to release their EP. In the short year since they have begun to play shows around the city’s venues, have gathered a considerable fan base and are gearing up for tour in the spring of 2015.

It seems that FINN has, as they say, skipped the part where they have to open for other bands. How exactly did they manage that? It would appear to be a combination of first, being seriously talented, and second, born into a family of musicians. Although it is safe to say that Darren Hebner and Cody Iwasiuk aren’t related to brothers Daniel, John, and Matthew Baron, that is merely a technicality at this point.

“Siblings aren’t always good friends, but in this case, we are,” said Matthew.

FINN will release their EP on “We get the most done because Dec. 5 at the Good Will Social we’re not married to an idea [ . . . ] Club, one of Winnipeg’s newest we’re open to criticism, and it’s okay music venues. The bar has already if the other person doesn’t like it. seen an impressive roster of acts, If it’s not working, alright, it’s not including John K. Samson. But the working,” said John. real reason it is perfect for the guys?

The songs on the EP showcase “There’s pizza,” said Matthew. the intricate harmonies and chord It is easy to think that FINN progressions that the group is may have stumbled onto their suc- capable of. FINN’s track, “Cold cess through luck, but all of the Comfort,” nods to Band of Horses members have been in bands that with its sleepy guitar and affecting did not make it past the community vocals, while “River’s Shore” begins centre phase, and they are putting to experiment with tempos and riffs. what they have learned into making The production on the tracks is this one stick. a testament to the group’s attention “We’ve all done the grunt work to detail. [ . . . ] we’ve all played in bands “We went into the studio and in high school, we’ve played those recorded in three weeks,” said awful shows that make you want Daniel. “The hardest part was the to quit music,” said Hebner. “We post-production – we were being know what we need to do to get to picky about how everything was the next stage, so we’re not letting mixed and mastered and how it ourselves make a lot of the mistakes came out in the wash.” that brand-new bands do.”

Another thing about working For more information, go with family and good friends is that to ep.finnmusic.ca. you can be honest about things you dislike.

Photo by Josh Dookhie

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Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Lauren Siddall Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

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Sports Sports Editor: Mike Still Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Lord of the crease: the two towers Top ranked goalies square off

Jets fly by

Highlighting Winnipeg’s defence and goaltending Andy Che, volunteer staff

David Grad, staff

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Photo by Shawn Coates

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ith the clock ticking down second period, assisted by rookie Saturday night did not go as well on the first half of the regular Alanna Sharman and Lauryn for the Bisons, as they dropped the season, the University of Manitoba Keen off a turnover by the Pandas. contest 3-2. Post returned to action Bisons welcomed the Alberta Sharman is also having a standout for the Pandas, with the Bisons optPandas to town. Heading into season for the Bisons, as she is now ing to start Amanda Schubert. the game, the Bisons were riding tied for second in the Canada West Alberta jumped out to a 2-0 lead, a two-game win streak and sit- for points. with goals in the first and second ting in a four-way tie for first place. period. Megan Tully responded for UBC, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and the Bisons midway through the Manitoba all started Friday night second, with assists from Jayden Dyck has been with 26 points.

Skoleski and Nicole Carswell. having a stellar Manitoba split the weekend Momentum was short-lived, against Alberta, keeping them as the Pandas found the back of year, leading deadlocked for third place with the net again four minutes later. the conference the Pandas.

Michelle Pawluk scored late in Looking to knock Alberta the third with assists from Keen with a .950 save down the Canada West rungs, the and Litchfield-Medd, but it was percentage, and Bisons relied on Rachel Dyck for not enough to push the game into another strong performance in net. overtime. entered the game Dyck has been having a stellar year, Despite the loss on Saturday leading the conference with a .950 night, the Bisons have dramatically with a record of 8-2 save percentage, and entered the improved since last season. When game with a record of 8-2. Dyck asked about his team’s success, has also allowed a league low of 13 Coach Jon Rempel wasn’t sur- Rempel was enthusiastic. goals against all season, for goal- prised by the low score of the game.

“I knew that this group had ies who have played a minimum of “I figured it would be a 1-0, 2-0 potential to do some things, I’m five games. kind of game. We both don’t give surprised how soon they came Squaring off against Dyck on up much and we’re both hard to together and the amount of good the other side of the ice was Lindsey play against,” Rempel said. “We did team play,” Rempel said.

Post, who sits just below Dyck as a good job of keeping them to the “That’s surprised me as much as the second best tender in Can West, outside; we blocked a ton of shots.” anything else because when you’ve with a record of 10-6.

The Bisons were also led by the had as much turnover as we’ve had, Friday night was a battle of two energetic play of captain Maggie sometimes that can take a long time towers in net, with Dyck earning a Litchfield-Medd. to gel. This group has done a really shut-out and Post making 25 saves “Her energy, work ethic, and good job of embracing the team in a 1-0 loss. desire is infectious,” said Rempel. concept.”

Dyck looked good early in the “When we’re having tough times, The Bisons now enter the first, making a flurry of saves on the the girls feed off that, and that’s Christmas break and will start Pandas. The lone goal for the Bisons what a good captain is supposed the second half of the season in was scored by Charity Price in the to do.”

Lethbridge on Jan. 8.

he Winnipeg Jets have some combination of Evander Kane and serious momentum heading Blake Wheeler are deadly when into the third month of the 2014-15 a man down. Both players’ speed NHL campaign. Though they’re have many times nearly reached slightly sluggish on the offensive fruition on the odd-man rush. side, defense and goaltending It’s not just the veterans doing have risen to become the team’s their defensive duty. Rookie Adam strengths this season.

Lowry has thrown the third most The sudden defensive onslaught hits this season, behind only Dustin during the early season could be a Byfuglien and Andrew Ladd. short-term spell; however, a diliMark Scheifele has also seen gent Jets backline and revitalized adequate minutes in the defensive starting goaltender have helped the zone and looks just as comfortable team avoid any of the fundamental defending as he does at the opposite setbacks in their own zone that they end of the ice. The seventh overall suffered last season. pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft Jacob Trouba has emerged as puts his six-foot-three frame to Winnipeg’s X-Factor on defense work around his own net, and is and will only continue to improve quick to get his stick into passing over all 200 feet of ice. The 20-year lanes. old is prone to the occasional turnDefensive forwards Chris over due to his inexperience, but he Thorburn and Jim Slater have been has displayed a relentless awareness living up to their usual reputations, whether carrying the puck through while newcomer Mathieu Perreault traffic from blue-line to blue-line, leads the team in takeaways. or knocking possession away from Fellow free agent signing TJ his opponents.

Galiardi has also made his presTrouba is not ence felt while afraid to jump into short-handed. the rush or wander The 26-year-old It’s clear to into the opposing has yet to tally say that his first point as zone with the puck, even when a Winnipeg Jet, goaltending the Jets are on the but a grinder-like is in the best penalty-kill. In edge and ability addition to a wellto create turncondition rounded two-way overs has earned game, he is develhim nearly three in Jets’ 2.0 oping an intense minutes per game history. The edge to his physion the penalty kill. cality, especially Perhaps the same goes for around his own most noticeable their all-around net. A potential change in the Jets’ future Jets captain defensive play has defensive play or alternate, the been their goalsophomore has tending. Both Jets shown a tendency to rough up his netminders are above a .915 save opponents after the whistle. percentage heading into December, Zach Bogosian is largely con- while combining to keep the team’s sidered the Jets’ best shutdown average goals against below 2.25. player and one of the team’s best Ondrej Pavelec’s hot play was puck-moving defensemen. Though highlighted with a shutout at sometimes criticized for holding New York, while backup Michael onto the puck too long, Bogosian Hutchinson showed his ability has showed tremendous effort in to be a number-one in the NHL desperate situations such when with an impressive 1-0 victory at dealing with tight odd-man rushes Chicago during the next game. and dangerous rebounds. It’s a posThe biggest improvement in sible reason why the Jets’ penalty- Pavelec’s game has been rebound kill is ranked in the NHL’s top 10 control, which has contributed at December’s start. to the Jets’ 27 shots against per Mark Stuart, Bogosian, and game against, compared to 30 last Trouba, comprise the Jets’ most- season. The presence of Michael often used penalty killers. Stuart, Hutchinson as a stellar backup may the former Boston Bruins first- subconsciously factor into the difround pick, is quite silent on the ference in the 27-year-old Czech’s offensive front; however, he plays performance this season. a consistent stay-at-home style.

Whatever the case may be, it’s He’s also blocked the second most clear to say that goaltending is in shots out of any Jet this season, just the best condition in Jets’ 2.0 hisbehind Trouba, and is in the top 20 tory. The same goes for their allin the NHL for that category. around defensive play.

Winnipeg’s forwards have also done their part, especially on the penalty kill. Bryan Little has scored one of Winnipeg’s three shorthanded goals this season, while the

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Sports

Sports Editor: Mike Still Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Grabbing momentum

Hynes records first win as women’s basketball head coach, men sweep Lethbridge Mike Still, staff

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he final weekend before the winter break was a successful one for the University of Manitoba Bisons basketball program, as the men took both games at home against visiting Lethbridge, while the women secured their first victory of the 2014/15 campaign.

Women

After losing by 23 on Friday night,

Manitoba bounced back in a big way with Lethbridge shooting 45.5 percent in the rematch against Lethbridge from the field, while Manitoba shot on Saturday, successfully handing 42.6 percent.

Michele Hynes her first conference The home squad trailed 17-14 after win as head coach of the Bisons pro- a back-and-forth first quarter, but gram, with a 70-64 victory. would retake the lead for good at The Bisons were led by captain 5:43 of the second frame, off of an Robyn Eyer, who played a team Eyer three ball. The fifth-year Bison leading 26 minutes, and also put up went 5-for-6 from beyond the arc, the most points for Manitoba with which helped to consistently keep 24. Both teams had strong accuracy, the momentum with Manitoba.

Photo by Shawn Coates

Lethbridge mounted a late fourthSaturday’s game saw co-captain quarter comeback, cutting the Bison Wyatt Anders explode in the fourth lead to three with 42 seconds left; quarter, spearheading a comeback however, Eyer put the game to bed win from Manitoba. shortly thereafter, cashing in on both The Bisons found themselves free throw attempts with just 16 sec- down 37-31 at halftime, thanks to onds left, to ensure the victory for some strong perimeter shooting from Hynes.

Lethbridge, as well as foul trouble on “It was a total team effort,” Hynes Manitoba’s end. Big men Alfreeman told gobisons.ca postgame. “We stuck Flowers and Wyatt Anders found to a game plan for 40 minutes. This themselves heading into the half at is a good one.” three and two fouls, respectively.

The Bisons responded in the final Men two quarters. Andre Arruda kick The men kept on rolling this week- started his squad with a pair of treys end, taking Friday’s game 79-72, and with just over four minutes left in the Saturday’s rematch 81-74. With the third, as the two teams went to the pair of victories, the Bisons kept their fourth tied at 48. That’s where Anders home winning streak alive, at 6-0. took control.

As has been the case a number of The six-foot-seven power forward times already this season, Manitoba had seven rebounds in the fourth got out to a quick first quarter lead quarter alone, to go with 11 points. on Friday, and didn’t relinquish it for What’s more impressive is the fact all four quarters. The Bisons utilized that Anders was consistently battling their speed and quick transition game six-foot-ten forward Brent Watkins to stun Lethbridge early and often. down low, and for the most part, outShifty guards AJ Basi and Justus rebounded him.

Alleyn led the way for Manitoba, A combined 59 points were scored with 20 and 16 points, respectively. in the final quarter, with Manitoba Lethbridge started the fourth netting 33 of those, en route to the quarter on an 8-4 run in the first three 81-74 win. minutes and cut the lead down to “When I got on the court, I just eight points on a several occasions, made sure that we weren’t losing this but didn’t have enough gas left in the game, so I went after every board, tank to top the Bisons. and I made sure we sealed the game,” Despite the quick tempo offensive said Anders on his fourth quarter game from the Bisons, head coach performance.

Kirby Schepp still felt the team could Both basketball squads will be off improve. for the winter break, and will return “That’s definitely what we try to to action Jan. 9 and 10, against two do. We try to run, and get up and tough Victoria squads. down the floor. I thought we did it in spurts tonight,” Schepp said. “I didn’t think we were consistent enough with it, and in the end we’ve just got to make shots.”

Hard work on the hard court

The story of Bison basketball guard AJ Basi Mike Still, staff

A

J Basi has always had a love for the game of basketball. Born in Toronto, Basi grew up watching both his older brother and the Raptors play, which began to pique his interest in the sport. Once he moved to Winnipeg at age nine and saw a Wesmen game, he was hooked.

“My cousin played for the Wesmen, and I always went to a bunch of games,” Basi said. “The first time I watched them play, ever since then, I’ve wanted to play basketball.”

Basi stayed devoted to his passion, playing for Sturgeon Heights all through high school. He helped lead the team to a Junior Varsity (JV) title in grade 10, and was named to the Manitoba Basketball Coaches Association All Manitoba Team in his senior year.

Basi didn’t receive much recruitment attention outside of Manitoba, due to his small frame. Playing shooting guard and standing at just six feet, Basi wasn’t the tallest player, but that didn’t phaze him.

“Being undersized, you’ve got to work on different things and be that much better,” said Basi.

One person that believed strongly in his abilities was Bison basketball head coach Kirby Schepp, who coached the varsity program at Sturgeon Heights when Basi was still in JV, before moving on to the U of M. Once Basi committed to Manitoba, Schepp gave him some valuable advice.

“Schepp, when he recruited me, he wanted me to red shirt for one year right after high school, to work out

all year, and put on some weight and strength. That helped a lot,” Basi said.

“Being a little bit shorter, it’s tougher to get your shots off. He said improve your range, and become a way better three point shooter, and be more consistent.”

The advice from a familiar face has paid dividends for Basi, who is now in his third year of eligibility, and has improved each year with Manitoba, including 2014/15. He currently leads the team in points per game, at 18.3, sixth in Canada West overall.

Basi is a great example of what hard work and commitment can do for a player. Despite being undersized, he is making a large impact for the Bisons.

Photo provided by Bison Sports

VOL. 101 NO. 45 December 3, 2014

Sports

23

Following the herd

Mid-season report Mike Still, staff

W

ith each Bison team taking a month off for the winter break, the Manitoban decided it was an ideal time to see how each team is doing heading into the second half of the season.

but rest assured, they will see post season action and very well might host a home playoff game.

UBC Okanagan, and Thompson year be will a defining factor in the teams from fourth to seventh in Rivers , while getting swept by the Manitoba’s record at season’s end. the conference. Manitoba currently top five teams in Brandon, and Playoff projection: Manitoba has sits in sixth, but a strong second-half Trinity Western. Despite falling to played tough against a number of top push could easily land them a home Women’s basketball .500, Manitoba has been competitive five teams so far, and has a favorable playoff game. in every contest, and has a steady set schedule in the second half, facing Record: 1-9 Record in last six games: 1-5 of impact players, led by captains lower rung teams in Mount Royal, Women’s hockey Men’s basketball Rooney, Kevin Falconer, and Adam Saskatchewan, and MacEwan. They Record: 8-2-6 Team leader in points per DeJonckheere.

Record: 8-2 game: Robyn Eyer (13.3, are right in the pack, sitting just out- Record in last six games: 3-3 Record in last six games: 5-1 20th in conference) Playoff projection: The team cur- side a playoff spot, and if they can Team leader in points: Team leader in rebounds Analysis: The women are coming rently sits just out of a playoff spot, peak at the right time theycould be Alanna Sharman (16, 10 off of their first win of the Canada right behind Saskatchewan and dangerous to play against. goals, six assists, tied for per game: Wyatt Anders West season and will look to take that Mount Royal. Matchups just after second in conference) (11.5, second in conference) Analysis: The men have seen a momentum into the second half of the break against those two teams Men’s hockey Analysis: Another very young huge turnaround from last season, the year. Losing Allison Balasko to will be crucial in determining if the Record: 8-10-0 team, the women have silenced any showing tremendous character a long term shin injury has hurt the Bisons make the post-season. Faced Record in last six games: 3-3 doubters while en route to a successful despite setbacks to two of their cap- team as she is big on the boards, and with a similar situation last year with Team leader in points: Jordan first half. Led by passionate captain tains. Amir Ali is out for an extended provides key leadership on the court. basically the same squad, there is a DePape (17, eight goals, nine Maggie Litchfield-Medd, this team time with a torn ACL, while Stephan Playoff projection: This team is strong chance that Manitoba can assists, eighth in conference) is fast and energetic, focusing on a Walton has been hampered by a ham- still building chemistry with each battle through and make the playAnalysis: A young squad, the dump-and-chase style of play. The string injury. The team has kept their other, and alongside first year head offs. Having Garth Pischke, the men’s hockey team has shown flashes rookie Sharman hasn’t played like focus up, relying on balanced scoring. coach Michele Hynes, they likely coach with the most wins in North of brilliance in wins against Mount a first-year athlete, providing a big AJ Basi (sixth), Andre Arruda (24th), have a long way to go before they American history will also help down Royal, and a sweep against second impact in every game. Rachel Dyck Justus Alleyn (29th), and Jonathan become competitive in a very deep the stretch. place Calgary this season. However, has also been a rock in net, leading Alexander (37th), are all in the top 50 conference. The team is still young they have looked overwhelmed in the Canada West in save percentage in points per game, with each putting and will benefit from being able to Women’s volleyball certain games, specifically against and goals against average.

Record: 6-8 up double digits in that category. develop a number of young players. first place Alberta. Goalie Deven Playoff projection: Manitoba Record in last six games: 3-3 Playoff projection: Sitting in a tie Dubyk has been outstanding, while has proved that they can beat any Team leader in kills per for first place, this team is one of the Men’s volleyball 2013-14 standouts DePape, Aaron team in the conference, and sit right set: Rachel Cockrell (4.82, hottest in the Canada West right now Record: 7-7 Lewadniuk, and Taylor Dickin have in the hunt for a first round bye, first in conference) due to their depth at each position Record in last six games: 2-4 all been big again this year on a young just one point out of second place and ability to score from anywhere Team leader in blocks Analysis: Losing key contribu- Manitoba squad, along with first year and three points out of first. With on the court. They lead the confer- per set: Kenney Rooney tors from last year’s National cham- Bison Shaquille Merasty. games against bottom three teams, ence in points per game, at 85.4, and (1.37, first in conference) pionship team—Emily Erickson and Playoff projection: Alberta, in Lethbridge, Mount Royal, and head coach Kirby Schepp has the Analysis: After starting the sea- Taylor Pischke—has hurt this team. Calgary, and Mount Royal have Regina, the Bison’s chances of staygroup believing in their abilities. Key son at 5-1, the men have sputtered The squad has gotten big numbers begun to separate themselves at the ing at the top of the pack look strong. matchups with Victoria and Alberta over their last eight games, going from Rachel Cockrell, Brittany top of the Canada West pack; howright after the break will have a big 2-6. They have gone 5-1 against cel- Habing, and Caleigh Dobie, and ever, the final three playoff spots are say in where this team finishes overall, lar dweller teams, such as Regina, their play in the second half of the wide open. Just four points separate

Pioneer division women’s basketball

Pioneer division women’s volleyball

Team

Record

Team

Record

Alberta Regina Saskatchewan UBC Winnipeg Calgary Lethbridge Trinity Western Brandon Victoria Manitoba

7-1 8-2 5-3 5-3 5-3 6-4 4-6 4-6 3-7 2-6 1-9

UBC Okanagan Alberta Trinity Western Brandon UBC Calgary Winnipeg Thompson Rivers Manitoba MacEwan Saskatchewan Mount Royal Regina

12-4 11-3 10-4 9-5 9-7 8-6 7-7 7-9 6-8 5-9 4-10 3-11 3-11

Pioneer division men’s basketball

Pioneer division men’s volleyball

Team

Record

Team

Record

Calgary Manitoba Victoria Winnipeg Alberta Lethbridge Regina Saskatchewan UBC Brandon Trinity Western

8-2 8-2 6-2 5-3 4-4 5-5 5-5 4-4 3-5 1-9 1-9

Alberta Brandon Winnipeg Trinity Western UBC Mount Royal Saskatchewan Manitoba Calgary Thompson Rivers UBC Okanagan Regina MacEwan

14-0 11-3 11-3 10-4 10-6 8-6 8-6 7-7 5-9 5-11 4-12 1-13 0-14

Pioneer division women’s hockey Team

Record

Saskatchewan

8-3-5

Alberta

9-1-6

UBC

7-1-8

Calgary

Manitoba

8-1-7

8-2-6

Regina

4-6-6

Mount Royal

1-1-14

Lethbridge

4-0-12

Pioneer division men’s hockey Team

Record

Alberta

15-3-0

Mount Royal

12-6-0

Calgary

Saskatchewan

13-5-0 8-9-1

UBC

7-8-3

Regina

6-11-1

Manitoba Lethbridge

8-10-0

3-15-0

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Sports

VOL. 101 NO. 45 December 3, 2014

Bison Briefs Men’s hockey and football David Grad, staff

Men’s hockey

In the last weekend before the Christmas break, the University of Manitoba Bisons men’s hockey team were the only team on the road, as they travelled to Alberta to take on the top-ranked Golden Bears.

The final weekend of play was not kind to Manitoba, as they dropped Friday and Saturday night’s games to the Golden Bears, 5-3 and 3-2.

Deven Dubyk, who has now faced 163 more shots than any other goalie in Can West, continues to carry the load in net for the Bisons.

On Friday night, Dubyk had 39 saves in the loss while his team only managed to put 13 shots on goal against the Golden Bears. Dubyk kept the game within reach for the Bisons, who struggled to generate chances, but were able to capitalize on the few that they managed to create.

Alberta opened the scoring in the first five minutes, but Channing

Bresciani responded a minute later on goalie Luke Siemens. Dubyk with an unassisted goal. Alberta went stood tall in net again, making 30 on to add two saves. more goals in Merasty Slotback Nic the first period, opened scoring one in the on Saturday Demski earned his second, and a late in the first fourth selection power play midperiod, assisted way through the by Chad as All-Canadian, Robinson and third period.

Shaquille Jordan DePape. making him the Merasty scored Merasty now first University of in the dying has 8 goals minutes of the on the season Manitoba player to and was one of f irst period earn the distinction Manitoba’s best and added a players against second goal on of holding four Alberta over the the powerplay consecutive weekend. in the second The Golden period.

All-Canadian Bears stormed Saturday back in the night the Bisons National Awards. second period, were once again held to under 20 scoring t wo shots by the Golden Bears in the 3-2 unanswered goals to take a 2-1 lead loss. Manitoba mustered just 15 shots heading into the third. The Bisons

were once again able to capitalize on limited chances against their opposition, and tied the game up early in the third period with a goal from DePape, assisted by Jesse Paradis and Brock Sutherland.

Alberta would go on to score the eventual game winner, benefiting from two late penalties by the Bisons that put them down a man for the last three minutes of the game.

Manitoba will resume their season against UBC at home on Jan. 3.

Football

Coming off their strongest postseason performance since their 2007 Vanier Cup Championship, eight players from the Bisons were selected to the Canada West Conference All-Star Team, and one Bison made history.

Slotback Nic Demski earned his fourth selection as All-Canadian, making him the first University of Manitoba player to earn the distinc-

tion of holding four consecutive AllCanadian National Awards.

Demski was named All-Canadian at the insider receiver position for the second straight season this year. In the 2011 and 2012 seasons, Demski was selected as All-Canadian at kick returner.

The former Oak Park running back/slotback played his second full season with the Bisons at inside receiver this year, and ranked first in the CIS and Canada West in receiving average, pulling in 21.8 yards per reception over 8 games. Demski was also tied for third in Canada West and ninth in the CIS with five receiving touchdowns on the season.

The Winnipeg native added 589 receiving yards in only six conference regular season games, and finished fourth in the conference (17th in CIS) in all-purpose yards, at 923.