8 January 2014

Editorial or features here

n e ws

co m m e n t

2013 in food page 4

The news stories and trends that hit the spot

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

page 15

a rts & c u lt u r e

s p o rts

Mandela myths Time's arrow Anti-apartheid leader's legacy co-opted

An episode in the so-called "science wars"

Local makers

Year of suck

page 9

page 12

page 16

The top local artists and artisans of 2013

A sober look back at Winnipeg's pro-sport teams in 2013 page 19

A YEAR IN REVIEW: THE BEST AND WORST OF 2013 Vo l 1 0 0 路 N o 1 7 路 J a n ua ry 8 , 2 0 1 4 路 w w w.t h e m a n i to b a n .co m

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Index

VOL. 100 NO. 17 January 8, 2014

Editor-in-Chief Bryce Hoye

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

Business manager Foster Lyle

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

Advertising Coordinator Daniel Schipper

ads@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

Editorial

Senior News Editor Quinn Richert

news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

News Editor Katy MacKinnon

katy@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Comment Editor Katerina Tefft

comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Managing Editor Fraser Nelund

me@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

science & technology Editor Tom Ingram

science@themanitoban.com/ 474.6529

arts & Culture Editor Kara Passey

arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Sports Editor Marc Lagace

sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Copy Editor Carlyn Schellenberg

copy@themanitoban.com/ 474.6520

Design

Design Editor Silvana Moran

design@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

Graphics Editor Bradly Wohlgemuth

graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

Photo Editor Beibei Lu

photo@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

design associate Aichelle Sayuno graphics associate Bram Keast

Reporters

News Caleigh MacDonald News Kevin Linklater Science Elizabeth Drewnik arts & culture Anastasia Chipelski arts & culture Lukas Thiessen Sports Mike Still Assistant copy editor Angela England

Volunteer Contributors

Will Gibson, Justin Ladia, John Stinzi, Gloria Joe, Heather Kat Cole, Caroline Norman, Dmitry Astakhov, Scott Ford, Paul Zacharias, David Skeene, Colin Swan, Michael Carlisle, Adam Peleshaty, Brian Latour, Tariq Sohail

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

News

A busy year for the university Angela England, staff

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he U of M had a busy 2013, but screen capture.

New comics at library the Manitoban had you covered This was not the first troublesome On Nov. 13, the Elizabeth Dafoe for campus updates. Here, in no par- Turnbull photo to see Internet cir- Library became the permanent home ticular order, is a summary of the 10 culation. In March he was pictured for a new indigenous graphic novel most important campus news items wearing a shirt with the caption: collection of over 200 pieces by both from the past calendar year.

“Cool story babe. Now go make me Native and non-Native authors. At a sandwich.” the opening, novels and comics were Shiny new Health said to be a powerful tool for helpand Dental Plan Frosh Festival a ing new audiences connect with the After several delays, including financial failure indigenous culture – especially First one insurance provider candidate On Oct. 21 Paquin Entertainment Nations youth. not having a licence for the province, reported to UMSU Council that the the University of Manitoba Students’ new Frosh Music Festival generated The curious case of SAIA Union (UMSU) was able to choose a a net loss of $150,404. The festival UMSU voted to revoke the offinew Health and Dental Plan to offer ran at the end of the first full school cial student group status of Students students. The new plan is said to save week, and the loss was said to be a Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA) on $10 per member, totalling $140,000 result of Childish Gambino’s sud- Apr. 11 in order to protect the safety, in savings. den cancellation of his Friday-booked dignity, and self-respect of self-idenshowtime. tified Zionist students. The language Controversial phoof the motion fell under criticism as tos cropping up Astronaut on campus some argued that it violated SAIA’s UMSU president Al Turnbull On Nov. 22, astronaut Chris right to free speech. was the focus of criticism when social Hadfield visited UMFM, the U of M’s SAIA reapplied for student group media users noticed he had made an campus radio station, and spoke about status in the Fall 2013 term, and were Instagram comment about checking his time in space. After a five-month initially approved. Shortly afterward, out women’s cleavage while tutor- mission aboard the International however, the group was informed by ing them. Turnbull admitted he had Space Station, where he interacted an UMSU committee that more made the comment, and the Tumblr with his home planet through the use time was needed for deliberation page umsupresident.tumblr.com (cre- of social media, Hadfield achieved before their status could be officially ated Sept. 12 of last year) hosted the international fame. renewed.

Redesigns to look The strike that nearly was forward to The University of Manitoba Faculty Nov. 3 saw the U of M announce Association voted in favour of strike the winners for the Visionary (re) action by a majority of 68 per cent, Generation Open International and set a strike deadline for Oct. 22.

Design Competition, and therein the Points of contention included acacontract to redesign the Fort Garry demic freedom, proposed performance Campus and the former Southwood management systems, and promotion golf course lands. The winning design procedures. Arbitration was rejected, from Janet Rosenberg and Studio Inc. conciliation talks broke down, and a (in partnership with Arup Canada, provincial mediator was brought in, Cibinel Architects, and Landmark resulting in a last-minute agreement Planning and Design) was cho- on Oct. 21. sen because of its respect for the landscape.

New floor for research The grand opening of the Nellie Material ripped Cournoyea Arctic Research Facility from agendas took place on March 18. The new fifth In September, in order to pro- floor to the Clayton H. Riddell faculty test being locked in a deal with the of environment, earth, and resources’ Canadian Federation of Students Wallace Building houses labs, offices, (CFS) over the cost of day-planners, and classrooms. The facility improves UMSU members removed all CFS the types of tests that can be done on promotional material from the agen- sea ice and provides researchers with das. It would have cost $60,000 to can- more space; it is expected to attract cel the existing contract, something new students interested in Arctic the incoming UMSU executive team research. realized upon finding a cheaper quote for alternative agenda production.

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News

VOL. 100 NO. 17 January 8, 2014

illustration by Heather Kat Cole

The news stories and trends that hit the spot Katy MacKinnon, staff

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n 2013, food was out of this world.

From Chris Hadfield’s space kitchen to the Sriracha sauce scare, here are the headlines that caught our attention and some predictions for the year to come.

Restaurant pops up on Red River – January In true Winnipeg fashion, RAW: Gallery and deer + almond collaborated to host a pop-up 20-seat restaurant on the frozen junction of the Red and Assiniboine River. The diners paid $85 each to sit bundled in their winter gear and enjoy food at a communal table.

The river restaurant reopens on Jan. 24, 2014.

Chris Hadfield’s space kitchen – February Astronaut food has come a long way since the freeze-dried ice cream found in museum gift shops. While in space, Chris Hadfield created YouTube videos to educate the world on space food’s finest grub.

In one video, a chocolate pudding cake floats its way into Hadfield’s mouth before he drinks some vacuum-packed hot coffee with a straw. Other meals included a peanut butter and honey tortilla, and rehydrated spinach. His first video has over one million views.

A cookbook you can eat – March If making the recipes in a cookbook wasn’t enough for you, the

drugs, the FDA announced a plan to The Cronut work with pharmaceutical industries to Dominique Ansel Bakery in New voluntarily phase out the use of antibi- York appealed to the world’s love of otics in animal feed. doughnuts and pastries with the creThe FDA will begin the process by ation of the Cronut, a part-doughnut, encouraging pharmaceutical companies part-croissant hybrid. The Cronut— Farmer’s market shopping to voluntarily change the usage regula- which can take up to three days to at the click of a mouse – July tions on antibiotics, removing “growth make—was so popular that bakers Purchasing local foods became enhancement and feed efficiency indi- around the world have since created more convenient this summer when cations from the approved uses.” their own versions. local business My Farmers’ Market With labelling modifications, farmInc. drove up to the scene. Through Smelly Sriracha poses ers will have stricter guidelines for the 2014 food trend predictions the website shoppers can add items threat of factory shutuse of antibiotics in food-producing Millet is a high protein and magnefrom local farmers and businesses down – October animals, such as for the treatment and sium gluten-free grain. With the curto a virtual checkout with same-day Popular Sriracha sauce sold by Huy prevention of disease. rent popularity of quinoa, the demand delivery. In addition to produce, the Fong Foods Inc. was the subject of cityfor gluten-free food options for those site offers a selection of locally made wide complaints in 2013. The chili and Facebook campaign with Celiac disease, and the popularity health and beauty items, bakery goods, garlic sauce produced at their Irwindale, prompts Domino’s first of the gluten-free diet, millet is bound and pet food.

Calif. factory was reportedly releasing vegan pizza – December to make moves in 2014. strong odors. Residents complained Vegan Friendly—an Israeli site Fermentation is an age-old chemiConstance Popp opens of side effects including “burning eyes, promoting all aspects of vegan liv- cal process of food preservation (think chocolate shop – September irritated throats, and headaches.” ing—campaigned on Facebook for sourdough, yogurt, kombucha) and is Winnipeg became home to a new City lawyers sued the company, pro- vegan pizza in Israel. Domino’s acqui- re-popularizing within foodie circles. artisan chocolate shop when Constance posing production be halted to reduce esced with the sale of their first-ever Winnipeg-based Edible Alchemy curPopp held the grand opening of the smell until further steps could be vegan pizza, available worldwide. rently holds fermentation workshops Chocolatier Constance Popp. Her taken. The original ruling was for the that have been growing in size and creative chocolates come in Manitoba- plant to shut down odor-causing opera- Notable food popularity since their start one year shaped bars, Manitoba red beet bon- tions, but since the smelliest phase was inventions of 2013 ago. We can safely predict 2014 will be bons, and more. over by this time, the plant was allowed the year fermentation explodes.

In addition to environmentally continued production.

The Ramen Burger Avocado oil may be little known friendly packaging, the shop uses local, The takeaway? You have most of Keizo Shimamoto sees buns differ- today, but its high smoke point predicts fair trade ingredients when possible.

2014 to stockpile your Sriracha. ently. Instead of the traditional flour- that in 2014 this oil will be smoking based hamburger bun, he invented a hot. In a nutshell, the smoke point of Cultured Beef burger FDA encourages fading burger held together with fried ramen an oil is the temperature at which the unveiled – August out antibiotic use in farm noodles. The burger debuted at a New fat breaks down and starts to produce A live audience in London was given animals – December York food market called Smorgasburg, smoke. Use avocado oil in stir-frys or the chance to witness the tasting of the Due to antimicrobial resistance and has since spread to California. sautées. first cultured beef burger. The burger, resulting from the use of antimicrobial

edible cookbook by German design firm Korefe is now on the market.

The book is made of pasta, and can be layered in lasagna and eaten right up.

campus news briefs

By Quinn Richert, staff

Classes resume; nature unmerciful The 2014 Winter Term began on Jan. 6 for most U of M faculties, following the second coldest Winnipeg December in 120 years. Unfortunately for those commuting to campus, the extreme temperatures are not set to relent until Friday, when it will feel like -11 C, up from Monday morning’s -43 C (with wind chill).

U of M senate meeting: annual report from ICM The U of M senate met for the first time in the New Year on Jan. 8.

Included in the meeting’s agenda was the “Annual Report on the Operations of the International College of Manitoba [ICM],” covering the period from September 2012 to August 2013.

According to the report, 70 per cent of instructors participated in a satis-

produced by a team at Maastricht University, was developed by harvesting and feeding muscle cells from a cow.

Cultured Beef is proposed as a more sustainable alternative meat compared to traditional livestock farming methods. The group suggests that the burger could solve a growing demand for meat.

faction survey, 90 per cent of whom found they were “very satisfied with their teaching experiences at ICM.” The report indicates that “ICM graduates’ performance is similar to that of international students who enter the university directly even though ICM students do not normally meet the requirements for direct entry to the first year at U of M.” Recreation services presents free week The U of M’s recreation services is offering students free use of their facilities from Jan. 6 to 10. In addition to exercise rooms, gyms, and courts, those cashing in on the offer will also be permitted to try some of the instructional

classes offered by recreation services. Teaching Award in the Fall of 2013.

Participants are not required to preregister and may bring a guest.

Student Leadership Summit around the corner Asper business school On Jan. 18, the university will professor passes away host the first-ever U of M Student Just two days before Christmas, U of Leadership Summit (UMSLS) – an M business professor Reginald A. Litz all-day event featuring “workshops, died of pancreatic cancer. Litz held the networking, team building, hands-on Stu Clark Chair in entrepreneurship learning and a keynote address.” at the Asper school of business, and UMSLS is open to 150 U of M stuwas also a former U of M student. Litz dents and tickets can be purchased for earned both a BComm (Hons) and an $25 at the Answers booth in University MBA at the U of M before going on Centre. The mission of USMLS is to to complete his PhD at the University afford students “an opportunity to of Pittsburgh. develop and harness a variety of leadLitz was interested in “new, small, ership skills useable in everyday life.” and family businesses,” and was a The deadline for registration is Jan. recipient of the Asper MBA Luminary 10 at 4:30 p.m.

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

News

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Local campaign raises awareness; politicians and athletes follow suit Caleigh MacDonald, staff

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Photo by Dmitry Astakhov

s the Winter Olympics in Sochi, own promotional website, but have gay in Russia per se, the definition of Russia approach, activists around since removed them. what might constitute pro-homosexual the world are attempting to fight against McDonalds is facing similar back- “propaganda” is unclear. the legislation signed into law on June lash, but both companies have issued A list issued by LGBTTQ* activists 30 by President Vladimir Putin, which statements saying that while they do in Russia pointed out this lack of clear made it illegal to publicly expose “non- not condone the anti-gay laws put into definitions in the law, and outlined 18 traditional sexual relations” to minors. place, they also do not believe that the points that they felt were particularly Student campaign supports games should be relocated away from unclear ‑ for example, whether a homoLGBTTQ* rights in Russia Sochi. sexual couple could kiss or hold hands Dayne Moyer is a University of Moyer said that pulling corporate in public.

Winnipeg student and founder of Gold sponsorships as a form of protest is the Paraphernalia such as Moyer’s Medal Message (GMM), a campaign wrong thing to do. wristbands could potentially be breakdesigned to show support for Russia’s “Pulling sponsorship or boycotting ing the law if worn in Russia, though LGBTTQ* community. The cam- is problematic in multiple ways but the IOC has delivered assurances that paign involves a Change.org petition to primarily an issue because it isn’t what the security of Olympic participants have Canadian Olympic athletes wear the LGBTTQ* community in Russia and attendees will not be affected by a rainbow patch or pin on their cloth- wants. Working towards international Russian legislation. ing as a symbol of support for Russia’s reform and change only works when it Moyer hopes to counteract this LGBTTQ* community. is in co-operation with the people you threat by making his protest a unified To explain the logic behind his are trying to help.” team effort as opposed to scattered approach to protesting, Moyer cited “Ultimately, either of those responses individuals trying to demonstrate on historic examples where the Olympics would have an intensely negative effect their own. acted as a vehicle for social change. on Russia’s LGBTTQ* community,” “GMM is a campaign urging ath“GMM is, more than anything, a said Moyer. letes to make one large public statecampaign designed to publicly dem- Politicians will not ment together, during one event. [ . . . onstrate on an international stage that attend games ] Athletes are less likely to feel harsh more people support LGBTTQ* rights In what may be a subtler refutation penalties if they all make a statement than oppose them. It is about asking of the anti-gay Russian laws, certain together. If international teams leave our representatives to boldly proclaim high-ranking political officials have select members to make a statement internationally that as Canadians, refused to attend the games. alone, they leave them more at risk both athletes, and fans, we see the systemic German president Joachim Gauck to penalty from the IOC and to public oppression of LGBTTQ* people any- was reported to have declined his backlash.” where in the world as an injustice.”

Sochi invitation by German weekly Olympians supMoyer’s petition currently has over Der Spiegel. His decision is “understood port wristbands 38,000 signatures, and has secured to be a response to the Russian governAs of yet there has been no official funding from Wristband Guy – a ment’s violations of human rights and response from the Canadian Olympic vendor that has promised to donate harassment of the opposition.” team, or any action to add an official enough wristbands for every Canadian The announcement was closely patch, pin, or other adornment to the Olympic and Paralympic athlete who followed by that of Viviane Reding, team’s uniforms. Athletes are being wants to show their support. vice-president of the European Union approached and asked on an indiPride Winnipeg also expressed its Commission. Reding tweeted on Dec. vidual basis to consent to wearing the full support for GMM, creating a task 9 that she “will certainly not go to Sochi wristbands. force to work with other Pride organi- as long as minorities are treated the Thus far Olympic hockey player zations across Canada. way they are under the current Russian Sami Jo Small and biathlete Megan Petitions and prolegislation.”

Imrie have both indicated their suptesters discourage French president François Hollande port for the idea should the Canadian Olympic sponsorship announced that neither he nor any high- Olympic Committee approve it. They Others have staged protests glob- ranking French official will attend the are joined globally by New Zealand ally to speak out against the Russian games, though he has remained silent speed skater Blake Skjellerup, who legislation. on his reasons. has also committed to wearing a pride Julianne Howell in Ohio began a Hollande’s announcement came pin. petition to try and push major corporate exactly one week after Gauck’s, and Skjellerup, who came out after his sponsors—Coca-Cola, for example— five days before U.S. President Barack first Olympics in Vancouver 2010, is into backing out of the games as a Obama announced that, for the first determined to make a statement in means of protest. The petition currently time since 2000, the U.S. would not be Sochi. “I will be myself in Russia,” has more than 219,500 signatures of its sending their president, vice-president, said Skjellerup. “And at the moment desired 300,000. first lady, or a current cabinet secretary that is illegal. [ . . . ] Sochi gives us Coca-Cola in particular has been to attend the opening ceremony. an opportunity to highlight Russia’s heavily targeted by protesters. Gay Furthermore, Obama’s Sochi anti-gay propaganda laws and say ‘this rights group All Out has sent over Olympic delegation lists one homo- is wrong.’ Don’t underestimate how 150,000 emails to Coca-Cola CEO sexual athlete and a second who came powerful that could be.”

Muhtar Kent urging him to take a out to the public two days later.

Dayne Moyer has no intentions of stance against the inequality of Russia’s Obama’s official announcement giving up or letting his campaign die law. The group further arranged for stated he was unable to attend the with the Winter Olympics. three billboard-covered trucks to park games due to scheduling, but that he “I find violations against human in front of the Coca-Cola headquarters “is extremely proud of [the] U.S. athletes rights in any country offensive and in Atlanta. The sequence of billboards and looks forward to cheering them on understand that Russia is only one in read: “Coca-Cola,” “Don’t Stay Bottled from Washington.” The statement con- a laundry list of offenders. However, Up,” and “Speak Out Against Russia’s tinued that the delegates “will showcase the Olympics [provide] an international Anti-Gay Laws.” to the world the best of America: diver- platform to raise awareness about these Protesters hit the company again sity, determination and teamwork.” laws. The Summer Olympics will next during Coca-Cola’s truck market- Russian anti-gay be held in Brazil—the international ing campaign in Brighton, U.K. Ten laws ambiguous capital of transgender murder—and activists turned up to launch a surprise The International Olympic I believe a similar campaign to raise demonstration against the corporation, Committee (IOC) has said that they awareness and promote social reform is urging them to break their silence on will be setting up Russian-government- important for that country as well.” the issue and demand protection for approved “protest zones” for those who The Winter Games are scheduled Russia’s LGBTTQ* community. The wish to make a statement. to begin on Feb. 7 and conclude on Coca-Cola corporation posted photos The vague wording of the law sug- Feb. 23. of the anti-Coke protesters on their gests that, while it is not illegal to be

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News

VOL. 100 NO. 17 January 8, 2014

U-Pass gains critical support from city hall

Could be in place for January 2015 Kevin Linklater, staff

T illustration by caroline norman

Low interest rates, financialization, and inequality driving up borrowing Kevin Linklater, staff

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t’s a new year and Canadians are also predicted a cheerier piece of finan- bankruptcies increase if spending isn’t still spending – a lot. According to cial news. Even though debt levels decreased. Either outcome results in a newly released report by consumer have risen, overall delinquency rates less economic growth,” explained credit agency TransUnion, indebted- have declined since 2009 from 2.87 per Silver. ness has been growing steadily for cent, down 1.76 per cent in 2013, and There are numerous ways to meayears. That trend is expected to con- are projected to continue to decline to sure levels of debt; the most common tinue into 2014.

1.66 per cent in 2014. being debt-to-income and debt-toAccording to the report, non-mortTo explain these trends in asset ratios. Both of these have been gage debt is predicted to increase to an Canadian consumer habits, Michael rising over the last dozen or so years all-time high of $28,853 per average Silver, a financial adviser with the for consumers, but the declining delinCanadian, up four per cent from 2013 Wealth Planning Group, points quency rate since 2009 suggests that levels, and up over 40 per cent from to new financial tools that allow Canadians are taking on debts wisely, 2007 levels.

Canadians to borrow more easily. and are able to pay them off.

Mortgage debt has also been “In the past, people used to save Chernomas, however, cautioned increasing quickly – especially since up for things, whereas now there are that the more debt people take on, the 2002 as housing prices skyrocketed. mechanisms that allow people to buy more it opens up the possibility of a According to the Canadian Real things immediately,” Silver told the small downturn spilling over into a Estate Association, the average sale Manitoban. larger economic crisis. price of a home in Canada rose 98 per Silver also suggested that stagnant “This unprecedented debt-to-incent during the 2000s. incomes have increased the impetus come ratio makes our economy fragile This, combined with persistently for Canadians to borrow more.

– susceptible to recession or depression,” low interest rates over the period, “Salaries for some have not grown said Chernomas. encouraged Canadians to borrow as fast as in the past, and so these This raises concerns that growth more, pushing debt levels to all-time folks need to borrow in order for could suddenly disappear if the price highs. their spending to continue to grow,” of oil were to drop, since their prices Being wary of the increasing citizen he said. are more volatile than those for debt and the possibility that a housing University of Manitoba econom- manufacturers. bubble could form in real estate, the ics professor Robert Chernomas Silver recommends that policy government has taken several steps agrees that the financialization of the makers introduce legislation to reduce over the years to tighten borrowing country’s economy has contributed predatory lending, and rules for sorequirements for mortgages. to the increases in borrowing, but called “do not pay” schemes.

Despite the stop-gap measures also highlights structural changes “These ‘do not pay plans’ are misintroduced by the government to within the economy as driving the leading [ . . . ] they are paying for it cool the housing market, both mort- phenomenon. eventually. It structures the payment gage and non-mortgage debt (such as “The working and middle classes so that the bill comes due with really lines of credit) have continued to rise. have seen their incomes stagnate or high interest and often comes due all at Canadian banks and financial insti- rise much more slowly than the top once. People usually don’t budget very tutions were largely spared from the income earners, and have had to bor- well in those sorts of situations.” financial crisis in 2008-09 and have row to maintain their standard of livSilver mused that improved conbeen lending briskly, as low rates tend ing. We can see this in the dramatic sumer education could, in the longto increase consumer demand. growth in inequality in this country,” term, help to mitigate the problem of The main tool for restraining said Chernomas. soaring personal debt. borrowing—raising interest rates— “The biggest risk is that when inter“There should be financial planning has not been used, however, as the est rates eventually do go up, people classes in high schools. Young people Bank of Canada is reluctant to raise will not be able to service their debts. have very little knowledge of how debt rates for fear of choking off the nascent This could mean that either growth and credit works, and how to use it economic recovery. is curtailed because people aren’t properly.”

Thankfully, the TransUnion report able to spend like they were, or that

he push to get Winnipeg to and from school, students university students access to could use Winnipeg Transit as a universal bus pass, or U-Pass, they please to get to other key gained an important endorse- destinations around the city; ment from Mayor Sam Katz in it would also help build a true December. public transit culture which does After an executive policy com- not currently exist in Winnipeg,” mittee meeting on Dec. 13, Katz he said. told reporters that council would According to Arte, even with work with student unions from support from CFS , the students, both the universities of Manitoba and student unions at both the U and Winnipeg to put forward a of M and U of W, obstacles have January motion that would make still arisen. the U-Pass a reality.

“The single largest challenge This comes on the heels of has been getting city councilcity hall’s announcement that lors to understand the positive Winnipeg’s rapid transit corridor economic and social impact the will soon be expanded. Following U-Pass will have on the city the expansion, the University of [and] that any public investManitoba’s Fort Garry campus ment received will be offset in will connect to the northern part the long-term by cost-savings of the system, which currently ends in infrastructure repairs and at Jubilee Ave. increased transit ridership,” she In April 2013 the city council’s explained. public works committee unaniPierce and Arte both noted mously backed the U-Pass idea. city councillor Jenny Gerbasi’s The U-Pass would see all under- support of the program. Others graduate students at the U of M and in city council, including Dan U of W pay into a program that Vandal, Brian Mayes, and Mayor guarantees unlimited and reduced- Sam Katz, are now adding their cost access to Winnipeg Transit weight – a signal that the iniduring the regular September to tiative is gaining momentum at April school year. city hall.

The cost of the program is proSimilar programs exist in jected to be $283 per student, with many other large Canadian city and provincial governments urban centres and have seen pubcovering $133. Students would lic transportation use increase as pay the remainder. The current a result. Winnipeg Transit esticost of a student bus pass is $66.25 mated that student use of public per month. The U-Pass cost is transportation would increase at much lower per student because least 20 per cent if all students the program would combine were given bus passes. the purchasing power of 34,000 Originally, the U-Pass proundergraduates – not all of whom gram was projected to begin in would be riding the bus.

September 2014. That date has The Canadian Federation of since been changed to January Students (CFS) also supports 2015. the U-Pass initiative. Bilan Arte, “A lot of students don’t realize Manitoba representative of CFS, that this is a long process. Once points to numerous potential the funding is secure, Winnipeg benefits.

Transit will need about a year to “ St udent r ider sh ip ha s order more buses, hire more drivincreased dramatically in other ers, and increase service routes,” cities that have similar programs, said Pierce. and students will often continue Arte is confident that the to use public transit after they U-Pass initiative will succeed. graduate and buy a full-cost “As more and more cities adult transit pass,” Arte said to implement programs like these the Manitoban. and students continue to pressure “A major benef it of this city councillors, we’re confident increased ridership for Winnipeg that the City of Winnipeg will Transit is the opportunity and see its advantages and follow the resources to expand and fully suit.” develop a modern, sustainable, UMSU members voted on the and comprehensive transit system issue in a November referendum for our city.” last year, with 74 per cent supUMSU vice-president exter- porting the idea of a U-Pass. nal Christian Pierce also foresees positive change coming from the U-Pass.

“In addition to using it to get

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

Editorial

Bryce Hoye, staff

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hat unmistakably thick, heady fog of impractical resolutions and implacably glass-half-full attitudes permeates the air: it’s the New Year.

I know I’m never more purposeful than I am in January. One year ends, another begins. A fresh start. A new chance to reinvent ourselves and get it right this time. Or something? The problem is that, well-intentioned if not a tad naïve as we creatures are wont to be, this newfound sense of determination comes with an expiration date, often dissipating into the ether as January comes to an end.

Right now, people are scuttling to their neighbourhood gyms with lemming-like haste, bent on shedding the sedentary lifestyle habits the holidays afford. Others attack their lofty to-do lists, often set in the haze of tryptophan and ceaseless imbibification—to read x amount of books this year, to pay off student loans, to spend more meaningful time with friends and family—with virginal eagerness.

Still others wisely scoff at the thought; self-improvement, broadly defined—especially in light of how fashionable it seems to be at this time of year—is a fantastical carrot on a string meant to temporarily distract us from our terminally sorry lot in life.

Not to be a fly in the ointment, but it seems the pessimists have a point here.

It might just be that slightly cynical edge of mine getting in the way, but anecdotally, there doesn’t appear to be a linear relationship between the meteoric rise in sales of self-help books this time of year and the resultant amount of happiness and accomplishment in the universe.

Is there any sense in even trying?

Are our clichéd resolutions destined for failure? The most sensible attitude to adopt with respect to all this irrepressible hopefulness is one of ambivalence and cautious optimism.

We are often the engineers of our own demise when it comes to goal-setting; sometimes there are perfectly accessible and preventable reasons for this that we ignore at our peril. We pretend, we externalize, we rationalize the reasons why we can’t or don’t honour these agreements, setting psychological boobey traps for ourselves along the way.

I am as imperfect as the rest, often actively avoiding or otherwise doing things that make my life more difficult than it ought to be.

But I am also subject to the very same Pollyanna forces motivating everyone else to be better, to do better. And there are a few simple strategies I’ve found semi-effective in helping to keep the goal-setting wheels from falling off that I’d like to impart. Note: I think these provide a good foundation where other goals may find sturdy ground.

Use a day-planner It seems true on an intuitive level that those who keep tangible, written versions of their daily affairs are more likely to meet deadlines, keep appointments, and be generally less neurotic human beings.

I should be a salaried employee for the amount that I’ve been evangelizing on the behalf of Blueline day-planners (or the generic Staples brand) over the last five years. I’ve used many agendas in my day, but until Blueline, none has made me excited to ritualistically sit down on Sunday mornings and fill out my schedule.

It was likely induced through a combination of caffeine overconsumption, sleepdeprivation, and irregular eating – the tripartite plight of countless university students.

A trip to the old sawbones yielded a prescription to cut caffeine out of my diet. This did not last, naturally.

However, meditation was suggested to me as a possible non-pharmaceutical intervention for anxiety in the past, so I sought out a couple meditation groups in the city and began meditating for 15 minutes in the morning before breakfast and 15 minutes before dinner in the afternoon.

Taking up meditation is much easier and more enjoyable in the presence of There doesn’t appear to a mentor or in a group of experienced meditators. One group (winnipegmedibe a linear relationship tation.org) that occasionally meets at either the U of W or the Millennium between the meteoric Library is comprised of some devorise in sales of selftees of the since-deceased guru Sri Chinmoy. Another is the Winnipeg help books this time of Insight Meditation Group, which meets year and the resultant on Sunday mornings at Yoga North’s new location at 894 Westminster Ave., amount of happiness and again on Wednesday evenings at and accomplishment St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 755 Elm St. (More info at: winnipeginsightmeditain the universe tion.shawwebspace.ca.)

If you’re on the shy side or would prefer to start on your own, find yourself Each seven-day week is broken down instructional audio recordings by Doctor into 15-minute blocks in these planners. Jon Kabat-Zinn. There are several availOne strategy I’ve adopted is to spend able on YouTube or for download on about 30 minutes every Sunday filling in iTunes. every single 15-minute block of time in You needn’t be into religion, superthe week to come with something, start- natural hokum, or superstitious ing with penciling in high priority and Wolseleyite new age wisdom to enjoy non-negotiable things such as deadlines the benefits of mediation, though you and class and work times, then when may have to bite your tongue on occato eat, study, meditate, exercise, spend sion should you decide to participate in time with family/friends, and so on some of the meditation groups found down the line. around the city.

Available at Staples for about $15, they come in undated versions, without the When you fail, fail more gently typical calendar year dates included, that If you fail to accomplish a goal, don’t are great for several reasons. If you get beat yourself up. Get back to the basics: swallowed up by a particularly unruly, re-examine and reset your goals accorddisorganized week and forget to fill out ingly. You need only grant yourself your planner, the dateless pages make it permission. so that valuable planning space has not In the face of unreached goals, try to been lost with the trappings of time, but remember to be kind and gentle with instead may be used for plotting out next yourself. Sometimes we don’t meet goals week’s schedule. because we lose sight of whatever motiIt’s good to have a roadmap so that vated us to set them to start with, or we when detours occur, you can cut your change and our goals change along with losses and get back on course. us. The point is to always cultivate an atmosphere of gentle, nonjudgmental, Meditate constant reflection.

The subtext to “meditate” should really I know the line between banality and be “do yoga/exercise regularly,” but medi- wisdom is blurring at a rapid pace here. tation, I’ve found, can have one of the Just remember that an internal dialogue most profound impacts on attentiveness, concerning self-improvement can always irritability, and the ability to be compas- be reopened – regardless of the time of sionate toward your fellow hominid – all year. pillars for sustainable goal-setting.

A few years ago I had a panic attack.

photo by beibei lu

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

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Comment

Myths about Mandela

Anti-apartheid leader’s legacy co-opted by conservatives Brian Latour

illustration by BRAM KEAST

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ith the death of Nelson virtually unheard of for anti-colonial Mandela on Dec. 5, the world African revolutionaries. Yet, there are lost an interesting political figure also a lot of myths about Mandela in and a powerful leader in the struggle our collective consciousness. against racism and colonialism.

Mandela was a political figure who Mandela Myths was constantly evolving, and one who Especially in the West, we have an was not without contradictions. His image of Mandela as a peaceful activtransition from anti-colonial revo- ist, who defeated apartheid purely lutionary to a universally respected by force of spirit rather than by force elder statesman is one with few paral- of arms. This isn’t quite true; faced lels in modern history. While he was with the increasing brutality of the a key leader in the struggle against South African apartheid state, he apartheid in South Africa, many vet- recognized the need for self-defence erans of the struggle, such as Ronnie and armed struggle against oppresKasrils, have argued that the goal of sion. Mandela was a founder of the economic liberation was abandoned Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing on the eve of the African National of the ANC, and assisted with proCongress (ANC) taking power; thus, curing arms from sympathetic antithe work of liberating the people of colonial leaders.

South Africa from oppression was Of course, noting that his struggle never completed. was not entirely peaceful is not a critiMandela’s name carries weight in cism of Mandela. History is full of the West, where he gained a level of freedom fighters who took up arms recognition and near-universal respect against oppression, and surely those

subjected to the brutality of apartheid have a right to self-defence.

Also, while Mandela is currently looked up to with nearly ubiquitous respect and reverence, there was a time when this was not the case. In fact, many leading political figures who issued sappy statements in the days following Mandela’s death, as politicians are wont to do whenever an elder statesman of such high esteem passes on, were vocally opposed to the ANC’s agenda of ending apartheid in the 1980s.

Hypocritical Eulogies?

For example, let us look at our prime minister, Stephen Harper, who, shortly after Mandela’s death, issued a statement referring to Mandela as one of the world’s “great moral leaders and statesman.” This is a far cry from the young Stephen Harper who, in the late 1980s, was a founding member of the Northern Foundation, an

organization dedicated to keeping Canadians in churches, labour Mandela in jail and keeping white unions, and universities worked minority rule alive in South Africa. tirelessly, urging our political leadMany other prominent figures in ers to come out against apartheid and the conservative and neoconserva- Canadian businesses to stop doing tive movement such as Conrad Black, business with South Africa. The Peter Worthington, and Ted Byfield Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions were intimately associated with pro- (BDS) movement for Palestinian apartheid activism. rights today is inspired by the global At least Rob Anders—the Calgary movement for a boycott of apartheid MP who several years ago was the South Africa. only one to vote against bestowing The current anti-apartheid movehonorary citizenship on Mandela, ment is also subjected to many of and appeared to stick to his views the same attacks as its predecessor. after Mandela’s death—gets some The familiar refrain that to support points for consistency.

Palestine is to support terrorism or But is it possible that these politi- religious fundamentalism echoes the cal figures, who so courageously claim that to oppose South Africa’s praised Mandela once he was gone apartheid regime is to support and came out against apartheid only communism.

20 years after it might have made a The Israeli government’s hasbara difference, have recognized their initiatives often bear an eerie simimistakes and turned over a new larity to the propaganda efforts of leaf? Sadly, we are seeing little in the the South African regime. Radio way of genuine apologies and self- RSA, the South African governreflection from the conservatives who ment’s international news service, supported apartheid in the 80s. Not given the unenviable task of defendto mention that many of these fig- ing the indefensible, tried to play up ures, Harper included, are repeating South Africa as a progressive socitheir mistakes with vocal support for ety interested in peace, where blacks Israeli apartheid. were better off than in other African countries, and which is being unfairly The Palestine Connection singled out by anti-apartheid activists Perhaps the most hypocritical for BDS, a tactic which is futile and eulogy for the late anti-apartheid counterproductive anyway. leader came from Israeli Prime These themes are all too familiar Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who to anyone subjected to today’s proruns a little apartheid state of his own. Israel propaganda. It is quite ironic While Netanyahu praised Mandela, to see Zionists today, while claiming calling him a “moral leader,” he at that Israel is not an apartheid state, least had the common decency to skip inadvertently echoing pro-apartheid the funeral. After all, I’m sure it is not propaganda from the 80s. lost on him that Mandela said that Locally, both the Canadian “our freedom is incomplete without Security Intelligence Service and the freedom of the Palestinians,” or the South African embassy engaged that Israel was one of apartheid South in espionage against the Manitoba Africa’s staunchest allies, even when Coalition of Organizations Against it was quickly running out of friends Apartheid. Two University of on the international scene.

Manitoba students were paid by The irony comes in the fact that the Canadian Security Intelligence Israel practices apartheid, as defined Service and the South Africans to under international law, against its gather intelligence on anti-apartheid Palestinian population. Palestinians activists in Manitoba and set up proin Gaza have been subjected to a apartheid front groups in the late long and brutal siege, and find them- 1980s. In the early 2010s, that would selves living in what is essentially an seem almost unnecessary; our own open-air prison. In the West Bank, student union now quite openly bans Israel is laying the foundations for anti-apartheid student groups with a Palestinian Bantustan, with a sys- little opposition. tem of settlements, checkpoints, and In response to Mandela’s passIsraeli-only roads that Palestinians ing, we would do well to reflect aren’t even allowed to cross. upon our place in the world and the The other interesting connec- yearning for freedom felt by many tion here is the parallel between the people around the world. Despite the movement against apartheid in South myth of Canada as the peacemaker, Africa and the movement against Canadian foreign policy has often Israeli apartheid. been motivated more by business South African apartheid was, and imperial interests than by altruunfortunately, not met with near- ism – as it was during the era when universal condemnation until at least Canadian businesses continued to its dying days. For many years, to do business with the South African be against apartheid was to commit apartheid state. Not to mention the oneself to a lonely struggle, trying to horrible treatment that the Canadian raise awareness about South Africa state inflicts upon its own indigenous and find ways to apply political and people. economic pressure to end apartheid The struggle is not over until all half a world away. have achieved freedom, both political Long before the Canadian gov- and economic. ernment even started to (half-heartedly) criticize the apartheid regime,

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Comment

VOL. 100 NO. 17 January 8, 2014

New Reform Act could be revolutionary for Canada Tariq Sohail, volunteer staff

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illustration by Justin ladia

ver the past couple of decades, leader has the final say in who should is that it could make Canadian politics especially in the last 10 years, be endorsed by the party. highly unstable. However, I believe Canadians have become more disenSecond is that registered political par- Canadian government would become gaged from parliament. Fifty-five per ties would have by-laws that allow the more effective, not more volatile, with cent of Canadians surveyed recently party’s caucus in parliament to initiate a the adoption of said bill. were pleased with how Canadian leadership review of the party leader.

For example, a leadership review democracy works. In the past year, Third is that the bill would codify would require 15 per cent of the cauparliament and the Prime Minister’s the expulsion and readmission of cau- cus to vote and majority of those votOffice (PMO) have been plagued by a cus chairs. Expulsion and readmission ers to remove the party leader. The Senate expense scandal, the growing of members into caucus would require United Kingdom, New Zealand, and clout of the PMO in the legislative sys- a majority vote through a secret ballot. Australia have similar laws, as they are tem, and the interference of the PMO According to Michael Chong, the power all Westminster parliamentary sysin a Senate expense audit. bestowed on MPs has been eroding and tems, and from 1965 to 2008, only three Michael Chong, Conservative losing its function. The executive and sitting prime ministers in all three of MP for Wellington-Halton Hills in legislative branches are supposed to be those countries have been ousted. It is Ontario, proposed a private bill called separate and independent, but that is not rare for majority governments to eject the Reform Act, 2013 on Dec. 3. The bill the current situation in Canada. a sitting prime minister unless there is has received a lot of attention because As it is, the PM has too much power a serious loss of confidence among the of the current political climate it’s been and control, through discipline, of his caucus members. The way Canada’s sysintroduced in and the change it could own caucus members. This, in my opin- tem would function would be no difbring about for Canadian politics. ion, removes the ability of MPs to prop- ferent from the way the Westminster The bill proposes to amend Canada’s erly voice their constituents’ concerns, parliamentary system works in other Elections Act and Parliament of Canada as they are forced to follow the party countries.

Act. If the Reform Act is passed into law, line. It also removes the capability of This bill would be a revolutionary it would come into effect one week fol- MPs to properly execute their functions act in Canada if it were to pass. It could lowing the next federal election. as a check and balance on the execu- make citizens more engaged in politics, The bill has three main focus points. tive branch, and hold it to account. If encourage responsible government, and First is that the party’s electoral this bill were to become law, it would ensure future governments would be district association would elect a nomi- strengthen Canadian democracy, and held accountable. nation officer through a majority vote. restore that vital trust and confidence I remain optimistic, but such a seisThe officer would have the final say in that should exist between the people mic shift in power from the PMO to nominating a candidate for election in and the government.

MPs is still a long shot. the local riding. Currently, the party One potential concern about the bill

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

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Science & technology

Doomed planet can shed light on our own demise Elizabeth Drewnik, staff

illustration by BRAdly wohlgemuth

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e know that in about five bilA team of 11 scientists, working of planets being engulfed by their lion years our sun will expand in Spain at the German-Spanish host stars. The planet is predicted to and destroy Earth. The question is, Astronomical Center, collected data be engulfed by its star in less than do we know what kind of changes on the newly discovered Jupiter- 55 million years, a mere blink on Earth will go through in the time sized planet, Kepler-91b, which may astronomical timescales. Since the it takes for that to happen? offer some insight into the process planet is so close to its demise, it

provides a good basis of study to within the giant category (like learn more about planets approach- Kepler-91), “the question of how ing their death. planets die remains open,” the paper Kepler-91b orbits the star explains.

Kepler-91, located 3,360 light years It is thought that the planet from Earth. This star is a red giant, is in its final stages before being and has a mass just under one and engulfed by its star, as its orbital a half times that of our sun. The radius is approximately 11 million radius, however, is about six times km. By comparison, Mercury (the larger. When Kepler-91 was first planet closest to our star) is located discovered, it was initially thought 58 million km away from the sun. to be the second sun in a binary Earth is 150 million km away from star system, as a second signature the sun. was detected in close proximity to Kepler-91b takes approximately the star. Upon further investigation, 6.25 Earth days to orbit its star; this second signature was deter- Mercury takes 88 days. Since mined to be the star’s closest planet, Kepler-91b is remarkably close to Kepler-91b. its star, it is believed that more So far, there have not been many than 36 per cent of the planet’s sky planets discovered orbiting stars is covered by the star during the in the red giant category or higher. day (compared to 0.0005 per cent of One of the reasons that this discov- the Earth sky being covered by the ery holds great value and impor- sun), and that the star illuminates tance is because the “evolution of approximately 70 per cent of the planetary systems is intimately planet’s atmosphere. linked to the evolution of their host Using Kepler-91b as an observastar,” according to the paper dis- tional model, scientists can predict cussing Kepler-91b, published in the how the Earth may respond to the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. expansion of our sun in the future.

Because of the dearth of statistical data for planets orbiting stars

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Science & Technology

VOL. 100 NO. 17 January 8, 2014

An episode in the so-called “Science Wars” Tom Ingram, staff

illustration by caroline norman

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n 1996, New York University physics led to believe for the editors of Social professor Alan Sokal tried an exper- Text to assume that a scientific expert iment: he wrote an article satirizing was not deceiving them in matters of deconstructionist philosophy and its science. abuses of scientific terminology, packed Sokal’s article was rejected at first. it full of quotes from brand-name intel- This is because, to an observer educated lectuals and scientific gibberish, sent it in the humanities but unfamiliar in to a cultural studies journal under false science, it comes off as rather quaint, pretences, and actually succeeded in try-hard, and ill-informed. This suggetting it published. At no point in the gested to the Social Text editors that process was a reviewer knowledgeable Sokal was a scientist interested in the in science consulted. intersection between his field and their Moral of the story: the humanities own, but not quite comfortable with are an intellectually bankrupt waste of the rather difficult subject matter he time, so we can safely ignore sissy liter- was working with. ary theorists and dump all our money The editors only decided to publish into applied science and technology, the article when they were running a right? feature on “Science Wars,” into which When you look at the situation a it would fit nicely. The fact that it was little closer, however, it becomes clearer below their usual editorial standards that no such unequivocal conclusions would be less important than the fact can be drawn from the Sokal hoax. that it was the only contribution by a First of all, there are some mitigat- real scientist. ing factors that Sokal’s enthusiastic The editors made some suggesdefenders (such as Richard Dawkins) tions for substantial changes to the usually neglect to mention. article – including cutting some of the Social Text, the journal in question, most egregious content, which looked was not a peer-reviewed journal at the as bad to them as it does to anyone. time; it was more of a magazine aimed However, Sokal was adamant that his at an academic audience, and did not article be published as he submitted have the field-defining function of, say, it. It is, perhaps, unfortunate that the the Journal of Low Temperature Physics. editors were not more resolute in their It is not as big of a deal as we have been calls for changes, but anyone who has

edited a publication will sympathize with them.

The idea that Sokal’s experiment represents a wholesale refutation of big chunks of the humanities is admittedly an extreme one that he does not share.

Sokal’s goal in pulling off the hoax was partly political.

“I’m an unabashed Old Leftist who never quite understood how deconstruction was supposed to help the working class,” he wrote in an afterword to the hoax. “And I’m a stodgy old scientist who believes, naively, that there exists an external world, that there exist objective truths about that world, and that my job is to discover some of them.”

Another major concern for Sokal was philosophers and literary critics making reference to scientific concepts they did not quite understand.

In his paper he quotes or makes reference to several examples; perhaps the most illustrative one is the feminist philosopher Luce Irigaray arguing that Einstein’s mass-energy equivalence equation is “sexed” because “it privileges the speed of light over other speeds that are vitally necessary to us.”

As far as I can tell, it was Richard Dawkins, in a review of a book pub-

lished by Sokal and his colleague Jean The purpose of Epstein’s experiBricmont, who popularized the idea ment was to test whether the journals that the Sokal hoax proves that decon- in question had a bias for studies that structionist philosophers and literary confirmed the basic tenets of their field. theorists are intellectual frauds using Although there have been arguments obscure language to hide the fact that over his methodology, Epstein’s experithey have nothing to say. This, in turn, ment was controlled and scientific, and has strongly influenced the way the he never allowed the papers to go to hoax is invoked in informal contexts. print. When the experiment was Some of the claims that Sokal dis- finally published, no one was interested cusses in his many writings about the in the substance of his research, only hoax are indeed very silly. The Irigaray the question of whether it was ethical quotes about masculine physics are the or not. Epstein was brought in front obvious example. But there are many of a review panel and nearly expelled others that are not obviously nonsen- from his profession. sical, and Sokal and his allies have an The gist of Hilgartner’s comparison obnoxious habit of holding examples is that the Sokal hoax tells us practiup for mockery without explaining cally nothing about academic standards exactly why they are supposedly funny in the humanities. Sokal did not make or subjecting them to a detailed and any attempt to make his experiment sympathetic reading. scientific, the logic underlying his This apparently bothered the math- choice of Social Text as a target was ematician Gabriel Stolzenberg, who rather fuzzy, his ethical standards were wrote numerous essays analyzing considerably more lax than Epstein’s, Sokal’s and others’ readings of decon- and his analysis consisted of what structionist philosophers and science Hilgartner termed the “voila method”: studies scholars. Stolzenberg shows pointing to a single case and assuming that some of what Sokal believed to be the conclusion is self-evident. obviously risible claims about science Sokal won in the court of public can be read in a sensible way. opinion because his experiment proSokal pointed to one quote from vided a good talking point for pundits the French philosophers Gilles like Rush Limbaugh and George Will, Deleuze and Félix Guattari as an and he was not academically censured example of absurd talk about chaos because there was no ethical review theory. Stolzenberg pointed out that board to haul him in front of. the two Frenchmen were not talking The unfortunately undramatic conabout chaos theory at all (they used clusion that must be drawn from all the word “chaos” in its ordinary, not this is that the situation is ambivalent. mathematical, sense). Sokal appears to Science is extraordinarily complex, have noticed this, because a later book and the sociology of science is equally fixed the mistake (without acknowl- complex. And don’t get me started on edging it). postmodernist thought. The people at Other examples are too numerous the forefront of these fields are mostly and detailed to discuss here, but suffice acting in more or less good faith, and it to say that a very large asterisk must when they make mistakes they tend be placed next to Sokal’s claims that to be small ones that are not that big postmodernists frequently misunder- a deal. stand or distort scientific ideas.

The Social Text fiasco is a tempest Stephen Hilgartner, a sociologist in a teapot with a long history and who studies science and technology, aftermath that need to be grasped in published an article in the journal order to fully understand its signifiScience, Technology, and Human Values cance – which is substantially smaller in which he compares the Sokal hoax than you might have been told. There to a similar experiment that had been are structural problems with every field, carried out in 1987. In this experiment, and there are also people who are dedisocial worker William Epstein submit- cated to working on these problems. ted two versions of a falsified paper When thinking of science in general to social work journals: one version and this episode of its history in parshowing that social work interventions ticular, it’s best not to look for heroes, were effective, and the other showing villains, and impostors. That way lies that they were ineffective. The papers madness. were otherwise identical.

Ancient species of flowering plant absorbs genes of algae and moss Elizabeth Drewnik, staff

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cientists from Indiana University have shown that a rare tropical plant absorbs the genes of other plant species. Amborella trichopoda, a shrub found on the island of New Caledonia 750 miles from the coast of Australia, carries the complete mitochondrial genomes of three species of algae, one moss species, and the genomic fragments of other species of flowering plants.

As the only survivor from one of the two oldest lineages of flowering plants, A. trichopoda has had ample time to acquire these changes to its mitochondrial genome. One of the

ways mitochondria undergo these changes is through a process known as mitochondrial fusion, in which two mitochondria merge within one cell.

“We found the first evidence that mitochondria of flowering plants and green algae, whose last common ancestor existed over a billion years ago, undergo fusion by the same mechanism,” said Danny Rice, one of the lead scientists on the project.

Mitochondrial fusion is instrumental in a process called Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT). In HGT, DNA from one organism is able to enter and be incorporated into another

organism. Horizontal Gene Transfer is an important evolutionary force in organisms such as bacteria, Archaea, and unicellular eukaryotic organisms such as protozoa, amoeba, or plankton.

There has been little evidence of HGT functioning as a genetic mechanism in multicellular eukaryotic organisms like fungi, plants, and animals. With this new information collected on A. trichopoda, it is evident that HGT in plants is not only possible, but recent and widespread.

In fact, A. trichopoda is the largest example of HGT in any known

organism. Furthermore, it is the first and the genes within them are recomtime in which scientists see an exam- bined so that all of the genes fit into ple of an organelle genome absorbing the single host mitochondrion. In a complete foreign genome. It is also this way, A. trichopoda has acquired the first time that a land plant has entire mitochondrial genomes from been shown to acquire genes from algae and moss species. an aquatic species of plant, like the Jeff Palmer, another one of the lead green algae. scientists on the study, explains that This work on A. trichopoda gives this research provides “compelling scientists insight into the mecha- evidence that mitochondrial fusion nisms of HGT. In this case, it occurs is the driving force for mitochondrial by direct physical contact. A whole gene transfer.” mitochondrion is captured by A. Further research involving trichopoda when the cells of both the Amborella will help illuminate the host and parasite plants come into ancestral states of important genes contact. The mitochondria then fuse, in flowering plants.

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

event Listings

Arts & Culture music

visual art

13 other

The arts events to attend this weekend

Thursday, Jan. 16 Vernissage: L'avènement de Marie-AndrÊe Houde La Maison des artistes visuels

Friday, Jan. 10 Present At Hand by Matthieu Sabourin aceartinc.

Friday, Jan. 10 Empower The Purple Room at FRAME

Thursday, Jan. 16 - Feb. 15 Water Memory Table by Patrick Mahon Gallery 1C03 at the University of Winnipeg

Friday, Jan. 10 The High Thunderers / Lonely Vulcans / Valley Girl Special / Bunk Mustangs The Windsor Hotel

Wednesday, Jan. 8 Greg Rekus / Dust Rhinos / Cheering for the Bad Guy / Mad Young Darlings / Rockopolis (PA) The Park Theatre

Friday, Jan. 10 c. ladd / beefdonut / Rory Friesen & the Poets of Good The Cavern

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Arts & Culture

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

Compendium Artist Market set to open in April 2014 Anastasia Chipelski, staff

Photo by Paul Zacharias

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f all goes according to plan, 2014 will mark the fruition of a dream eight years in the making, and the conclusion of over three years of dogged determination. This April, Ryan Poworoznik hopes to hold the grand opening for the Compendium Artist Market at 564 1/2 Main Street.

While he had long held the dream of opening a graphic design studio and art gallery, after graduating from Red River College (studying graphic arts and photography) he began to get serious about penning a business plan.

“My main focus was still the art gallery portion, but there were now other aspects I wanted to incorporate,” Poworoznik tells the Manitoban. “It started off with a photography studio, then a juice bar, then a craft market, and then expanding the juice bar to include coffee as well. Every part seemed to work well together, and some were even necessary from a financial standpoint.”

While his dream has held steady for the most part, securing funding for the project has been “one of the longest and hardest battles I’ve ever fought,” says Poworoznik.

He spent a year hearing from banks and other organizations that he didn’t qualify for loans and grants, and endured many frustrating and drawn-out negotiations. On a personal level, he’s also had difficulty with aspects of communication and networking due to a stutter.

“People call or want to talk on the phone, and that’s not something I’m comfortable doing. [ . . . ] I’m still happy to talk to anyone who wants to, it just might be difficult to express my thoughts in the way that I’d like to.”

Poworoznik found help in early 2013, when Vicki Anne Melo joined the project and took on some of the responsibility for communications as creative director. A freelance writer by trade, Melo has been blogging for Compendium and posting interviews with local artists over the past few

months.

In between setbacks and positive moves forward, Poworoznik has seen concrete interest growing in the project.

“I’ve also talked to a ton of people that are interested in what I’m doing, want to help, and can’t wait for us to open. It’s been quite uplifting and appreciated,” says Melo.

Poworoznik also takes heart in the other successful ventures he’s witnessed over the past few years, and hopes that his experience could also be of use to others who are dreaming up their own projects.

“I’m happy to see other young entrepreneurs following their dreams.

With that being said, if I can provide anyone with more information about my experiences in starting a business to help them start theirs, I would be glad to do so.”

Giving back to the community has been a constant fixture in Poworoznik’s plans for the creative hub of Compendium.

“We’ll be providing information on our social media outlets about various social issues, as well as having printed information in our shop.

We also plan on having speakers and screening documentaries and films on different topics,” says Poworoznik.

Another key topic for Compendium is environmental responsibility, and a commitment to green practices is evident through their construction choices and plans for using recyclable products and sourcing local produce in the coffee and juice bar.

Compendium is currently inviting advance bookings for various types of events, including film screenings, pop-up dinners, fashion shows, small concerts, workshops, and more, and they will be booking artists and craft shows soon as well.

Read more about Compendium at artistmarket.ca, and follow them on Facebook for the latest news about bookings and the grand opening.

Art gallery Zsa Zsa West showcases Study for the Canadian Museum of Human Wrongs by Paul Zacharias Lukas Thiessen, staff

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ight months before the grand I say we think we’re the tough luck opening of the controversial cousins of the jewelled empires Canadian Museum for Human of the U.K. and the U.S.A., but Rights (CMHR), a small and really we’re more empire enablers. heroic venture in Winnipeg’s You couldn’t say some things I do Chinatown presents an exhibi- with these works at a publiclytion addressing the difficulties in funded show. At Andrew’s you such an endeavour. can be more controversial.”

The place is Zsa Zsa West, run An eerie video trailer for the

by Andrew Harwood, a student exhibition combines imagery at the University of Manitoba reminiscent of Buffalo Bill’s haircompleting a master’s degree raising lair in the film version of in fine arts. It is in the location The Silence of the Lambs, alongside of the former gallery known as the music of Spaghetti Western Golden City Fine Art on Pacific favourite Ennio Morricone, which Avenue. The event showcases the begins with powerful chanting work of Winkler-born artist Paul that evokes indigenous percusZacharias in an exhibition called sion and vocal music, and German Study for the Canadian Museum of electronic artist Pole.

Human Wrongs.

Also in the trailer, we see an Harwood explained in an eternally burning book. Hands interview with the Manitoban craft objects of slavery and viothat Zsa Zsa West is not a gal- lence: a severed human foot lery or a studio. caught in a fur trap. Hands hold “It’s somewhere bet ween a chainsaw in the frozen wastean artist-run centre and a pri- land, followed by the sound of the vate art gallery. This confuses machine revving up and blood Manitobans.” curling down the drain of a sink.

Harwood is proud of the grit Zacharias is known for his and imperfection there. “I have no paintings on canvases of wood, interest in becoming a publicly- and he plans to perhaps include funded gallery. Maybe I’m just paintings in the show, but the a Liberal or something terrible exhibition as an installation—in like that. I’ve done all of the pub- this case, a museum—is a new lic stuff, and it’s valuable for still move for him. emerging artists who still can’t “I work a lot in film as a scenic be commercial, but it limits what artist,” says Zacharias. “We do you can do.” quite a bit of both sculpture and Zacharias echoes this senti- painting, painting in the threement, explaining shows that dimensional aspect – that’s kind couldn’t be done at publicly- of where some of the techniques funded venues are possible at for this show have come out.”

Zsa Zsa. Much debate has occurred “There’s a line in my intro where around the issue of whether the

CMHR should be more celebratory or mournful, whether it should focus on successes of human rights or travesties.

Zacharias has no reserves about showcasing the horrid side of Canadian history.

“It’s still a look at the ugly Canadians. The part of us that we don’t like to talk about.”

There is a hint of playful humour in the show. The CMHR is embroiled in so much serious controversy that debates over what to present continue to occur, and there is concern over what is the right way to promote the museum.

Zacharias says he had more freedom because he wasn’t funded, which limited the amount of work he could put into the show, but he could try new and difficult things because he was not focused on selling works.

In creating the idea of a museum of human wrongs, there is no proper way to address suffering.

“I think when you talk about Canadian history, if you’re missing the voice of Native people, you’re missing a huge chunk of it,” says Zacharias.

The artist does not purport to correct any style of presentation expected from the CMHR. Study is a dark and frightening vision, coupled with a bit of cheekiness.

The exhibition opens Friday, Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. at Zsa Zsa West, located at 211 Pacific Avenue in Winnipeg.

VOL. 100 NO. 17 January 8, 2014

Urban Shaman hosts Returning, a multimedia exhibition that draws on previous works by Cree Métis visual artist Lukas Thiessen, staff

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isual artist Jason Baerg has the latter was part of an indigenous recently gone back to his home- residency exchange program between town of Sarnia, Ontario—a place in the Royal Melbourne Institute of which he has not lived since 1995—as Technology and the University of part of an artist residency program Lethbridge. at the Judith and Norman ALIX Relations consists of digitally Art Gallery. Having last been here abstracted images of community in 2010, Baerg is also making a short members with whom he worked at jaunt to Winnipeg as part of an exhi- Ndinawe. A special occurrence took bition of his work. place while working on images of one It is appropriate, as he revisits past particular person. locales, that his current show is titled “Every time I clicked for those ranReturning. dom abstractions to appear, [digitally Baerg explains in an interview formed images of] birds kept coming with the Manitoban that after years forward. I talked to him after and he of moving from place to place, his said he is a member of a Bird Clan.” sense of home stretches across the “Nomadic Bounce really talks about globe. His current residency radi- the travelling journey of traditional cally altered his understanding of knowledge,” says Baerg. his past.

He was hosted by a Maori artist in “My previous relationships have New Zealand, which contributed to a preceded journeys. When I’m travel- transnational concept of indigenous ing places those relationships open knowledge. doors.”

Baerg says that when this exhiHe emphasizes that this show bition was shown at Saskatoon’s highlights his relationships with Mendel Art Gallery, he conceived of indigenous communities and his the display of the works as the image heritage as a Cree Métis artist. of a solar-powered speed train. “They Returning draws on two differ- [people who inspired the works and ent bodies of work: Relations, begun visitors to the show] are now taking during his residency in Winnipeg, us into the future. It’s a mode for recand Nomadic Bounce, created as part lamation and empowerment.” of his residency through the school Today, Baerg’s work is becoming of art at Australia’s Royal Melbourne more collaborative.

Institute of Technology in 2012.

He describes his desire to release As part of the former opportu- his ownership of the digital media nity, he worked with young artists he creates, to let the people who at Ndinawe Youth Resource Centre, inspire his work and the curators who

present it become the owners of the work, while he maintains copyright of physical creations.

“I have allowed myself to relieve myself of ownership in the work. I hope that one day the work is a legacy, that one day the pieces become playful for curators.”

Baerg says that the show’s title is both about drawing on the past and providing something which can be accessed again in the future.

“I’m really thankful to be raised in the Aboriginal way. You have to do a bit of research and observe protocol.

You have to do a lot of listening and observing. There’s a certain kind of empowerment that happens with that humbling.”

As part of this show he will be conducting workshops with young artists at both Ndinawe Youth Resource Centre and Art City.

“It’s an honour to present in Métis territory, to present at Urban Shaman, to work with Ndinawe and Art City and the art community in Winnipeg.

I have tremendous respect for the artists in Winnipeg.”

Come see the exhibition of Baerg’s work at Urban Shaman (Suite 203-290 McDermot Avenue in the Exchange District). The show opens Jan. 17, with a reception and an artist’s talk at 9 p.m., and runs to Feb. 22.

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Review: Mood Indigo Michael Carlisle

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rench director Michel Gondry The cinematography is astoundhas had quite an unusual film- ing, giving us triumphant images ography, ranging from the beloved that make this picture feel like a Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind unique experience. Both main actors, to the poorly received superhero flick Romain Duris (Heartbreaker) and The Green Hornet. He began his film Audrey Tautou (Amelie) are at the top career in 1989, directing a now-ob- of their game when it comes to their scure French short, then got his big remarkable acting. The score really break directing music videos for the sells the dreamy nature of the picIcelandic singer Bjork. Mood Indigo ture; it is subtle but inspires creativity. is his latest picture, and it is making I was also impressed by the dialogue waves with audiences worldwide. and overall screenplay Gondry presRomain Duris and Audrey ents; every line feels natural and not Tautou star in this peculiar flick forced, which greatly intrigues the about a woman stricken with a audience. strange illness caused by a flower Mood Indigo is a profound developing in her lungs. movie, based on a pretty great book.

This modern French fantasy is Gondry’s film is closest in visual style filled to the brim with surreal imag- with the pictures made by British ery that captures the mind and cap- director Terry Gilliam (Brazil). So tivates the heart. It has a dream-like if you enjoy Gilliam’s flicks, then you atmosphere which shows that even in will definitely enjoy this one. suffering there is tremendous beauty. 5/5 Too often we hear that there are no new ideas in 21st-century cinema; Check out more of Michael’s reviews however, Mood Indigo proves the at goodbadcritic.blogspot.ca, and pessimists wrong. This is an inspired catch a screening of Mood Indigo at film that not only demonstrates that Cinematheque (100 Arthur Street) cinema has no boundaries, but that on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 9 p.m.). the imagination is limitless as well.

Gondry has created a truly breathtaking experience.

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VOL. 100 NO. 17 January 8, 2014

photo provided by The Psychics

Photo by Colin Swan

10 movies to help you get

Top local bands of 2013 David Skene, volunteer staff

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hate year-end lists. The past is irrelevant and the future is everything. So, flying in the face of that hatred, let’s cherry pick the bands that I’ve written about over the last year who are destined for greatness in 2014.

The Psychics Space rangers and aliens of all shapes and sizes better prepare themselves for the impending invasion of earth. The Psychics are leading a revolution of acts that push the boundaries of performance by embracing a B-movie aesthetic and a love of jazzy improvisational rock. They give you tripped out music and a reason to dress up like a wacky space alien.

The Uncanny Valley Girls The formula is simple. Take three valley girls named Ashley. Give them an organ, a guitar, and a drum set. Ask them to write songs about the real important stuff—their hopes, fears, dreams—and you will get one of the best bands that has ever existed. Mark my words – they will save rock and roll.

Kindest Cuts There is something about the howl and moan of sleek minimal synths that fit the loneliness of Winnipeg. The isolation of -40 C wind chill and empty streets is woven into the poetic tapestry of drum machine, synths, and vocals that inhabit Kindest Cuts’ debut cassette. It stays sharp after multiple listens and never wavers in its promise to lay bare its inner workings for the entire world to see.

Beefdonut This is a band I’ve been able to watch grow and change over the last year. It’s been an experience that you only get when you take part in your local music scene, watching the band evolve from show to show.

In the beginning beefdonut was just its main songwriter playing along with pre-recorded tracks. Now beefdonut performs with the rhythm section from Kato Destroy and a backup singer. Their new album coming out in the spring is gonna make 2014 feel like 1996.

Don’t understand? I’ll explain when the album comes out.

through the rest of winter Michael Carlisle

The Great Beauty Paolo Sorrentino’s surreal masterpiece is as close to a Federico Fellini flick as any modern filmmaker can get; for that he should be commended.

The Wolf of Wall Street A tale of depravity, decadence, and debauchery; Martin Scorsese’s newest picture is his greatest, and most controversial, since his gangster epic Goodfellas.

12 Years a Slave Steve McQueen’s latest project takes its subject matter extremely seriously, which is a refreshing discourse from nonsensical fantasies like Django Unchained.

The Dance of Reality At 84, Alejandro Jodorowsky proves that he can still shock and entertain us. This beautiful autobiography of the old man’s life is filled with so much surreal imagery that it should come with its own instruction manual.

Blue is the Warmest Color Despite its NC-17 rating, Blue is an odyssey of self-discovery, sexual identity, and the nature of love.

Le Passé Asghar Farhadi’s newest flick Le Passe, a fantastic domestic drama, proves that he is not a one-hit wonder and will surely continue to produce Academy-Award-caliber films.

Blue Jasmine Woody Allen has a masterpiece on his hands.

Blue Jasmine is a modern A Streetcar Named Desire, but not even Marlon Brando, who played Stanley in Elia Kazan’s 1951 version, would be able to handle 2013’s Blanche.

Jeune et Jolie Very few North Americans have heard of the great François Ozon. If you haven’t, Jeune et Jolie is definitely a great place to start. It is sexy and seductive, with a hint of suspense.

Like Father, Like Son Hirokazu Koreeda has made a great family flick that is not full of the usual cliché sentimentality. Honest and thought-provoking, it will truly encourage you to reflect on your own family life.

Target Practice A purely Canadian film, Target Practice will touch your heart and stir your soul. It plays like a childhood memory and although there are very dramatic moments, you can’t help but experience intense feelings of nostalgia.

5 makers who made my life better Anastasia Chipelski, staff

Photo provided by Just the Goods

6 impressive young people Lukas Thiessen, staff

Just the Goods It’s rare to find a skin care line that doesn’t market based on gender or through pointing earch online about teens in Winnipeg and out made-up flaws. The products offered by most of the results suggest that young people Just the Goods are pared down where they need are constantly on their worst behaviour. Such a to be—in external glitz and lofty promises— cursory view ignores exquisite talents and sucleaving just what is needed, often with a sweet- cesses of teens in this city. The following review smelling flourish. I use the lip scrub as a tasty of five great achievements of young people in treat for sun or wind-chapped lips, and the hand Winnipeg during 2013 suggests that there is much and body lotions are the first I’ve found that more to teenagers in the city of muddy waters. haven’t left me vacillating between itchy reptile skin and an oily mess.

Aaron Wojnowksi, 18 The business practices are just as balanced Vincent Massey Collegiate graduate, along and transparent, which makes Just the Goods with Christian Lunny, 18, and 12th-grader truly affordable for basics, and an easy splurge David Bell, both from St. Paul’s High School for tiny luxuries. at the time, created the app MUSI, which allows Snootsie users to create personal playlists using Youtube, After hearing “Awesome purse, where’d you rather than rely on premade playlists on sites like find it?” answered with “Snootsie” twice in one Songza and 8tracks. day, my curiosity was piqued. Tesh Kosowan’s purses are gorgeous, but her vintage-style bicycle Daniel Huang, 16 bag really took my summer to the next level. It’s In grade 11 at the time, at St. John’srugged yet stylish, and deceptively spacious. Ravenscourt, won fifth place at the Sanofi If it’s full, external d-rings add the option of BioGENEius Challenge Canada in Ottawa for strapping an extra sweater or picnic blanket on discovering a possible new way to combat the the outside. I didn’t have a compatible saddle; deadliest brain cancer.

Kosowan went the extra mile and offered a hardware set that made it work perfectly.

Vivek Bhagria, 18 Flora and Farmer A student (and now graduate) of Dakota I had fallen out of love with toast until I dis- Collegiate in 2013, was chosen as the only covered Flora and Farmer’s “delightfully dar- Manitoban out of 30 athletes to represent Canada ing” jam combinations. The smaller jars offer at the World Dwarf Games last August at an opportunity to experiment with flavours like Michigan State University where he and Team Hot & Smokey Tomato & Pineapple or Maple Canada won bronze for volleyball.

Ginger Blueberry. It’s hard to pick a favourite and I’ll probably keep exploring the impressive Alyssa Nepinak, 13 roster of tastes for many breakfasts to come.

Was in grade seven at Arthur E. Wright last Roy Liang year, walked from Winnipeg to Ottawa, leavLiang’s silk-screened re-imaginings of local ing March 28 and arriving in Ottawa May 13. iconography always inspire a chuckle. When I Nepinak was one of the youngest members of saw his Louis Riel-Vuitton design, which weaves Youth4Lakes, a group in support of the Idle No symbols for Confusion Corner, the Jets, and More movement.

Salisbury House into the high fashion designer’s classic pattern, I realized that it was time to buy *Honourable menmyself a little gift as well. tion: Ryan Pistorius Lennard Taylor A student at St. John’s-Ravenscourt, was I’ve often been torn between fashion and named the world’s top debater and public speaker function – between comfort and the desire to for high school students amongst 80 others from carry my belongings on my person. The Lennard 16 countries at the World Individual Debating Taylor holsters changed all that, offering wear- and Public Speaking Championship in Brisbane, able pockets and making me question my need Australia in 2012. for a purse. They’re well-made, adjustable, and In the areas of digital technology, public fashionably versatile – well worth saving up speaking, cutting-edge medical developments, for. athletic prowess, and social activism, teens in Winnipeg are at the forefront not only in our city, province, and country, but globally.

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

Diversions

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

Sports

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Time may come for Winnipeg Jets to can coach Claude Marc Lagace, staff

illustration by bram keast

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itting well out of playoff contention heading into the second half of the 2012-13 season, the clock might be winding down on Claude Noel’s time as head coach of the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets continue to flirt with a winning record under Noel’s coaching, but have failed to turn the corner and shed the reputation for mediocrity that has hung over the franchise since its inception as the Atlanta Thrashers.

Through 42 games this season, the Jets have 43 points and a record of 19-21-5. They sit one point ahead of the Central Division’s basementdwelling Nashville Predators, and seven points back from a Western Conference wild card spot. The Jets are going to require a strong January, with 15 games remaining before the NHL takes a break for the Sochi Olympics.

The Jets have talented veterans like Bryan Little, who leads the team in points and is on pace to have a career year; Blake Wheeler, who will play for Team USA at the

Olympics; Dustin Byfuglien; and Zach Bogosian. They also have promising young talent like Mark Scheifele and Jacob Trouba, who have the potential to be the future leaders of the Jets franchise.

The division realignment that moved the Jets from the Southeast Division to the Central has exposed the Jets as playoff pretenders Unfortunately, the division realignment that moved the Jets from the Southeast Division to the Central has exposed the Jets as playoff pretenders. While it was exciting to watch the Jets jockey

for the lowly Southeast Division crown, with Chicago, St. Louis, and Colorado set for many years of successful seasons to come, the Jets will have to make a big move to make up ground on the division leaders. Part of that will come through the draft, but more importantly through smart player development and game planning by the coaching staff.

Remember A lexander Burmistrov? The Russian centre was drafted eighth overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, and pushed into the starting lineup the following season.

Instead of taking an extra year or two to develop in the minor leagues, Burmistrov fizzled out in the NHL and now plays in the KHL. I bring up Burmistrov as an example of how decisions made by coaches and management can contribute to the stunted growth of a young player’s development. So far, the team has given other prospects the time to develop and grow before transitioning them into the pros, and Noel has given Scheifele and Trouba plenty of ice time. With his AHL coaching background, player development should be one of Noel’s strengths.

The question Jets fans should be asking themselves is whether Noel has done enough to keep his job secure. You have to wonder whether Noel would have ever been in the conversation for the Jets’ head coach position if he weren’t already working for True North as the head coach of the Manitoba Moose. True North gave Noel the nod, and hasn’t had much success to show for the decision through two seasons in the NHL. The grace period for Claude Noel has long ended. The fantasy of raising a Southeast Division banner to the MTS Centre rafters never materialized. The Jets have a month before the hockey world turns their attention to Sochi. The reality is that unless something changes in Winnipeg, making the playoffs in the wild Western Conference will just be another unrealized fantasy for Jets fans.

VOL. 100 NO. 17 January 8, 2014

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How the top NHL Draft prospects have performed Mike Still, staff

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he World Junior Hockey and three assists through five games, this season. The big factor that sets Championship (WJHC) has and has provided tons of energy in the Ekblad apart is his size. At 6-foot-4, consistently provided NHL pros- offensive zone, alongside 16-year-old 217 pounds, he can be an intimidating pects with a chance to showcase Connor McDavid and 18-year-old Bo physical force on the ice. their skills on a larger stage.

While he had just one goal While a poor performance and one assist in five games, can affect when a player gets it is his overall workhorse drafted, a strong performance performance that has shone. has historically spring-boarded He is a part of the second-line players up the draft board. For defensive pairing with Derrick example, Nino Niederreiter Pouliot, and logged quality of Switzerland was a late first minutes throughout the tourround projection heading into nament as an even strength the World Juniors. He vaulted defender as well as on the into the top five in the 2010 penalty kill. Ekblad’s hardNHL Entry Draft based on working play and heavy ice his strong play in the tournatime was key in the first three ment (6G, 10A-7 games). games of the tournament. He Here is a breakdown of four stepped up as veteran Griffin top-ranked prospects, and how Reinhart served the final three they have performed in the games of his suspension from World Juniors. last year. Based on his play, he Sam Reinhart, centre, is still in prime contention to Canada (Kootenay Ice, WHL) Horvat. His work on both the power be a definite top two pick this year.

Reinhart is a heavy favourite to go play and penalty kill has also been an Leon Draisaitl, centre, Germany first overall in this year’s NHL Draft. asset to Team Canada.

(Prince Albert Raiders, WHL) Before heading to the World Juniors, Aaron Ekblad, defence, Canada Some have said that Draisaitl may he had 16 goals and 50 points in 33 (Barrie Colts, OHL) be the best prospect to come out of games with the Kootenay Ice. Ekblad and Reinhart are cur- Germany since Dennis Seidenberg His performance in the tourna- rently in a close fight for the top spot in 2001. Draisaitl has 18 goals and 51 ment has not dampened his draft in the draft. Ekblad has 10 goals and points in 33 games playing for Prince stock. Reinhart registered two goals 25 points in 29 games with Barrie Albert this season.

Heading into the World Juniors, a lot of energy and gave his team some he had the potential to be a top five quality chances. His familiarity with pick. His performance for Germany the North American game will aid has not helped facilitate that pre- his position in the draft as well. diction. While he does have two *** goals and two assists in five games, You may be asking yourself, “what his undisciplined play has cost him. about the Jets’ prospects?”

Draisaitl has a total of 52 penalty minThe Winnipeg Jets had two playutes, including a pair of game miscon- ers represent Canada at this year’s ducts. The fact that he picked up more tournament: first-round Jets draft penalty minutes in five games than pick defenceman Josh Morrissey his total season points in the WHL and second-round forward Nic Petan. is not something that will appease Both Morrissey and Petan had strong scouts.

World Juniors campaigns, and the Ivan Barbashev, centre, Russia future looks bright for Winnipeg.

(Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL) Morrissey has two assists in five Barbashev came into the tourna- games, and was active on both the ment as a potential top-15 draft pick. penalty kill and power play. His He has produced 13 goals and 37 leadership and poise leading a points in 29 games this season, and strong defensive corps have not gone is one of the QMJHL’s best prospects. unnoticed.

Of all the draft-eligible players headNic Petan had a breakout touring to the World Juniors, he had the nament, scoring four goals and most to gain, as a strong performance one assist. His game-winning goal had the potential to bump him into against Slovakia proved he can come the top 10. through in the clutch. Petan has been Because he was the youngest player all over the ice in the tournament, and on a strong Russian team, Barbashev will definitely add scoring prowess played mainly on the third line. He for the Jets. managed just one goal and one assist illustration by scott Ford in six games, but that should not have hurt his draft stock, as he played with

What I learned in 2013 about Winnipeg's sports teams Mike Still, staff

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his past year was full of challenges for Winnipeg sports teams.

The Bombers and Goldeyes failed to make the playoffs and the Jets have continued to struggle. Despite the shortcomings, there are still many bright spots to look forward to as we head into 2014. Here are a few things I have learned about each team, and what to expect in 2014.

Goldeyes

The Winnipeg Goldeyes entered 2013 coming off their first championship since 1994. The season got off to a strong start, starting 8-0 on the road.

It was the dog days of the mid-season that cost them a playoff spot, as the Goldeyes fell to as much as 12 games under .500. Despite a strong finish and a 56-44 record, the Goldeyes failed to make the post-season.

The team will return three key players in 2014, including two-time MVP Josh Mazzola. He had another productive season in 2013, with 16 home runs and 64 RBI. Reliever Brendan Lafferty went 5-2, and set a Goldeyes record by appearing in 53 games out of the bullpen. Infielder Amos Ramon will also be back for a third season. He registered eight home runs and 52 RBI last season.

If the Goldeyes can add some quality young players to match the

veterans they have at almost every position, they should be in good shape to improve on a season that ended with a winning record and tons of optimism.

Jets

The Winnipeg Jets seem to be continuing in a never-ending circle of mediocrity. The team has managed just three wins in a row so far this season, a clear indication of the lacking consistency. Injuries had an effect on the team in 2013, as only seven players have played in every game so far this season. The defence have struggled the most: Grant Clitsome and Paul Postma are both on the injured reserve, Jacob Trouba incurred a scary neck injury, and Zach Bogosian, who has been the defensive dynamo for the team, also lost a significant chunk of ice time.

Another cause for concern is their lack of depth at forward. Andrew Ladd, Blake Wheeler, and Bryan Little—who make up the first line— are three of the top four scorers. In the face of these failures, there are a few pleasant surprises on the team this season.

After scoring just 14 points in the lockout-shortened season a year ago, Olli Jokinen has stepped up his game, tallying 26 points, including 10

goals, so far this season. The future also looks bright for the Jets, as centre Mark Scheifele and defenceman Jacob Trouba have added energy and productivity to the team. Scheifele is eighth in rookie scoring with 20 points, and Jacob Trouba has shown flashes of brilliance. Al Montoya has also been strong in net, proving his abilities with an 8-3-1 record, and a 2.02 goals against average.

Things aren’t looking too good for the Jets heading into the New Year; with a 19-20-5 record, Winnipeg sits in second last place in the tough Central Division.

Even with another disappointing start, there are pieces in place to improve in the years to come.

Blue Bombers

Coming off an abysmal 3-15 record, it appears there is nowhere to go but up for the Blue Bombers. The firings of general manager Joe Mack and president Garth Buchko were the first steps in the right direction for a team that had their worst record since 1998.

Wade Miller, who was appointed as acting CEO, is the right decision

for the team. He has CFL experience and a connection to the team having played 11 years as fullback for the Bombers. He also has a business history, as co-founder and CEO of Pinnacle, the largest recruitment firm in Manitoba.

Miller took a step in the right

assistant general managers who will also assist with scouting. The hiring of Mike O’Shea as head coach is also a positive move for the club.

O’Shea has over 20 years of CFL experience as both a player and coach, and has won four Grey Cups. He has plenty of experience on the defensive side of the ball, where he played linebacker. He is also a strong special teams guru, helping to turn Chad Owens into one of the best returners in the game in Toronto.

With a young receiving group remaining mainly intact, as well as a veteran front four, the Blue Bombers have some key pieces on both sides of the ball. It is important to keep the offensive line healthy, and snag a young quarterback like direction when he promoted assistant Zach Collaros. He proved his worth general manager Kyle Walters to the on the Toronto team that had O’Shea full GM position. Walters has knowl- as their special teams co-ordinator. If edge of the team and league already, Winnipeg can do that, they may be having worked with Mack. He also looking at one of the greatest turnwon a Grey Cup when he played for arounds in CFL history. the Tiger-Cats in 1999. photo by beibei lu Walters has already made quite a few quality decisions, including hiring Danny McManus and Ted Goveia as

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VOL. 100 NO. 17 January 8, 2014

Bison briefs

Holiday wrap-up!

Marc Lagace, staff

Basketball

illustration by Heather Kat Cole

The best is yet to come Canadian tennis stronger than ever heading into 2014 Adam Peleshaty, volunteer staff

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his past year saw the first glimpse into what appears to be a very bright future for Canadian tennis.

Three of Canada’s top players are coming off career bests in 2013 heading into the 2014 Australian Open, which starts on Jan. 13. Expectations are high for Milos Raonic, Vasek Pospisil, and Eugenie Bouchard as they await their seeding for the main singles draws at the first tennis Grand Slam of 2014.

Milos Raonic made history for Canadian tennis in 2013, notwithstanding some difficulty.

Last year, the “Maple Leaf Missile” reached the Round of 16 in the Australian Open for the second time in three years before losing to Roger Federer. In February, Raonic won the SAP Open in San Jose for the third year in a row.

Three months later, Raonic dropped longtime coach Galo Blanco in favour of former World #3 Ivan Ljubicic. The switch sent Raonic into a summer slump as he adjusted.

Worries about the 23-year-old vanished when he reached the Montreal Rogers Cup final in August. It was the first Masterslevel final for Raonic, and the first time a Canadian has reached the men’s singles final at the premiere Canadian tennis event in 55 years.

Despite losing to Rafael Nadal, he climbed to a career-high #10 Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour ranking, the first Canadian male to do so.

After another tournament win in Thailand, reaching the Round of 16 at the U.S. Open for the first time and leading Canada to the Davis Cup semifinals, he was awarded the Lionel Conacher Award for Canadian male athlete of the year by the Canadian Press.

Vasek Pospisil entered 2013 playing in Raonic’s shadow, and while he hasn’t achieved the same success as Raonic, it was a stellar year that currently has him ranked at a career-high #32 in the ATP.

He began the year with a bout of mononucleosis and fell out of the top 100. After recovering, he won an ATP Challenger event in Vancouver, and a week later reached the semifinal of the Rogers Cup, falling to Raonic. With doubles partner Daniel Nestor, he helped Canada secure Davis Cup doubles victories in marathon five-set matches against Italy and Serbia.

His versatility could make him a highly-ranked player in both singles and doubles very soon.

Eugenie Bouchard had a very promising year of growth as a professional in 2013, after starting out ranked #144 in the world.

By the end of 2013, many believed she could become the best female tennis player Canada has ever produced. Her potential is still not fully realized, but Bouchard showed she could compete with the best in women’s tennis.

At Wimbledon, Bouchard defeated former Grand Slam champion Ana Ivanovic. She also won the first set against top-ranked tennis superstar Serena Williams at a U.S. Open warm-up event (the Western & Southern Open) in a losing effort. Bouchard reached her first Women’s Tennis Association final at the HP Open in Japan but lost to former doubles Grand Slam champion Sam Stosur.

By year’s end, Bouchard had risen to #32 in the world and was named the Women’s Tennis Association Newcomer of the Year.

Bouchard’s success led to her being awarded the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award for Canadian female athlete of the year by the Canadian Press.

The Australian Open is an opportunity for the three players to get off to a strong start in the New Year. For Raonic, he will attempt advance to his first-ever Grand Slam quarter-final. For the other two, it will be their first main draw appearance Down Under.

2014 could be the beginning of something really special for Canadian tennis.

Both Bison basketball teams finished off 2013 by participating in a non-conference tournament.

The women’s team travelled to Halifax to play at Saint Mary’s University for Thunder Selects CIS Holiday Classic. The Bisons managed a win over Dalhousie 71-69, but lost 57-84 to the hosts and 63-80 to the University of Western Ontario.

The men’s team stayed home for the holidays and played in the Wesmen Classic hosted by the University of Winnipeg.

The Bisons came out strong and defeated Valley City 71-62, but lost to the Wesmen in the semifinals 61-73. The men would settle for bronze in the tournament after beating Regina 89-82.

Canada West basketball action resumes at Investors Group Athletic Centre this weekend, on Jan. 10 and 11, as Manitoba hosts Trinity Western and Fraser Valley.

Hockey

The Bison women’s hockey team started the New Year with a pair of home victories over the University

of Saskatchewan, and are work- loss with a regulation loss to the ing their way up the Canada West University of Saskatchewan. standings in the final stretch of Manitoba showed a lot of the season. Manitoba looked to heart after Saskatchewan went avenge a pair of road losses from up 3-0 midway through the the two teams’ first meeting back game; the Bisons stormed back in October. to take a 4-3 lead with just over Kyleigh Palmer scored both five minutes remaining in the Bison goals, her second coming as third. Unfortunately, the Huskies the game-winner, in a 2-1 overtime would force overtime and clinch victory over the Cougars on Jan. 3. the extra point in the shootout.

Palmer opened the scoring late in Ian Duval had three assists and the second period on the power Aaron Lewadniuk had two goals play, and Saskatchewan tied it up for the Bisons during their third in the final second of the frame. period surge that saw the herd Maggie Litchfield-Medd had an score three goals within three and assist on both Bison goals on the a half minutes. night.

In the rematch the following The following evening, Bison day, the Bisons were able to strike Meagan Vestby stepped up. Vestby first, as Taylor Dickin scored on opened the scoring on the power the power play in the first period. play in the first period, and knot- But the power play marker was ted the game-winner unassisted effectively wiped out by two shortmidway through the third period. handed goals in the second period, The Bisons completed the week- and a third even strength goal that end sweep with a 3-2 win. Palmer clinched the Saskatchewan vicnotched her team-leading 10th tory 3-2. goal of the season, while Dee-Ana Marion was solid in net for her The men return home to host the second win of the weekend.

Mount Royal Cougars on Jan. 10 The Bison men’s hockey team and 11 at 7 p.m., while the women had a tough time in Saskatoon, travel to Mount Royal for their pair as they followed up a shootout of weekend games.