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REPORTERS
NEWS Arifah Gheesah
NEWS Nafisa Al Lilo
RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY Nawal Semir
COMMENT Thandeka Katsika
COMMENT Kyra Campbell
ARTS & CULTURE Carrington Dong
ARTS & CULTURE Jordan Anglin
SPORTS Faiyaz Chowdhury
SPORTS Israel Abejoye
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UM Socialists rebrand to embrace their political identity
Arifah Gheesah, staff
U M Socialists, a stu-
dent club at the U of M, has been undergoing rebranding.
Initially named Humans Against Capitalism and previously UM Regrowth, the club has decided to turn toward a name that directly reflects their goals.
Hunter Reynolds, UM Socialists president, said the club previously tried to obscure its socialist identity to appeal to other student clubs, but with changing membership the club’s goals changed.
“We’re aiming to appeal to socialists and people who are interested in socialism, so I think they should probably know that,” he said.
“People are passionate
about politics, and we want to give them the opportunity to do something with that passion,” Reynolds explained when asked about the club’s goals.
Currently, as a result of club member interests, they are doing local volunteering, a weekly book club, weekly educational videos and are looking at including movie nights and board game nights.
Reynolds mentioned that the club was previously too focused on its identity, when energy could have been directed to “other things.”
“Once we get a big enough membership, we can focus on things like where we fit in, exactly, in the space of Winnipeg politics, or how we want to present ourselves to the pub-
lic, but right now, we just want to get everyone who shares our goals in the same place together.”
On Feb. 28, UM Socialists volunteered with Food not Bombs, a volunteer organization that aims to recover unwanted food, usually vegan or vegetarian, and share it with the public for free.
The club chose Food Not Bombs because “mutual aid is something that aligns with [the] club’s goals.”
“They’re an anarchist organization, which basically means they believe society should be organized by the people, without centralized structures or government,” Reynolds said.
“That ideology is very similar to ours. They’re really
good at practicing what they preach, though, showing that people can take care of each other without the need for profit incentive or coercive power structures,” Reynolds explained.
During the volunteering event, attendees made all the food from scratch and then distributed it to the people themselves. Reynolds highlighted the cost of groceries and the struggles of students to afford food. “Some students are homeless, too. Food is a human right, not a privilege.”
He stated anything people can do to help others with food insecurity “could potentially go a long way.”
“Believing in socialism is believing in your own best interests, as well as the best
interests of humanity as a whole,” Reynolds said. “Give it a shot.”
“The only way we can realistically make change is through organizing, and this club is a good place to do that. We’re still growing and open to any and all ideas right now, so I think it’s a good time to join,” Reynolds included.
“Community is at the heart of socialist ideas, so I think we could provide a really good sense of community for anyone who might be lacking that. I hope especially that it gives a hopeful space on campus for people who want to see actual change in the world.”
Voices of Elders guide annual U of M gathering
Students learn from knowledge keepers at two-day campus event
Nafisa Al Lilo, staff
The Elders and Traditional Peoples Gathering returned to the U of M on March 5 and 6, bringing together Elders, students and community members for two days of cultural teachings, ceremonies and community connection.
The Elders Gathering first began in 2002 through the university’s department of Native studies, now known as Indigenous studies.
Now in its 20th year, the gathering provides an opportunity for Indigenous Elders and traditional knowledge keepers to share teachings with younger generations and the wider community.
Vanessa Lillie, director of cultural integration with the office of the vice-president (Indigenous), said this year’s theme, Ancestral Voices Guide Us, highlights the importance of ancestral guidance.
As a core of the gathering, Lillie mentioned that “Elders play a really significant role in Indigenous families, and they’re the ones that we rely on for guidance, and reminding us of our oral histories, and telling us the stories of our history and culture and language.”
Lillie acknowledged the increase in attendance, with hundreds registering this year. “We needed to move into larger spaces to accommodate everyone,” she said.
Outdoor cultural spaces
were an important part of the gathering.
Two teepees and a sacred fire were set up outside, with fire keepers remaining by the fire continuously during the event.
The program featured keynote speakers, presentations and visiting spaces where attendees could listen to teachings or connect to others.
She explained that the gathering was originally designed to strengthen relationships between Elders and young people.
The gathering also featured an Indigenous Student Makers Market where students could showcase and sell their artwork and crafts.
Savannah Moon, one of the student vendors, said the gathering allows people to celebrate Indigenous culture while learning from traditional knowledge keepers.
Moon sells a variety of handmade items, including beaded jewellery, wristlets and ribbon bows decorated with jingle cones. She said the small business helps support her financially while she is in school.
Another booth at the gathering highlighted the work of Women Helping Women Beadwork, an initiative run by Sandra Burling that supports incarcerated women.
At the event supporting the organization was Mackaila Bruce-Tapley, who said the
organization sells beadwork created by women in correctional centres. “All the beadwork that the women make and sell, that money goes toward them for bail or after bail, and also goes toward them if they need resources while they’re in incarceration,” Bruce-Tapley explained.
She described Burling’s work as deeply impactful for the community.
“Sandra is an incredible woman,” she said. “What she does for the community is amazing.”
Jamie O’Neill, another vendor at the market, was representing her family business, 15 Feathers.
O’Neill explained that the business is a collaborative effort among the women in her family to “help spread things that [they] love.”
One of the products they sell is an Action is Required t-shirt connected to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) 94 Calls to Action.
“On the front, it says, ‘Moving forward requires action,’” O’Neill stated. “On the back, we print whichever of the TRC’s [Calls to Action] really speaks to the customer.”
The idea behind the shirts is to encourage individuals to act in their own way and be able to focus on one action, rather than all.
“94 is too much for any one person, but if we each choose one and move one forward, then one day we’ll get there,”
she shared.
Behind the scenes, dozens of volunteers help coordinate the event and assist the Elders throughout the gathering.
Meghan Young, cultural integration lead for the office of the vice-president (Indigenous), led the volunteer team.
More than 90 volunteers supported the two-day event, guiding attendees between different sessions across the university and remaining by the Elders.
“A volunteer is assigned to an Elder […] to help them over the two days with whatever they need,” Young explained.
Cultural expression was visible throughout the event. Many attendees wore ribbon
shirts and skirts, garments that often carry personal or family stories.
“[Our ribbon skirts are] a piece of our culture that we wear proudly,” Lillie said.
Music and singing also played a role in the gathering’s activities. Bruce-Tapley described a moment where community members gathered to sing songs representing healing and empowerment.
As the gathering concluded, organizers hope even more students will take part in the future.
“We would love to be able to welcome students from across the university in larger numbers next year,” Lillie said.
PHOTO BY EBUNOLUWA AKINBO / STAFF
THE ELDERS AND TRADITIONAL PEOPLES GATHERING TOOK
UMSU elections visualized
A closer look at the new ranked choice voting system
UMSU execs of 2026-27 academic session
Next year’s executives share thoughts on election results
Mikaela Warkentin, staff
T
he unofficial results are out and next year’s UMSU executives and community representatives are in.
Polls for the 2026 UMSU annual general election closed March 6, with 16.2 per cent of eligible voters casting their ballots in this year’s election, a downtick from last year’s 20.4 per cent. This year also marked the first year a ranked voting system was used, something that has been in the works since 2023. This system, as the name suggests, enabled voters to list their candidates in order of preference on the ballot.
There is only one face returning to UMSU’s executive team, and that is Heaven Kaur. Every other executive member is new and serving for the first time. Following the unofficial election results, each shared their thoughts and reflections.
President
Heaven Kaur
Currently, Heaven Kaur serves as UMSU vice-presi-
dent, university affairs, but she is making her return to the executive team next year as UMSU president.
Reflecting on her win, Kaur thanked the student body who stood by her. “I’m beyond grateful for everyone who supported my campaign, volunteered their time and encouraged me to put my name on the ballot.” Kaur also applauded the other candidates in this year’s election, sharing that “every single candidate truly ran a great campaign.”
As UMSU president, Kaur said she intends to focus on “listening to students, working collaboratively with student groups and advocating for our students to the university, and all levels of government.”
Kaur secured the presidency with 52.2 per cent of the vote.
Vice-president, university affairs
Grace Elendu
The position of vice-president, university affairs went
to Grace Elendu, who shared that upon hearing the results she felt “a deep sense of joy, but that feeling was quickly followed by an even greater sense of responsibility.”
Elendu expressed her thanks to her campaign manager, and said that she “could not have done this without the support of [her] circle and the community that stood behind [her].”
Following three rounds of the ranked voting system, Elendu secured her position surpassing the needed total to win by 442 votes.
Vice-president, external affairs
Aiden Peters
Aiden Peters, stepping into the position of vice-president, external affairs, shared with the Manitoban that his message to students is one of honesty. “A lot of my goals will be incredibly difficult to obtain. However, I promise to do my [utmost] every step of the way, to put my all into the position and fight for students wherever and whenever I can.”
Peters also shared that he “strongly encourages” student body interaction. “Come up to me, to call me out on what I can do better, to talk to me about ideas, problems and hopes,” he stated. “I feel the responsibility on my shoulders.”
Peters won the position with 54.5 per cent of the vote.
Vice-president, student life
Manasa Rajesh
Manasa Rajesh was elected vice-president, student life, a role which she is “grateful” to take on. “As someone who once felt a bit lost on campus, I understand how important it is to feel like you belong.”
For Rajesh, the plan for next year is clear. “I will strive to keep the promises I made during my campaign and continue supporting our clubs and student communities.” Rajesh also thanked the people who supported her through the campaign, “especially [her] friend Ronly and [her] mom, who supported
[her] through the long days and late nights.”
Rajesh was voted in to the position with 53.7 per cent of the vote.
Vice-president, finance and operations
Cameron J. Provost
In the most contested position this election, Cameron J. Provost came out on top as vice-president, finance and operations. This was not Provost’s first time on the ballot for this role. Last year, he walked home with 31.1 per cent of the vote, with the position going to Carolyn Wang who secured 39.8 per cent.
As for Provost’s plans for the year ahead? “I’m excited by the opportunity to put my ideas into action,” Provost shared. “I hope to bring about changes in accessibility that [enable] more student involvement!”
Following four rounds of the ranked voting system, Provost cleared the needed number of votes by 113.
