25 September 2013

THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA STUDENTS’ NEWSPAPER

Valuing education

n e ws

co m m e n t

Bee cause

Not our Canada Up in arms

What pesticide is killing the pollinators? page 5

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

A critical look at the Charter of Wrongs page 10

Stand Up For Science rally held at U of W page 12

page 3 and 7

a rts & c u lt u r e

s p o rts

Helluva yarn

Jets fly by

Manitoba Fibre Festival to take place Sept. 28th page 14

Vo l 1 0 0 · N o 7 · s e p t e m b e r 2 5 , 2 0 1 3 · w w w.t h e m a n i to b a n .co m

Certain players key to an upward trajectory page 19

2

Index

VOL. 100 NO. 7 September 25, 2013

News

cover image

“Fall” by Bradly Wohlgemuth

| pa g e s 3 – 6

3

Breaking the silence on postpartum depression

4

Call for childcare reform

5

Protecting bees

Editorial

12

| pa g e 5

| pgs 13–16

14

12th annual Harvest Moon Festival in review

15

Review: Swarm by Lauren Carter

16

Emerging Voices, Nuit Blanche

Diversions Comment

| pg 12

Scientist and activist rally at the University of Manitoba

Arts & Culture

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

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

Science & Tech

| pa g e 1 7

| pa g e s 9 – 1 1

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

Sports

| pa g e s 1 8 – 2 0

9

Living a childfree life

18

Bison briefs

10

Religious freedom

19

Jets fly by

11

Letter to the editor

Toban Talkback

Q:

Matt Marion

Rustamdeep Singh

Muhammad Ahmad

Kirstan Osborne

“I do, because a lot of the money is going towards finding the people that grow it. We could tax it, and then they could genetically modify it and make it awesome.”

“No. It is a drug, and people could become addicted to it.”

“I haven’t seen any negative cases [ . . . ]. Yet people who smoke cigarettes often get cancer. It hasn’t been proven by research yet that there could be any negative effects [ . . . ] I think it should be legal.”

“I don’t smoke marijuana [ . . . ] but I think it should be legal because it is a natural drug. I think that alcohol is probably even more dangerous.”

Do you think that marijuana ought to be either legalized or decriminalized in Canada?

Quinn Richert, staff

Business-agricul ture major

Univer si t y 1

Univer si t y 1

M . Ed s tudent

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

3

News

Breaking the silence on postpartum depression Community members gather to learn and share resources Katy MacKinnon, staff

illustration by ADIL KHALIL

O

n Wednesday, Sept. 18, an audience of around 40 people. health-care professionals Women f illed the room, with and concerned family members the exception of one male: a gathered at McNally Robinson “grandparent-to-be.” to discuss postpartum depresCarrie Lionberg, a clinical sion. “Postpartum Depression and psychologist and assistant profesPsychosis: Understanding Early sor at the University of Manitoba, Warning Signs and How Family spoke for the majority of the event. and Friends can be Supportive” The purpose of the evening was to was held by the Canadian Mental increase awareness of postpartum Health Association, the Manitoba depression, describe its signs and Psychological Society, and the symptoms, and inform the audiManitoba Schizophrenia Society. ence of available resources.

The event was sold out with Lionberg noted the importance

of considering perinatal mental health. The perinatal period occurs from the time of conception until two years after a baby is born.

“Perinatal, as a term, kind of encompasses both the range of mood disorders that women might experience and also extends the time frame so that we’re not only talking about the postpartum period,” she indicated.

A slideshow at the event shared statistics of the disorder: “[Postpartum depression] affects 10-15 per cent of mothers and may involve anxiety ranging from feelings of panic, to racing thoughts, to excessive worry.”

Women w ith postpar t um depression may notice various symptoms, such as changes in their sleeping patterns and withdrawal from social situations.

Lionberg pointed out that some women experience confusion and uncertain feelings during the short periods the baby is sleeping, causing the women to be unable to sleep during this time. “The next thing they know, they’re in the next feeding cycle and it’s just Groundhog Day over and over and over again,” she said.

A smaller portion of women experience postpartum psychosis, which can involve “visual or

auditory hallucinations, delusions, partum period. despair, extreme anxiety, and suiPa n e l m e m b e r s L au r ie cidal ideation.”

McPherson, Jody Thomson, and Lionberg described postpartum Nicole Gamble spoke about numerpsychosis as “fairly rare. It occurs ous resources in Winnipeg. one to two times per 1,000 births, Registered nurse Nicole Gamble but we’re very, very serious when runs a support group through the we have suspicions of a psychosis Mood Disorders Association of emerging because the outcome of Manitoba. that can be very devastating.” “[The mothers] absolutely don’t An incident of postpartum psy- have to have a diagnosis to come. chosis often manifests very quickly. There’s no registration fee; there’s Lionberg named some risk factors even no registration required. You that could predict whether an just kind of show up if you like,” individual may be more likely to she said. Participants can use the experience psychosis, including group to develop coping skills, the incidence of a prior disorder discuss issues in non-judgmental or depression involving psychosis. company, or just listen.

An apparent postpartum tragJody Thomson from the edy hit close to home this past sum- Women’s Health Clinic spoke mer in the case of Lisa Gibson and about “Coping with Change,” a her family. Gibson’s children were support group “geared towards all found in a bathtub on July 24 not moms.” The psycho-educational breathing, and later they passed group welcomes women at all away. A body was found in the stages pre and postpartum to learn Red River days later, which was coping skills and speak freely in a confirmed to be the body of Lisa small, intimate setting.

Gibson. The cause of the tragedy is The audience members and panstill unknown, although a relative elists voiced a common concern: of Gibson’s confirmed her treat- lack of available funding in the ment for postpartum depression. province to help women in need.

Lionberg said that family mem- The panelists encouraged the audibers and health practitioners who ence to speak to members of parare aware of the mother’s mental liament and make their concerns history should pay close attention known. to her functioning during the post-

Tuition fees soaring Report finds average cost of degree rising Kevin Linklater, volunteer staff

T

he cost of post-secondary educa- Newfoundland and Labrador was students can be relatively certain tion in Canada has more than the least expensive at $2,867. of is that fees will likely continue quadrupled since 1990, according The report says that while to increase.” to a study released by the Canadian fees have risen, provinces have Last year, the provincial NDP Centre for Policy Alternatives ear- responded with government lier this month. The 41-page report, measures such introduced “The only thing entitled Degrees of Uncertainty, as grants and the Protecting found that national average uni- tax credits to Affordability students can be versity tuition fees “have increased help offset the for University from $1,464 in 1990-91 to $6,348 in costs. However, Students Act, relatively certain 2012-13.” this has resulted a bill the NDP of is that fees will Fees are expected to continue ris- in a myriad says will help ing in the future. The report predicts of p ol ic i e s keep tuition likely continue to average tuition costs across the coun- and programs affordable increase” – Degrees try will hit $6,610 this fall. In 2016-17 which make for students. fees are expected to rise to $6,842 the f inancial However, of Uncertainty after adjusting for inflation. cost of univerBilan Arte of Manitoba still has relatively low sity for students the Manitoba tuition when compared with the much more unpredictable. executive of the Canadian rest of Canada, with fees in this The report contends that Federation of Students (CFS) is province averaging $4,175 in the “Financial assistance applied in this critical of the legislation. last academic year. Ontario was the manner is anything but certain; proShe argued that the legislation most expensive province for 2012-13 grams can change or be eliminated does little to hold down the cost of with average fees of $8,062, while at any time, while the only thing post-secondary education. Fees for

undergrads in non-professionally without such a strategy. CFS is trydesignated programs will see their ing to link the issue of affordable tuition rates increase at the rate of education with other issues – Arte inflation, but ancillary fees will not indicated that educated people tend be capped in such a way. For degrees to be healthier and more productive. that have a professional designation According to Arte, investing in edu(engineering, nursing, etc.), graduate cation means saving on other things studies, and for international stu- down the road, such as criminal dents, increases will likely be much justice and health care costs. higher as they are not covered by the Arte recalled how CFS champilegislation. oned the idea of the tuition freeze “International students, grad stu- in the early 1990s, and then subsedents, and professional programs can quently saw it adopted in the lansee their fees increased at the insti- guage of some of the major party’s tution’s whim. Fifty-three per cent platforms. When the NDP came [of students] are facing an indefinite to power in Manitoba in 1999, they increase because they’re from these carried through on a campaign programs, while the rest of students promise and adopted a tuition will see fees increase at least as high freeze. The freeze was dropped in as inflation, if not higher,” she said. 2009 and Manitoba has since seen CFS is advocating for a national its fees rise. strategy for post-secondary educaOverall federal student debt tion. Arte claimed that Canada is levels in Canada stand at just over one of the few developed countries $15 billion.

4

News

VOL. 100 NO. 7 September 25, 2013

Call for childcare reform Frustrated parents share experiences with childcare system Alycia Rodrigues, volunteer staff

A

group of parents gathered at the Children’s Museum on Wednesday, Sept. 18 to discuss issues facing the Manitoba childcare system.

The resounding majority of parents present felt that Manitoba does not have enough suitable childcare spaces to meet their needs.

A postcard was handed out for audience members to mail to the government to press for change. The postcard stated, “While 75 per cent of mothers of three to six-year-olds are working, there are enough regulated spaces for only 20 per cent of children under six.”

The government of Manitoba has a childcare search tool online. A search for available facilities in Winnipeg with vacancies for children aged 12 weeks to two years will result in few to no vacancies.

According to Manitoba’s Online Child Care Registry statistics, 7,963 children will require care by Sept.

28.

Child Care Coalition of Manitoba

(CCCM) head Susan Prentice emceed the event. Prentice, a sociology professor, also co-chairs the Child Care Working Group at the University of Manitoba, which attempts to draw public attention to the lack of Manitoba child care.

At the event, five parents, both students and professionals, shared their experiences in trying to find a suitable day care. They felt a proper day care system would alleviate their stress and allow them to remain contributing members of society. Additionally, they concluded that the difficulty of finding and retaining a quality day care placement is the largest issue facing parents seeking childcare in Manitoba.

Politician and doctor Jon Gerrard inquired about Manitoba’s childcare system in comparison to other provinces. Prentice responded that at 50 per cent, Montreal has the highest rate of childcare availability.

Dr. Priscilla Kerr officially became a Canadian citizen in 2011, and is

a mother of two boys aged three numerous phone calls and e-mails, keep their spots during the summer months, even if they do not require months and two years. Kerr is an all to no avail. acupuncturist at a medical clinic in “Our situation was atypical. We the services of child care during that did find a spot around the end of time.

Manitoba.

“When you are in a business, or a maternity, which was pure luck University of Brandon studemanding career, they expect you in my opinion,” remarked Eyford. dent Krystal Kayne has a son with to go back to work right away,” said “Academic spots are even more rare Asperger syndrome. She had diffiKerr. than day care spots.”. culty finding a day care that catered Kerr has no family in Winnipeg.

Cost was another issue facing the to her son since many day cares do not She applied at 38 day cares, and in parents. Childcare is more expensive take in children with disabilities. two years received one response. than university tuition, and Prentice U of M nursing student Theresa Desperate to get back to work, she cited that 11 per cent of current uni- Hubbard has five children. Hubbard, flew her mother-in-law to Canada to versity students have children. who is Aboriginal, shared the diffihelp with the childcare duties.

Hortense Rabet is the mother of culties of Aboriginal students, nursKerr was nervous about having five children, a counsellor, and the ing students, and issues with the U a second child for fear of losing her executive director at l’Entre-temps, of M’s day care centres. The Campus spot at her medical clinic. She cited a non-profit organization provid- Day Care Centre Inc. has 40 spots, her responsibility to take care of her ing essential services to women and while the PlayCare Centre has just patients as an important incentive to children who are victims of domestic 16 spots. head back to work. abuse.

“Day care centres cater to the nineRyan Eyford, assistant professor of Rabet was paying upwards of to-five workers. I’m in school to train history at the University of Winnipeg, $1,000 for two children. She noted as a nurse. Next year, practicum starts is the father of a 14-month-old child. that parents experience a burden at 7:00 a.m., but day cares open at His wife, a genomic epidemiologist, when large portions of their pay- 7:45 a.m.,” stated Hubbard. “We need considered giving up her career to cheques are needed to cover the cost more day cares, and we need more care for their child. They placed their of day care. She pointed out that par- flexible hours.” names on waiting lists and made ents must continue to pay in order to

Chris Hedges speaks Pulitzer Prize winner critiques capitalism in Winnipeg Quinn Richert, staff

photo provided by Chris hedges

W

riter, journalist, activist, University of Winnipeg students’ teacher, and Pulitzer Prize- newspaper, the Uniter, and also by winner are some of the titles that Winnipeg-based leftist magazine can be appropriately affixed to the Canadian Dimension. Chris Hannah name Chris Hedges. The Vermont of local band Propagandhi (who native and well-known public have referenced Hedges in their intellectual was in Winnipeg last lyrics and liner notes) began the Saturday, delivering a lecture to evening with a short introduction. a packed house at the West End Hedges, a Harvard graduate and Cultural Centre. author of 11 books including War The event was sponsored by the Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning,

spoke to the crowd about his per- corporate oligarchy. tion, Hedges responded to a quessonal experiences and revelations on “The liberal class, in a capitalist tion from the Manitoban on whether American culture, politics, and eco- democracy, as Karl Popper writes or not student unions in Canada nomics while conducting research [ . . . ] is to serve as a safety valve,” and the United States could play a for his newest book, entitled Days said Hedges. role in revitalizing radical leftism. of Destruction, Days of Revolt.

According to Hedges, it is The 2012 book explores the unlikely that students at elite plights of American labourers and “You can critique universities will organize against their families in some of the councapitalism, though smaller universiinjustices within the try’s poorest regions, what Hedges ties and community colleges could refers to as “sacrifice zones,” fol- system, but you can’t become significant. lowing the stock market malaise “I’ve noticed that in the United critique the system of 2008.

States the schools are split [ . . . ] “I think that when we talk about itself” – Chris Hedges you have places like Princeton, American culture at this point, what where they are not only probably we’re really talking about is corpopart of the one per cent, but want rate culture. We’re talking about “It sets the acceptable parameters to remain part of the per cent [ . . . corporate values that were manufac- of debate. That is, you can critique ] the radical student movement is tured assiduously by the public rela- injustices within the system, but you not going to come out of the elite tions industry,” said Hedges to the can’t critique the system itself.” schools,” said Hedges. crowd, detailing a perceived shift in Highlights of Hedges’ talk “I don’t hold out hope for stuAmerican values away from “thrift included his reading of a passage dents in the elite institutions. It is and self-effacement,” and towards from Days of Destruction, Days of those students who didn’t have the “the cult of the self [ . . . ] the con- Revolt wherein he and Princeton kind of financial resources to go sumer society,” at the end of World Universit y professor Cornel to those institutions that I believe War II. West hold a “people’s hearing” are going to start asking the right Accounting for the general of Goldman Sachs. Hedges also questions,” he concluded. absence of resistance movements made a reference to University Hedges also responded to quesagainst “unfettered corporate capi- of Manitoba alumnus Marshall tions on the Second Amendment talism” is a major preoccupation of McLuhan. and the NRA lobby, Idle No More, Hedges’ written work, a theme that “[Dwight Macdonald] argues and his favourite poetry during a also wove its way through his talk that one of the failures of the left is question period moderated by the at the Ellice Ave. theatre. that they tried to dumb themselves Winnipeg Free Press’s Mary Agnes Aside from the auto-injection of down to reach a wide audience [ . . Welch. Hedges received a standing corporate culture and values into . ] Marshall McLuhan gets it many ovation prior to his leaving the stage the working population, Hedges years later, when he says you can’t at 9:30 p.m. also referenced the failure of lib- let the medium dictate what your eralism to challenge the customs message is,” remarked Hedges. of what he sees as a de facto ruling Following his formal presenta-

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

News

5

Buzz about bees New pesticide usage guidelines from Health Canada aimed at protecting bees Grace Kennedy

H

oneybees have been getting a lot of buzz recently due to their high mortality rates across the country, as well as in the United States and Europe.

Beyond products such as honey and beeswax, honeybees have a vital impact on ecosystems as pollinators: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada estimates that 70 per cent of flowering

Ontario and Quebec. non-target environments. try and control as much of their risk Neonicotinoids are systemic pestiRhéal Lafrenière, Provincial factors as possible but there are outlycides that coat seeds and are absorbed Apiarist for Manitoba Agriculture, ing risks that are hard to control [ . . . by the plant. When used properly, Food and Rural Initiatives, said the ] weather is a major factor [ . . . ] late they are better than alternatives like province saw a 46 per cent loss, but falls, early springs.” foliar sprays, said Rob Currie, head that Manitoba does not have the same “The problem I have with climate of the entomology department at the problem with neonicotinoids. Because change is that it should be called ‘cliUniversity of Manitoba. there is less corn and soybean grown mate instability,’” said Lafrenière.

The pesticide can also be present (both of these crops use neonicotinoids) When asked about the importance in crop dust and cause lethal harm to in Manitoba and different agriculture of honeybees, Currie said, “they polbees, which are working to pollinate machinery in use, the pesticide is not linate approximately one-third of the the crops. spread into the environment in the food items we eat [ . . . ] if we can’t Currie said that in many cases, crop same way. pollinate efficiently we are going to producers don’t have a choice but to buy Lafrenière said that because of an be in big trouble with our nutrition as coated seeds – it’s what is available. early spring in 2012, bees shut down humans [ . . . ] the diversity in our diet “The honey crop was 40 per cent too early in the fall to get ready for and nutritional quality of the food we lower than the year before [for us]. I’m winter, and because the crop harvest eat will go down.” thinking to myself, ‘we had a great ended earlier, there was a shortage of Over the past few years, Martha illustration by bradly wohlgemuth spring for flowers and moisture – so resources around to “fatten up” the bees Stewart taught her audience about plants depend on pollinators, and as a where is our honey crop?’” said Peter for the long winter that followed. beekeeping in light of similar issues result, honeybees account for approx- Dickey, president of the Huronia He stated that while most in the U.S. Currie said this will not imately $2.2 billion of the Canadian Beekeepers’ Association in Ontario.

Manitoban crops don’t require pol- combat losses, but that planting foragriculture economy.

“We’ve had bee inspectors out, and linators, research shows that polli- age which helps bees and supporting On Sept. 13, Health Canada’s Pest we have found very little mites this year nators can contribute to the quality research are things the general public Management Regulatory Agency – we’re going, ‘[are] the neonicotinoids and quantity of other crops as well; can assist in.

(PMRA) announced stricter usage killing them too?’”

94 per cent of Manitoban beekeepers guidelines for a pesticide class, neoDickey noted that run-off water are honey producers, not commercial The Ontario Beekeepers’ Association nicotinoids, which is believed to has been found to have neonicotinoids pollinators. has started an online petition to ban be behind much of the loss seen in present, evidence that it is getting into “Beekeepers are stressed – they can the use of neonicotinoids at change.org

6

News

VOL. 100 NO. 7 September 25, 2013

‘The sky is not the limit’ Astronaut Chris Hadfield speaks about outer space and team leadership in Winnipeg Alycia Rodrigues, volunteer staff

C

hris Hadfield, the Canadian astronaut who captivated the world and cultivated a popular interest in outer space through his use of social media, spoke at the Winnipeg Convention Center (WCC) on Wednesday, Sept. 18.

Hadfield’s speech, hosted by the Canadian Society of Association Executives, dealt with the shuttle blast-off, his time spent in orbit, and the descent back to Earth.

Hadfield told the WCC crowd that he dreamed about becoming an astronaut as a child. The exact date he decided to become an astronaut was July 20, 1969; it was about a month before he turned 10 and the day humans landed on the moon for the first time. He had no idea how to realize his dream, however, because Canada did not have a space program at the time.

Hadfield explained that many obstacles stood between him and his objective. For a time he, his wife, and three children faced financial troubles. He considered giving up, but his wife encouraged him to continue.

“Getting from the impossible to the possible is what we face on a regular basis,” said Hadfield The International Space Station (ISS) was a wonderful place to be, remarked Hadfield, likening it to the first navigation ships to venture from the coast of Europe.

Hadfield told the audience he has orbited around the world 2,500 times, and the most photogenic

portion of the Earth is the blue and green-hued Bahamas.

“If travelling in space, remember to take photos of the Bahamas,” he quipped.

Aerial photographs of Earth cycled on a slideshow presentation behind him. He included images of Winnipeg as well as shots of the Great Lakes.

“The space station is something the world is doing together, and is doing right” – Chris Hadfield Hadfield said there is nothing like the Australian Outback, which looks like an impressionist painting, since most of the ground has been pounded flat.

Hadfield said the space station provided an ideal position to view both the Earth and the galaxy in general. He stated that experts are unsure what approximately threequarters of the universe is made of.

In order to answer questions about its composition, trillions of highenergy particles from the stars must be detected and analyzed.

Hadfield described ways in which international collaborative projects like the ISS bring people

from around the world together.

“The space station is something the world is doing together, and is doing right. Any kids from around the world can look up and see something that unites countries,” said Hadfield.

While in space, Hadfield sharpened his skills as a leader, commanding others who spoke different languages and were from different cultures. He learned from the mistakes of his predecessors; he then simulated, practiced under stressful circumstances, and worked to gain a mutual trust with the individuals he led.

Hadfield talked about social media – the fact that it gets a bad reputation with some, and how we mostly use it wrong.

“Social media is a part of you.

It’s an opportunity to be honest.

Everyone is telling you what [he or she] thinks and wants. It’s like a conversation around the table. It can really be effective and is good to show perspective,” said Hadfield.

Almost one million people around the world now follow Hadfield on twitter, largely a result of his tweeting and photography from the ISS. He said the number one thing followers wanted was a photograph of their hometown, but that a lot of cities look the same. For him, this sameness reinforced the idea that we are all the same and are looking for the same things.

photo by quinn richert

New writersin-residence at the CCWOC Christine Fellows and John K. Samson settle in at the U of M Quinn Richert and Katy MacKinnon, staff

O

n Wednesday, Sept. 18, the Samson talked to the Manitoban University of Manitoba’s about the benefits of his new job, centre for creative writing and oral and whether pursuing a university culture (CCWOC) welcomed education is an advisable path for singer-songwriters John K. Samson the aspiring artist. and Christine Fellows into their “I think that anywhere there is recently-announced posts as this life of the mind and labour going fall’s writers-in-residence. on is a good place to work,” said Samson and Samson. “I find Fellows, both of it really helpful to “I think that whom are noted be in the univerfor a distinctive sity community.” anywhere sense of place in “A lot of my their writing, call friends are acathere is life of Winnipeg home. dem ics. I ’ve the mind and Fellows has always felt like released f ive I’ve gleaned a lot labour going albums to date, from them,” he on is a good and will add added. one more to her who place to work” – alsoFellows, discography spoke with John K. Samson sometime next the Manitoban year. Samson has following their recorded four as a set, shared her member of the Weakerthans—five advice for up-and-coming writers. if you count their work as the backAcknowledging the difficulty ing band for Jim Bryson’s The Falcon many face in sharing their work Lake Incident—and one commer- with the community, she nonethecially-released solo album. He has less argued that it is necessary for also published a book—Lyrics and improving one’s skill at the craft.

Poems, 1997-2012—and is the co“The workshop process of showfounder and managing editor of ing work and getting feedback is Arbeiter Ring Publishing. absolutely critical,” she said. “It’s Husband and wife, as well as hard, but it’s important [ . . . ] occasional musical collaborators, Prepare to be shamed.”

Fellows and Samson performed a Fellows and Samson will be short set on unamplified acoustic hosting public writing workshops guitar and piano for a crowd gath- every Thursday afternoon from now ered at University College’s Great until the end of their tenure at the Hall.

CCWOC. They opened with “Prayer for “Hopefully we’ll be a good Ruby Elm,” an ode to a recently resource at the university for other deceased elm tree on Wolseley’s artists,” said Samson.

Ruby Street. Other highlights “And we’re going to try to get our included a popular Fellows song, own work done as well.”

“The Spinster’s Almanac,” off 2007’s Nevertheless, as well as “Heart of the Samson and Fellows will be Continent,” and “When I Write at the CCWOC until Dec. 13.

My Master’s Thesis,” from Samson’s Contact ccwocwir@cc.umanitoba.

2012 solo effort, Provincial. ca or (204) 480-1067 to Following their performance, arrange a free consultation.

7

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

Editorial

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

illustration by bradly wohlgemuth

Photo Editor Beibei Lu

photo@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

design associate Vacant graphics associate Vacant

Reporters

News Vacant News Vacant Science Vacant arts & culture Vacant arts & culture Vacant Sports Vacant Assistant copy editor Vacant

Volunteer Contributors

Will Gibson, Meg Bergeron, Gloria Joe, Tariq Sohail, James Culleton, Gabriel Bako, Adam Peleshaty, Vanessa Marginet, Alyssa Arnold, Elizabeth Drewnik, Joelle Kidd, David Skene, Kelly Campbell, Magaret Brook, Anastasia Chipelski, Kevin Linklater, Alycia Rodrigues , Grace Kennedy., Eun Bee Cha, Chang Zhou, Justine Adriaansen

MANITOBAN 105 UNIVERSITY CENTRE U N I V E R S I T Y O F M A N I TO B A WINNIPEG, MB R3T 2N2

General Inquiries & Advertising Phone: (204) 474.6535 Fax: (204) 474.7651 Email: manitoban@themanitoban.com National & Multi-Market Advertising Campus Plus Media Services Toll-Free (In Canada): 1.800.265.5372 Email: info@campusplus.com

Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #589160 A “volunteer staff” member is defined as a person who has had three volunteer articles, photographs, or pieces of art of reasonable length and/or substance published in three different issues of the current publishing year of the Manitoban. Any individual who qualifies must be voted in by a majority vote at a Manitoban staff meeting. Elected representatives and non-students may be excluded from holding votes as volunteer staff members in accordance with the Manitoban Constitution.

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

The Manitoban is an independent and democratic student organization, open to participation from all students. It exists to serve its readers as students and citizens.

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

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

All contents are ©2013 and may not be reprinted without the express written permission of the Editor-in-Chief.

Yearly subscriptions to the Manitoban are available for $40.

Putting in extra credit Finding the value in university education Marc Lagace, staff

T

he new school year is underway, and pay my own way through my bachelor’s I’m sure many of you out there read- degree (with the support of my parents). ing this are already stressing out over Working a part-time job throughout assignments and deadlines – plugging my years at the U of M allowed me to away at your studies, working towards finish my degree entirely debt-free. As that degree you so desire. the CIBC World Markets report states, But what happens once you get your nearly half of all bachelor’s degree studegree? dents will put themselves into debt to There was a time when getting a uni- pay for school. I was fortunate enough versity degree was a way of separating to avoid debt, and thus, I also avoided yourself from the rest of the workforce. the rush to find a job immediately after Universities were the place where our school. brightest minds went to further their education, so they could take on the “important” jobs within society: teachers, If it’s a fact that the scientists, engineers, and politicians. actual value of the The commonly held belief is that you need a university degree to get a good job. degree you will receive Over 250,000 Canadians graduate from at convocation is barely universities every year, looking for those “good jobs” that apparently fall into the worth the paper stock lap of anyone with a bachelor’s degree it’s printed on, then the and a dream.

That is simply not the case. true value of a university Benjamin Tal and Emanuella Enenajor published for CIBC World Markets, education is what you which found that “the proportion of decide to make of it adults in Canada with a post-secondary education is the highest among all [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] countries.”

I’m still not sure whether my updated The report also found that the price of resume will help to push my application a bachelor’s degree has risen 20 per cent to the top of the heap, or whether it will since the late 2000s. Despite the rising get lost in the shuffle along with the thoucosts of post-secondary education, the sands of other graduates out there. value of university degrees is in decline.

So here’s what I’m proposing: if it’s a This isn’t just an opinion from a U of M fact that the actual value of the degree grad that’s now furthering their educa- you will receive at convocation is barely tion at college; these are the cold hard worth the paper stock it’s printed on, then facts the true value of a university education is So why am I telling you something what you decide to make of it. This means you probably already know? University sticking around on campus after your is expensive and finding a job is tough. lecture and labs and getting involved in The world goes around the sun and the the campus community. sky is blue.

My involvement came through writing Let me share a little from my experi- for the Manitoban. ences in university. Firstly, I was able to Now, I don’t want to make a blatant

plug for the very paper you’re currently reading, but it can be a great opportunity to get your viewpoints published and help improve your communication skills. I can still remember submitting my first article to the Manitoban as a volunteer, a fluffy piece on the Saskatchewan Roughriders losing the 2009 Grey Cup. The support and encouragement I got from the staff to keep writing inspired me to apply for a reporter position the following year.

Three years and hundreds of articles later, I am now pursuing a career in journalism after completing my bachelor of arts. The Manitoban was there for me throughout.

For some of you, the support may come from joining a student group – or creating your own. Maybe you’re interested in the challenge of student politics, or starting your own radio show on UMFM. Whatever it is, just go for it. You never know if it’s the one thing that will shake up your entire life, inspire you to pursue a new dream, or arm you with new skills and friendships that will be there after university.

The U of M is a commuter school, and if you’re living off campus it can be all too easy to spend as little time as possible there. When you’re stuck taking prerequisite courses or struggling to understand complicated concepts, school can feel like a chore.

But if getting a degree is only going to keep you on pace with the 250,000+ other Canadians in your nation-wide graduating class, it’s not going to be your GPA that sets you apart from other applicants for a highly sought-after job. It’s going to be everything that you’ve gained from your full university experience.

And to me, that’s the true value of university.

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

9

My choice to be childfree

Comment

Against the current of parenthood Meg Bergeron

I

’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but You could say that making this there’s a war going on out there, decision has been a major force in and it seems to be getting uglier by shaping and reinforcing the person the day. It’s a battle between parents that I am today. For the most part, and the childfree, a group which has my parents have been supportive. been gradually gaining prominence Even though they don’t always over the last 30 or so years, thrust understand it, they do respect it. My into the spotlight after Time maga- friends have been largely accepting, zine published an explosive August and being totally open about this cover story titled, “The Childfree decision has led me to discover how Life: When Having It All Means many more childfree people there Not Having Children.” are around me – and that But in this age of increased aware- number is astounding. ness about women’s rights, should The childthe right to choose what to do with free comone’s own reproductive organs really be such a controversial issue?

Personally, I’ve been lucky. Despite all the horror stories of discrimination I’ve read about online, I’ve only very rarely experienced it myself, and only in its mildest forms. It has to do with a simple misunderstanding, and I have no problem answering all the questions a person has for me as long as they’re willing to keep an open mind.

From the age of 10 I knew that I would never give birth.

This was dismissed as a phase, and yet my stance has only intensified over the years. I did for a time think that I would one day adopt; when my friends started having children, I decided to do some research, because I wanted to have an understanding of what they were experiencing. The more I learned, however, the more I came to realize that this was not for munity is incredible, me. It simply wasn’t something that I as these are hands down some of the could see for myself; doing so would most intelligent, kind, and supportbe to see myself become a completely ive people I have ever met. different person, to assume an entirely Unfortunately, some of the only new identity. people to take issue with the deciThe more I read up on the related sion have been doctors. As a result environmental issues resulting from of a complete stranger thinking they overpopulation, the stronger I felt know our minds more than we know about that as well, and I’ve been our own, it has taken four years for hyperaware of my carbon footprint my partner and me to get the sterever since. This and the resultant ilization we want and need to feel discussions on the subject with my secure in our lives. partner took place over the course I understand that most people of years. This was a journey, and have grown up with the assumption still is. that having kids is “just what you do”

and part of the life script, so being confronted with a person who rejects that notion might be a bit confusing.

But is doing something just because it’s expected of you really a good idea, especially when it involves the creation of an innocent life? Make all the mistakes you want if they affect no one but yourself ‑

but if you ask me, having kids when you didn’t really want them, when you were ill-prepared for what it would actually involve, isn’t just stupid, it’s cruel.

The childfree are often accused of being selfish. It’s the most common reaction to get, and I’ve experienced this one myself. But let’s try to end this hurtful assumption right now.

Selfishness isn’t about getting what you want; it’s about getting what you want at the expense of others. There’s nothing wrong with living your life on your own terms and being happy.

If it were, going to college would be considered selfish as well, and how ridiculous an assertion that would be. Yet no one stops to consider that calling a childfree person selfish is much the same.

The fact is, having kids is the biggest decision you can make in your life. When it comes to making the decision against it, going against the grain isn’t easy. It’s not a decision anyone enters into lightly.

This is why that second most common

argument ‑ that of, “you’ll change your mind,” is so incredibly infuriating. This is a decision that often takes years, even decades, of thought. It has to do with a person’s very sense of self.

Some people are born to be parents, and know it almost from the beginning. Others were not, and knew it equally early in life. It’s not just something you do or don’t do ‑ it’s something you are, to the very core of your being. Saying someone will change their mind on whether or not to have kids is almost like saying they’ll change their mind about their sexuality.

But maybe this isn’t always the case. The fact is that unlike sexuality, being childfree remains a choice after all, though arguably parallels may be drawn between the childfree and LGBTTQ* communities with bigoted arguments such as that they’re “unnatural,” “against God’s plan,” and that there’s no purpose to marriage without children (natural or otherwise), an argument I encountered upon my own engagement.

For those committed to a childfree life but still have the biological urge to reproduce, this becomes an issue of mind over matter, and it can be an incredibly difficult battle to wage within yourself. Your hormones may be raging, and babies may make you swoon, but maybe you’re just too concerned about the environment, overpopulation, or even your own ability to be a good parent. Maybe it’s just that despite your body wanting kids, you simply don’t.

These arguments in particular are the opposite of selfish, a desire not to see a child suffer. People such as these may help the children in their communities in other ways, such as through volunteer work or financial donations.

They may also cope with biology by learning everything they can about pregnancy and motherhood, and therefore coming to a greater understanding of the experiences of those who made a different choice. Not only does their own choice become a highly educated one ‑ it allows them, to some degree, to enter the same conversations.

This is exactly what we need in times like these. We need to understand each other. We need to be united and supportive of each other’s right to choose how to live our own lives, because as women we’re also still fighting for an equal place in society. It’s the only way we’re going to win. illustration by gloria joe

Go Bisons!

Photo by Chang Zhou Muggle Quidditch Photo by Justine Adriaansen

10

Comment

VOL. 100 NO. 7 September 25, 2013

Not our Canada Quebec charter violates Canadian values, religious freedom Tariq Sohail

T

he Quebec government’s This is shocking initiative to mar- not what ginalize a small population of Canada minorities comes at a time when is about – Quebec’s public debt currently is, this is not as of Mar. 31, 2013, $193.6 billion the tolerand growing. Instead of focusing ant Canada on methods to reduce public debt most and grow Quebec’s economy, the Canadians Parti Quebecois (PQ ) will end envision. up strengthening the bigots and What further dividing Quebec. Their exactly it proposed charter of values aims means to be to separate church and state by Canadian restricting religious garb worn by isn’t agreed public servants. The garb restricted upon, but I under the charter would include have come hijabs, niqabs, turbans, kippahs, to realize and other outwardly prominent that there religious symbols. is someDay care workers, doctors, and thing that makes us Canadians: we other public servants who serve a are a nation of immigrants who came vital purpose in Quebec society to this country for prosperity and would have to choose between these freedom from far-off lands where forms of religious expression, and famine, violence, corruption, and working as public servants for the tyranny were widespread.

Quebec provincial government.

Many Canadians firmly believe in

the values enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Bill of Rights: the rule of law, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech.

The idea of secularism resulted from repression by unjust rulers in Europe who used religion as an instrument of law to govern.

The PQ’s Only bigots will be empowered reasoning by this legislative proposal. For to leave the instance, a mosque in Saguenay, cr ucif i x in Quebec was recently smeared with the national pig blood and a hateful letter was assembly left behind. This legislation does bec ause it nothing but disrupt the communal represents harmony of Quebec society.

Quebec This charter risks polarizing heritage is Canadians and it would be the downright right move for it to be struck down hypocrisy. If in Quebec’s national assembly. If the Quebec passed, the charter would be damgovernaging not just to our society but to ment were our foreign policy when we pronot ta rget- mote human rights in other nations. ing Muslims When we have a province that proand Sikhs, it hibits religious freedom we will no would have longer have the moral superiority ordered the to criticize other governments that removal of that crucifix and had it commit grave human rights atrociplaced in a heritage museum. ties. We will be setting a dangerous Secularism is a noble idea, but precedent for other governments this kind of fearmongering and dis- to follow. illustration by james culleton respect for minorities, while hiding behind secular ideals, does a great disservice to the philosophy.

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

Comment

11

LeTters to th e Editor Send your letters to editor@themanitoban.com or drop them off at 105 University Centre

Re: Removing CFS material from agendas a political move

T

he current Universit y of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) president Al Turnbull and his fellow executives seem to think they can make unilateral decisions on behalf of over 25,000 students without their consent. The incident regarding the removal of all Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) material from the student agendas makes this apparent.

Members of UMSU are also members of Local 103 of CFS. Unions are democratic organizations in which the paying members’ dues not only entitle them to elect their representatives, but also pay those representatives’ salaries. Members are entitled to be

consulted and vote on any policy former UMSU executive that made or governance changes. However, the order for the agendas, as had the executive has ignored students’ been done in years previous. And democratic rights by making chan- yes, perhaps it did cost the cited ges to the student health plan and $60,000 to place the order. removing all CFS materials from However, there are numerous the agendas. advertisements in the agendas, from In an inter view with the MTS, Booster Juice, Manitoba Manitoban last week, Turnbull Hydro, Waverley Dental Centre, discussed the rationale behind the and Manitoba Public Insurance, removal of CFS materials from the just to name a few. These advertiseagendas, saying, “After we were told ments generate revenue and would that we legally could not provide probably have allowed UMSU to the cheapest and best service for our break even on their $60,000 investstudents, we the executive decided ment. For Turnbull to claim that he that in an act of protest towards wanted to provide “the cheapest and the egregious clause [contractually best service for our students” is conbinding] our organization, and fusing, when likely UMSU made the needless wasting of our stu- money through the ad revenue of dents’ money [ . . . ] the federation these agendas. should be removed from all the If we want to talk about saving handbooks.” money, we need a serious wake-up Let’s revisit the facts. It was the call here: ripping pages out of

about 20,000 agendas takes time information that was paid for by and effort, which means we, as fee- students, in agendas that were also paying members of the student body, paid for by students. likely had our money wasted by this Students have the right to be executive, and whatever additional provided with the CFS information staff were required to rip pages out they paid for. If we want to argue of agendas. for saving money, it is instructive Furthermore, any contract has for students to know about services terms and conditions, and opt-out such as the ISIC card, employment fees are standard legalities. Turnbull standards, National Student Loans, deciding in July, roughly six months and where our $7.10 per semester after the orders for the agendas were that we paid to CFS goes. placed, that they should no longer If Turnbull and his executive be ordered, should come with a have political issues with the manfinancial penalty – that’s standard dates or services of CFS, then that procedure. What he fails to realize should be discussed in a participais that he may have wasted students’ tory and democratic manner with money had he not gone ahead with the student body. We are, after all, the order for agendas. not only paying for missing CFS This action carried out by UMSU information; we are paying the was not only undemocratic to the UMSU executives’ salaries. students but also a waste of our money. We paid UMSU to rip out Gabriel Bako

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

Science & technology

12

‘Save our science’ Scientists and activists rally at the U of W Elizabeth Drewnik, volunteer staff

Photo by Eun Bee Cha

D

uring the lunch hour of Sep. saying that “something terrible has 16, science supporters across happened to science in Canada.”

Manitoba gathered outside of the She elaborated: “attacks on sciUniversity of Winnipeg for the Stand ence [ . . . ] will damage the integrity Up For Science rally. Seventeen such of our ecosystems,” and highlighted events were held across the coun- the cuts that have been affecting try that day; the campaign brought environmental science. scientists and concerned citizens “Canada’s Titanic of science has together to voice the need for con- hit a political iceberg,” Orihel said. tinued science funding in Canada. “Manitoba has been hit especially The rally’s first speaker, Diane hard by these cuts.”

Orihel, highlighted three critical The rally’s organizers compiled a points of concern: the elimination list of the “Top 10 hits to science in of important programs in the basic Manitoba and Canada.” These were: sciences and environmental sciences; the cancellation of Fisheries and the “oppressive” policies restricting Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Aquatic government-sponsored scientists Contaminants Research Program; from making public statements; cuts to Parks Canada; cutbacks at and the lack of attention to scientific Statistics Canada; the closure of the evidence in making public policy National Research Council Institute decisions. Orihel, a University of for Biodiagnostics; cuts to Libraries Alberta ecologist and activist known and Archives Canada; policies prefor her aggressive campaign to save venting government scientists from the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) speaking to the press; closure of in 2012, was one of the Winnipeg the Cereal Research Center; cuts event’s organizers. Orihel opened by to funding of basic science, such as

National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), downsizing of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and closure of the ELA.

“Unfortunately, our current government is attacking the foundations of Canadian science with cuts to programs and departments”—John Arthur, Manitoba Association of Government Engineers The second speaker was Scott Forbes, an ecologist at the University of Winnipeg. He stressed the importance of government scientists, who have resources and authority that academic researchers do not.

“The problem is that sometimes the politicians don’t like answers that the scientists provide,” said Forbes. “So the government of today has found the simple answer: get rid of and muzzle the scientists that are telling the inconvenient truths.”

Sarah Semmler, a graduate student in biology at the University of Manitoba, also spoke at the rally. “[We] sometimes forget that we are part of an ecosystem, but we are part of an ecosystem, and every action that we take has an impact on the environment and on the life within,” she said. “Evidence from the scientific community has been silenced in favour of increased production.”

Semmler went on to criticize Canada’s withdrawal from the Kyoto protocol. She concluded with a quote from Canadian scientist and activist David Suzuki: “We only have limited understanding of the exquisite ways in which everything on Earth is inter-

connected [ . . . ] We can’t anticipate long-term consequences of any major technology if we are ignorant of how Top 10 hits to the world works and too impatient science in Manitoba to invest the time and effort to learn and Canada: more through scientific research.”

Lyle Lockhart, a retired research -The cancellation of scientist at the DFO, spoke out Fisheries and Oceans against the “muzzling” of governCanada’s (DFO) Aquatic ment scientists. He compared the Contaminants Research plight of climate scientists in Canada Program to Galileo’s persecution for supporting “the ridiculous notion that the -Cuts to Parks Canada Earth moves around the sun.”

But it’s not just the silencing of -Cutbacks at Statistics scientists that we have to worry about, Canada according to John Arthur, president of the Manitoba Association of -The closure of the National Government Engineers.

Research Council Institute for “Unfortunately, our current govBiodiagnostics ernment is attacking the foundations of Canadian science with cuts -Cuts to Libraries and to programs and departments,” he Archives Canada said. An example lies in the cuts to the Discovery Grant Program of -Policies restricting governNSERC, which funds research in ment scientists from speakthe natural sciences and engineering ing to the press in Canada. University of Winnipeg professor Andrew Park said, “many -Closure of the Cereal of the products we have today came Research Center from basic science [ . . . ] basic science makes good policy happen.”

Basic science The Cereal Research Centre funding shrinking (CRC), stationed at the University at federal level: of Manitoba, has also been cut. The CRC has conducted research on -Cuts to the National cereal grain quality, genetics, and Science and Engineering resistance to diseases and insects.

Research Council (NSERC) It is now expected to close in 2014.

The CRC’s research is responsible -Downsizing of the for Canadian wheat’s reputation for Canadian Food Inspection “high levels of resistance to diseases [ .

Agency . . ] and serious insect pests,” according to Robert Lamb, an emeritus -The cessation of federal research scientist at Agriculture and funding for the ELA .

Agri-Food Canada.

This research contributed to the “reduced cost for buyers and consumers, and reduced pesticide cost for agriculturalists [ . . . ] this collaboration [between cereal breeders and CRC scientists] was largely respon- that somebody didn’t die because sible for making Canada a leading they missed something – that’s producer of quality wheat that goes the life of an inspector today,” said all over the world.”

Hladun.

Shelley Sweeney, head of the Pamela Godin, a master’s student University of Manitoba Archives at the U of M in Arctic research, and Special Collections, spoke gave a student’s perspective on the out against cuts to Libraries and issue.

Archives Canada. “It’s archival “How do we get our science records that ensure the protection of across?” she said. individual and societal human rights In an interview with the [ . . . ] Once these records have been Manitoban, Godin also questioned destroyed due to neglect, or lack of opportunities for newer graduate financial support, the history that students. “Are they going to have they carry is lost for good.” less opportunity? Less money availMarianne Hladun, regional exec- able with NSERC being cut?” utive vice-president of the Prairie In his closing remarks, Andrew Region for Public Service Alliance Park called for more evidence-based of Canada, spoke on behalf of the policy decisions, reopened channels 19,000 public service workers who of communication between scienare out of work, and of the remaining tists and the public, and a balance in employees who must conduct food funding between applied and basic inspections with limited resources. sciences.

“Frankly it’s offensive to me that “It’s your Canada, it’s your scithe government says that the last ence, and it’s your future, so act now food inspection crisis was caused by to make it the future we want it to the workers not doing their job. They be.” don’t have the resources to do their job. They go home at night hoping

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

13

Arts & Culture

WNDX Festival of Moving Image Celebrating innovative and trailblazing works by filmmakers and video artists Joelle Kidd, volunteer staff

F

rom Sept. 25-29, 10 venues Battle. Her work explores this sepa- work is interesting across the board, across Winnipeg will be host- ration, “the way we as a culture tend without exception,” says Irene Bindi, ing the WNDX Festival of Moving to believe some things over others.” curator for the Snow programs, addImage. WNDX, created “by filmThe Twelve Devil’s incorporates ing that it was difficult to choose makers, in support of filmmakers,” video of foggy northern Alberta which of Snow’s works to feature. “I is a festival celebrating innovative scenery with more scientific ele- wanted to show works that reflect the and trailblazing work by filmmak- ments from research on unexplained range of his explorations in film and ers and video artists based locally, phenomena like the Bermuda that will also offer a totally unique nationally, and internationally. This Triangle by Ivan T. Sanderson, such experience to the audience.” year’s festival features installations, as video loop of one of his maps and The works to be featured include expanded cinema, artist talks, free the archival magazine that first pub- Snow’s 1971 film, La Région Centrale, events, and premieres from artists lished his study. a piece Bindi characterizes as “still around the world. “[These elements] were all completely shocking.”

“The open call programs are included as a way to point towards “The audience is inevitably going fantastic to have a physithis year,” cal experience says Irene that is unlike Bindi, one anything they’ve of WNDX’s ever experienced programin a movie theming collecatre before. This tive members. work turns the “We had such entire viewing an explosion process on its ear, of submisquite literally.” sions from The programs all over the also comprise of world, so we five other works were really

by Snow, which able to craft span his career programs of from 1969 to what we felt 2005. were the best “He’s almost of the best.” a scientist,” says The three Bindi. “Each open call programs, made up of his research and to create a space that of his works offers a new little these submissions, feature art- at once feels ominous and strange window into a set of perceptual ist premieres and works from while also seeming factual.” experiments.”

Canada, Argentina, Thailand, Battle is also curating a selecSnow will be in Winnipeg for the the Philippines, Malaysia, New tion of short films for the festival festival and will be at Plug In ICA Zealand, and more. New Zealand that explore the idea of “wandering on Saturday for a conversation with artist Nova Paul will be visiting the through, across, and within.” artist Dan Graham. festival, showing her own work as “I was looking for works that WNDX will be screening pieces well as a program she put together visualized more active relationships from local Winnipeg filmmaker of New Zealand films. with the landscape, as opposed to Scott Fitzpatrick. The festival will Canadian artist Christina just pointing a camera at a space also be premiering films shot for the Battle will also be showcasing her and documenting it,” says Battle. eighth year of Alex Rogalski’s One work at the festival. Her piece, The “The result is a 45-minute program Take Super 8, a project where filmTwelve Devil’s Graveyards Around of short videos made by artists that makers are given a roll of Super 8 the World, is a mixed media instal- I’ve come across during my many film to shoot a three-minute movie, lation, and won the Jury Prize as travels and wanders.” and do not see the results until the Best Canadian Work. Battle was The WNDX Festival will also night of the screening. inspired to create the piece after be showcasing the work of one of becoming engrossed in research Canada’s most revered experimental The full event calendar and on the Bermuda Triangle. filmmakers, Michael Snow. Three more information can be “I am really interested in unknown programs of Snow’s work will be found at www.wndx.org. phenomena and especially [in] playing at Cinematheque on Sept.

La Région Centrale by Michael Snow thinking about the line that sepa- 27-29. rates scientific fact from fiction,” says “He’s one of those artists whose

Mobina Galore David Skene, volunteer staff

D

ear Winnipeg, I know life in this dreary little town can be a drag – the summers are

far too short and every time we turn around someone or something is kicking our local music scene in the guts.

Whether it’s building owners closing down your local club or the federal government making it harder for your favorite artists to tour through here, there is a lot of crap that can get you down. I like to concentrate on the positive, like the fact that an awesome act like Mobina Galore chose to make this hell hole their home, so now you get to see them play all the time.

Mobina Galore are kick-ass alt-punk transplants from Fernie, B.C. They have catchy rock

illustration by bradly wohlgemuth

The secret to healthy snacking A guide to food on the go Katy MacKinnon, staff

W

e’ve all been there: your assignments are piling up, your backpack is getting heavier and heavier, and your gym shoes are getting a little dustier and a little less stinky.

When you’re diving back in to the busy life of a student, you might be at a loss when it comes to finding nutritious study snacks.

Stopping at G.P.A’.s for a bag of chips and pop is all too easy.

I’m here to tell you that healthy snacking is not as tricky as it seems.

By following three simple steps, you can save your money, nourish your body, and rile up a little lunchroom envy.

Step 1: Write down your favourite notso-healthy snacks What’s your go-to convenience store purchase? Whether it’s a bag of chips, a chocolate bar, or a couple slices of pizza, you need to find out what you’re most likely to crave when study-hunger hits.

Step 2: Create a healthy version of those snacks Take your unhealthy snacks and give them a facelift.

Do you love a salty, crunchy bag of chips? The healthy counterpart might be some home-popped popcorn with a tiny pinch of salt and some spices. Purchase the kernels in bulk to control the amount you pop. Two to three tablespoons of kernels makes the perfect amount for snacking. Try topping it with cinnamon and raisins, dill weed, or olive oil.

Are sweets more your thing?

Fruit is the candy of the Earth.

Apples make great dorm room

hooks that stay rattling around in your head. When you take Jenna Priestner’s thundering riffs and vocals, which can turn from seductive to snarly on a dime, and mix them with Marcia Hanson’s machine gun rhythms, you get a sound that can’t help but turn heads and draw comparisons to artists as disparate as the Black Keys, Tegan and Sara, and Spinnerette.

If this kind of thing turns your crank, then I urge you to pop on down to your local music store and

snacks because they stay fresh for a long time unrefrigerated. Apples taste great with some peanut butter or almond butter and dried cranberries on top. This snack is full of protein and fibre, and will keep you feeling full throughout the day.

Step 3: Go shopping Do you feel like you’re often strapped for cash? Of course you do, you’re a student! No problem.

Superstore and Walmart tend to be cheaper places to purchase groceries. Bulk food stores are also a great way to go, since you can buy the exact amount you need.

Bulk Barn has a 10 per cent student discount every Wednesday – just show your student card.

Bring this handy list of storebought snacks along with you, and you’ll be well on your way to snacking success: - Hummus, vegetables, and pita bread - Fruit (try a new type of fruit each week) - Nuts and seeds (try almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds) - Individual-sized yogurts - Larabars (gluten-free and vegan) - Small cans of tuna with wholegrain crackers - DIY trail mix (pick a lowsugar cereal and add nuts, seeds, and dried fruit) - Homemade muffins (freeze them individually for quick onthe go snacks) - Ants on a log (celery, peanut butter, and raisins) - Whole-grain crackers with pesto and olives

pick up a copy of their 2011 album Revel. Or you can catch them live at the Cavern on Friday, Sept. 27, with Shred Kelly and Modern Man. What? The real world isn’t your thing? Well then you can always pop on over to the website, www. mobinagalore.com.

Yours Truly, David Lorne Thomas Skene P.S. I hope to see you at the show ‑ it’s been far too long since we hung out.

14

Arts & Culture

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

Shepherds, weavers, knitters, spinners, and dyers Fibre enthusiasts and artisans gather for the first annual Manitoba Fibre Festival Anastasia Chipelski, volunteer staff

photo by Kelly Campbell

Tequila, bonfires, and magic marker tattoos The 12th annual Harvest Moon Festival in review

T

Kelly Campbell

F

rom Friday, Sept. 13 until Sept. 15, the 12th annual Harvest Moon festival was held in Clearwater, Manitoba. It was my first time going and I left for the festival on Friday afternoon with my tent, sleeping bag, and a bottle of tequila – as a volunteer, I was to receive free meals all weekend.

I arrived in Clearwater just in time to grab some leftovers from dinner—tomato zucchini boats and roasties—and to catch the Burning Kettles before my volunteer shift.

They had just arrived themselves, as their car had broken down and they had to hitchhike. The band was using a drum machine, which was neat to see on a big festival stage, but I have to say I missed their absent violinist.

At 11 p.m. I took out the garbage for an hour to earn my keep; my reward was to dance my butt off to my favourite DJ, Mama Cutsworth.

It was a great set. Just enough Prince . . . well, maybe it ended a little early for me.

So I toned my party energy down to a more folksy level and visited the four huge public bonfire pits set up on the festival grounds. When I’d had enough songs around the fire, I definitely did not hang out on the

photo by Margaret Brook

dangerous abandoned train bridge a short five-minute walk from the festival site. Festival organizers highly discourage this activity.

The next day I had a slow morning, enjoying my free breakfast. At 1 p.m. I started my shift screen printing – if you brought a blank t-shirt, pair of underwear, or some booty shorts, you could screen print it with your choice of several Harvest Moon logos for a small donation.

In the evening, I sorted recycling to the bouncy indie rock of Boats playing at the restaurant stage. The stage is made of wood from deconstructed buildings in the area as part of a sustainable architecture project initiated by the Harvest Moon Society.

With all recycling in the proper receptacle, I headed over to the main stage to see Cannon Bros. Their set was plagued by many difficulties: an injured finger, broken monitors, a broken string, and a malfunctioning amp. But Cannon Bros. managed to keep it real with an energetic set and entertaining stage banter.

At this point it was a bit chilly so I went to the community hall to warm up for a bit. This ended up being the highlight of my weekend – there were four girls giving out free pink

magic marker tattoos. I got ones of a dog and a disco ball.

Near the end of the night, I caught Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers. They had interesting arrangements but all the songs sounded the same after 20 minutes.

Ending the festival was the JD Edwards Band. I think that was a great choice – JD’s gruff, indecipherable vocals and his crazy genre-hopping band were a great end to the music and start to the party for the rest of the night.

The fires on Saturday were kept going into the wee hours by a determined woman named Nadine. Every time she would return to the fire, her family would offer her a drink and tell her to rest. But Nadine had a job to do and only rested when she was good and ready. The mysterious and sign-less espresso tent took a similar approach and did not close until past midnight.

I only heard “Wagon Wheel” played twice. Naturally, I had a great time and would go back next year. My one suggestion would be to enforce a “no hand drum” policy.

Nobody likes a bongo at 5 a.m.

his Saturday, knitters, weavers, dyers, spinners, and shepherds, and other fibre craftspeople and artisans will be coming together for the first annual Manitoba Fibre Festival at St. Norbert Community Centre, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. As part of Culture Days, this event is free and open to the public, and promises to offer a glimpse into all stages of fibre production, from finely crafted products all the way back to the sheep and alpaca that grow the fleece.

Duncan and Dale are two sheep who are new to the game. They were born in May. Duncan has already developed a signature farmyard strut.

Dale has a twin sister who shares the same soft dark fleece that will mature into a steel grey, and is fond of chin rubs. They are part of the flock of Shetland sheep that festival organizer Margaret Brook shares with a friend.

“Contrary to popular belief, sheep have individual personalities and they are very entertaining,” says Brook.

Those who have already fallen for the charm of sheep and fibre arts will find themselves at home in developing and sharing their skills.

Newcomers are also welcome and can enjoy workshops like “Learn to Knit in Thirty Minutes,” which is offered at three separate intervals throughout the day. Those who have harboured childhood dreams of picking up a shepherd’s crook can follow Randy Eros of Seine River Shepherds through the yearly cycle of shepherding, and maybe pick up some tips from the field.

“There is only so much you can learn from a YouTube video; actual hands-on advice is invaluable,” says Brook. Local experts will also share their knowledge in basket weaving, dyeing, weaving with beads, and more.

Before she started planning this event, Brook had never been to a fibre festival, which only made her more determined to start one.

“I’ve read about all kinds of fantastic events in other places and really

wanted one here in Manitoba.”

She was also encouraged by the recent success of the Blue Hills Fibre Festival, held in June for western Manitobans and their neighbours in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The central, urban location of the Manitoba Fibre Festival promises to be slightly more accessible, and will bring fibre crafts to those who might not otherwise plan a road trip to revel in fleece for a weekend.

Brook also found a lucky co-coordinator in Joanne Seiff, who has not only travelled to many festivals in North America but has written a book about them, titled Fiber Gathering: Knit, Crochet, Spin and Dye More than 25 Projects Inspired by America’s Festivals.

“The fibre festival phenomenon in North America is growing by leaps and bounds,” says Seiff.

Judging by the level of interest from vendors, demonstrators, and volunteers, Brook is confident that this festival has room to grow and to continue building a community.

“People are going to meet and inspire each other. That can be as simple as a circle of people spinning together, and as lasting as a wellmade sweater.”

The connections made between craftspeople and those who value and invest in their work is also important; it will help keep small farms sustainable so that they can continue to create socially and environmentally responsible products. A sampling of these products will be available for purchase at the festival, from homemade soaps and personal care items, to yarns, fleeces, knitting needles, spindles, and ready-to-wear wool and alpaca products.

And of course, tales of adorable and mischievous lambs are always free.

For the full list of vendors, demonstrations, and workshops, check out www. manitobafibrefestival.com, and follow the festival on Facebook at www. facebook.com/ManitobaFibreFestival.

VOL. 100 NO. 7 September 25, 2013

Arts & Culture

15

A prophecy of decay Review: Swarm by Lauren Carter Carlyn Schellenberg, staff

O

Little Girl/Ugly Girl/Not Bad/Just Evil Girl by Ariel Smith, 2010

Growling beasts and satin sheets Ariel Smith interrogates girlhood with Little Girl/Ugly Girl/Not Bad/Just Evil Girl Anastasia Chipelski, volunteer staff

T

he body of a girl has come to symbolize so much in our culture that it can sometimes be hard to explain what inhabiting that body can feel like. It can be a mess of contradictions, the internalized chaos that is created by mixed messages of purity and filth. The current exhibition Little Girl/Ugly Girl/Not Bad/Just Evil Girl by Ariel Smith—installed at Urban Shaman Contemporary Aboriginal Art— takes a self-described “tongue-incheek commentary on mankind’s fear-based demonization of women” through a video installation.

Smith’s installation is held in the Marvin Francis Media Gallery, which is separated from the main gallery by a wall. The room is painted black, and when you first enter the space, there’s a sense of uncertainty of what may be waiting in the darkness for you. In the centre of the black-walled room is a twin-sized bed with four posters and a canopy. The bed reminds me of pink, fluffy, Disney princess girlhood, with a lace-trimmed canopy and diamond-quilted pink satin blankets, and it is lit alternately in a cold, sterile white light and a demonic red glow.

Smith explains that in this installation, “Signifiers of innocence and archetypical girlhood are contrasted and warped by dark, ominous settings and aesthetics.”

As I approach the bed, I see that there is a video being projected from above onto the underside of the canopy. A pair of headphones lies on the pillow, inviting the visitor to step into this world of twisted girlhood.

Beastly growls, pentagrams, and accusations of the evil sides of girlhood are shown in the glowing red, and interspersed with these frames are the heavily veiled descriptions of what to expect from sex, childbirth, and menstruation. The dialogue would be right at home in 1950s sexual education curriculum, while a diagram of a body shows little yellow arrows travelling from

the head to the pelvic area. Many of the messages echo societal discomfort with menstruation, and the dismissal of the lived experience: It’s all in your head. Although the narrative centres on the body, it refuses to mention certain body parts explicitly, referring instead to “the space between your legs.”

The contrasts created by Smith in the space and the video can both send a chill up your spine and drive you to laughter. She states that, “My work is darkly humorous, campy, disturbing, visceral and unapologetically feminist.” The voice of the authoritative instructor—whether they are a doctor, nurse, teacher, or scientist—is taken out of context, and their message is rendered absurd.

Despite the absurdity, there is always a haunting residue, the evidence of what Smith calls the “internalized pressures that a patriarchal society forces upon women.”

The narration concludes with a calm voice urging the listener to remember that “no matter how you feel, you have to live with people. You have to live with yourself,” and then fades into song. This simple phrase holds the same deep implications as many other directives for living as a girl that are repeated by strangers and the media in a tireless refrain: Be nice! Smile! Good Girl!

Although in the horror genre that Smith references so heavily, women may get to be—or are unwillingly portrayed as—the roaring beast, there is no place for those outbursts in lace-trimmed and pink satin girlhood. As a commentary on and subversion of icons and expectations of girlhood, Smith’s installation is thought-provoking, expertly crafted, and thoroughly amusing.

Little Girl/Ugly Girl/Not Bad/ Just Evil Girl is showing at Urban Shaman until Oct. 19, and the opening reception is at 7 p.m. on Sept. 27, with an artist talk at 9 p.m. Read more at www.urbanshaman.org.

ntarian-turned-Manitoshe sees as her new family. However, ban Lauren Carter has written she has feelings for Marvin, who is a for literary journals and newspapers member of a “terrorist” organization such as Prairie Fire and the Globe and called Jump Ship. Their relationship Mail, and released her poetry collec- results in her innocence being comtion, Lichen Bright, in 2005. promised and the endangerment of Swarm—Carter’s first novel, her “family.” released this month—divides its Perhaps the singular jarring aspect narrative evenly between two time- of this novel is the first-person narralines titled “island” and “city.” “Island” takes place in the story’s present, and “city” precedes “island” by almost two decades, likely close to our present day. Sandy, the narrator of this dystopian tale, provides a retrospective, regretful account of how society came to be after oil depletion.

The novel begins at the island, where Sandy lives with her partner, Marvin, and their ailing friend, Thomson.

They spend their time trying to survive by subsisting off the land. When the little food they have starts disappearing, Sandy believes the culprit is a homeless girl. She then becomes consumed with the idea of the girl becoming her daughter, but food is scarce enough.

Each “city” chapter comes closer to showing how Sandy’s island life came about. tor’s continual need to remind us that The “city” narrative begins with the the unknown girl, an absent figure, innocent and tenuous young adult is the audience, and that Sandy is Sandy—after her family has lost telling a story. Here’s an example: “I their property and she has been told Shannon everything I’ve told laid off—in a city engulfed in chaos. you, Melissa.” Melissa doesn’t need With barely any friends and little to be the audience; it’s unnecessary contact with her family, Sandy finds for there to be a stated audience or a hope in a place called the “dark zone,” “you,” even in first-person. an abandoned area where squatters Why? Because the story, charactake refuge and she wishes to start ters, language, and startling finale anew. For a while, she finds work stand on their own. We can be the in a soup kitchen with people who implied audience without any explicit

telling so.

Swarm starts off poetic and polished – arguably, the most beautiful writing can be found in the first few chapters. Here’s just one part of a sentence that took my breath away: “[ . . . ] delivering medicine like the prescriptions that shrank the shadows in Thomson’s lungs.”

The tone is prophetic, and not just because it’s a retrospective narrative. The context of the story is obviously relevant for today: Carter is telling us that if we continue to be dependent on oil, our city may end up like Sandy’s; we may one day soon have no resources left with which to retain a civilized society.

I found myself wrapped up in Sandy’s dilemmas and hating Marvin for it. I despised Sandy for staying with him, but, clearly, in a fictional world such as this one, there is little room for choice. Each time a city chapter ended and the narrative came closer to its finale, we would be back on the island, and I’d be left hanging. That’s not to say that the story of a worn-out Sandy and company after years of simply surviving isn’t interesting, but I was more drawn as a reader to the youth and anarchy.

Lauren Carter is already working on her second novel. I confidently expect to be spellbound by her refreshing fictional world again.

Lauren Carter will be appearing at McNally Robinson and The Forks on Friday, Sept. 27 as part of Thin Air Winnipeg International Writers Festival. Visit www. thinairwinnipeg.ca for details.

16

Arts & Culture

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

Emerging Voices U of M students chosen to install artwork for NUIT BLANCHE WINNIPEG Kara Passey, staff

O

n Sept. 28, coinciding with (hutK) is a mobile installation that Culture Days, Winnipeg’s challenges typical urban lifestyles; private and public art galleries—as and the two-person team, JNZNBRK, well as other cultural institutions are presenting ‘Propagate’ (RAW and installations in public spaces— Gallery) [which is a] site-specific will open to the public, and encour- installation that explores light, surage viewers to hop from one spot to face, and spatial experience.” another, to take in as much art as Cara Mason, who graduated from possible. This event is called NUIT the U of M’s BFA program in the BLANCHE WINNIPEG, and fes- spring of 2013, is the fifth finalist. tivities start as early as 10 a.m. and can As opposed to sculpture, her piece last until 6:00 is an installaa.m. the followtion entitled “There is a really ing morning.

“DBT in BPD” The event is which involves great range of work growing and a realistically being presented covering more painted selfground every portrait in oil, by the artists, who year: a new layered with a all happen to be development projection over is the curated a glass etching. students from the U series of instalThe piece will of M” – Monica Lowe ments called be installed at Emerging the Exchange Voices, which Community showcases five artists fresh from the Church and speaks about Mason’s University of Manitoba’s school of experience living with misdiagfine art. An open call was sent out to noses of major depression and an post-secondary students working in anxiety disorder for six years, and all mediums, finalists were chosen by her transition after being correctly a panel of three judges: Suzie Smith diagnosed with borderline personal(artist, programming coordinator at ity disorder.

Martha Street Studio), Paul Butler “The work references self-reflection (artist, curator of contemporary art and gestures of inward thought and at the Winnipeg Art Gallery), and experience. The layering of works furCollin Zipp (artist, acting co-director ther represents the feeling of slippage for Platform Centre). and the confusion often involved in “There is a really great range of dealing with mental health issues,” work being presented by the artists, says Mason. “The feeling of anxiety who all happen to be students from versus calmness and the struggle I the U of M [within the] school of often have in balancing the two is an art, architecture, and interior design,” important theme in this work.” says Monica Lowe, co-chair of While important, exposing new NUIT BLANCHE WINNIPEG. artists isn’t the only aim of Emerging “Most of the works have some sort of Voices. sculptural element and encourage the “Our presentation partner, Culture audience to move around the piece to Days Manitoba, has generously profully experience it.” vided the honorarium for each of the “[There are four] larger sculp- five finalists, [ . . . ] and is also providtural works: John Patterson’s ‘Flood’ ing the three cash prizes for Emerging involves running water and Voices,” says Lowe. an antique car; Michel le “We are committed to providing Plamondon’s ‘Environment Revolt’ artist fees to all artists selected in our (to be installed at La Maison des open calls and encourage and expect artistes visuels francophones) that all venues presenting the works explores the beauty and strength of of artists will be providing them Mother Nature reclaiming her space; compensation.”

Onilee Zaborniak’s ‘Micro Dwelling’

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

17

Diversions

dany reede

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

Sports

Bison Let’s get critical briefs

Soccer gets first win of the season Bisons down Wesmen in Duckworth Challenge game Marc Lagace, staff

Marc Lagace, staff

Football The Bisons are 2-2 this season, after a 48-24 loss on Sept. 20 on the road against the Calgary Dinos.

The undefeated Dinos scored early and often, running up a 34-10 lead by the half. Jordan Yantz and the Bison offence scored two touchdowns in the second half, but could not overcome the first half deficit.

Yantz finished the game with impressive stats. He completed 25 of 47 passes for 450 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Anthony Coombs was a workhorse, compiling 120 rushing yards and 115 yards receiving with two touchdowns. Nic Demski had 103 yards receiving on five receptions.

18

The Bisons’ next game is at home against the Regina Rams on Sept. 28, their annual Homecoming Game. Tickets are available through ticketmaster.ca.

Hockey With the Canada West hockey season opening on Oct. 4, the men’s and women’s teams are currently busy playing non-conference games. The men clinched two home victories against Regina, and will host Toronto this weekend. The women wrapped up a tour through Ontario, winning two of three games against nonconference opponents. The men’s team opens their season at home against Alberta on Oct. 4, while the women are on the road in Edmonton to start the season.

T

he Bison women’s soccer team the second half. Rookie Courtney victory of the season. has picked up their first win Addison was able to make space for Coach Martinez-Lagunas, of the season, and it came against herself whenever she touched the fresh off her first win as a Bison the U of W Wesmen in the first ball, but neither team could find the head coach, had some encouraging matchup of the 2013 Duckworth net. Danielle Scerbo was subbed in words for her team’s development Challenge. for Addison around the 60th min- through the first five games of the The two teams met at the U of ute, and the second-year forward season.

M Turf Field on a brisk September made an immediate impact.

“I am really proud of my team. [ evening under the lights. FirstIn the 64th minute, Scerbo got . . . ] our goals were first to keep a year Bison head coach Vanessa the ball to Robyn Kastner, who put shutout and also to win the game.”

Martinez-Lagunas was hoping to it home from the top of the box for “We have worked really hard see more goals from her team; the the first goal of the game. The goal in improving our effectiveness at Bisons only scored twice through brought the Wesmen to life, as they scoring goals, which was a probthe first four games of the season. pushed back in an attempt to tie the lem in our first four games,” said There were decent chances at game. The Wesmen’s best chance Martinez-Lagunas. “We worked both ends of the field in the first for a second goal came on a corner really hard on that aspect for two half, but neither team could hit kick in the 78th minute, but the weeks, and you could see that it’s the net. The Bisons were the clear Bisons snuffed the threat. taking effect.” aggressors, taking 12 shots to the The Bisons put the game away The Bisons (1-3-1) will be looking Wesmen’s four, but needed to find in the 83rd minute. Defender Elyce for their second win this weekend, their aim if they were to fix their Molyneaux crossed the ball into the as they host the Alberta Pandas scoring woes. area and Laura Stewart finished it (5-0-1) on Sept. 28 and the Mount Manitoba continued to put pres- with a header that found the net. Royal Cougars (2-4) on Sept 29. sure on the Wesmen defenders in The Bisons held on for their first

VOL. 100 NO. 7 September 25, 2013

Sports

19

Jets fly by: Wild ride Ladd like clockwork, Kane a dynamo after all, Byfuglien reconditioned Fraser Nelund, staff

Photo by Alyssa Arnold

hopes for a smooth flight Jets' rest upon some proven pieces of

machinery.

As tough competition is wont to do, the Jets’ pre-season opponents have exposed the mediocrity in the lineup. This mediocrity is prevalent, but there are bright spots heading into the regular season.

First and most obvious on the list of players that will shine like veins of gold is captain Andrew Ladd. The captain led the team in assists and points last season. Ladd’s line mates, the team’s top scorer Blake Wheeler and positionally brilliant Brian Little, play no small role in the Jets’ captain’s success. The line is a classic example

of a machine being more than the sum of its parts. Their pre-season has evidenced a continuance of the consistency coach Claude Noel relies upon.

Ladd’s magic manifests in his ability to connect Wheeler, Little, and himself with the perfect lines of stunning passing plays. Fans can

expect these three to produce con- way technical adept. Kane’s twosistently through capitalizing upon goal pre-season opener indicated opponents’ imperfect defensive that the right line mates are just as positioning. Ladd’s touch delivered key to his optimization as Ladd’s, in both games against the Wild. despite Kane’s reputation as a power Little’s score in the first game came forward, his high shot totals, and off a calm, quick pass and the captain his unquestionable ability to make caught Eric O’Dell’s check napping things happen on his own. in Minnesota.

From the first wind of the Evander Kane and Dustin franchise coming to Winnipeg, Byfuglien are two obvious but his- Byfuglien has been a favourite of torically less predictable stars of the mine. I’m from Vancouver origicoming season. Kane’s temper—he nally. I know quite well, from the led the team and was 17th in the Canuck’s 2010 defeat at the hands league in penalty minutes last sea- of the Blackhawks in the NHL’s son—has not cooled over the sum- Western Conference semifinals, that mer. His behaviour in the Sept. 19 Byfuglien is an elemental force when game was bipolar: he was slow on he’s at the top of his game. Make no the puck and dogging it getting off mistake – this year the big man is the ice in the first period, didn’t get in shape and has matured into his onto the rink until halfway through blue line role. the second, and was stirring up Tobias Enstrom, Byfuglien’s trouble in the third. The young for- defensive partner, deserves credit ward drew a series of Wild penalties, here as well. His reliability enables alternately grabbing position with Byfuglien’s creativity and mitigates strength and speed and simply riling the downside of the big man’s offenup his opponents with aggressive sive style. In tandem, look for the play. Kane gave the Jets an oppor- two to effectively cover and smother tunity to come back that they could breakout after breakout all year long not capitalize upon. while reigniting the Jets’ stagnant It will be a shame if Kane does not power play. end up on a line with centre Mark With these key engines functionSchiefele in the coming season. Their ing at their best, the Jets may just be styles of play are complementary: able to maintain an upward trajecKane is a dynamo, Schiefele a two- tory in the 2013-14 season.

Set for success Canadian tennis continues to improve on world stage at Davis Cup Adam Peleshaty, volunteer staff

illustration by vanessa marginet

A

t the end of the fifth and decid- mobbed by his teammates, including ing rubber of the Davis Cup world #1 Novak Djokovic. Canada’s semifinal between Canada and Serbia Vasek Pospisil, meanwhile, was in the on Sept. 15 in Belgrade, both players agony of both defeat and a leg injury lay on the court. suffered on the final point.

Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic, on his While the prospect of Canada knees with his arms in the air, was playing its first ever Davis Cup final

at home against reigning champions In April, Canada faced Italy in Czech Republic died that day, the Vancouver and while Pospisil gave team’s accomplishments over the past up a two-set lead in a singles loss, year were unprecedented, one of the Raonic helped Canada rebound to greatest runs in Canadian sporting give Canada a split on day one. In the history. pivotal doubles match, Pospisil faced For most of the Canadian Davis the same situation with his partner, Cup team’s existence, they were in the doubles legend Daniel Nestor. Up two Americas Zone qualifying. Canada sets, the pair suddenly found themhad only played in the top-flight selves in a marathon fifth set. This World Group four times (1991, 1992, time, though, the Canadians were the 2004, and 2012), and lost in the first victors, winning the set 15-13 and the round every time. This time around, rubber. Raonic, again, won his reverse Canada had to defeat tennis power- singles match to clinch the tie in front house Spain. of a raucous home crowd.

Spain’s top players, including Going into Serbia, things had Rafael Nadal, decided to pass on changed for the Canadians. Thanks playing in the tie, held in Vancouver to their performances in the Rogers last February after the Australian Cup, Raonic cracked the top 10 Open. Hard-serving Milos Raonic and Pospisil the top 40 in the ATP defeated Albert Ramos in the first Rankings. Despite their rise, Canada match but the second was contested was an underdog against the Serbians, by world #34 Marcel Granollers of but they fought for every point they Spain against #166 Canadian veteran could.

Frank Dancevic.

Regardless of speculation Djokovic It wasn’t close. Dancevic played was fatigued after playing in the US like a top-10 player and routed Open final four days earlier, he hamGranollers 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. Raonic mered Pospisil in straight sets. The defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez to second match pitted Raonic against clinch the tie two days later and for Tipsarevic and despite being down the first time, Canada was going to two sets to one, saving match point, the Davis Cup quarter-finals. and suffering a rolled ankle, Raonic

rallied and won the fifth set 10-8. In doubles, Pospisil and Nestor duplicated Raonic’s rally and also won the fifth set 10-8.

Nestor, who won an Olympic gold medal in 2000 and has eight Grand Slam doubles tournament titles, said afterwards, “It’s just as good as a gold medal or Wimbledon for sure.” The few hundred noisy Canadian fans that made the trip could sense a surprise Canadian victory.

But it was not to be. Despite both matches requiring first-set tiebreaks, Djokovic and Tipsarevic defeated Raonic and Pospisil, respectively, in straight sets.

Years ago, travelling to Belgrade to see Canadians play tennis and watching the Davis Cup on national television was unimaginable for fans.

But with tenacity and a bit of luck, Canada’s Davis Cup team made the country take notice and helped punctuate an ongoing new era in Canadian tennis.

Canada will play in Japan for the Davis Cup’s first round next January.

Duplicating their performance will be difficult, but with the momentum in Canada’s favour, it will be possible.

20

Sports

VOL. 100 NO. 7 September 25, 2013