5 December 2012

THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA STUDENTS’ NEWSPAPER

The Manitoban Mixtape pages 15-19

n e ws

co m m e n t

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

a rts & c u lt u r e

s p o rts

Light the Ave.

Mammogram

Save the ELA

Marblemouth

On a roll

Inner-city campus helps with annual community event

page 6

False negatives a growing concern for Canadians page 9

Fate of freshwater research station remains unclear page 14

Boats to release a brand new cassette?! page 20

Vo l 9 9 ½ · N o 1 6 · D e c e m b e r 5 , 2 0 1 2 · w w w.t h e m a n i to b a n .co m

Men's basketball team continue winning ways page 27

2

Index

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 16 December 5, 2012

News

| pa g e s 2 – 6

3

High and dry?

4

Winnipeg police officer on trial for assault of prisoner

Editorial

| pa g e 7

Science & Tech

12

| pgs 11–14

Lessons from Mother Nature

Arts & Culture

| pgs 20–23

cover image

“Winter Playlist” by James Culleton

Comment

| pa g e s 9 – 1 0

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

For other volunteer inquiries, please come to our office in University Centre (across from Tim Horton’s, behind GOSA) or email the editor of the section for which you are interested in writing.

Please direct all other inquiries to editor@themanitoban.com.

10

Going deep with Jodie Layne

23

Holiday music guide 2012

Diversions

Letter to the editor

Features

21

| pa g e s 1 5 – 1 9

Sports www.jamesculleton.com

| pa g e 2 4

| pa g e s 2 5 – 2 7

16

Helter Skelter

26

T'was the year of the lockout

19

Tis the season

27

Following the Herd

Toban Talkback

Q:

Chris Chemlyk

Mina Asif

Mystery student

Benjamin Watson

“I don't think it's as big a problem here as it is in other cities, but we need to have more education for the homeless to help them.”

“It's probably not that big of a problem, I'm not from the city so I'm not too sure. Creating more jobs and having more soup kitchens would help eliminate homelessness.”

“Yes, homelessness is a problem. We need much more subsidized housing, which would release the stress that homelessness puts on our health care system.”

Do you think homelessness is a problem in Winnipeg, and if so, how can we help eliminate it?

Jill Patterson, staff

f acul t y o f science

“Yes it is a problem, not just in Winnipeg, but in Canada as a whole. We need to get rid of the federal government that's in power and put in a new one that's interested in doing something about homelessness.”

f acul t y o f science

f acul t y?

f acul t y o f as tronomy

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

3

News

Student receives Rhodes Scholarship for outstanding achievement Scholarship gives opportunity to attend Oxford Alycia Rodrigues, staff

T

homas Toles was the 97th student from the University of Manitoba to receive the Rhodes Scholarship.

He is in his fourth year of an honours degree with a double major in English and psychology. Toles is also an active participant and advocate of the Black Hole Theatre.

The Rhodes Scholarship is awarded to students who are well-rounded in academic and extracurricular pursuits. It gives them the opportunity to attend the University of Oxford, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities. The goal is to support a remarkable individual who will meet like-minded people in order to further improve society.

Toles told the Manitoban that his reaction has been an amalgamation of fear and excitement. Very high expectations follow the winner of the Rhodes Scholarship and he feels living up to the expectations may be a daunting task. Yet, the award aligns with and will further help him reach his dreams.

photo by beibei lu

Toles hopes to obtain a masters degree, blending his love of both theatre and English. Along with a goal of becoming a film professor, he wishes to eventually write for the Onion.

“I’d really like to become a film

professor but I’d also like to do other stuff. I’d really like to write comedy for some kind of publication [ . . . ] and to perform and do theatre or direct theatre, and do all of these kinds of things [along] with my dream of being a professor,” said Toles.

Toles first learned of the Rhodes Scholarship in high school. It became what he called a “pipe dream” for him.

His biggest support system, he says, has been his parents, who have taken a significant interest in his academic life and success. Both are professors at the U of M who have helped him along the way by providing an insider’s perspective and direction on class choices.

Toles also has a lot of support through his social circle and girlfriend, who have the same interests as him and help him relax in times of high stress.

“It’s amazing and I did not expect to get it. I really didn’t. When I was in Saskatoon for the interview, afterwards I had just basically decided, ‘I

didn’t do badly but I don’t think would go insane.”

I’m going to get it, there are a lot of Toles’ friends are also interested really qualified people,’ and just sort in theatre and comedy and they all of resigned to that fact,” Toles said participate in an improv group. The of the award.

Black Hole Theatre has also been very When asked how he manages both supportive of his participation despite his academic and social life, Toles the fact he is not receiving a theatre said time management is key. He degree. Toles thanked the theatre for sits down at the beginning of every being such a significant, important, school year and plans out everything and positive part of his life. that needs to be done. This allows “I am acting in a show called The him to set his priorities, complete Cripple of Inishmaan in January and his work, and still it would be great have time to visit if people came out with his friends on and saw that,” said “It’s amazing the weekends.

Toles. and I did not “I think it’s He rea lizes important to balthat at times it expect to get it. ance everything in may seem like he I really didn’t.” a way that allows takes on a lot but, you to have a according to Toles, social life. At some he has many goals points I have had to and aspirations. maybe make certain social sacrifices. The Rhodes Scholarship will help I don’t get to see my friends as often him as a credential along the way to as I would like [ . . . ] I just think that achieving his goals. if I wasn’t able to do all that stuff I

High and dry?

Lake St. Martin community looks for answers behind permanent relocation Quinn Richert, staff

M

embers and supporters of Lake the Globe and Mail, Lake St. Martin because of word passed to him from “We don’t have a preconceived St. Martin First Nation gath- chief Adrian Sinclair spoke about the other communities and Aboriginal notion of what piece of land they ered at the Manitoba Legislature community’s preferred site.

Elders that the site of the base was should settle on,” said Selinger. “But on Monday, Nov. 26, in attempt to “This is higher ground, it’s dry, infested yearly by droves of snakes we want to make sure that the land demand answers from the provincial and it’s not contaminated. All of our numbering in the thousands. that is settled on is high and dry.” government on when they will be infrastructure was destroyed on conThe province has since given The federal government, which able to return to their homes. The taminated land and saturated land,” members of Lake St. Martin a Dec. is responsible for overseeing issues people of Lake St. Martin are also said Sinclair. “[Site 9, Grahamdale] 15 deadline to decide whether they related to First Nations reserves, unsure of where, specifically, their is dry land, and there is bedrock here. would like to move into the old has been very quiet on the issue of new homes will be.

There would be no relocating Lake St. Approximately 25 individuals were flooding here.”

Martin, even though “We continue to support First gathered, holding signs and listenIn the meantime, it is expected to pay ing to speeches on the steps of the the province has for the cost of living Nations evacuees and are actively Legislative Building. They have been created a temporary during evacuation. working with first nation leadership displaced from their homes on Lake village for Lake St. A meeting St. Martin First Nation since May, Martin band membet ween First and the federal government on 2011, following a massive man-made bers at an abandoned Nations representaflood. Since that time, the provincial military base just outtives and members long term solutions.” – Provincial government has assisted the people in side Gypsumville, but of the federal and government spokesperson settling temporarily, mostly in hotels only a small handprovincial governin Winnipeg. They have not been ful of families have ments was expected given any answers as to when they moved in. Sinclair to take place on the will be able to move into a permanent claims the commuWednesday following residence. They are also unsure where nity has faced pressure to accept the Gypsumville base. the rally on Nov. 28. A spokesperthey will be relocated. site, but says it is an unacceptable livThe relocation issue was discussed son for the provincial government Several proposed sites exist, ing arrangement. during a question period on Nov. 26 told the Manitoban that the meetincluding one very close to the The military base site report- in the chambers of the Manitoba ing resulted in “concrete next steps original Lake St. Martin commu- edly cost the province $14 million Legislature. Premier Greg Selinger to consider options for a long term nity. Many community members, to acquire and convert into a liv- and his government were criticized for solution to avoid chronic flooding of however, prefer a spot called Site 9, able space. Sinclair was hesitant to failing to listen to Lake St. Martin’s the community.”

Grahamdale. In an interview with move the community there, however, requests for relocation to Site 9.

The spokesperson stated that,

while they have been in contact with Lake St. Martin since 2011, only the federal government can convert new land to reserve status and the province does not have any jurisdiction over reserve design.

“We continue to support First Nations evacuees and are actively working with first nation leadership and the federal government on long term solutions.”

In May 2011, about 2,000 people were evacuated from their homes on Lake St. Martin First Nation due to extreme flooding. The flood was caused by the diversion of spring runoff into northern Manitoba – the province made the decision to artificially redirect the flow of water because it otherwise threatened to flow into Winnipeg.

Lake St. Martin was one of six First Nation’s communities in the Interlake area that were forced to evacuate their homes. The other five were Little Saskatchewan, Dauphin River, Peguis, Ebb and Flow, and Pinaymootang. A total of 3,098 people were moved.

News

4

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 16 December 5, 2012

E. coli, food security, and the ethics of meat production New course sheds light on the questions raised

by Canada’s latest tainted meat crisis Olivier Berreville and Julie Guard

A

new labour studies course entitled “Advocacy and Animal Rights,� will begin in January 2013, and will examine the issue of food ethics.

The course came out of Canada’s largest meat recall at Alberta’s XL Foods in September. The discovery of beef contaminated by E. coli 0157:H7 prompted the federal government to recall more than 1,500 meat products in all 10 provinces and 41 U.S. states.

No one died due to the recall, but the strain of E. coli bacteria caused severe illness including diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramping.

The tainted meat crisis raised a number of troubling questions among critics. The most obvious is food safety. Why did it take the federal government 18 days to issue a massive food recall? Was it concerned about the health of the industry or the health of consumers?

Is it possible to guarantee that meat is safe to eat when it’s pro-

duced at such a large scale, such jected to stress, and their immune as the XL plant, which processes systems are compromised, factors one-third of all Canadian beef and that encourage the spread of disslaughters 4,500 cows every day? eases such as E. coli.

The XL Foods recall also raised According to scientific studies, questions about the working con- animals are complex beings with ditions of those who slaughter and the capacity to experience emotions process animals. The plant’s work- similar to ours such as joy, distress, force of 2,200 includes a significant and even depression. Scientific number of temporary foreign work- evidence pertaining to this was ers, which means the employer can reflected in the recent Cambridge pay them less and provide fewer Declaration on Consciousness, rights and protections than the law signed by a group of leading neurequires for other workers. ropharmacologists, neurophysioloThe XL Foods case sheds light gists, neuroanatomists, cognitive on the role of a union. The United scientists, and computational neuFood and Commercial Workers roscientists, in the presence of the (UFCW), which has an established world-famous physicist Dr. Stephen record of helping migrant and tem- Hawking. The scientists concluded porary workers get the rights they that animals are just as “conscious deserve, represents these workers. and aware� as humans.

What does the XL recall tell us These questions and other issues about factory farming? In modern will be explored in depth in the animal agribusiness systems (fac- new course this coming winter tory farms), animals are confined semester. in feedlots or in sheds with no For more information or to regisaccess to the outdoors and often ter, please contact Kyla Shead, Labour no natural light. These animals are Studies Program 474-8356 or labour_ confined in very close quarters, sub- studies@umanitoba.ca.

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Winnipeg police officer on trial for assault of prisoner Officer allegedly ruptured colon of arrested man Jill Patterson, staff

illustration by philipp Fisch

A

Winnipeg police officer is cur- the St. Boniface Hospital, where he rently standing trial for alleg- underwent surgery for a ruptured edly assaulting a prisoner who he colon. was transporting to the Winnipeg At a press conference shortly Remand Centre. The trial com- after the incident with the Southern menced on Nov. 26.

Chiefs Organization, an advocacy The police officer, constable group for First Nations people in Ryan Law, nephew of former chief southern Manitoba, Lavallee lifted Keith McCaskill, has pleaded not his shirt and showed his stomach guilty to the charge of aggravated and said, “This is the outcome of assault. what he did – I got 21 staples.�

The man pressing charges, The paramedic who responded Henry Lavallee, claims that Law to the call claimed, however, that arrested Lavallee and another Lavallee was conscious during the unnamed man for attempting to trip to the hospital and that he break into a car in Winnipeg’s did not seem to be in distress. The Exchange District in November unnamed paramedic alleges that 2008. there were no visible signs of injury, The two men were reportedly such as bruises, abrasions, welts, or then taken to the Public Safety swelling of his stomach.

Building and placed in separate It was also said that Lavallee was holding cells. making jokes and sexually crude After being taken out of the car, remarks toward female hospital Lavallee claims that he and the employees. other man were slapped in the face The paramedic told the court, by each of the arresting officers. It “He didn’t appear distressed.� was at this point, Lavallee claims, Law was arrested the following that Law entered his holding cell June after an internal police invesand kicked him in the stomach. tigation into the matter and was Lavallee then began vomiting subsequently charged with assault. blood.

He was released from custody under The attack, according to Lavallee, specified conditions, as well as an was unprovoked and unwarranted. order to appear in court. “I never said nothing because I Under cross-examination of remember every time I got arrested. Lavallee, Law’s lawyer accused Don’t say nothing, don’t kick noth- Lavallee of being offensive and rude ing, don’t do nothing. Just lay there to the arresting police officers. and let them do their job, what they When asked during the trial if got to do,� he said. he had sworn at the arresting police During the trial, Lavallee com- officers, Lavallee said he “maybe� mented that the other arresting did. police officer accompanying Law Joseph Pasternack, the officer acted aggressively while he acted as working at the Remand Centre though it were his first arrest. admissions desk at the time of “He was jumping around like Lavallee’s arrest, claimed that, “he it was his first ice cream cone,� was decent with us [ . . . ] better Lavallee said. than normal.�

Lavallee claims he requested In a conflicting statement, Dale and was denied medical care until Schwartz, a corrections officer at he had been transferred to the the Remand Centre, claimed that Remand Centre.

Lavallee appeared very intoxicated Lavallee testified that he had and was “kicking and banging� passed out in his holding cell in the when brought into the Remand Remand Centre. He was revived Centre. but passed out again and awoke in

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

News

5

Social workers hired to help those in need downtown The BIZ aims to improve safety of citizens of Winnipeg Alycia Rodrigues, staff

T

wo new social workers, hired Stefano Grande, told the Manitoban by the Downtown Winnipeg that their outreach program, which Business Improvement Zone (BIZ), was created over five years ago, has will be available in 2013 for people in helped to take over 3,500 people off need downtown. The move aims to the streets, most of whom have addicreduce arrests through viable long- tion issues. These numbers indicate term solutions that will reduce the large social issues and social inequalvisible social inequalities, which ities, which, according to Grande, affect the perception of downtown are prevalent in all cities around the Winnipeg. world.

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ In any city, said Grande, you are is a community of 1,400 businesses going to see panhandlers, immigrants established in August, 1989, and is who may not have access to the same committed to working together to resources, low-income people, and improve downtown Winnipeg. Their especially people battling addictions particular domains of interest are and mental health issues. the image of downtown Winnipeg, Grande stressed the importance of cleanliness, safety, transportation, managing the issue in terms of longand parking. They are also interested term solutions rather than temporary in promoting downtown living, busi- ones, which do not ultimately help ness development, and advocacy. people in need. It improves society The BIZ claims that public safety is as a whole when you help, first and their number one priority due to this foremost, those who are in need, said gradual improvement of downtown Grande.

Winnipeg. Recent incidents, however, Social workers are an importhave blemished this image. A 2011 ant step in this long-term solution. claim from Air Canada, for instance, They are able to create connections deemed downtown Winnipeg too with doctors, mental health facilities, dangerous. Air Canada moved their and housing. Grande admitted that employees from staying in downtown two social workers will not nearly hotels because their pilots and stew- be enough. The goal is to eventually ardesses felt unsafe. have approximately six to eight fullExecutive director of the BIZ, time social workers in addition to a

volunteer program.

Grande stated that connections with the University of Manitoba faculties of medicine and social work are another key factor that is important in helping to clean up the downtown area. The goal is to target the next generation of working professionals of future doctors, social workers, and pharmacists to create volunteer and internship programs.

“We have to roll up our sleeves, put more resources into working with this community, the people that need help, and helping them off the street in a photo by xugang zhang permanent way if we can, knowing that not everyone is ready or willing to be helped,” said Grande. able, we can dramatically change the we’re going to be doing this year as The reality of safety downtown perceptions of our downtown and well. We’re going to be challenging comes down to perception, noted doing it in a way that I think makes Winnipeggers to put on some differGrande. Thousands of people work Winnipeggers proud,” said Grande. ent lenses,” said Grande. downtown on a daily basis and milIn rebuttal to critics of downtown, According to the BIZ, there have lions have visited places such as Grande says that Winnipeg is full of been over 80 development projects the MTS Centre, the Millennium world-class restaurants, retailers, and since 2001 and over 700 new residenLibrary, and the Forks. According to entertainment venues. He challen- tial units that have contributed to the Grande, when an individual makes ges every person in Winnipeg to go growth of downtown Winnipeg over the trip downtown, or lives down- downtown and experience it. There the last decade. In 2006, the MTS town, and they see the same person is something for everyone and he Centre was labelled as the third continually intoxicated, it creates guarantees that there is something busiest arena in Canada according apprehension of not knowing what that will make you return. to Pollstar Magazine. There has been is next. This fear of the unknown cre“Sometimes it’s just a matter of almost $1 billion invested in downates a feeling of being unsafe. getting everyone to think a little bit town Winnipeg since 1999.

“By helping people who are vulner- differently; that’s one of the things

Child and family advocacy group releases report on poverty in Canada Recommendations made to government on how to eradicate child poverty Quinn Richert, staff

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ampaign 2000, an anti-poverty advocacy group, released its annual report card on the state of child and family poverty in Canada last week. The report found that the problem of poverty has, in recent years, become more severe in Canada and, as a countermeasure, calls for a “federal action plan to eradicate child and family poverty in Canada.”

A series of nine recommendations directed towards the federal government were included in the document, which, according to the group, would reduce the child poverty rate in Canada by up to 15 per cent if enacted.

Campaign 2000 suggested that a formal federal action plan for the eradication of poverty should be drawn up “in consultation with provincial and territorial governments, Aboriginal governments and organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and people living in poverty,” and ought to be sensitive to the “peculiarities of how Quebec pursues social policy in the Canadian context.”

One of the eight other recommen-

dations put forward by Campaign and credits that Campaign 2000 all community members who want to 2000 calls on the federal government want to see eliminated includes the pursue post-secondary education. to dial-back universal child tax bene- Child Fitness Benefit, the Child Tax Additionally, “Federal spending fits, and instead divert that money into Credit, and the Universal Child Care on ECEC [early childhood education supporting low-income families.

Benefit. and child care] should reach at least “Families with incomes up to Campaign 2000 views these ben- one per cent of GDP by the end of $24,863 receiving the Canadian Child efits as bureaucratically inefficient and ten years,” urged Campaign 2000’s Tax Benefit (CCTB) also receive a ineffective at helping those with the report. “Starting with $1.3 billion in supplement called the National Child lowest incomes because they often new, earmarked transfer payments Benefit Supplement (NCB), and cannot pay original outlay costs. to the provinces for publicly managed, families between $24,865 and $42,707 Frankel argues that the Universal non-profit and publicly owned and receive a partial supplement. Our Child Care Benefit, in particular, publicly funded ECEC services.” proposal is to bring the value of the “has no relationship to child care Further recommendations call for full supplement, plus CCTB from and is not enough to purchase child a national housing strategy (includ$3,485 annually per child to $5,400 per care for those living in poverty. It is ing the expansion of temporary houschild,” explained Sid Frankel, an asso- only inefficiently taxed back from ing investment programs combating ciate professor of social work at the wealthy Canadians because the fed- homelessness, which expire in 2014), University of Manitoba and Campaign eral taxation system has become less as well as improved access to employ2000 committee member. progressive.” ment insurance and “restored access Frankel elaborated on the proposal, Improvements to post-second- to old age security at age 65.” saying that paying for the increase ary and early childhood education This year’s report coincided with in the CCTB and NCB supplement funding are also high priorities on the 23rd anniversary of the unanimous, would be paid for by combining two Campaign 2000’s list of recom- all-party House of Commons resolumethods: diverting $174 from gen- mendations. The group advised for tion of Nov. 24, 1989, which declared eral tax revenues into the supplement a “restoration of the Post-Secondary the federal government’s intent of increase, and by ending three tax ben- Student Support Program (PSSSP) “eliminating poverty among Canadian efits and credits currently supplied to the pre-1992 funding formula,” children by the year 2000.” to parents. which would guarantee funding to To the contrary, data presented in The list of universal benefits Aboriginal communities to support this year’s report showed that poverty

is now worse in Canada than in 1989, with one in seven children living in poverty. The proportion increases to one in four for Aboriginal children.

Frankel explained to the Manitoban that two factors are responsible for this decline: “stagnation in wages at the lower echelons of the labour market, and limitations in spending on social programs in combination with tax cuts and a less progressive taxation system.”

“Many less affluent countries do better through more appropriate social and taxation policy,” he added.

Campaign 2000 is a network of child/family advocacy groups founded in 1991 to raise awareness and build support for achieving the aims set out by the federal government in 1989’s unanimous House of Commons resolution to end child poverty.

Every year, Campaign 2000 puts out a report card which assesses the federal government’s progress toward living up to the aims of the 1989 resolution and makes recommendations regarding how that goal can be reached.

6

News

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 16 December 5, 2012

Inner-city campus helps with annual community event Lighting Up The Avenue brings Selkirk Ave. together Rachel Wood, staff

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n annual holiday event, Lighting Up The Avenue (LUTA), will brighten up Selkirk Avenue once again on Dec. 6. The yearly celebration is hosted by the North End Community Helpers Network (NECHN) as a way to collectively celebrate the season as a community.

NECHN is a volunteer-based network that includes community members and representatives from different North End organizations.

The goal of the organization is to share resources, build capacity, support each other, and create opportunities for those involved and for the North End as a whole.

The University of Manitoba Inner City Social Work Program (ICSWP), located on Selkirk Ave., is a member of NECHN and has an active role in supporting LUTA. LUTA, which will take place at Ndinawe Resource Centre and attracts nearly 400 people, includes a street lighting ceremony, a free community feast, Indigenous drumming, singing, free entertainment, children’s activities, and gifts for children and Elders.

Jean Pelletier, a graduate of the

ICSWP, was involved in the event for the first time last year as a part of her program placement.

Pelletier admits that she was blinded by her many tasks and responsibilities throughout the planning process and was not able to see

“This event also plays a very important role in breaking down the stereotypical perceptions of our North End and innercity community.� – Debra DiUbaldo

the majority of the people who attend this event don’t get a Christmas and a lot of them were counting on winning something to gift their loved ones.

That is when I realized what LUTA the big picture of the event. It wasn’t was really about.� until the day of the event, during the Debra DiUbaldo, Aboriginal raffle draw for gift baskets, that she student advisor and counsellor at realized the impact of LUTA. ICSWP, explained that the univer“As I starting looking at all the sity’s involvement in the event has people in the room that were con- extended beyond ICSWP to the centrating on their raffle number, my faculty of medicine (Community eyes started tearing up. I realized that Health Services Department) and

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kinesiology, with monetary and inkind donations. “I think that it is vitally important for the University of Manitoba to be seen as a neighbourhood partner and one who is willing to invest in the renewal efforts and community vision of Selkirk Avenue and the North End,� explained DiUbaldo.

Moreover, DiUbaldo argued that the event illustrates the communitycentred atmosphere of the North End.

“This event also plays a very important role in breaking down the stereotypical perceptions of our North End and inner-city community [ . . . ] Residents, no matter how impoverished, are given the opportunity to contribute in meaningful ways [ . . . ] North Enders, in all their diversity and uniqueness, celebrate Christmas and the Winter Solstice together, as one.�

Jenna Leskiw, community facilitator at Aboriginal Visioning for the North End, a lead organizer of the event, emphasized the attitude that community members have towards their community and how that translates towards the annual holiday event. “It’s an opportunity to shine a light on our past successes as a collective, showcase our tremendous community pride, and light the way towards the further revitalization of the North End. The North End is the heart of our city. Celebrations like Lighting Up The Avenue, and the incredible group of people that support it, are the very definition of community.� photo by ben Salnikowski

7 Editor-in-Chief Ryan Harby

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

Business manager Foster Lyle

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

Advertising Coordinator Arynne McMurray

ads@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

Editorial

Editor-In-Chief: Ryan Harby Contact: Editor@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Editorial

Merry Canadian Christmas & Happy Chinese New Year Beibei Lu, staff (Featuring Ryan Harby)

Senior News Editor Rachel Wood

rachel@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

News Editor Jill Patterson

jill@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Comment Editor Spencer Fernando

comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Managing Editor Chuthan Ponnampalam

me@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

science & technology Editor Bryce Hoye

science@themanitoban.com/ 474.6529

New Year’s Eve is the most special and important festival in China. On the eve of lunar New Year, we have the custom of lighting fireworks and firecrackers, posting of Spring Festival couplets, and a family reunion dinner. But here in Canada, what can we do to join in the Christmas traditions and enjoy celebrating a different cultural experience?

arts & Culture Editor Kara Passey

artsculture@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Sports Editor Marc Lagace

sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Copy Editor Grace Romund

copy@themanitoban.com/ 474.6520

Design

Design Editor Aichelle Sayuno

design@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

Graphics Editor Silvana Moran

graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

Photo Editor Beibei Lu

photo@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

design associate Beibei Lu

photo@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

graphics associate Bradly Wohlgemuth

bradly@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

Reporters

News Alycia Rodrigues News Quinn Richert Science Tom Ingram arts & culture Jodie Layne arts & culture Jenna Diubaldo Sports Derek Gagnon Assistant copy editor Carlyn Schellenberg

Volunteer Contributors

Xugang Zhang, Allan Lorde, Philipp Fisch, Dany Reede, Emilie St. Hilaire, Mathieu Boulet, James Culleton, Justin Ladia, Adam Peleshaty, Holly Ervick-Knote, Laura Groening, Olivier Berreville, Julie Guard, Stephanie George, Michael Elves, Josh Morry, Steve Snyder, Will Gibson

New Year’s Eve is definitely a big deal in Canada, but for many people Christmas is the big hurrah of the year.

Not everyone celebrates Christmas here because of its ties to Christianity, but it has become a more secular tradition in recent years. For those who celebrate Christmas, a typical year could include many different dinner celebrations, parties, and get-togethers all throughout the month of December. Be prepared to gain a little weight if you fully partake in all the Christmas cuisine. And of course a Christmas tree – real or fake, both are accepted.

Not everyone celebrates Christmas the same way but if you strip away all the particulars, the most important aspect you’ll find is that people are spending time with the ones they love: family and friends.

In China, people make dumplings to share with their family. Is there any special food that you have to try at Christmas time?

I know lots of people will have turkey for their Christmas dinner but I’m not sure it’s a universal thing.

Eggnog is probably the most obvious choice. People will have it for Christmas, actually most people will only drink the damn thing in December, even though you can buy it all year long.

Any suggestions for leisurely enjoyments? Like Chinese have the custom of watching the CCTV New Year’s Gala with family and staying up for the eve of lunar New Year. People will also go out to give New Year’s greetings the next morning.

Definitely make sure to take in a couple of Christmasthemed TV specials, like them or not they’re part of the whole experience. Some people will go door-to-door singing Christmas songs, though not as often any more.

As a kid my personal favourite Christmas traditions all revolved around the man, the myth, the legend, Santa Claus. Be a good person all year, leave out some milk and cookies for him and he’ll reward your efforts with presents. Not the easiest tradition to carry on as an adult, but I like the idea that you might receive an “anonymous” present come Christmas time because someone in your life wants to make you happy.

Are there any special kinds of Christmas gifts? Like in China, we send out red packets that are cash wrapped up in red paper to children, symbolizing fortune and wealth in the coming year. And the “fish” representing “rich” is the traditional symbol of wealth and fortune.

They used to say that if you’ve been bad Santa would bring you a lump of coal, but I don’t hear that one as much lately. Lots of families will put out special Christmas stockings on Christmas Eve, and the point is for others to fill them with smaller sized gifts that you’d like to give someone. You might have heard the term “stocking stuffer.” One thing I know both my and my wife’s families will do every year is put mandarin oranges in everyone’s stocking, which makes sense only if you consider that some types of oranges are only good in Canada around Christmas time.

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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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illustrations & photo by beibei lu

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

9

Why we shouldn’t trust mammograms

Comment

Dense breasts major factor in false negatives Carlyn Schellenberg, staff

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urrently, mammograms are the standard for breast cancer detection in women. Women over 50 are recommended to undergo mammographic detection on a regular basis, usually about once a year.

These tests take an X-ray of the breast and have primarily been criticized for the false positives they can produce. These false positives waste money and resources, forcing the patients to undergo unnecessary biopsies – a source of great personal stress for the patient.

Doctors continually recommend mammograms (perhaps most recently Vancouver radiologist Dr. Ian Gardiner, according to the Vancouver Courier) but for the average female, without knowing it than to diagnose one size does not fit all. And, as the something that is not there. Missed CBC recently posted, mammograms detection leads to the continual save one life for every three unneces- growth of cancer, making it more difsary treatments. ficult to cure in the future if and when With a constant stream of new that cancer is eventually detected. reports about how mammograms While a major factor in mammosave lives, it can be confusing for gram false positives is breast density, the average woman to navigate the dense breasts can equally cause false radiological landscape. Sometimes negatives in mammogram tests, we get to choose which method of increasing the risk of breast cancer. imaging we want for ourselves, but The fact that this is not widely known for the most part, in Canada, we get is alarming.

Are You Dense? is an American lumped in with the masses and sent group and movement that focuses to get a mammography.

A more concerning issue, how- on illuminating these issues. Their ever, is that mammograms can also website is filled with survival stories produce false negatives. It is obvi- from a group of women determined to ously more dangerous to have cancer inform the public and to work to pass

photo by U.S. Navy

bills. According to Are You Dense?, dense breasts are composed of tissue that has less fat and, therefore, show up white on a mammogram so the tumours are hardly visible on an X-ray.

Their website states that dense breasts occur in 40 per cent of women over the age of 40 and that tumours are 40 per cent undetectable with a mammogram for women with dense breasts. However, doctors continue to use these mammograms on women who may have dense breasts. A mammogram or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can test for dense breasts, but doctors are not required to tell their patients about this issue.

In the U.S., fives state have

passed the Simitian Breast Cancer do not give exposure to radiation.

Detection Bill, indicating that doc- The Canadian health care system tors must tell their patients about the has adopted a practice that does not pitfalls of dense breasts, screen for benefit every patient equally, as those dense breasts, and inform patients with dense breasts or implants have if they have dense breasts. Virginia, a disadvantage that is unknown to New York, Connecticut, Texas, and them.

California have all passed this bill, Although mammograms do save with many other states appearing to lives and acquire accurate results for soon follow suit. This also allows the women without dense breasts, there patients to turn to other methods to needs to be another go-to mode of detect tumours. detection for women with dense Ultrasounds, which use a trans- breasts that does not blind its patients ducer on gel-covered skin to image into thinking they are cancer-free a particular organ, can be used to each time they get a negative diagadd value to the mammograms, and nosis. Mammograms do not need to they do not expose patients to radia- disappear completely: they do have a tion. Magnetic resonance imaging, purpose as long as they save lives. which is a large magnetic imaging Canadians, however, need to station, is an obvious alternative demand more expensive equipment because it is more accurate in assess- because it will save lives in the long ing dense breasts. Since it is much run. With the occurrence of false more expensive, though, it has not yet negatives, more extensive cancer been adopted as the go-to method of treatment is used since the cancer breast cancer detection. is then found later and will have Thermography, according to CBC progressed. Canada needs to make news, is also an option but has caused better decisions in the detection of major problems of both false positive breast cancer and put more money and negative results, and has been into detection so that less money is deemed by many as useless. It takes necessary in the treatment itself. images using a camera sensitive to We can’t just rely on our health heat. care system to provide the most valuThe United States still widely uses able care; we need to demand it ourmammograms, but has also moved selves. So, women: don’t just accept to MRIs and breast specific gamma a negative mammogram diagnosis, imaging, which uses a gamma cam- demand more options, such as MRI era to take pictures. Both of these and gamma imaging.

Winnipeg’s North End An insightful tour Spencer Fernando, staff

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ecently, I went on a tour of the to bring opportunity and growth to North End with my Manitoban the North End, and there is a strong colleagues Grace Romund and Rachel spirit of community involvement.

Wood. The tour was led by Rachel, as she works with the North End 3) Local action and Community Renewal Corporation solutions are best (NECRC), an organization “comAs NECRC states in its mitted to the social, economic, and Development Philosophy, theywill cultural renewal of the North End “Develop strategies that arise from of Winnipeg.” local leadership rather than top-down NECRC is doing very important initiatives.” work, work that can be made tougher It is clear to me that there are since perceptions of the North End people in the North End who know are often shaped by crime reports. what needs to be done to continue This is in some ways legitimate as it to improve the community and to is important for news organizations address the serious challenges there. to report on crime. However, what This is a case where decisions made ends up happening is that for many by the people on the ground will of us, the only time we hear about the ground there, I think it is imporbe the best decisions. The key is to the North End is when we read or tant to address a few common myths 2) The people of the North eschew top-down decision-making listen to a report about a shooting or or perceptions about the area. and empower local organizations and End are not giving up stabbing. We don’t hear about the There is an understandable percep- people to make positive changes. good work that is being done there, 1) The North End is tion among some that the North End and we don’t hear about those—like not a war zone has succumbed to apathy, and that 4) It will take time NECRC—who are giving their Many of the difficulties facing the It is a fact that there is more crime there are very few people working heart and soul to bring people out in the North End than in other to make things better. From what I North End have built up over generaof poverty and create opportunities areas of Winnipeg, but perspective saw, the opposite is the case. While tions and decades. Progress will not for growth, development, and safe is needed. We’re not talking about the challenges are large, there are come instantaneously, but what matcommunities.

Syria here. The North End is a part of people working to rise to those chal- ters is that progress is being made.

After the tour, and having dis- Winnipeg, Manitoba, not a war-torn lenges. There are many individuals After a short visit to the North cussed the North End with folks on region or a disaster area. and organizations working diligently End, I’m not going to claim that I

have all the answers. I look forward to spending more time in the North End and learning more in depth about the area. What I can say now though, is that the visit opened my eyes to the fact that—even in the midst of clear challenges—there is also tremendous opportunity and hope in the North End. The struggles and the difficulties are real, but so are the people working every day to make things better.

My last point is that I think there are times when many of us have a sense that the North End is not really a part of our city. The problems of the North End feel like something happening “somewhere else.” Yet, the people of the North End are our fellow Winnipeggers; they are our fellow Manitobans. And they are our fellow Canadians.

The North End is more than a few words written on a piece of paper in a news report or flashed across the screen on a newscast, it is a community of human beings, people struggling—like all of us—to build a better life and to create a hopeful future. photo by beibei lu

10

Comment

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 16 December 5, 2012

End all subsidies for transportation I’m not just talking about the U-Pass

Rally for peace Supporting Israel and the rights of the Palestinian people Josh Morry

O

Steve Snyder

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hrough referendum the University of Manitoba Student Union passed their “U-Pass” program, to continue their efforts to provide a universal bus pass for all University of Manitoba students.

While complaints about the recent approval are mostly valid—my money is my own and I don’t think I should have to spend it on someone else—there is one argument that holds no ground: “I drive to school and pay my own way, why should I have to pay more so you can take the bus?”

Though I agree that the U-Pass is a bad thing, I completely disagree with the fact that vehicle commuters “pay their own way.”

Many people do not know, but subsidized vehicular transportation is written right in the University of Manitoba Act. According to the University of Manitoba Act, Section 16, point 1.1, “parking must be operated on a cost recovery basis.” This short statement ignites so much ire it is rather incomprehensible and goes to show just how ignorant people truly are when it comes to the costs of operating their vehicles.

Instead of market forces dictating how much you pay for parking, the school sets the price based on the cost of delivering. This not only means that the vast swathes of parking lots do not generate any revenue for the City (the institution is property tax exempt) but it

also isn’t generating any profit for Setting these artificial ceilings on prices not only takes money the school.

Just look at the line-up for from my pocket, it pushes people the parkade at class change, for toward driving as their mode of example. With line-ups like that transportation, increasing greenwhy are they not charging more house gases and forcing the City to for those stalls? Because they are build and maintain more and more not allowed to! My university is infrastructure for you to commute. poorer because you drive to school. When someone parks their car it What is even more infuriating is costs everyone an extra $170 a year there was no vote for this subsidy, for the transit users to get to school it’s written right into the Charter! for free.

To all my fellow students who Students had the opportunity to accept or reject the U-Pass; drivers drive, please continue to decry have their subsidy written in law. transportation subsidies! It says a To say this is unfair would be an lot that you are ignorant of the fact that you are part of the problem. understatement.

For comparison, downtown To my fellow bus commuters, I am Winnipeg has 72,000 commuters pleading with you to speak up to daily and 35,526 off-street parking the administration and ask them stalls, a ratio of about two people per to eliminate this subsidy for drivers. stall. People commuting to down- Tell them they should be generating town pay a median charge of $155.25, a profit on the people who feel it is or $1,242 for eight months. By com- their right to drive. Tell them that parison, University of Manitoba you want your university to be the has “over 6,400” parking spaces at best it can be, and the added profit their Fort Garry campus and 475 at to the University’s coffers would the Bannatyne campus. Assuming go a long way to improving your that over 6,400 means 6,499 (theo- university experience.

Though the University Charter retically, they would advertise “over 6,500” if it was more) that’s a total of is not controlled by the administra6,974 stalls with a student and staff tion—it’s an act of legislature—their population of 36,205, or a ratio of recommendations to government five people per stall. On the basis go a long way.

And the next time someone proof a supply and demand argument, you would expect the price to be at tests that they are paying for you to least double, but instead the uni- take the bus you can smile, knowversity charged $490 for the school ing the fact that they are ignorant year, or $61.25 per month, far less of the true fact that they are a far larger burden on the University. than what would be expected.

n Nov. 25, just days after the as Israel is. The people of Gaza cease-fire took effect between have not been able to have free Israel and Hamas—officially end- and fair elections since Hamas - a ing Operation Pillar of Defense—a recognized terrorist group - seized pro Israel rally took place at the power by force in 2007. Regardless Asper Jewish Community Campus. of whether or not you believe in You’re probably wondering why this Israel’s bombing of Gaza, it’s undeis newsworthy, how does the pro- niable that Hamas committed war Israel rally differ from any other crimes by launching rockets from rally about the hotbed of issues in civilian areas, turning innocent the Middle East. In fact, the week Gazans into human shields. before the pro Israel rally, there was So back to your question: why a rally in support of the Palestinian was this rally different than other cause at the Legislature. rallies about the conflict in the Referring Middle East? to the rally as The answer to “pro-Israel” is the question is The Palestinians unfortunately actually quite want an end somewhat of a subtle: This misnomer. The pro-Israel rally to the conflict speakers at the wasn’t a pro just as much as event didn’t Israel rally at all; criticize the it was a rally for the Israelis do Palestinian peopeace. As one ple, they didn’t speaker pointed deny Gaza’s out, when the right to exist, and they didn’t brag Palestinians are in control of their about Israel’s military superiority. own destiny, and when they are That’s not what Operation Pillar freed from the ruthless dictatorship of Defense was about, and the pro- that is Hamas, there will be peace. vincial and federal ministers from The Palestinians want an end to the both sides of the political spectrum conflict just as much as the Israelis who spoke at the rally realized this. do, and the multidenominational It isn’t the fault of the Gazans that crowd at the rally shows that there conflict broke out, as they’re just as is a lot of common ground between much victims of Hamas’s tyranny the sides to negotiate peace.

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ately it seems like every time and why they are in the first place.

I open the Manitoban I am Can I just say this: express your confronted by a plethora of con- ideals; stop defending them. I am servative articles. This is not my tired of reading articles authored by complaint. I am not a conservative people attempting to either express myself, but I am open to divergent their uniqueness among the oppointerpretations and a sense of bal- sition or else trying to dispel their ance in my newspapers. What I discomfort with it. In short, none find interesting, however, is how of us care that you’re conservative. many of these articles seem to be Rather, we care that your arguless about a particular conserva- ments are conveyed in a reasonable, tive perspective than they are about well-considered, intelligent fashion. conservatism itself. It is an endless You’re young, you’re idealistic, and parade of conservative apologists, you’re conservative – we get it. Now each trying to explain to their pre- start owning it. dominately liberal fellow students both what it is to be conservative -Mary Steepen

11

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

Science & technology

Enemy at the gates Taking a look at invasive aquatic species in Manitoba Tom Ingram, staff

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ivers and lakes have long been nutrient normally locked up at the important for Manitoba. They bottom of the stream, contributing are a source of food, they generate to the eutrophication (nutrient loadour electricity, and at one time they ing) of lakes. were important transportation routes.

Before 1940, the common carp They are also centres of leisure. All was only found in the Red River. By these things affect, and are in turn 1950, it had become established in the affected by, the delicate ecosystems of south basins of lakes Winnipeg and our waterways. And these ecosystems Manitoba. Over the next 20 years are threatened by invasive species. it expanded rapidly, and by 1976 it According to the Invasive Species was found in almost all major lakes Council of Manitoba, invasive spe- and rivers in Manitoba except the cies are “plants, animals, or other Churchill River system. In the last 16 organisms that are growing out of years, the common carp invaded the their country or region of origin and Churchill River system. Its expansion are outcompeting or even replacing in the north was made possible by native organisms.” When a species hydroelectric development – espetravels to a new environment, it could cially the construction of Kettle find that environment inhospitable Generating Station in 1974 and the and fail to take root there. But if it Churchill River Diversion in 1976. can handle the new environment, the This development flooded what had invasive species might find that it is been dry land, and provided shallow not susceptible to the local preda- marshy areas for the carp to spawn tors and diseases. This gives it a great in the summer. advantage over local species.

There’s another carp that’s even Of course, the system has a way more concerning: the Asian carp. It of shifting to accommodate the has not yet reached Manitoba, but change, but in nature these changes there is a serious danger that it will take place gradually. Without human invade the Great Lakes. Canadian intervention, a species is not going to and American fisheries officials are be abruptly introduced to a new area working to keep it out, but it has on the other side of the planet. But been spotted just six miles from Lake when you throw humanity into the Michigan. This is particularly trouequation, with all our planes, trains, bling, as Lake Michigan “opens the automobiles, and global shipping, door” to Lake Huron and the rest of these changes can occur faster than the Great Lakes. ever and lead to ecosystems that are The Asian carp can have devasradically out of balance. Invasive spe- tating effects on biodiversity. The cies are what you get when evolution fish can grow to about a metre in meets our industrialized, globalized length and up to 45 kilograms. They human society. eat voraciously, outcompeting and By beating out native species, starving other fish and dominating invasive species reduce biodiversity the ecosystems they invade. One spiny waterflea to invade new lakes. and destroy unique ecosystems. They variety, the silver carp, is dangerous The spiny waterflea can reproduce can also impact agriculture (as with in an especially dramatic way: when sexually or by parthenogenesis (i.e., weeds that compete with crops and startled, they launch themselves from asexual reproduction). This allows can be costly to deal with) and the the water in great numbers and with them to reproduce very quickly. Also, flow and quality of water. These fac- considerable force. People have had because it preys on zooplankters, it tors are all of particular concern in bones broken by silver carp. competes directly with small fish for Manitoba.

The Asian carp escaped into the food. Because of its rapid reproducInvasive species usually travel to Mississippi River from U.S. aqua- tion, the spiny waterflea can hog all new areas as a result of human activ- culture facilities in the 1990s. It has the food, leaving little for the small, ity. Sometimes this can be the result been advancing steadily northward young fish. of illegal activity such as the smug- since that time, and is now perilously According to an article published gling of fruits and vegetables, which close to the Great Lakes. “Nine out of by the Michigan Sea Grant, the can introduce invasive plants as well 10 fishes pulled out of the Mississippi spiny waterflea has become a peras insects and parasites, or obviously River basin are now Asian carps,” said manent part of the ecosystem in the irresponsible activities like the pur- Becky Cudmore, manager of the Great Lakes. And Brenda Hann, chase of certain exotic animals – the Centre of Expertise for Aquatic Risk a University of Manitoba scientist Everglades in Florida are being rap- Assessment (CEARA) of Fisheries who studies the spiny waterflea, says, idly overrun with Burmese pythons and Oceans Canada. Computer “Once a non-indigenous species has that were introduced by the exotic modelling by CEARA suggests invaded a new habitat, it is almost reptile trade. But even the everyday that the Asian carp would have no impossible to eradicate. Prevention is work of fishermen can, if they are not trouble adapting to most Canadian vital, but as non-indigenous aquatic careful, transfer invasive pests from environments. species move along waterways, it is a one area to another.

It’s not just fish that are danger- matter of ‘when,’ not ‘if’ they invade if Sometimes they are introduced on ous invaders. The spiny waterflea, an the waterways are connected.” purpose for purely ornamental pur- aquatic invertebrate and zooplankter In many cases, the invasive species poses. The common carp was brought native of Europe, can be found in have already arrived and there’s not to North America for this reason, and Lake of the Woods and the Winnipeg much we can do other than track their it reached Manitoba around 1886. By River and is making inroads into advance. At some point you have to 1954 it had disrupted commercial fish- Lake Winnipeg. They are capable accept that the invaders have suceries. When the common carp feeds, of reaching 15mm in size, which is ceeded, and they’re now a local speit stirs up the substrate (bed of the large in zooplankton terms. Unlike cies. When you talk about invasive stream), making the water cloudy. other waterfleas, which mostly feed species, heavy questions about the This destroys habitats and kills plants, on algae, the spiny waterflea preys on way we relate to nature lurk just below and can make the water unsuitable other zooplankters. The long, barbed the surface. All the same, though, it for drinking or swimming. It can tail spine can get stuck in fishing gear, would be better if the Asian carp did also release phosphorus, which is a which is a potential method for the not reach Manitoba.

common carp

Photo by koen G. h. breeveld

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12

Science & Technology

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 16 December 5, 2012

Lessons from Mother Nature The potential of green infrastructure in cleaning up our rivers Holly Ervick-Knote

T

he City of Winnipeg has been updating its wastewater treatment plants. These upgrades, slated to wrap up in 2014, will allow for the removal of more nutrients, toxic chemicals, and other contaminants from wastewater. But what about the wastewater that never makes it to a treatment plant?

More than 30 per cent of the city is still serviced by a combined sewer system. This outdated infrastructure collects raw household waste and stormwater in the same pipe and, when periods of high precipitation overwhelm the system, dumps raw sewage into our rivers. This dumping of untreated sewage is known as a combined system overflow.

These overflows have negative effects on aquatic life and ecosystems in our rivers. Sewage typically contains oxygen-depleting organic materials, nutrient pollutants, viruses, and many other contaminants. Storm

water collects urban pollutants such as oil, pesticides, fertilizers, and toxic chemicals. When released into freshwater systems untreated, this concoction of contaminants overloads the ecosystem and decreases dissolved oxygen levels, while creating a host of other issues.

Winnipeg is not the worst offender when it comes to combined system overflows, but we have fallen behind other major Canadian cities in this area and the approach to upgrading the system has been piecemeal at best. Sections of the combined system are replaced when necessary to avoid basement flooding or other complications, but there is no plan in place to address the system as a whole, or deal with sewage overflows comprehensively.

What’s worse is that even in areas where the system has been separated, private contractors often connect residential wastewater pipes to land

drainage pipes, in effect re-combining a separated system.

“If it’s faster and they can get paid, they’ll do it,” says one local wastewater treatment engineer who wished to remain unnamed. “It’s not always that they’re being negligent or deliberately doing it. Quite often it’s an honest mistake. Often, the information isn’t readily available for them to check.”

There are bylaws in place to prohibit this, but these cross connections are difficult to regulate, as they are underground. The ideal solution would be to completely overhaul the system by replacing combined sewers with separated pipes. However, with costs estimated anywhere between $500 million and $3 billion, and with no plan in place, this is not likely to happen any time soon. On the bright side, alternative measures can be taken to significantly reduce the number of overflow events and volume of raw sewage released during

periods of high precipitation.

Ecojustice, a national organization dedicated to defending the rights of Canadians with respect to a healthy environment, suggests using green infrastructure to minimize the frequency and volume of overflows.

Green infrastructure—human-designed systems that mimic nature in function—can decrease the amount of storm water runoff collected in sewage pipes by using trees and other vegetation to absorb storm water, and rain barrels to redirect it.

The benefits of such infrastructure are far-reaching; not only do green roofs significantly decrease surface runoff in urban areas when used on a large scale, as they have the capacity to store large amounts of rainwater, they also improve air quality, regulate temperature, and provide insulation for buildings. Downspout disconnection, which redirects a building’s roof drainage system into rain barrels

or towards permeable areas such as lawns can minimize surface runoff while reducing the risk of basement flooding and providing a source of water for gardens.

Toronto has been a leader in the use of green infrastructure. In 2007, the city made downspout disconnection mandatory. In 2010, they introduced a bylaw and incentive program requiring new buildings and retrofits to install green roofs, making it the first city in North America to do so.

In the absence of funding for a fully separated system, a comprehensive plan that re-examines cross connections, increases the capacity of the existing system, and uses green infrastructure could provide a more cost-effective approach to minimizing the overflow of raw sewage into our rivers. We should be talking about this.

Happy Holidays Greg Selinger

Erin Selby

Deanne Crothers Dave Gaudreau

Sharon Blady

Theresa Oswald

MLA for St. Boniface Premier of Manitoba (204) 237-9247 GregSelinger.ca

MLA for Southdale (204) 253-3918 ErinSelby.ca

MLA for St. James (204) 415-0883 DeanneCrothers.ca

MLA for Kirkfield Park (204) 832-2318 SharonBlady.ca

MLA for Seine River (204) 255-7840 TheresaOswald.ca

Ron Lemieux

Jim Rondeau

Kerri Irvin-Ross Mohinder Saran Kevin Chief

Jennifer Howard

MLA for Dawson Trail (204) 878-4644 Ron-Lemieux.ca

MLA for Assiniboia (204) 888-7722 JimRondeau.mb.ca

MLA for Fort Richmond (204) 475-9433 KerriIrvinRoss.ca

MLA for The Maples (204) 632-7933 MohinderSaran.ca

MLA for Point Douglas (204) 421-9126 KevinChief.ca

MLA for Fort Rouge (204) 946-0272 JenniferHoward.ca

Flor Marcelino

Bidhu Jha

Stan Struthers

Nancy Allan

Eric Robinson

Matt Wiebe

MLA for Logan (204) 788-0800 FlorMarcelino.ca

MLA for Radisson (204) 222-0074 BidhuJha.ca

MLA for Dauphin (204) 622-7630 StanStruthers.ca

MLA for St. Vital (204) 237-8771 NancyAllan.ca

MLA for Kewatinook (204) 943-2274 Eric-Robinson.ca

MLA for Concordia (204) 654-1857 MattWiebe.ca

MLA for St. Norbert (204) 261-1794 DaveGaudreau.ca

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

Science & Technology

13

Nature’s kidneys Wetlands vital to health of prairies Laura Groening

W

hy should we care about wetlands? Wetlands are not cute.

There are no Coke commercials about protecting slews; Pamela Anderson and Alicia Silverstone have not bared a single breast to protect bogs (although I see a good opportunity for a mud wrestling fundraiser).

Wetlands are commonly referred to as nature's kidneys. These kidneys are being “cut out” of nature's body faster than they can be put on ice and sold on the black market.

We need our kidneys to remove toxins from our blood, as well as to retain substances that are good for us, such as water, sugars, and amino acids. Wetlands act in the same way by removing harmful materials from water, such as excess nutrients and sediment, filtration of pollutants and contaminants from industrial and agricultural enterprise, as well as retaining water on land that prevents flooding in wet years and drought in dry years. This kidneylike action occurs in all varieties of wetland – from a small seasonal wet spot in your neighbour’s field to hundreds of kilometers of bog and peatland in northern Manitoba.

One essential component of a wetland is its ability to slow the movement of upland runoff from rain and snow, which allows for excess nutrients and sediment to the Interlake region. This results settle out of the water column and not only in flooding downstream, be sequestered by aquatic veg- but also nutrient loading (or eutroetation. This slowed movement of phication), which has been a major water is also critical in wet years, contributing factor to the formawhen stalling the runoff of melting tion of toxic blue-green algal (or snow can decrease the likelihood of cyanobacterial) blooms in Lake downstream flooding.

Winnipeg.

The southwest portion of Don’t blame your farmer uncles Manitoba was for this. They once home to are charged tax It has been thousands of on these damp wetlands and spots, and if estimated that “potholes,” which you could make over 70 per cent are those miniagood use of othture pond-type erwise unusable of wetlands basins dotting land, wouldn’t have been up the landyou d ra in it scape in and too? If wetlands drained or filled around places are ecologically like Minnedosa, va luable, can for agricultural MB. It has been we put a dollar purposes estimated that amount on their over 70 per cent value? of wetlands have You can calbeen drained or filled for agricul- culate the relative economic value tural purposes. of wetlands by considering the role The majority of these wetlands they play in improving water quality, are drained and converted into reducing greenhouse gases through farmland, as marshes have long carbon sequestration, reducing erobeen considered wasted space – a sion, providing unique habitat that mess that ought to be cleaned up, accommodates and encourages biotilled, and harvested. The result of diversity, as well as the practical wetland conversion to agriculture, implications related to flood and however, is that spring runoff is not drought mitigation. held over in these small retention It’s harder to calculate the marshes, but rushes off of fields into intrinsic or spiritual value of wetalready swelling drainage ditches. lands, though generally wetlands With large tracts of southwestern are heralded for being one of the Manitoba now wetland-free, the most biodiverse ecosystems on the spring runoff comes faster than planet . However, considering the ever, pulling with it fertile soil huge costs Manitoba incurs from and nutrients from farmers’ fields flooding on an annual basis, there into drainage basins like those in is a strong likelihood of the pro-

vincial Government developing a policy that provides incentives to those farmers that opt to maintain and restore wetlands, rather than repurposing them for agricultural uses.

The Provincial Government just released its sustainable development plan TomorrowNow – Manitoba’s Green Plan, in which they pledge to develop a comprehensive wetland strategy as well as the restoration of Delta and Netley-Libau Marsh, two major marsh “kidneys” of Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg.

The TomorrowNow plan states, “The province will develop further partnerships with the agricultural industry to encourage the preservation and development of ecological goods and services to benefit Manitoba’s environment while support a strong agricultural sector and rural economy.”

Wetlands are an important part of our natural heritage, and the Provincial Government has an excellent opportunity to support wetland conservation and rehabilitation through ecological goods and services as introduced by this plan. Educating and compensating farmers and rural landowners that preserve these economically and ecologically valuable parts of the landscape could prove to be a very effective part of Manitoba’s wetland recovery strategy.

TRAILBLAZER PIONEER EXPLORER INNOVATOR VISIONARY UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA

EMAIL CHANGES YOU NEED TO KNOW

In 2013, the university will only use your U of M email account for official university communications. This includes information or important changes from your instructors, faculty, department, advisors and the university.

BE PREPARED AND CLAIM YOUR @umanitoba.ca EMAIL ACCOUNT NOW! Claim your U of M email account at: umanitoba.ca/claimid If you have already claimed your computer ID, please remember that in doing so, you have created a number of computer service accounts, including an email account. Check this account regularly for important notices. More info about these changes will be available soon at: umanitoba.ca/registrar.

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University of Manitoba STU-RO-002 Email Policy Communications ad Manitoban November 2012 * PG 4 x 5”

14

Science & Technology

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 16 December 5, 2012

Save the ELA Fight to keep Experimental Lakes Area continues Bryce Hoye, staff

O

n Nov. 27, world-renowned that the littoral (near shore) zone’s to consistent, low levels of synthetic limnologist David Schindler biological community suffered dra- estrogen to determine whether it was delivered a compelling speech at matically, and recovered far slower in acting as an endocrine disrupter in the University of Manitoba entitled a lake that had been acidified to pH the resident biota. Over the course of “Contributions of the Experimental 4.5 than in another lake that had only several years, researchers found that a Lakes Area [ELA] to solving cultural been acidified to pH 5. number of male vertebrate and invereutrophication in Canada’s freshwaIn another acidification experi- tebrate species experienced marked ter lakes.” Later that same evening, ment, ELA researchers compared the physiological changes. Males of one Schindler gave a similar though relative acidifying effects of sulfuric minnow species became feminized truncated version of that discussion and nitric acid when introduced to and unable to reproduce, which nearly alongside Canadian food and water separate parts of a double-basin lake. decimated the population. activist and chair of the Council of Here is what they found over a fiveOther research projects conCanadians, Maude Barlow, at an year period: “nitric acid proved to be ducted at the ELA include: studyevent put on by the Save the ELA about two-thirds as effective as the ing the impact of mercury emissions Coalition. sulfuric acid as a lake acidifying agent. from electrical utilities; assessing the “It’s getting to the point where the This demonstrated that nitric oxide impacts of fish farming aquaculture ordinary type of democracy doesn’t emissions from automobiles and other on the health of fish populations; as always work,” remarked Barlow, sources can be potent sources of lake well as an ongoing study of antibacreferring to the series of changes and acidification.” terial nanosilver—now in over 300 cuts made to environmental science “The scientific consensus on aquatic commercially available products— policy by the federal government of effects obtained during the late 1970s and how toxic it may be to freshwater the day. and early 1980s played a significant algal and bacterial communities.

Both events are best viewed as part role in justifying [sulfuric] and [nitric] of a greater movement towards rais- emission controls both in Canada The phosphorus studies ing awareness over the impending and internationally,” states a post on One of the most significant eartermination of the ELA. The ELA Environment Canada’s website. lier studies to come out of the ELA is a freshwater research station of 58 The ELA also demonstrated occurred in the late 60s and 70s where lakes located an hour north of Kenora that the flooding of wetlands asso- Schindler and others carried out in northwestern Ontario, with an ciated with hydroelectric reservoir whole-lake experiments that identiannual operating budget of roughly $2 development results in considerable fied phosphorus as the culprit behind million. The field station was erected increases in methyl mercury content toxic blue-green algal bloom formain the late 60s and has developed an in fish populations, which has impli- tions (eutrophication) in lakes. international reputation for its unique cations in commercial and traditional Eutrophication is a result of and imaginative whole-lake ecosys- fisheries systems. The same research excess nutrients in a water body. “[ELA] refuted the idea that you gram until they find a funding source,” tem approach to limnological (the also tracked statistically significant Eutrophication—like what has been needed to control nitrogen,” remarked reported the Winnipeg Free Press. study of lakes) research. increases in greenhouse gas emis- witnessed in Lake Winnipeg’s South Schindler in one of his talks, adding, While this may seem like a boon Save the ELA Coalition director sions produced by the flooded aquatic Basin—results in a less transparent, “This has been one of the strengths of to the Save the ELA crowd, the Diane Orihel has mounted an aggres- vegetation communities. less oxygenated water column, leav- the experiments at the ELA. [Small- important thing to note is that the sive campaign against the proposed Another experiment in the early ing less available oxygen for aquatic scale experiments] don’t give you government has not changed its shutting down of the ELA since this 2000s sought to characterize the species. This, in turn, dramatically enough time to evaluate the slow official position towards funding the past spring, putting her PhD studies impact of synthetic hormones from alters food web dynamics and results processes.”

ELA when presented with letters of on hold in the meantime. birth control pills on aquatic ecosys- in poorer overall water quality.

Schindler noted that after this this kind in the past.

“It is the job of ELA sciperiod in the 60s and 70s, In an interview with the entists to serve Canadians after controlling phos- Manitoban earlier this fall, Diane by producing scientific phorous inputs from sew- Orihel explained that one of the knowledge required by the age and detergent inputs, main gripes of ELA supporters is federal government to proindustrial farming prac- the prospect of it being funded by duce public policy,” stated tices “intensified land use a private source. The worry is that Orihel in September at a and the use of fertilizer [ a private corporation wouldn’t have Save the ELA tribute held . . . ] especially the use of the same obligation to be transparat the Forks. manure.” ent as one funded by taxpayer dollars, “So we transformed an and that this could compromise the ELA research easily controllable prob- integrity of future research done at Schindler’s talks delved lem where we can deal the ELA. into the world-renowned, with point sources [i.e., Also in an interview with the policy-informing freshdetergent production and Manitoban, Schindler claimed he water research that has sewage treatment] to one “would frankly prefer a management been going on at the ELA which is much more diffi- structure that included academia,” since 1967. Over the years, cult to control because the adding “[Department of Fisheries the ELA has made many sources are so-called ‘non- and Oceans] has been a ‘wicked stepimportant discoveries. point’ or diffuse sources.” mother’ as a manager.”

One example of successful It is this relationship “ELA has always been low in their ELA research was based between the agricultural priorities despite producing outon measuring the effect of use of fertilizers and standing science. In contrast, [prior acid rain and the acidifimanure (both high in to Minister of the Environment cation of lake basins. This phosphorus content) that Peter Kent, the Department of the experiment was inspired is linked to the blue-green Environment (DOE)] has always by other research in the algae production on Lake been very supportive, and from perearly 70s that linked lake Winnipeg today, which sonal conversations with their senior acidification in the Sudbury, Ontario tems. Synthetic estrogen is excreted In the 70s, municipal sewage contains microcystin – a toxin that scientists, if they were allowed to area with sulfur emissions from (in the form of urine) by women con- and industrial detergent products can cause bleeding of the liver along speak, DOE would still support nearby metal smelters. suming birth control pills, where it accounted for 50 per cent of all prob- with posing other health risks.

ELA.” Schindler and others began in 1976 then passes through municipal waste- lematic nutrient loading, although “This is coming right from the top and continued on through the 90s, water treatment facilities and contin- detergent companies insisted that it The fate of a publiclevel, where science that gets in the administering sulfuric and nitric acid ues on downstream into water bodies was products like nitrogen and car- ly-funded ELA way of rapid economic development is to select research basins, monitoring at low concentrations. bon that needed to be controlled, not On Nov. 28—the day following considered to be unimportant to the changes in pH and the corresponding Researchers simulated this cycle phosphorus. However, ELA research Schindler and Barlow’s talks—the current government.” health of the biological community. at the ELA by introducing synthetic helped disprove this assertion, and City of Winnipeg’s executive policy Top right: photo courtesy of experimental In the lakes that received various estrogen to aquatic ecosystems. They lead several states and provinces to committee “voted in favour of writing lakes area, fisheries and oceans canada levels of sulfuric acid inputs over the monitored fish, frog, and aquatic pass laws restricting the use of phos- a letter to the federal government not Left: photo by john shearer course of a few decades, the result was invertebrate populations exposed phorus in detergent products. to close the freshwater research pro-

Managing Editor: Chuthan Ponnampalam Contact: me@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

15

Features

the Manitoban Mixtape At first glance the eclectic selection of songs featured in the following pages might seem incoherent together, however, they do in fact have something in common – an interesting story.

We all know of a song that tells a good story, but in this feature the Manitoban wanted to take a look at the stories behind the music, or inspired by it.

Some of the stories recount personal anecdotes or tell of landmark moments in our history, others are reminders of icons passed or provide revelations about human nature.

So give the QR code above a scan and the Manitoban Mixtape a play. We hope you enjoy the tunes and the stories.

Free Man in Paris Joni Mitchell’s song about David Geffen and the music industry Stephanie George, volunteer staff

T

he year was 1974. Joni Mitchell had just written her Geffen had told her. The chorus sums up his feelings: smash hit “Free Man in Paris,” about a trip she took “I was a free man in Paris / I felt unfettered and alive / with the president of her record label, David Geffen. There was nobody calling me up for favors / And no one’s Geffen, as it turns out, was not too pleased. future to decide / You know I’d go back there tomorrow It’s not that Joni and David weren’t friendly. In fact, / But for the work I’ve taken on / Stoking the star maker they shared a house at one point (apparently no romantic machinery / Behind the popular song.” involvement here, but there were certainly rumours).

While recording the album, Mitchell was excited Geffen gave Mitchell her big break when he signed her about how the song was turning out. The excitement to his label, Asylum Records, producing other big stars only grew when guitarist José Feliciano joined the team. such as Bob Dylan and the Eagles. Yes, they were pals, but that doesn’t mean Geffen had to be happy about Joni using his life as song-writing material.

Mitchell comments, “He didn’t like it at the time [ . . . ] He begged me to take it off the record. I think he felt uncomfortable being shown in that light.”

This light she speaks of would be one of vulnerability and unhappiness. The song discusses Geffen’s feelings regarding his work in the music industry. Mitchell says she was inspired to write the song by a lot of things that

I could have done more Spencer Fernando, staff

Note: This review may not make much sense if you haven’t seen Schindler’s List, but if you haven’t go watch it as soon as you can.

“I

Could Have Done More” from the Schindler’s List soundtrack is one of the most heart-wrenching pieces of music I have ever listened to.

Music often rekindles memories in our minds, bringing sentiments and feelings flooding back.

For movie soundtracks, the songs have a very direct link to a moment, since it coincides with what you are seeing on screen. For a movie like Schindler’s List, this brings forth powerful emotions.

The song “I Could Have Done More” plays near the end of Schindler's List, when Oskar Schindler is fleeing

from the advancing allied forces.

Schindler—a member of the Nazi Party in Germany—owned a factory and employed Jewish workers, sparing them from the extermination camps.

Over the course of the war, as he began to realize the true aims of the Nazi Party he once supported, he began to hire more and more workers, not for the purpose of making money, but to spare them from the death camps.

His workers purposely make substandard shells and ammunition to disrupt the Nazi war machine. By the end of the war, he had spent nearly every last dollar of his once large fortune, and in doing so he saved more than 1,100 people.

Feliciano was working with John Lennon at the time in a studio along the same corridor where Mitchell was recording. Things weren’t working, Lennon got drunk, and Feliciano wandered down the hallway, only to hear “Free Man in Paris” escaping from Mitchell’s studio door.

Already an acquaintance of Mitchell’s from some work they did together in Canada, Feliciano simply walked into the room and told Joni that he thought he could add some good electric guitar to the song.

Feliciano explains, “The great guitarist Larry Carlton of the L.A. Express was already on the track, but I knew I could hold my own with him. Joni didn’t try to direct me at all, just let me do what I do, and it turned out really good.”

Court and Spark, the album in which “Free Man in Paris” appears, was released to wonderful reviews and overwhelming popularity. The album influenced many other musicians; Madonna is quoted as saying, “In high school, I worshipped Joni Mitchell and sang everything from Court and Spark, my coming-of-age record.”

After the success of her first single, “Help Me,” Mitchell thought the next single off the album should be the love song, “Car on a Hill.” However, the record label released “Free Man in Paris” instead, a song which Joni never saw as holding single potential. But it was a good thing that the label didn’t listen to Mitchell because the song became her biggest international hit and is ranked #470 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It’s also one of her most covered songs, with everyone from Elton John to Neil Diamond to Sufjan Stevens taking a whack at it!

“I Could Have Done More” plays as he is fleeing Germany as the Allies approach and says goodbye to his workers. He is presented with a final gift, from those who he saved – a ring with the words “Whoever saves one life saves the world entire” written in Hebrew.

This causes Schindler to consider the fact that he was literally trading money for human lives, and he thinks back to all the money he has wasted throughout his life. He looks at his car, realizing the money he could have made from selling the car could have allowed him to hire—and therefore save—10 more people. He takes the pin off of his coat and realizes that since it is gold, he could have saved one or two more people had he sold it.

The combination of Schindler’s realization and the amazing violin solo makes this one of the most powerful moments in film in my opinion, and even without the visual context, “I Could Have Done More” is an incredible piece of music.

Illustrations by Allan lorde and justin ladia

16

Features

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 16 December 5, 2012

Helter Skelter How one Beach Boy housed the Manson family and how the Beatles got lumped in with the whole mess Ryan Harby, staff

I

’m a sucker for an interesting story. Even more, I’m a the pale and by late 1968 the Beach Boy drummer broke much so that he started using song names and lyrics from sucker for a true story. contact with them, insisting they move out of the Sunset the band in his own twisted theology. He even started In the case of the 1969 Charles Manson murders, Boulevard house. The request was met by something using the song “Helter Skelter” in reference to some sort the bizarre events surrounding the horrific ordeal were any sane person would rightly identify as a warning of apocalyptic race war he predicted would boil over in both interesting and true. The reason? Well, one of sign – a gift left to the housekeeper to pass along to the United States. According to some accounts, Manson the most insidious acts of the past century, one that Dennis that, well, wasn’t so much a gift as it was a believed that the entire album secretly confirmed all of captivated fearful news audiences the world over, just threat: a single bullet. his visions and that “Helter Skelter” even held a coded so happened to have ties to two of the most popular This is where the story turns a corner. message that would confirm the proper escape route musical acts on the planet: the Beach Boys and the Wanting nothing to do with the “family,” Wilson the family should take to evade persecution. vacated the scene and the job of informing Manson that Beatles. Weird, right?

The “Helter Skelter” aspect of the Manson family Oh, and here’s a quick disclaimer: I’m going to do my there was going to be no record contract fell to music caught much media attention during the murder trials best to skim over some of the more unsettling aspects of producer Terry Melcher who, in all fairness, was equally and because of this, many people still associate the music this story in favour of the uncanny and the coincidental weirded out by this point. of the Beatles with the terrible acts of 1969. Audiences elements. If you want the full, gruesome account of Months passed and all parties seemed to go their around the world were fearful of the horrifying news separate ways. The next year the dreadful events of the reports and wanted to know why someone would comevents then acquaint yourself with the Internet.

Anyway, our story begins with the Wilson family. By Manson family murders would dominate headlines. mit these crimes. the late 60s, the Beach Boys were well into their tran- The so-called family committed several murders over “We used to have a laugh about this, that, or the other, sitional period, moving from surf rock to psychedelic the span of two weeks. One aspect that seemed minor in a light-hearted way, and [ . . . ] some symbolic youth music all at the creative whims of one Brian Wilson. at the time, however, was that one of the major crime generation wants to see something in it. We also took Brian was one of the three Wilson brothers who made scenes associated with the Manson family was the for- seriously some parts of the role, but I don’t know what up the original Beach Boys lineup, along with guitarist mer home of one Terry Melcher, who had moved out “Helter Skelter” has to do with knifing someone,” said of the house with his girlfriend Candice Bergen soon John Lennon in a 1970 Rolling Stone interview.

Carl Wilson and drummer Dennis Wilson.

In 1968, Dennis Wilson found himself driving after cutting ties with the family at the advice of Beach Oddly enough, it wasn’t until the years to come around in Malibu when two female hitchhikers caught Boys drummer Dennis Wilson. that people began to realize; even though, historically, But what about the Beatles? Well, this one tends to these crimes had been connected so closely in memory his attention. As Dennis was wont to do, he took the two hitchhikers to his home. As you may or may not be a bit better documented. to one of Britain’s most famous musical exports, it was In the late sixties, after hearing a copy of the White America’s favourite surf group who in reality came that have surmised, this turned out to be an overall poor decision. Soon enough, Wilson would learn that the two Album, Manson became obsessed with the Beatles. So close to the face of evil. he had picked up had also brought with them a short, wild-eyed man to the Beach Boy’s house. The whole thing shared an almost unbelievable resemblance to those side-of-the-road robberies you see in old Western movies, where the damsel in distress flags down a stray vehicle while the more unsavoury members of the damsel’s party emerge from behind a rock. In this case, the man emerging behind the proverbial rock was Charles Manson – at the time just a weird looking charismatic individual.

Clearly not a fan of rational decision-making, Wilson decided to house Manson and his entourage (somewhere between 12-24 “family members”) as guests at his Sunset Boulevard dwelling for nearly a year.

Now, apparently Manson thought himself something of a talented songwriter at the time. Wilson was even convinced to help record some of Manson’s songs, going so far as to bring them to the attention of several Hollywood insiders and, inconceivably, speaking offhand about the prospect of getting Manson signed to the Beach Boys’ recording label, Brother Records.

As you might imagine, in time, things began to get weird at the Dennis Wilson household. Manson’s “family” had started to take over the place and, if you believe the reports, Wilson was paying thousands upon thousands of dollars for damages caused by his houseguests, including payment for the destruction of his uninsured car and a hefty medical bill for the treatment of a household gonorrhea outbreak.

Even for Wilson, the group’s behaviour was beyond

Managing Editor: Chuthan Ponnampalam Contact: me@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

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Feliz Navidad Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Boney M. returns for Christmas Michael Elves

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ake a quick moment to look at the last name in the “Feliz Navidad” was the Christmas soundtrack for a byline. Now, when I tell you that I have a compli- great portion of my youth, and then one year… silence. cated relationship with Christmas, it should be fairly While taking the decorations and tree out of storage, obvious what I’m talking about. my mother discovered that her copy of Christmas Album As someone who wanted to blend into the crowd as was missing. Having voiced my distaste for the album a kid and just keep my head down, having a name like frequently over the years, she cast a suspicious gaze my Elves during the holidays was just an invitation to be way and blamed me for the disappearance. She would subjected to “jokes” from the type of kids who didn’t continue to blame me for nearly two decades and the really need much excuse to engage in such behaviour. mention of wanting to play “Feliz Navidad” but being The name was like putting up a ridic-yule wreath on the unable to became as much of a Christmas tradition as front of my house or the un-ironic wearing of a reindeer drinking eggnog and eating Turtles in our house. sweater in junior high.

As much as I benefited from not having to listen to One of my most vivid memories is of a restaurant Boney M. at Christmas time, as god is my witness, I full of people at Disney World laughing when they had no hand in the disappearance of the album and conannounced over the intercom that the Elves reservation tinued to plead innocence each year the accusation was was ready on the Christmas Eve I was ten – my face put up along with the tree and tinsel. Then—about four was as red as Mickey Mouse’s pants. I still intrinsically or five years ago—while rifling through used vinyl at a Goodwill store, I found Marcia Barrett, Liz Mitchell, associate Christmas with embarrassment.

BUT, there’s a part of me that LOVES Christmas; Maizie Williams, and Bobby Farrell (the group’s West checking out the over-the-top light displays in the neigh- Indian vocalists) staring back at me. The Christmas did believe I had no hand in the disappearance – if I bourhood, sampling the seasonal craft beers available at Album had returned. had deliberately removed “Feliz Navidad” from my life the LC, seeing folks who are home for the holidays, and It may have been summertime when I found the those many years ago, why would I then go through the record, but I instantly knew I’d found my mom’s trouble of bringing it in out of the cold and guaranteefinding the perfect gifts for friends and family.

Which brings me to my selection for this playlist: Christmas present for the year. With access to a USB ing that I’d be hearing it each Christmas once again?

Boney M.’s “classic” chestnut, “Feliz Navidad.” turntable, I was able to rip MP3s from the vinyl and As much as I can’t stand that song, selfless giving is My mom loves this song (and the album it comes burn a CD-R of the album so that while she’d have a the true spirit of the season, so I’ll suck it up yet again from, 1981’s aptly titled Christmas Album) with a fervor replacement for the missing LP, she’d also be able to play this December as my mom hits “PLAY” and then “<<” that rivals my distaste for it. Listening to the Euro-disco the album on the stereo that had replaced the turntable over and over. arpeggios and drum-machines that start the song, my on which she used to listen to the Christmas Album.

For those of you who celebrate it, to quote the song: hackles are instantly raised – the fake pan-flute sound The look of surprise on my mom’s face that Christmas “I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas.” of the synth brings to mind Zamfir, and I am not, nor when she opened her present and the smile on her face have I ever been, a fan of Zamfir. as those opening notes played suggested she finally

but the possibilities of suicide and murder have been suspected.

Fifty years later she is still idolized throughout popular culture and remains an elusive symbol of sexuality and promise in the world. An animated spirit that everyone still attempts to duplicate, Monroe still appears on numerous posters and various pop culture memorabilia.

She enjoyed posing for the camera and “hamming it up,” always winking and pouting her lips.

Actresses in Hollywood continue to mimic her look and remake her image; Michelle Williams most recently lton John first released this song in 1973 and dedi- portrayed her in the 2011 film My Week with Marilyn. cated it to the late Marilyn Monroe, who had passed “Candle in the Wind” was echoed more than once, away in 1962. He cowrote the classic tune with Bernie becoming a tribute to others who had suffered in the Taupin as a tribute to her and her memory though he spotlight and in life. never knew her, since he would have been only 15 years At a concert in 1990, Elton John sang the song for old when she died. a young man who was dying of AIDS named Ryan The song examines Monroe as a human being, and White. White passed away the next day. He contracted not simply the iconic image that popular culture makes AIDS from a faulty blood transfusion a few years earlier, her out to be. It also looks at how society objectifies its but because of the negative connotations surrounding stars and turns them into money and fame machines AIDS at the time, not everyone supported him through at the price of their souls. Monroe’s time in Hollywood his ordeal. and the world was brief but she has made one of the The song resonated again in 1997 for another late most lasting impressions. icon: Princess Diana. The lyrics were greatly changed Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson to cater to the Princess of Wales, who died in a car crash and rose to fame in films and musicals such as Gentlemen presumed to be caused by paparazzi. There are also many Prefer Blondes and The Seven Year Itch. She is also famous conspiracy theories related to her death. Princess Diana for her well-known rendition of “Diamonds are a Girl’s was mother to Prince William and Prince Harry, and Best Friend.” Monroe’s onscreen presence is complete was married to Prince Charles but divorced him a year with a breathy voice, bleach blonde hair, and an hour- before her death. Elton John performed the reworked glass figure. song at Princess Diana’s funeral.

The former Mortenson married and divorced several What makes this song so memorable is that although men, and was even rumoured to have had an affair it has been written twice for two icons of the twenwith President John F. Kennedy. Her death reeks of tieth century who died both prematurely and in the conspiracy theories to this day because it was never spotlight, it can be applied to anyone who has suffered fully investigated. Monroe died of a drug overdose, and is searching for something to “cling to when the rain set in.”

Candle in the Wind

A song for two 20th century icons tragically lost Carlyn Schellenberg, staff

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Illustrations by Allan lorde and justin ladia

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VOL. 99 ½ NO. 16 December 5, 2012

The heart vs. the mind Jenna Diubaldo, staff

“B

reak It” by Reigning Sound is a song that I love.

It’s a song that I love because it is one of those songs that I listen to and find myself wishing that I had written it myself.

I wish that I had written this song not only because of the clever chord progression, or the interesting phrasing of the vocal line, but specifically because of the concept behind the lyrics in this song.

“Break It” is written from the point of view of a man whose heart has been badly broken by a woman who did not treat him well. This man realizes that this woman did him wrong, and knows that she has moved on to be with someone else. This man’s heart, however, does not share these feelings. His heart does not realize that this love has gone away. His heart still believes that this woman is the love of his life and that they should be together.

Written by Reigning Sound singer/guitarist Greg Cartwright—leading member of the Oblivians, producer of the Detroit Cobras, and general rock and roll god—this song examines the sometimes complete disconnect between heart and mind, and how they can often work against each other.

As humans we like to believe that we can control our emotions, that we can dictate who we like and who we love, what we feel and when we feel it, but the truth is that far too often we are powerless against our hearts.

Today released an article in 2006 examining the relationship between the heart and the mind with Dr. Rollin McCraty of the Institute of HeartMath, a nonprofit body dedicated to research and education around reducing stress. This article suggests that the two have an intricate link to one another, but contrary to popular belief, the heart may be the one in control.

Today reads: “The heart is in a constant two-way dialogue with the brain – our emotions change the signals the brain sends to the heart and the heart responds in

complex ways. However, we now know that the heart sends more information to the brain than the brain sends to the heart.”

“As we experience feelings like anger, frustration, anxiety, and insecurity, our heart rhythm patterns become more erratic. These erratic patterns are sent to the emotional centers in the brain, which it recognizes as negative or stressful feelings. These signals create the actual feelings we experience in the heart area and the body. The erratic heart rhythms also block our ability to think clearly.”

Cartwright’s lyrics go on to further explain the dialogue between this man’s heart and his mind – his mind unable to convince his heart to let this person go and relieve him of the pain he is feeling.

“Do it a favor and help me to remind, and break it for me one more time,” sings Cartwright, begging for the woman to return just so that she can break his heart a second time and show his heart that their love is through.

The beauty of this song is that we’ve all been there – we can all relate to the feeling of having no control over our emotions. Feeling helpless when we find ourselves heartbroken and making irrational decisions with our hearts rather than our minds, like calling your ex in the middle of the night when you’ve been drinking, or confessing your love to someone with whom you really want to be with.

It’s possible though that if we did rely on only our minds when making decisions that have to do with love then we might not take risks because our thinking might be too rational and being vulnerable might seem too scary. It’s possible that sometimes we need to think with our hearts instead of our minds to take that leap of faith whether we end up with a broken heart or not, because sometimes taking that risk can pay off big time.

Sometimes that risk can lead to love, and that’s a risk I’m willing to take.

Here comes the story of the Hurricane Bob Dylan tells the story of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter Derek Gagnon, Staff

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he song “Hurricane,” written by Bob Dylan and The movie portrays Carter’s title fight against Joey Jacques Levy, is a narrative of a triple homicide that Giardello as being dominated by Carter and it was occurred in 1966, and the resulting false trial that led to because of white racist judges that he was seemingly middleweight boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter's wrong- robbed of the middleweight titles. In reality, while ful imprisonment of 19 years. Carter was found guilty Carter did put up a good fight, he was no match for on two separate occasions before a successful appeal in Giardello who rightfully won, retaining his title. In a 1985 freed him from a New Jersey prison.

Feb. 5, 2000 interview with C-Span, Carter said, “Joey Dylan decided to write the song after visiting Carter clearly outboxed me [ . . . ] and therefore I did not win at Rahway State Prison in 1975, and the song was released the title.” in November of that year. Dylan would pull no punches The film also creates an angry cop character that when talking about the man who once fought for the torments Carter throughout his life as part of a racist WBC middleweight title and the WBA World middle- vendetta. No such man existed. The film paints Carter’s weight title, pointing fingers and naming names as he prior convictions as racist efforts by the fictitious vildescribed the racist and unjust treatment that Carter lainous cop, and also ignores his dismissal from the received that would lead to his incarceration.

Army after 21 months in which he was court-martialed From his 1975 album Desire, Dylan's unique voice four times. belts out the chorus: While his portrayal in the film—which netted “Here comes the story of the Hurricane / The man Denzel Washington an Academy Award nomination the authorities came to blame / For something that he for Best Actor—is far rosier than reality, it has to be never done / Put him in a prison cell but one time he noted that Carter would face many undue hardships could-a been / The champion of the world.” throughout his life that would make his prior convicThe song was Dylan’s fourth most successful single tions look just as suspicious as the ones he received in of the 70s, one of folk-singer’s lengthy protest pieces of the homicide case. the time, clocking in at 8:33.

In 2010, Carter visited the University of Manitoba The story of Rubin Carter was also made into a major on Jan. 29 to tell his story and talk about confronting motion picture called The Hurricane. The film carries personal powerlessness, something that greatly affected the “based on a true story” claim and, while much of him during his prison sentence. what is portrayed is factual, there are many aspects that stray from reality.

Managing Editor: Chuthan Ponnampalam Contact: me@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

This is not a teenage wasteland The real title and meaning of the classic song by the Who Rachel Wood, staff

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s a young kid I was on the fast track to a life filled with a soundtrack of Hot 103 and QX 104 autotuned, Making the Band-esque music. While I still enjoy the occasional Rihanna guilty pleasure (and the occasional blasting of “Liquid Dreams”), I consider myself a little more sophisticated in my musical tastes today.

While some label me as a pretentious hipster for my musical appreciations, I like to consider myself merely, well, correct in my music tastes. Because, let’s face it, I knew about these bands before you, and now they are just too mainstream.

I attribute my swing in musical direction to my father and one important song: “Baba O’Riley” by the Who. This song became a classic to blast while driving with my father with the sunroof down as a young kid. It became the open window to an oasis of artists such as Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, the Band, and Mark Knopfler. These bands opened my eyes to all different types of music ranging from folk to the blues to bluegrass to classic rock.

While many may know this song—incorrectly referred to—as “Teenage Wasteland,” (these may also be those who only know the song from the CSI: New York opening) the correct title, “Baba O’Riley,” illustrates the complex and fascinating story behind a song that is quite often misunderstood.

Pete Townshend of the Who composed the song to

be included in a never-completed rock opera, entitled Lifehouse. The rock opera was intended to be about a man who builds the Lifehouse, a building that enables individuals to escape what the world has become. In this production, the perceived reality of life is actually merely an illusion under a tyrannical government, never in touch with nature or actual reality. The Lifehouse brings individuals back to the raw, natural basics of living.

The song depicts a couple, Ray and Sally, who are living on a farm­­—evident in the lyrics, “out here in the fields, I fight for my meals, I get my back into my living”—when their daughter leaves their dwelling in search of a simplier, “real” life in the Lifehouse.

Ray and Sally then decide to make the pilgrimage to find their daughter at this mysterious Lifehouse.

This is not the only alleged story behing the complex song. There are also claims that the story behind the song is set in a wasted and polluted version of England.

Ray and Sally are said to be farmers in Scotland who, again, are in search of their daughter who has gone to attend an intense and mind-altering concert event called the Lifehouse.

Knowing this, it may seem that the name of the song still doesn’t fit into the story behing the song. The title is a combination of Meher Baba, an Indian spiritual guru that Townshend admired and followed, and Terry Riley, a minimalist composer who influenced the composition of this song.

Meher Baba proved to be an integral component and

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inspiration for “Baba O’Riley.” His teachings have been known to focus on the concept of reality and illusion.

While it never made it to the stage, The Lifehouse Chronicles were eventually released in 2000, a box set that features songs compiled onto six discs, all of which were intended to be included in the rock opera.

“Baba O’Riley” has become an anthem for many throughout the ages, including myself. While all who listen may not know the real meaning, it still seems to impact many who love the song.

The iconic phrase “teenage wasteland” has often allowed me to lament the state of society, and the state of my life at times. The first few seconds of “Baba O’Riley” immediately raise my spirits and, by the time that drums emerge at 47 seconds into the song, I am brought back to days driving with my father, getting my first real taste of rock music.

Tis the season “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby Grace Romund, staff

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suppose for most Winnipeggers to have snow on Christmas day is not all that uncommon. In fact, it would probably be unnatural to not have had snowfall yet in the season, but growing up in southern B.C. I really came to appreciate the magic and mystery of the possibility of a white Christmas because the best we usually got was rain.

American composer Irving Berlin is possibly best known for his composition “White Christmas,” immortalizing this mystical possibility that some of us can only dream of. The classic Christmas ballad “White Christmas” was originally written for the 1942 film Holiday Inn, in which entertainer Jim Hardy (played by Bing Crosby) decides to open an inn that is only open during each of the American holidays. Therefore, the song “White Christmas” only features in one small part of this movie. From the public comments Crosby made about the song at the time, it was evident that he did not think it was a song of any consequence.

There are some who speculate that because the song

was popularized by Holiday Inn during World War II, and people were clinging to Christmas’ “just like the ones they used to know,” the song’s hopeful message: “May your days be merry and bright,” only became so well-known because of the time in history, and would not have otherwise.

However, 12 years after Holiday Inn, this song was still dear to the hearts of many because the hit musical White Christmas, which featured the theme of “White Christmas” throughout, was the highest-grossing movie of 1954. And though I was a child of the 1990s and not the 1950s, I grew up watching my VHS tape of White Christmas, and not just at Christmas. I loved that movie year-round.

I don’t know what it is about nostalgia and those things that remind us of older times and other places (even if they aren’t necessarily our memories) that leave us with such a warm pleasant feeling, but I know that “White Christmas” is that thing for me.

Last year, right after exams were finished in the fall semester I was booked to get all my wisdom teeth out.

Needless to say it was not the most enjoyable experience and for the days leading up to Christmas I was lying like a limp sleepy vegetable, unable to eat anything but applesauce in my parents’ basement. I watched Christmas movies and ate applesauce for days, and the one movie that just made the whole wretched wisdom teeth removal process bearable was White Christmas.

Even with a wad of gauze in my face I still couldn’t help trying to sing along.

Despite the magic and wonder of the song, though, I still didn’t get a white Christmas last year, so I moved to Winnipeg to increase my chances.

Illustrations by Allan lorde and justin ladia

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

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Laden with mystery

Boats to release a new cassette tape – and an adventure Jenna Diubaldo, staff

Marblemouth consists of two songs that did not make it onto the band’s forthcoming release, a Cannon Bros. cover, and an additional secret hidden something that is “laden with mystery.”

Read on to see what the band’s guitarist and lead singer Mat Klachefsky had to say about the mysteries and adventures that will be unfurled with the release of this cassette tape.

The Manitoban: Marblemouth is your third release overall – what lead to the decision to put out a cassette rather than just an EP or a 7-inch?

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un, danceable music: this is precisely what Boats delivers without fail anytime they release a collection of music.

This local indie pop five-piece will be releasing a cassette tape entitled Marblemouth on Dec. 8 as a precursor for their newest full-length release A Fairway Full of Miners, due out Feb. 5 courtesy of the label Kill Rock Stars.

Mat Klachefsky: I’m not a huge vinyl fan. I know that a lot of people swear by it, but I’m a realist ­– I’m just going to get the download code and throw it on my iPod. So I just felt it didn’t really matter what the medium was, and doing a tape is about one tenth of the cost of doing a 7-inch. One really only needs the download codes, we could have released a postage stamp or a spatula.

M: The Facebook event description for the tape release indicates that this cassette will be full of mysteries – can you elaborate on this at all?

MK: I want people to discover the mystery for themselves. I’ll admit that three songs is not a lot of content for someone to spend money on, so we went and included this other thing as well. It’s an adventure and a tape. And if no one does it properly or figures it out, that’s fine. I’m just glad it exists.

M: Your third full-length album, A Fairway Full of Miners, is due out in February, 2013. Is this cassette in anyway a prelude to this coming album?

MK: These are three recordings that didn’t make the record. Not because they were sub-par, we just thought the Marblemouth songs worked really well together and should remain their own entity. Then we were jamming out this silly Cannon Bros cover at practice and recorded that with some

left over studio time [ . . . ] and it turned out great so we decided to go all the way with it.

M: Boats has been around for about six or seven years now – how do you feel your band and sound has matured over the years?

MK: I think we have ditched the kiddy-time exuberance of the older songs. I don’t think there are any “ba ba ba” parts on this record. No more optimism.

M: Describe Lo Pub and Jack Jonasson’s role in presenting your tape release show.

MK: Jack has been a big supporter of ours for years. Lo Pub was our home and I think we have all been pretty bored since it disappeared so the decision was to do a Lo Pub show the way we have always done it, just in a different room.

M: What can fans expect from this show/party?

MK: We have a new drummer, Ian Ellis. We got some old friends playing [with us] in Ultra Mega and Boats alumni, Oldfolks Home. We will be playing a lot of new songs and all of

One really only needs the download codes, we could have released a postage stamp or a spatula. the songs on the tape, and some old ones. It will be exciting playing at the Windsor, we have never played there before and I’m excited about the possibilities for the room. Also I get to do a guitar solo.

Boats will be releasing Marblemouth at the Windsor Hotel on Dec. 8 with Ultra Mega and Oldfolks Home.

Chutney Mayhem

Local artists and musicians fundraising for children of sex workers in India

Jodie Layne, staff

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n Saturday, Dec. 8, some local artists will perform a trick of philanthropic magic and turn art and music into food, clothes, medicine, and education.

Chutney Mayhem is an event held in support of the Jagruthi Orphanage in Bangalore, India – an orphanage for the children of sex workers.

Having gone strong for several years, the initiative is spearheaded by Kevin Kelly, who visited the orphanage on a trip to India years ago.

Taking place at Gio’s, starting at 8 p.m., the evening will not only feature performances, but also an art auction with art from local artists.

The Jagruthi Orphanage started in 1996 and, amongst other programming, houses children who have been

victim to sexual exploitation themselves or whose parents have succumbed to HIV. Some of the children living at the centre have contracted HIV and the centre provides specialized care so that they may lead as healthy a life as possible.

Jagruthi also provides proper counseling and psychological care to children who have been through so much in their short lives. The centre is not only a safe place for the children, but also provides schooling and life skills training. Jagruthi also aims to raise awareness of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, providing a daycare for sex workers to leave their children in safely while they work, and providing a drop-in support centre.

“All the art is donated, the performers are not paid, only the venue is paid,

so a lot of capitol can be generated— cess of the evening. The funds raised especially by the art auction—and it deeply impacts the orphanage and goes to directly aid these children,” the kids in its care. says organizer Dean Robinson.

“All of the proceeds go to the Robinson decided to get involved orphanage. There is no middle man, after attending the event a few years there is no other organization, just ago.

Kevin and [the orphanage],” says “I had been to CM about four years Robinson. “[Any money] that we ago and loved the freedom of it all: can provide is of great use, and with the food was amazing, the perfor- the amount of money we can spend mances were something I had never on partying we can generate a lot of seen before. It was a fantastic night,” good.” says Robinson.

You can use your party funds next Attendees this year can expect week to fight for the rights of the more of the same with an incred- orphans of Indian sex workers. ible roster of entertainers and artists Those looking to get involved in the donating their time and talent. event can contact Dean or Kevin at The event will require 20 volun- dean.c.robi@gmail.com or kevinkelly1@ teers, though performers and artists mac.com. are also urged to donate to the suc-

The Assignment

U of M film students raising funds to attend festivals Jenna Diubaldo, staff

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Assignment is a film that was Eyer, one of the film’s creators. “At a created by the 2011/12 University certain point though, it was decided of Manitoba Film Production Class, to push our ambitions higher than which originally started out as an aca- that and really go for something demic exercise, but eventually turned beyond just a learning process.” into a much larger project.

The film is set at a fictional school “The film was created [ . . . ] at first named Trinity High School. A secret as an exercise in getting to know how society within the student body, the a film is made; that is, all the various Vigils, is enlisted by one of the teachprocesses that go into it,” says Andrew ers to convince their fellow pupils to he

sell overpriced chocolates as a fund- different sources of inspiration, so raiser. One student, Jerry, the new the film became a large melting pot guy at the school, refuses to sell the of various tastes,” stated Eyer. chocolates and, while attempting to The students who created, filmed, change his mind, one of the Vigils, directed, and edited the movie—such Obie, falls in love with him. As this as Eyer— have aspirations of entering secret romance progresses, Obie is the film into various film festivals. forced to reevaluate her allegiance They are currently selling the film to the Vigils. online in order to raise funds.

“I think everyone had their own “We have an Indiegogo.com

account where people can go and donate money to help us get the film into festivals,” said Eyer. “Our target goal is $2,000. Help us get the good name of the [U of M] out there!”

The film will be screened at the Elizabeth Dafoe Library Theatre from Dec. 10 – 14 at 12:30 p.m..

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 16 December 5, 2012

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Decolonizing our diets How a European diet has resulted in health problems for Indigenous peoples Jodie Layne, staff

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laudia Serrato had a wakeup call when her uncle was hospitalized as a result of a heart attack.

When she began filling out medical forms asking for diseases that ran in the family history, she began checking the boxes off.

Looking around her community, she realized most people could name someone with high cholesterol, diabetes, or who has had a heart attack. The life expectancy of the people in her community had dropped to 55 from 65 in only 20 years.

“It’s nutricide – genocide by food.

The food is literally killing us,” says Serrato.

This realization was something that she could not ignore, something she had to share. The idea for Decolonial Food For Thought started one night at—where else?—a kitchen table with chef Chris Rodriguez.

“Not only has our land been colonized [Aztlan or the U.S. southwest], but so have our bodies [Aztlan],” says Serrato. “How? Through the imposition of a heavily meat, dairy, and processed food diet coupled with a capitalist patriarchal food/agricultural production paradigm.”

Serrato, who is working on her PhD in Medical Anthropology, began organizing with Rodriguez under the project Decolonial Food for Thought, which promoted community education. Her journey to a return to traditional eating practices all started by doing something she said she did not want to do – tracing back the European food ways.

“Decolonization is any lived experience which does not legitimize colonization. It is a continuation of years of Indigenous resiliency.

Decolonization is a colonial way of understanding that resiliency,” says Serrato.

So what did that painful and uncomfortable quest for the origin of a diet that was killing her community yield? Her ancestors ate a plant-based diet. This finding cre-

ated some resistance between her and her community when she first presented it.

“People equate veganism with being white, or as a white way of eating. But, I believe in Indigenous veganism,” says Serrato.

Serrato found that when the invasion of North America by the Spanish began, they brought their ways of eating with them; including

“It’s nutricide – genocide by food.

The food is literally killing us.” eating a meat-heavy diet. This lead to the import of cattle and chickens for mass consumption and the introduction of regular meat-eating into the diet of the Indigenous people.

Since their ancestors have been eating a meat-filled diet for so long, many Mezo-Americans believe that it is the way they are designed to eat, when it is actually making them sick. Much of the meat products they first consumed after initial introduction of Spaniards was food waste – like posole made with pig’s feet.

“What we call tamales now would have never been made with pork or pork fat. It would have been made with the minerals from the lakes and stuffed with avocadoes, tomatoes, or fruits. You won’t see that in urban cities anymore.”

To Serrato, decolonizing the diet is about removing items from the diet that would not traditionally be there and rejecting the food pyramid.

“It says you need to have milk, you need to have cheese – all these processed foods. It’s all part of a

political project. Removing these things allows for a remembering or a return of an Indigenous food way,” says Serrato.

So what does a decolonized diet look like? "Local, Ecological, Sustainable, Organic, Native, and Seasonal" or LESONS is the acronym and theory that best embodies the philosophy. This leads to a diet that looks much different geographically, but starts with a plantbased diet and eating food that is traditionally grown in the area.

In Manitoba, this would involve lots of wild rice, berries, seasonal vegetables like squash and potatoes, and the occasional animal flesh like fish in the summer or venison in the winter. Community is also crucial to the process and discussions around decolonizing diet; relational accountability and support can make all the difference.

Rodriguez says that telling people not to cook with meat puts them at the same level of arrogance as the colonizers.

“The idea is to help our communities [to] remember that eating plant-based—80 to 90 per cent plants, grains, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds and veggies—is Native and a step towards decolonizing our diets,” says Rodriquez.

“We must share the role of the kitchen space,” says Rodriguez.

“Teach ourselves, each other, our children especially. Our children, the future generations, need us to cook in the home using the LESONS. Let’s start from the home, with our children, the youth.”

Most of all, they say, it’s important to remember that this way of eating is natural, and for the many diseases that are epidemic to Indigenous people all over the world, food also has to be the answer for a healthier life.

“Our bodies are craving nutrition and that has been lost down the genetic line. But our bodies remember,” says Serrato.

Cracking open the toybox: wand vibrators Jodie Layne, staff

I

hope I have managed to imprint you can save a vibe pattern that you the idea on you that masturbation like and use it again later – oh, and and orgasms are important and that it’s totally waterproof! Being able sex toys are nothing to be ashamed to score some solo shower sexytime of – and I hope I have given you can be great for those of you living some of the tools to explore your with a roommate or at home. It’s own sexuality and feel empowered soft and curves just right, makto experiment with new things. ing it welcoming and pleasurable.

The Manitoban takes a break in Its easily varied speeds make it December during some of the most fun to hand over the controls to stressful weeks of the year; holidays a partner. and exams are waiting to keep you As well, for any Kegel enthuup all night and take all your money. siasts, insert the pillowy end and Well, dear readers, I have been test- the harder you clench the more ing different sex toys for such a time you are rewarded with strong vibes. as this. Even if you’re up late study- The Minna Ola is the embodiing bio instead of the body of a lover, ment of a playful attitude towards here are some things you can steal masturbation. away a few minutes with and bring For the music lover: ohmibod that stress level back down. Besides, Freestyle W Vibe ($150 from www. it’s the holidays and toys shouldn’t comeasyouare.com) just be under the tree.

Ohmibod is primarily notable For beginners: Durex Allure because they make toys that vibrate Personal Massager ($22.99 from to music. When I actually got to try www.well.ca or drugstores) it out, I was in awe.

Yes, that Durex. I was skeptical, This wand is big on thickness too, but this wand vibrator is the and shape; it is much thicker than kind of toy I wish I had bought my most vibes on the market and has first time. Its shape is perfect for two little knobs strategically placed providing internal stimulation with to deliver the maximum vibrational a big enough surface at the end to pleasure. There is also a vibrating provide more than adequate exter- nub for external stimulation. nal stimulation as well.

The set also comes with a headYou control the power by turn- phone jack that can connect to your ing a knob at the end, and instead music-playing device and allows of having different power settings you to plug in your own headphones it is just “more” or “less,” letting you so you can hear what you are vibing get that exact right buzz. The end to. I was skeptical about how sensiis also flared enough that it makes tive the toy would be to the bass it perfect for those desiring anal in the music, but it delivers even stimulation without penetration. the tiniest vibe for the tiniest bass Just make sure you clean any toys thump. I tested it out with Frank that have been used anally before Ocean’s Channel Orange and it is using them vaginally! like the two were made for each The coolest toy ever: Minna other.

Ola ($165.00 available from www.

The toy can also be controlled comeasyouare.com) by an app (downloadable for $0.99), The Minna Ola is one of those which is a great way to incorpotoys so fun to use because it encour- rate this toy into partnered play. ages a little self-love. The toy is a For someone with a huge music flared wad with a pillowy tip. The collection, the possibilities and intensity with which you squeeze pleasures are endless – although it the tip controls how strong the toy does come with seven preset vibe vibrates; the stronger the squeeze, modes for days when your iPhone the stronger the buzz. needs a break.

As if that wasn’t cool enough,

22

Arts & Culture

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 16 December 5, 2012

Craft sale guide 2012 Kara Passey, staff

T

his time of year always leaves me and you get to contribute to the local unique and good for both the enviwith a bitter taste in my mouth; businesses. ronment and economy will make it’s cold, expensive, and wasteful…

“There are so many good reasons to you feel extra warm and fuzzy this the only good part about it is that it’s buy handmade and local—building season. socially acceptable to hide in a bath- and supporting a sustainable economy, tub for hours with a glass of whiskey. strengthening community and best of The Edge Holiday Sale But alas, I don’t want to go all grinchy all you help keep talented, creative Friday, Dec. 7, from noon until on you, I just want to point out that Winnipeggers in Winnipeg—but the 10 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 8, from if you hate wasting money on com- main reason I buy handmade is the noon until 6 p.m. mercial garbage and going to shop- incredible feeling I get from own611 Main Street ping malls as much as I do, there is ing, wearing, and using something Pottery, glass, jewelry, wood carvanother way! made by human hands,” says Melanie ings and more by local artists includWinnipeg has a thriving crafting Wesley, a local craftsperson who will ing Jes Coverini, Natasha Haylada, and handmade community. With be selling her wares at the FA LA LA Dan Waldman, Jolanta Solkalska, stores like Sew Dandee in Osborne sale on Dec. 9.

Elise Nadeau, Wanda June, Rachael Village and Tara Davis Studio bouSo go out and support your local Kroeker, RED Road Lodge and tique in the Exchange District, it’s artisans and check out Winnipeg’s others! not hard to find some awesome handmade stores and seasonal craft locally made wares. Shopping locally sales, of which I will compile a list of 9th Annual Holidaze means you get better customer ser- for you now. I promise that buying Craft Show vice, reduced environmental impact, a loved one something handmade, Friday, Dec. 7, from noon until 9

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Meet and Greet January 9, 2012 1-7 pm – MPR @UC To learn more about this opportunity and how to apply visit: umanitoba.ca/experienceresearch

Why not experience research with a professor at your own university?

Apply for an Undergraduate Research Award and be mentored by one of our trailblazers, innovators or visionaries for 16 weeks, and gain valuable experience in your field of interest.

Deadline for applications is February 15, 2013.

p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

75 Albert Street Precious metal jewelry, fine porcelain, great clothes, recycled materials, and natural body care products all made by Winnipeg’s premiere designers and artisans.

FA LA LA Sunday, Dec. 9, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

827 Brock Street The third annual sale featuring Jodi Hildebrand, Dawn Chaput, Melanie Wesley, Marathon 1981, and Snootsie & Krista Hoeberg.

12 Days of Craftmas Friday, Dec. 7 until Dec. 18 during regular store hours

Tara Davis Studio Boutique, 246 McDermot Avenue Twelve days worth of programming that takes place within the boutique, including sales, promotions, workshops, and demos.

Winnipeg Etsy Street Team Saturday, Dec. 22, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Frame Arts Warehouse, 318 Ross Avenue W.E.S.T. is a collaboration of local Winnipeg artists with a common love for things handmade and real. This sale is your last chance to get your hands on local handmade goods before the holiday.

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

Arts & Culture

23

Holiday music guide 2012 Jenna Diubaldo, staff

concert’s progression.

This indie pop quartet manages to create the most unique and weird Christmas show each year with stage antics that include horn sections, robots, operatic Santas, and baby hippopotamuses just to name a few.

F

or all the other music nerds So grab a snifter of spiked eggnog, who share my mourning of the throw on a Bing Crosby record, cud“What’s Up” section in Uptown, I have dle up on your bearskin rug in front of put together a holiday music guide to your fireplace, and read all about this highlight some of the most looked- year’s holiday musical offerings. forward-to and promising shows that will take place throughout the month The Last Quinzmas of December.

Featuring House of Doc No, you will not find any orchestra Burton Cummings Theatre or choir performances on this list, for Friday, Dec. 21 – 8 p.m. this is not your grandmother’s holiOver the past nine years Quinzy’s day music guide. Well, unless your Christmas show has become a beloved grandmother is super cool and likes annual Winnipeg tradition for many, indie bands and rock and roll. and it definitely shows through the

dition, singer/songwriter JP Hoe has extended his annual Christmas music extravaganza to three exciting sleigh-bell-filled nights. The lineup promises special guests, but you’ll have to attend to find out who will show up!

Be:Cause Industries is a huge supporter of many local charities and non-profit groups such as Kids Help Phone, Skate4Cancer, and many more. Come show your support for Winnipeg Harvest by attending this food drive and checking out some great local bands. Cover is $10 at the door or $8 if you bring a nonperishable can o’ grub for Winnipeg Harvest.

Holiday Mixer Transistor 66 Hosted by DJ Co-op and DJ Christmas Party Hunnicutt Featuring Ultra Mega, Brilliant The Pyramid Cabaret Bastards, the Thrashers, Microdot Saturday, Dec. 22 – 10 p.m.

The Park Theatre GiveYourGifts concert Everyone’s favourite vinyl spinDec. 19 – 8 p.m. to benefit United Way ning duo has been hosting this city’s Everyone’s favourite Winnipeg- presented by MTS most sought after holiday dance par- based rock and roll record label will James Struthers, Dane Bjornson, ties for over 5 years. If history indeed be celebrating the frigid holiday sea- the Treble, and Take Me To The repeats itself, this party promises rap, son with hot guitars and face melting Pilot funk, mod, dance, and everything rock and roll. If your drunk uncle was The Garrick Centre in-between paired with tasty drinks to pick a Christmas show to attend, Dec. 13 – 7 p.m. and sloppy dancing. Get low, get slow, this would be the one.

Winnipeg-born singer/songwriter and get crunk.

James Struthers will be hosting this The Be:Cause Holiday lineup of local up-and-comers as a JP Hoe Hoe Hoe Holiday show Harvest fundraiser for the United Way of With special guests Featuring Dangercat, the Winnipeg. United Way provides The Park Theatre Vibrating Beds, the Mystics funding to a countless number of Dec. 13 to 15 – 8 p.m.

The Windsor Hotel charities and non-profit agencies that Another Winnipeg holiday traDec. 14 – 10 p.m. help effect change in our city.

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

Diversions

24

emilie st. hilaire

PHOTO —of the—

WEEK

Lake Louise

By Andrew Mauro Do you have a super awesome photo that you want the world to see? No matter if you took it using your camera or your smart phone, send your “PHOTO OF THE WEEK” to PHOTO@ THEMANITOBAN.COM. curton.bummings.tumblr.com

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

25

Sports

Bisons take three points against #1 ranked Golden Bears Alberta’s win streak ends at 11 games Derek Gagnon, staff

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he Bison men’s hockey team looked to establish itself as a contender heading into the second half of the Canada West season, as they took on the top-ranked Alberta Golden Bears in a pair of games this past weekend.

First in the nation according to the CIS rankings, Alberta entered the weekend enjoying a 10-game winning streak. Meanwhile, Manitoba broke into the CIS top-ten rankings with an impressive showing against Regina last weekend. The Bisons were hoping to move up in the rankings by proving themselves against a very good Golden Bears team.

The weekend series kicked off Friday with a game where 17 minor penalties were called. All of those penalties would result in seven power-play opportunities for the Golden Bears, and six for the Bisons as both teams were only able to find the scoreboard with the extra man.

Alberta scored the game’s opening goal, as Winnipegger Johnny Lazo flicked a backhand shot past Bison goalie Jesse Deckert low blocker side, increaseing his Canada West leading point total to 23.

photo by beibei lu

In the second period the Bisons tied it up with the extra man, as Matthew Lowry knocked in a rebound for his fourth of the year.

Numerous calls in this frame drew the ire of the Bisons bench and the 367 in attendance at Max Bell Centre.

power play goal, and this game would need extra time to settle things. The 4-on-4, and then 3-on-3 overtime periods would solve nothing so the game went to a shootout, where Manitoba managed just one goal from Matthew Lowry compared to the Golden Bears’ two from Johnny The third period saw more power Lazo and Sean Ringrose as Alberta play goals, as Alberta was question- prevailed 3-2. It was the Bisons’ ably awarded a 5-on-3 advantage second shootout loss of the season, that led to a Torrie Dyck goal. With with the first coming in October at 8:43 left to play Lowry pounced on a Calgary. rebound to tie things up via another Manitoba was two-for-six with

the extra man, while Alberta was The two teams traded punches in two-for-seven. Bisons goalie Deckert the third. Ian Duval notched his secsaved 33-of-35 shots, while Alberta’s ond of the game, giving him 19 points Kurtis Mucha stopped 29-of-31. on the year and putting him among After managing to hold the top the top ten point leaders in Canada ranked team in the nation to a shoo- West. Ben Lindemulder would tie the tout, the Bisons looked hungry for game up on the power play and once victory on Saturday. Yet again special again it looked as though this game teams would be in the spotlight, but could see overtime. However, just 11 it was the penalty kill of the Bisons seconds later Blair Macaulay snapped that would open the scoring in this a laser beam into the top left corner one. After a solid defensive play in to restore the Bison lead. their own end, Blair Macaulay and Travis Bobbee would add a fourth Ian Duval broke out for a 2-on-1 rush, on the power play, as a knuckleball of where Macaulay fed a saucer pass a shot eluded Cyr. Alberta would pull over to Duval who tucked it behind their goalie with over two minutes to Alberta netminder Real Cyr. The play, but the Bisons prevailed 4-2 to Golden Bears would control most end Alberta’s winning streak at 11. of the period, taking a 9-5 lead in Bisons goalie Jesse Deckert shots into the first intermission, but allowed four goals on 64 shots in it was the Bisons leading 1-0 after 20 the series, all scored with the man minutes. advantage.

The second period saw both teams The Bisons finish the first half of looking to grab the all-important sec- the season sitting in third place in ond goal of the game. The Bisons saw Canada West with a 9-4-3 record, three power play opportunities fall by which gives them 21 points. They next the wayside, while the Golden Bears play in Saskatoon against the Huskies would capitalize on one of their own on Jan. 4–5. The team returns to Max when Sean Ringrose scored with less Bell Centre the following week than a minute left in the period to against Mount Royal University. make the score tied after two.

The legend of Barry Brust Journeyman goaltender breaks Bower’s AHL record Adam Peleshaty, volunteer staff

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or 268 minutes and 17 seconds, Abbotsford Heat goaltender Barry Brust was the best goalie playing in North America.

Brust, born in Swan River but raised in Kelowna, B.C., broke the American Hockey League record for the longest shutout run, eclipsing the record previously set in 1957

by Hockey Hall of Famer Johnny Bower (249:51). Amazingly, Brust’s streak lasted from Oct. 20 to Nov. 24 while only playing five games as the result of a three-goalie system that also includes Calgary Flames prospect Leland Irving and veteran minor-leaguer Danny Taylor.

Brust didn’t even dress in the game after his first shutout this season.

Despite the anonymity that comes with being a journeyman hockey player (the Heat are his eighth team in nine seasons), Brust has managed an honourable career for himself, which includes 101 wins in the AHL, a Calder Cup Championship, an AHL player award, and a stint with the Los Angeles Kings. Yet, his road to the AHL record books, in true minor league fashion, has had its twists and turns.

Brust played most of his junior hockey with the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs and was taken in the third round by the Minnesota Wild in the NHL Entry Draft after being named a WHL Western Conference AllStar in 2001-02. Finishing his junior career with the Calgary Hitmen, Brust signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Kings and was sent down to their East Coast Hockey League affiliate, the Reading Royals.

In 2006, the Kings called him up from their AHL affiliate Manchester Monarchs. On Nov. 30 of that year, Brust made his NHL debut, a 7-4 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes. Two weeks later, he earned his first NHL win against the San Jose Sharks, a game he wouldn’t have played in if Kings goalie Dan Cloutier had not gotten had only started three games in the hurt during warm-ups.

American League at that point. It was That victory would end up account- kind of a shock I got called up.” Brust ing for half of his career wins in the was part of NHL history, though. In NHL. Brust had a 2-4-1 record in one of his games, he was pulled for 11 games with the Kings with a 3.70 Yutaka Fukufuji, the only JapaneseGAA and an .878 save percentage. born player in NHL history.

“My first time in the NHL, I In 2007-08, Brust signed with probably shouldn’t have been there,” the Wild and played with the AHL’s he told NHL.com. “I was young. I Houston Aeros. Sharing playing was 23, but I was a young 23 [ . . . ] I time with Nolan Schaefer, the two

illustration by mathieu boulet

combined for the lowest GAA in the league and for their effort, both goalies won the Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Trophy. Despite splitting duties with Schaefer that season, Brust was delegated to backup the next season.

In 2010-11, Brust played with the Binghamton Senators and helped backstop them to a playoff berth. But when the Sens were down 3-1 in the

first round against Manchester, he was benched for Robin Lehner. Brust would only make two more appearances in the playoffs as Lehner helped the Sens win the 2011 Calder Cup. The next season, Brust played in Germany with the Straubing Tigers and helped that team reach the playoffs for the first time. However, on their way to being eliminated by Eisbaren Berlin, Brust cross-checked Berlin forward Florian Busch in the head after Busch had scored on him.

The German League suspended Brust for eight games, but instead of returning, he decided to join the Heat, where he has won all six of his games allowing a grand total of four goals.

When the streak was broken in San Antonio, it also happened to be the night of their teddy bear toss.

The first goal Brust allowed in over a month was met with a shower of teddy bears thrown onto the ice by fans. Considering his career, which included being pulled for a Japanese goalie and becoming a German League fugitive, perhaps it was fitting for the best goalie in North America, for a time.

26

Sports

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 16 December 5, 2012

Blue Jays flying high with big offseason acquisitions Mega trade and All-Star signing bring hope to T.O. Derek Gagnon, staff

illustration by silvana moran

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hey’ve been down this road before. Fans of the All-Star game last year before he was of the Toronto Blue Jays have been fol- suspended for the final 45 games of the regulowing the same script for almost 20 years. lar season and five more in the playoffs with An offseason full of hope and promises, the San Francisco Giants before choosing to followed by a decent start to the season, only sign a two-year deal with the Blue Jays after to see the team fade in form or suffer major the Giants refused to play him en route to injuries that keep them out of the playoffs. their World Series title. The addition of these The Blue Jays have not made the playoffs position players, along with new manager since 1993, when they won their second John Gibbons, gives the Jays a lot of speed straight World Series title. and talent to go along with their current But hope is once again renewed in stars Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, and Toronto, as recent player acquisitions have Canadian Brett Lawrie. shaped the perception of the Blue Jays from The Blue Jays now boast a starting an also-ran to a legitimate contender in the pitching rotation with proven winners in ultra competitive American League East Buehrle, Johnson, and incumbent starters Division, where the big spending New York Ricky Romero and Brandon Morrow. While Yankees and Boston Red Sox are perennial these are all legitimate starters, Toronto still threats for the World Series crown. lacks a true ace. The work of general manager The Blue Jays loaded up on players— Alex Anthopolous has been very promising and salaries—from the Miami Marlins in a thus far, but much remains to be done if the blockbuster trade that saw their payroll swell Blue Jays truly want to be a contender in 2013. to 120 million, as they shipped a bundle of With depth at the catcher position, Toronto prospects and players to Florida. The Jays could consider moving one or more of those picked up veteran pitchers Josh Johnson and players to help bolster their pitching staff and Mark Buerhle as well as outfielder Emilio round out any other perceived roster hole.

Bonifacio, short-stop Jose Reyes and catcher No, they haven’t won anything yet, but John Buck. hope is as high as the birds in the sky that the In the free agent market they picked up Blue Jays may finally return to the playoffs versatile infielder Maicer Izturis as well as next year. outfielder Melky Cabrera, who was MVP

Sunday Mass > 11am, Christ the King Chapel Weekday Mass > Tue-Fri 11:45am, Side Chapel Volunteer musicians and singers are welcome for choir practice > 10am Sundays

St. Paul’s College Campus Ministry

Our Lady of Guadalaupe Hispanic Mass > Dec 16 11am with potluck to follow in Hanley Hall

Christmas Eve Vigil Mass > Dec 24 8pm Social Justice Exposure Trip (Dominican Republic) > Reading Week 2013 Registration: $950 includes travel during program; room and board with host families. Flight, health insurance, etc. are extra.

For more information, contact:

Sr. Elaine Baete 204 474 9784 | ebaete@cc.umanitoba.ca Fr. Michael Koryluk

204 474 8460 | korylukm@cc.umanitoba.ca St. Paul’s College, University of Manitoba, 70 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2M6

umanitoba.ca/colleges/st_pauls

design by silvana moran

Sports

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

27

FOLLOWING THE HERD MEN’S

W-WIN

L-LOSS

OTL-OVERTIME LOSSES

x = CLINCHED PLAYOFF SPOT

HOCKEY

W-L-OTL

ALBERTA SASKATCHEWAN MANITOBA UBC CALGARY REGINA MOUNT ROYAL LETHBRIDGE

14-4-0 13-3-0 9-4-3 9-6-1 9-7-0 7-7-2 4-14-0 1-13-2

HOT STREAK!

NOV. 30 vs ALBERTA L 3-2 (SO)

SINCE THEIR BYE IN EARLY NOVEMBER, THE BISONS ONLY HAVE ONE LOSS IN REGULATION

DEC. 1 vs ALBERTA W 4-2

VOLLEYBALL ALBERTA TWU BRANDON UBC MANITOBA SASKATCHEWAN WINNIPEG

HOCKEY

W-L-OTL

CALGARY REGINA ALBERTA UBC SASKATCHEWAN MOUNT ROYAL MANITOBA LETHBRIDGE

13-2-1 12-4-0 10-6-0 7-6-3 6-6-4 6-8-2 5-8-3 5-8-3

OTL-OVERTIME LOSSES

W-WIN

L-LOSS

T-TIE

x = CLINCHED PLAYOFF SPOT

NOV. 30 @ ALBERTA L 3-0 DEC. 1 @ ALBERTA W 3-2

VOLLEYBALL 12-0 10-2 9-3 8-4 7-4 7-5 5-6

TRU MOUNT ROYAL CALGARY REGINA UBC OKANAGAN

5-7 4-8 2-10 2-10 0-12

NOV. 30 vs UBC

UBC ALBERTA (21-25, 26-24, 27-25, 21-25, 18-20) TWU MOUNT ROYAL DEC.1 UBC OKANAGAN vs UBC L 3-1 MANITOBA (15-25, 32-34, 26-24, 21-25) CALGARY L 3-2

BASKETBALL PRAIRIE ALBERTA MANITOBA WINNIPEG SASKATCHEWAN LETHBRIDGE CALGARY REGINA BRANDON

WOMEN’S

11-1 10-2 10-2 8-4 7-5 6-5 6-6

BRANDON WINNIPEG REGINA SASKATCHEWAN TRU

5-7 4-7 3-9 1-11 0-12

NOV. 30 vs UBC

L 3-0

(25-27. 26-28. 13-25)

DEC. 1 vs UBC L 3-0 (22-25, 12-25, 18-25)

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

PACIFIC UBC VICTORIA UFV UNBC TRU TWU MOUNT ROYAL UBC OKANAGAN

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

2012 DUCKWORTH CHALLENGE WED, DEC. 5 8:00 PM @ Winnipeg DUCKWORTH CENTRE

PRAIRIE CALGARY REGINA ALBERTA LETHBRIDGE SASKATCHEWAN WINNIPEG MANITOBA BRANDON

9-1 9-1 6-4 5-5 5-5 4-6 2-8 0-10

PACIFIC UFV TRU UBC VICTORIA UBC OKANAGAN UNBC MOUNT ROYAL TWU

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

2012 DUCKWORTH CHALLENGE WED, DEC. 5 6:00 PM @ Winnipeg DUCKWORTH CENTRE

On the up-and-up Bison men’s basketball on a roll ahead of Duckworth Challenge, winter break Marc Lagace, staff

photo by beibei lu

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t’s been a solid season thus far for the Bison men’s basketball team.

With a record of 7-3 heading into a pivotal game against the Wesmen this week, the Bisons sit near the top of the standings in a very competitive Canada West prairie division.

Despite their success, head coach Kirby Schepp is not entirely satisfied with his team’s performance.

“I’m generally happy with [how the team is playing], but I don’t think we’re playing our best ball right now,”

said Schepp, adding, “I think we need to refine things a bit, especially over this last stretch of the first half. It’s really important that we play our best basketball.”

Consistency is going to be the key for whichever teams make it out of the Canada West conference, especially when either team has a legitimate shot to win in nearly every game this year.

“You don’t look down the list and see one juggernaut that you think is

impossible to beat, and at the same The first quarter was not what the cleaned up their game, forcing turntime you don’t look down the list and coach Schepp would have liked to see overs and getting the ball into attackthink ‘Yea, there’s one that we got,’” out of his team. Manitoba’s shooters ing territory. said Schepp. continued to struggle, as TRU frusDespite sloppy play dominating “It’s great for basketball, and it’s trated the home team, jumping out much of the third quarter, Manitoba great for the league in a lot of ways. It to a 23-16 lead. built up an eight-point lead heading makes it a lot tougher on [the coaching Kevin Oliver opened the scoring in to the final frame. TRU continued staff], in the work we have to put in. for Manitoba in the second, jump- to push back, taking the lead midThe level of intensity cannot drop.” starting the struggling Bisons with a way through the frame. The crowd on This past weekend, the Bisons pair of three-point shots that evapo- hand—which included participants attempted to keep that intensity up, rated the Wolfpack lead to just three. in the Junior Bisons boy’s basketball as they played host to two teams Manitoba continued to pick up their team—came to life as the Bisons from the Pacific division in their last hustle, playing smarter basketball and pushed back in the final minutes. weekend of conference play for the better defence as they surpassed the With the Bisons out to a sizable lead fall portion of the season.

Wolfpack midway through the second late, the Wolfpack were forced to In the first game of the weekend, quarter. make risky plays, which Manitoba Manitoba cruised past the baseBoth teams poured it on through mostly snuffed out until the final ment-dwelling UBC Okanagan the remainder of the quarter—includ- buzzer.

Heat 79-68. Despite a disappointing ing a crazy sequence that saw TRU Xavier Smith emerged as the top shooting percentage of 35.4 per cent, match a Manitoba three pointer scorer of the game, leading all playManitoba headed into the half with twice in the span of a minute—as ers with 25 point. Jonar Huertas was a double-digit lead. From there, they they battled to a 46-46 tie heading named the Bison player of the game. did enough to hold on for the vic- into halftime.

Both Huertas and Oliver were solid tory. Xavier Smith was 6-for-10 on Turnovers and poor shots plagued shooting from the perimeter, prothe night as he led the herd with 16 the Bisons early in the second half, viding points and momentum at key points. as they missed seven straight shots moments for Manitoba.

The following day, Manitoba before Oliver picked up the team’s Both the men and women’s basketpicked up their second win of the first points of the half. A pair of three- ball teams wrap up the first half of the weekend against Thompson Rivers pointers by Jonar Huertas provided season on Dec. 5 at Winnipeg, as apart University Wolfpack, securing a hard- a spark for the team, pushing them of the 2012 Duckworth Challenge. fought 91-80 victory. ahead 54-48. Defensively, the Bisons

Beauty

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More than half of all household garbage can be recycled.

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