he University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) held their biweekly board meeting on Thursday, Nov. 17.
UMSU Holiday Hamper
UMSU vice-president community engagement Elishia Ratel and vice-president student life Tracy Karuhogo detailed plans for the annual UMSU Holiday Hampers Program, which helps out students and their families by providing food and toys during the holiday season.
This year, the program will supply student applicants with a mix of grocery gift cards and small hampers containing toys and hygiene products.
Ratel explained that the inclusion of gift cards for groceries instead of food was implemented during the pandemic, and that hamper recipients appreciated the ability to tailor their hampers to suit their needs.
Donations of new toys for children up to 14 years of age, as well as hygiene products specified on the UMSU Holiday Hamper webpage can be made in-person at the UMSU Service Centre.
Additionally, financial donations can be made both in-person and online.
UMSU will also be hosting a few fundraising events in December in support of the hamper program, like a movie night and a holiday-themed karaoke night.
The deadline for all hamper donations will be Dec. 4 at 11:59 p.m.
“It’s a very basic program but it does really help a lot of
students in need,” Ratel said.
Referendum presentations
Eric Johnson, chief returning officer of UMSU’s recent referendum regarding the Canadian Federation of Students, noted that the side in favour of leaving the federation came out as the winner, and that around 25 per cent of UMSU members voted.
He went over the entire referendum process and made recommendations, which included the recommendation that future CROs be hired up to two months in advance of a referendum.
Reports of the executive Rykiss’s report detailed that equity, diversity and inclusion training for UMSU staff had been delayed, but will be rescheduled for a future date.
UMSU vice-president advocacy Victoria Romero shared that she and Rykiss would be attending the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations Advocacy Week in Ottawa, Ont. from Nov. 21 to 25. At the conference they will both receive advocacy and lobby training, and meet with members of Parliament as well as senators.
She also reported that the Manitoba Alliance of Post-Secondary Students (MAPSS) is continuing to fight for free international student health care, and added that the organization has included free international health coverage in its budget policy recommendation document, which will be presented to members of the legislative assembly.
Ratel’s report highlighted a
graphic / Dallin Chicoine / staff
Nov. 29 event put on by UM Career Services and Onyx Initiative, an organization that supports Black students in their career development and prospects. The event will allow students to learn more about Onyx and opportunities within the organization, and students can register in advance online.
“It’s a very basic program but it does really help a lot of students in need”
— Elishia Ratel, UMSU vice-president community engagement
Ratel also discussed a couple of events put on by the U of M information services and technology department aimed at testing the wireless capabilities on the Bannatyne and Fort Garry campuses.
Participants must register for each event, both of which are limited to 100 people.
Wi-Fi by streaming simultaneously. The events will take place on Nov. 29 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in room 122 of the Drake Centre, as well as Nov. 30 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in Theatre B at the Bannatyne campus.
Students who attend can expect free food and a chance at several $50 U of M bookstore prizes. UMSU vice-president finance and operations Brook Rivard detailed the schedule for murals to be added to the third floor of University Centre. A call for submissions will take place from the end
On Nov. 25 at 11 a.m., a tree will be set up where students will be able to read stories and calls to action of victims and survivors of violence, and also write their own messages.
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Attendees will stress test the of November until January. Selected pieces are scheduled to be painted during winter reading week. Karuhogo announced plans to table with UMSU women’s representative Christine Yasay in University Centre in honour of the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Plans are not set in stone
What you need may not be what you think
Sarah Cohen, staff
Ithink that most of us reading this are at the age where we feel like we are doing what we think we need to do, but not what we actually need to do.
Coming from an academically rigid college town on the outskirts of Los Angeles, California, it always seemed like my path was clearly laid out for me. I would finish high school, go to a four-year university, get a graduate degree, then start a career. Life would fall into place from there.
That was my plan. During November of my senior year, I applied to the University of Oregon, the University of La Verne and the University of Manitoba. I got into all three, with the two state-side schools offering me substantial financial aid. The path was laid out in front of me.
Hesitant about moving to Winnipeg, I accepted the offer from the University of La Verne. Shortly after the calendar turned to March 13, 2020.
The early months of the pandemic were tough in California. I finished high school at 10 p.m. on a Wednesday, slumped on a couch. My future felt like it was paused.
I allowed myself to realize that my plan was not necessary for me to succeed.
By September, things were looking up. I was nannying two brilliant girls, working at a preschool and enjoying time off from university. However, I still felt as if some things were missing in my life.
I realized what those things were in February of 2021. A few mornings a week, a good friend and I would hike the Sycamore Canyon trail, a seven-kilometre path with steep elevation. She and I talked about complex things in our lives, as well as books we were reading. We spent hours getting away from electronics and truly enjoying nature. Hiking made us feel good, and thankfully we didn’t run into some of the more poisonous California wildlife.
Looking back on that period of time, I can truly say that I was doing what my mind and body needed me to do.
During the mornings when we didn’t hike, as well as after my friend left for school, I spent a couple of hours on the deck tanning with a book. California spring — February through April — is the perfect climate to spend hours in the sun. I spent hours outside reading book after book, filling my Goodreads shelf in no time at all.
went by without a hitch. I loved every day that I spent hiking, tanning and learning.
The pandemic halted the seven years of competitive figure skating I had under my belt. Then in July of 2021, a former co-worker asked me if I wanted to work as a figure skating coach at the ice rink where I had skated my entire life. I accepted, and I absolutely loved coaching. I made my own schedule and wage, and I got to pass on my love of ice skating to kids.
the importance of getting a degree.
While I do think that degrees are important, I think you should pursue a degree in a subject that you are passionate about.
Thinking about the past three years, I can see how happy I was. I needed change, but was that move what I actually needed? In some ways. It taught me independence and made me insanely grateful for what I had at home.
During summer 2020, I decided to defer from La Verne until they could assure in-person classes. The weekby-week flipping from asynchronous to synchronous brought no peace of mind to myself or any of my classmates going through the same process.
I allowed myself to realize that my plan was not necessary for me to succeed
Moreover, I was able to be with someone I genuinely enjoyed spending time with.
I also read while watching the girls I nannied. We would read together. I would read to them and I read while they did their work, even half-reading while they watched Good Luck Charlie and Big Time Rush Still, I felt as if I was missing something.
I realized that my mind wasn’t getting the workout it desired. I needed to learn. I registered for some asynchronous, interest-piquing courses at Pasadena City College and began learning at my own pace.
The rest of the school year
I was doing everything that I needed. I was being active, working, doing things I found joy in and exercising my mind.
So, you are probably confused about how I ended up in Winnipeg. My life was established, and I was doing what made me happy — and in the right place to be a sun-baby.
I believe that the best way to get everything out of the short years we have on earth is to prioritize things that make us happy.
So you may be wondering, “Sarah, what is your point?” My point is this: things you actually need, like socialization, fresh air, exercise and doing whatever you enjoy doing are just as important as doing what you think you need.
Do what makes you happy. Get that degree in whatever subject will make you happiest. Go on that trip, get that pet, read that book. Prioritize what brings you joy and don’t let life’s stress overwhelm you in the pursuit of what you think you need.
I wanted change. So, I reapplied to the U of M and decided to move up north. However, I am here for school, as my parents emphasize editor@themanitoban.com
graphic / Jenna Solomon / staff
Performance-based funding harms education
Model sees education as a luxury rather than a necessity
PBraden Bristow, staff
erformance-based funding — an educational funding system where funds are based largely on how “successful” a school is determined to be — is a concept likely to hurt our education system that has been considered by Manitoba governments in the past few years.
Under this model, the proportion of graduates to dropouts, number of credit hours completed and other markers of classroom success are used to determine the majority of funding universities receive. In short, the better you do regarding these metrics, the more money you get.
The general idea is that using money as a reward for schools that perform well will itself raise performance in schools, as well as help the province to determine which institutions are deserving of more funding. However, this raises a lot of issues and ques-
tions.
For one, a performance-based funding scheme can create a scenario in which education financing is a competition rather than a necessity.
The fact of the matter is that there is only so much money to go around. With multiple public universities in Manitoba, a performance-based funding arrangement could create a major issue, as each of these institutions would likely need to find ways to improve their success metrics to stay competitive with one another.
funding model prioritize the acceptance of students who are already likely to get high grades and graduate in a short amount of time.
ence greater exclusion, as their forecasted success may not align with an institution’s desired results.
We should be creating an environment in which education is treated with importance and respect
One of those methods may involve making education more exclusive.
Scott Forbes, U of W biology professor and president of the Manitoba Organization of Faculty Associations, stated that universities with this
One could, and should, readily critique a university for creating barriers-to-entry for marginalized peoples, and this is what the performance-based funding scheme may encourage. It is a fact that economically marginalized and Indigenous peoples in Canada often experience lower rates of graduation and academic success because of social factors such as poverty.
Forbes said that in a performance-based funding arrangement, it is possible that people belonging to these groups could experi-
Performance-based funding may also result in less funding overall for post-secondary institutions. Alberta has already instituted performance-based funding, and following this action, post-secondary schools experienced severe financial cuts. If we are not careful, this could be repeated in Manitoba and across Canada.
Universities educate students and provide opportunities for those that attend them that otherwise would not be available. Post-secondary education fills an important economic and social role in our society that should not be incentivized to exclude certain individuals for cash.
Post-secondary education
is important to everyone in the province, especially students and educators. Having an accessible institution in which one can gain access to opportunities and push the boundaries of knowledge is critical. A performance-based funding arrangement could change all this for the worse.
If our province truly cares about education, it should leave the funding arrangement alone, or better yet, fund institutions based on needs and opportunity for growth.
We should be creating an environment where education is treated with importance and respect, and where institutions are not forced to dance for the support of the provincial government.
comment@themanitoban.com
CAN you get out of U.S. politics?
Canadian residents’ meddling in U.S. politics
Sarah Cohen, staff
I’ve noticed how invested Canadians are in U.S. politics, and how that investment has turned to involvement.
I have a foot in both camps. I am American and Canadian, and have lived in Canada the last six months. Since being in Canada, I have heard and cared more about U.S. politics than when I lived in the U.S.
It makes sense. More than 90 per cent of Canadian residents are living within about 160 kilometres of the U.S.-Canadian border, and it seems like many Canadians have relatives living in the states or who hold citizenship in both countries.
Additionally, recent U.S. politics are proving the genre of speculative fiction. Abortion bans across multiple states are restrictive and deadly. In the recent U.S. midterm elections, Louisiana voted against banning slavery. Currently, rights concerning autonomy, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and diversity
are all being put into question. And then there is the recent presidential campaign announcement from former president Donald Trump. I am concerned about all of these things, and I think I have every reason to be. Though, all I can personally do in my position is vote. I did and I will again in every future election.
However, Canadians have been taking U.S. matters into their own hands. Back in 2020, a Quebec woman was accused of mailing a poison known as ricin to then-President Trump. Ricin can kill humans within hours of exposure. The woman is also facing 16 charges for attempting to send this poison to Texas officials.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The assault left him hospitalized for several days.
These attacks are not just on a single party. Trump belongs to the Republican party and Pelosi is a Democrat. These events don’t change anything about the political climate in the states, they only hurt individual people. Republicans and Democrats will both continue to produce legislation that can harm the country.
that each and every one has a connection to one of them whether we are aware of it or not. And those four things are just the tip of the iceberg.
But then again, I do see why Canadians are concerned with what goes on in the United States.
Absolutely nothing good will come from violently trying to take matters into your own hands
Why are Canadians so invested in the states? Canada has more important things to worry about beyond the U.S. political landscape.
More recently, a Canadian-born man is facing charges of elder abuse, assault and attempted kidnapping after a violent attack on Paul Pelosi, the husband of then-
Canada is facing issues involving equitable housing, policing and addiction, to name a few. These issues are present in the immediate life of Canadians, and I am sure
The U.S. and Canada serve as key allies to each other. They have an enormous trade relationship, and they share a border and environmental ecosystems. I understand how the U.S. serves as the perfect case study for a multitude of historical, sociological, political and economic concepts.
A large portion of Canadians also worry about U.S. democracy — something I resonate with — and what its current state and tenuous future will mean for Canada.
I feel like the states and Canada have an almost older-younger sibling power
dynamic — a “the U.S. did it, so why can’t we” type of relationship. I do understand the global interest in U.S. politics, I just believe that meddling in the politics of other countries is dangerous and ineffective. If you are eligible to vote in U.S. politics, do it, locally and federally. As a U.S. citizen, you can inspire legislation, call your representatives regarding important issues, sign petitions, and lobby to make your voice heard. If you’re Canadian and want a hand in U.S. politics, support people from the states, encourage them to vote and help spread correct information.
Absolutely nothing good will come from violently trying to take matters into your own hands.
comment@themanitoban.com
graphic
staff
More people, more problems
Overpopulation must be addressed during climate discussions
Dina Hamid, staff
The earth hit the population milestone of eight billion people on Nov. 15. According to the United Nations, the world’s population will reach 9.7 billion people in 2050, and may peak at about 11 billion by the end of the century.
These figures raise concerns about overpopulation, which has long been warned of as a threat to our society. As our population continues to grow every year, we face questions about what this means for us, our environment and our future.
The good news is the world population’s rate of increase has been steadily declining since the 1960s, from two per cent to just under one per cent in the last 50 years, and developed countries including Canada are seeing fertility rates drop.
So, where is most of the current growth happening? Most of the population growth seen in 2021 was observed in sub-Saharan Africa, followed by Central and Southern Asia and then Eastern and South-Eastern Asia. However, even in these regions there has been an overall decline in fertility rates compared to previous decades.
Even though the numbers suggest that we are moving in the right direction, we must take into account the fact that while our population is growing, resources are being used up at an unsustainable rate due to overconsumption.
This is alarming, since the problem of overpopulation will put further strain on our depleting pool of resources and produce more emissions. However, overpopulation is currently being overlooked in favour of the overconsumption problem that many developed countries are facing.
This problem is trouble-
some by itself, since humans are presently using the resources of about 1.75 planets, and consumption will only be further exacerbated as the population increases by one or two billion in the upcoming decades.
Although the two issues may not appear to be related because overconsumption is more pronounced in wealthy developed nations where growth has slowed, 34 per cent of immigrants from developing nations move to developed nations. This impacts the population density of these locations, and will therefore have an effect on the amount of resources consumed in those regions, as more people will require homes, food, clothing and energy.
Additionally, immigrants to developed nations who would have been causing less emissions before relocating will eventually adopt their higher-emitting neighbours’ habits and lifestyles, which in turn will contribute to a faster depletion of resources.
This is all to say that overpopulation is a global issue, and is not just contained within developing regions. Just because birth rates are significantly lower here does not mean we are free from the consequences that overpopulation has on our environment.
We are doing a great disservice to our planet by ignoring overpopulation and pitting it against overconsumption. Climate change is not a
multiple-choice question with only one right answer. The climate catastrophe is being caused by a variety of reasons, all of which must be addressed if we are to have the maximum chance of surviving.
Even though population growth is inevitable at this point, there are still steps that can be taken to further slow it down while simultaneously reducing our ecological footprint.
Nations should support and fund family planning initiatives, encourage and facilitate access for more women and girls to receive education, provide more employment opportunities for women, provide sex education and make contraceptives more readily available.
All of these things are benefits that are mutually advantageous to nations and their citizens, while also supporting the health and development of these regions and reducing the global birth rate.
I don’t advocate for controlling and limiting birth rates or stopping immigration, but if there are practical, ethically sound and advantageous ways to moderate the population growth, I don’t see why we shouldn’t at least try.
As billions more people will be born in the upcoming decades, what state will the world be in when they get here?
comment@themanitoban.com
graphic / Jenna Solomon / staff
The universe fandom is great. Such
To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely
In Straits, like Sudoku, no single number can repeat in any row or column. But rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. These need to be filled in with numbers that complete a “straight.” A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but can be in any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to see how “straights” are formed. In Hidato, fill the board by continuing the chain of numbers from 1 to 100 moving any direction or diagonally to the next number.
Sudoku Puzzle by Syndicated Puzzles
Hidato Puzzle by M.J.D. Doering
Straights Puzzle by Syndicated Puzzles
sweet and enthusiastic people.
Horoscopes for the week of Nov. 23
Zodiac tips for navigating life at the U of M
Damien Davis, staff
ARIES
When the smoke clears and you’ve done all you can do, who is it that takes care of you? Do not be a victim of your own determination. Getting A’s is satisfying, sure, but not at the cost of your well-being. When studying in Dafoe on the second floor, remember — the stacks can hear you sigh. Politely ask the older books to muffle the noise of other students and they will.
TAURUS
The tunnels are not your friends this week, though normally they would be. Something lurks in there between the shuffle and shoving of students and the static of the ever-present radio. You will find yourself too tired, and too late for your classes. Remember — you’re not known for looking behind you, only stubbornly going ahead. Do not listen to the echoes of concrete walls. Tune in to 101.5 UMFM to learn secrets of the underground.
GEMINI
What comes to you this week will come in twos, as it has your whole life. When making your decisions, rely not on what you understand as instinct. Do not second-guess your major. Remember what passions brought you here, and when on the path between St. Paul’s and St. John’s, sit between them under the trees and think carefully on your next move. What good comes from your impulsivity?
CANCER
Creativity and stability are ready to be your companions, but remember to exercise careful thinking. When water starts to rise, return to your burrow. Heed the patterns of the tides. Should you require inspiration to let loose your thoughts to paper and break from your everyday life, go to the School of Art Gallery. Gaze at Open Structure and discover what it means to rid yourself of the confines of your hardened shell.
LEO
Why is striving for perfection seen as a flaw? You perform at your peak, academically and socially. When you laugh with your friends in your study group on campus, you laugh loudly and clearly. This week will challenge your perspective on priorities. Did you remember to check the due dates for your assignments? Tie your hair back and assess your plans.
VIRGO
Not everything can be logical, you must leave room for imagination. Blackbirds may rest on telephone wires, but you are constantly on the move. If you find yourself restless, you should turn that feeling into productivity that nurtures the spirit. Perhaps in the blue water of the campus swimming pool you can exhaust the tension. Take to the shallow waters, watch the light move.
LIBRA
Balancing acts are what you’re meant to excel at, and this week that proves true. Yes, the academic year hasn’t been kind to you, but you’ve pulled through magnificently. You’ve woven and patched together an ecosystem of success in every class. Where else can you find a circle on campus? Go there and stand directly in the middle, within the sparkling snow. Think about this: do you prioritize beauty or success?
SCORPIO
The visions you’ve seen when staring up at the stained-glass windows in Tier will not come to pass. The things that haunt the interior of our skulls do not always stem from truth, but rather out of melancholy. This week, try not to focus on the success of others. Worth is not meant to be measured. Drinking the poison from your own tail used to be fun, but surely, it’s lost its charm.
SAGITTARIUS
With the new moon in Sagittarius, you will find it easier to manifest and rejuvenate. What is it you desire? And do you have the courage to take it? All that worries you will fade into the sound of laughter and comfort. Slide into a booth at VW’s durday and gaze out the snow-covered prairies — you will be at peace with yourself. Your intellect isn’t underappreciated or misunderstood, but don’t weaken it with pointless arguments.
ETFM theatre program returns to in-person format
< Cont’d from front page
“So, for some of our students, even if they’re in second or third year, they’ve never worked on a ‘show’ show before, but they’ve been learning theatre.”
While full-production shows are making a return, there has been discussion within the university’s theatre department on how they are meant to look and run post-pandemic.
Dunn said that the decision to offer free admission was a “logistic” one — the mechanisms previously in place to set up a box office and sell tickets were lost to the pandemic. Whether the disrup-
tion will become a permanent change is still up for discussion among U of M theatre staff.
“I think it’s a question for us in the theatre program, as we kind of look at going forward, whether payment for shows will come back or not,” she said. “While paid admission has been the history at the university, it could be the next change for the theatre post-pandemic.
Dunn hopes viewers walk away with a new perspective on where their food comes from and an appreciation for the hard work of artists adjusting to a new theatre world after COVID-19 shutdowns.
“It is political theatre,” she said. “As with any political theory, you hope people come away discussing things. I don’t want people to shy away from the show just because they think they don’t maybe have the same opinions as what [they think] the show’s statement is, because this style of theatre shows all different sides.”
Seeds runs until Nov. 26. Admission is free.
arts@themanitoban.com
CAPRICORN
Do not be greedy this week. Be humble and graceful in your accomplishments and opportunities. Should you forget this, the Earth will remind you. Can you face yourself in all your faults and acknowledge that this is what it means to be human? Accept that graduation will be a long road and you will find that it’ll come faster.
AQUARIUS
You’ll find yourself craving knowledge this week. You will be dissatisfied with your studies and will crave information more than ever. You anticipate a future of freedom without chains, but freedom starts inside yourself first. Don’t seek the guidance of graffiti on washroom stalls. The oracles of the Fletcher Argue bathrooms can’t help you with your goals.
PISCES
This week, people will take your solitude and silence as weakness, but friends know that’s not true. When you walk through the overwhelming crowds of University Centre, you do it fluidly. You’re not invisible, you’ve simply mastered your environment and the people that exist within it. People underestimate fish because they don’t know what lies in the deep sea. You do know.
arts@themanitoban.com
photo / Ebunoluwa Akinbo / staff
UMFM show spotlight: ‘Signal Distortion’
Host Luc Mayor explores internet-core
Alex Braun staff
G
rowing up in the world of rhythm gaming and the online forums surrounding it, computer engineering student Luc Mayor built an interest in the unique, genre-bending sounds of the internet, which he terms “internet-core.”
Mayor was inspired to start his radio show on UMFM — Signal Distortion, which airs Thursdays at 2 p.m. — by “a lack of programming on UMFM that was correlating to [his] musical interest.” Starting only a few months ago in September 2022, Mayor has already developed a unique voice in playlisting.
For Mayor, the unifying communities of fans are “a demographic of people online that listen to very, very musical artists spanning over a number of genres that have no correlation to one another.”
These fans, congregating on sites like Rate Your Music, Last.fm, Twitter and Discord, form the chief fanbase for the new and niche genres that Mayor’s internet-core concept encompasses.
“The community that I really made this show mostly for, hyperpop and digicore, all of their music is, their com-
emo.
Recent episodes of Signal Distortion have featured artists like yeule, Parannoul, Drain Gang, Radiohead, Charli XCX, 8485 and Black Country, New Road in the wide-ranging mixes.
In fact, the name for the show came from this eclecticism.
“The sounds were very clash-y, bombastic kind of sounds, which can be kind of equivalent to a sort of distortion,” Mayor said.
“I really personally like sharing music with people”
Mayor’s chief interest, his classification of internet-core, is not defined by traditional genre markers, but rather by the niche online communities that make up its fanbase.
—
Luc Mayor, Host of ‘Signal Distortion’
munity is wholeheartedly on Discord,” he said.
Other genres cited by Mayor as part of his vision include Plugg, shoegaze and Midwest
Genres like hyperpop have seen some mainstream acceptance in recent years, but their influence is still mostly marginal.
Mayor feels that this niche status is just due to a lack of exposure.
“While this appeals to a very niche subset of listeners, I think that really, the reason that it’s appealing to only
this niche group of people is because it hasn’t seen that light-of-day exposure,” he explained.
“I don’t like to be the type of person to gatekeep artists or stuff like that, so I think that I really personally like sharing music with people.”
Signal Distortion airs Thursdays at 2 p.m. on 101.5 UMFM. Archival episodes can be streamed on umfm.com.
arts@themanitoban.com
photo / Luc Mayor / provided
Manitoba Furries persists through COVID paw-in-paw How
fandom builds community in hard times
Jessie Krahn, staff
When circumstances get hairy, humans rely on each other for support.
Fandoms offer a place for people to forge those crucial and supportive connections based on mutual interests.
Manitoba is home to a thriving furry fandom. “Furries” is a term that applies to anyone with an interest in anthropomorphic creatures like Bugs Bunny. While the fandom encompasses all levels of interest, some furries are just fans.
Some furries’ engagement with the fandom goes deeper. Furries sometimes choose a “fursona” — an animal-inspired persona — for self-representation. Perhaps the most famous form of expression in the furry community is the construction of fursuits. The suits are elaborate and very costly costumes.
Manitoba Furries is a group organized by individuals who act as dedicated liaisons, event planners and more for the furry community in the province. Tyler Neplyk, community director of Manitoba Furries, explained that he is tasked with anything from intra-group conflict resolution to acting as the first point of contact for new members of the community.
Neplyk described his role as the “fetching of other ani-
mals and organizing meets, and discussing stuff with communities and removing drama.”
He estimated that Manitoba Furries is comprised of over 500 members, but added that it is difficult to truly determine membership numbers across different social media services.
Manitoba Furries generally participates in three kinds of in-person events.
lockdowns was relatively easy to do because of his standard organizational practices. In particular, contact tracing was nearly identical to Neplyk’s eight-year-long habit of asking attendees to sign in at meet-ups.
For in-person events throughout the pandemic, Neplyk stressed that abiding by the provincial and fed-
Though, Neplyk added that Manitoba Furries’ adherence to social distancing and masking during in-person events received backlash from some members of the community.
“We have to socialize, we’re animals”
— Tyler Neplyk, Community director for Manitoba Furries
First, public fur meets are often located at Assiniboine park, a bowling alley, movie theatre or some other public space.
Second, semi-private fur meets are held at the home of one of the group members, and invite members to participate in baking, movie nights or art.
Third are the less-frequent conventions, with panels, game rooms and other activities.
Manitoba Furries has even offered advice to parents of children who are furries and have a budding interest in the fandom.
The COVID-19 pandemic has periodically disrupted the group’s programming.
However, Neplyk said that adapting to constantly shifting safety protocols during
eral governments’ mandates and ensuring members’ safety has been of the utmost importance.
“Every time we would have a meet, we would always start off with, ‘if you’re feeling sick, don’t come over,’” Neplyk said.
“We made sure that it was safe for everyone.”
The group strove to combat social atomization through uncertain times by translating some of its typical programming into virtual formats.
“We have to socialize, we’re animals!” Neplyk emphasized. “We’ve got to meet each other, we’ve got to see what’s going on, and so literally we just found ways to communicate, and a lot of them were online.”
“Those people have either been separated from our group since then or have still been belligerent about what has been happening recently,” he explained. “And we’ve tried to make it work for them, but they are still — long story short, they’ve kind of been quiet.”
Part of Neplyk’s job is to defang threats to the community’s safety who seek to infiltrate and take advantage of the group’s culture of acceptance.
“We’re good with dealing with dangerous groups like zoophiles and neo-Nazis and pedophiles,” he said. “They’re like, ‘hey, I’m with you guys too,’ and then we learn that they’re a skinhead or something and I gotta kick them out.”
Neplyk said that many non-furries erroneously conflate furry fandom with zoophilia.
“I always ask [non-furries], ‘what is the rudest thing you know about furries and how did you first hear about them?’” Neplyk said. “It’s
almost always like, ‘oh, they screw dogs and they all get in costume and have sex in a giant room because I saw that on CSI.’”
Neplyk also highlighted a study that found that nearly 80 per cent of furries do not identify as straight, and noted that the stigma attached to the community may be driven by homophobia.
“I’ve also heard the one that all furries have AIDS because we’re all gay,” he continued.
For Neplyk, a self-described extrovert, the furry fandom gives him ample opportunity to connect.
“I’m wrangling a zoo of creatures,” he said. “It’s fun to have a zoo!”
Neplyk added that while it would be nice to be paid for his efforts, he is serving as Manitoba Furries’ community director for reasons other than money.
“I’m doing it strictly to get people interested in the fandom, being happier about themselves and being open about themselves and just having a good time,” he emphasized. “I just want to find more people to party with.”
Manitoba Furries can be found at https://manitobafurries.org/.
arts@themanitoban.com
Bison quarterback sets passing yard record
Des Catellier leaves his mark on and off the field
Katie Kirkwood staff
D es Catellier heads out of his final season leaving behind a legacy that will change how the Bisons play football for years to come.
Catellier is the Bisons’ star quarterback. He has been with the Bisons through thick and thin throughout his seven years on the team. Starting off as a rookie when he was just 18 years old, over the years he has grown into the strong, fearless leader he is today.
As one can expect however, those seven years were not entirely smooth sailing. In the 2021 season opener game against the University of Regina Rams — the first game back since COVID began — Catellier took a nasty hit to the lower half of his body, resulting in an ACL tear.
In the nine months that followed, Catellier made sure to show up for himself and the team. He never missed a rehab or training session and built back his strength, confidence and ability day by day.
Catellier emphasized the fact that improvement was not seen every day. Healing his injury was about “not losing sight, not thinking too big picture.”
All of his hard work paid off,
as he had one of the best seasons of his life this year.
Despite this being Catellier’s last year with the Bisons, he went out with a bang, setting an all-time program record for passing yards. This was a large feat to achieve, and yet he still has bigger and better dreams of going pro and playing with the big boys in the Canadian Football League.
“I want to play in the CFL,” Catellier said. “That’s what I’m going to take on for the next year, at least.”
“It’s always been a goal of mine, it’s always been a dream of mine, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do for sure. You don’t see a lot of Canadian quarterbacks make it pro.“
He knows all the challenges he will face, but he is just as motivated as ever to eat, sleep and breathe football.
When asked about how the culture of the team has changed over the years, Catellier said that when he first started, there seemed to be a disconnect between the older and younger players. He saw that this was causing some issues on the field and addressed it with some of his teammates and the coaches.
From that point on, the Bisons worked on becoming
Sports teams’ schedules
U of M Bisons — Women’s Basketball
Bisons @ Regina Cougars Nov. 25 — 7 p.m.
Bisons @ Regina Cougars Nov. 26 — 7 p.m.
U of M Bisons — Women’s Hockey
Bisons @ MacEwan Griffins Nov. 18 — Final: 3 – 2
Bisons @ MacEwan Griffins Nov. 19 — Final: 5 – 1
Saskatchewan Huskies @ Bisons Nov. 25 — 7 p.m.
Saskatchewan Huskies @ Bisons Nov. 26 — 3 p.m.
U of M Bisons — Women’s Volleyball
Brandon Bobcats @ Bisons Nov. 18 — Final: 0 – 3
Brandon Bobcats @ Bisons Nov. 19 — Final: 0 – 3
Regina Cougars @ Bisons Nov. 25 — 6 p.m.
Regina Cougars @ Bisons Nov. 26 — 5 p.m.
U of M Bisons — Men’s Basketball
Bisons @ Regina Cougars Nov. 25 — 9 p.m.
Bisons @ Regina Cougars Nov. 26 — 9 p.m.
U of M Bisons — Men’s Hockey
MacEwan Griffins @ Bisons Nov. 18 — Final: 1 – 7
MacEwan Griffins @ Bisons Nov. 19 — Final: 2 – 7
Bisons @ Saskatchewan Huskies Nov. 25 — 7 p.m.
Bisons @ Saskatchewan Huskies Nov. 26 — 7 p.m.
a family on and off the field, resulting in major rewards like making championships, setting records and growing its program’s reputation.
It’s times like these that Catellier looks back on fondly. He loves the environment in the locker room, and even calls it home. Catellier is originally from Calgary, and has spent his whole adult life finding comfort and inspiration in the Bison locker room, an environment that was created from his hard work and dedication to his teammates.
The games, the laughs and the love that was shared between teammates is something that he will carry with him for life.
A perfect example of this camaraderie comes from offensive lineman Halem Hrizai, who discussed some of his favourite memories with Catellier. Hrizai joined the program a few years after Catellier and has always looked up to him, except for when it comes to ping-pong.
Playing ping-pong is a crucial part of being a Bisons football player and according to Hrizai, Catellier is “a very mediocre ping-pong player.”
Catellier made sure to clear up the rumours, and clari-
fied that he is “definitely an A-league, top-tier ping-pong player.”
We may never know who to believe, but this is just one example of the fun and love the players on the Bisons football team have for one another that is sure to have helped the team bond into a multi-year playoff run caliber club.
sports@themanitoban.com
U of M Bisons — Men’s Volleyball
Brandon Bobcats @ Bisons Nov. 18 — Final: 3 – 0
Brandon Bobcats @ Bisons Nov. 19 — Final: 2 – 3
U of M Bisons — Swimming
College Cup Nov. 25 – Nov. 27
U of M Bisons — Track and Field
Brown and Gold Intersquad Nov. 25
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Grey Cup:
Toronto Argonauts @ Blue Bombers Nov. 20 — Final: 24 – 23
Winnipeg Jets
Anaheim Ducks @ Jets
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Jets
Carolina Hurricanes @ Jets
Jets @ Minnesota Wild
Jets @ Dallas Stars
Jets @ Chicago Blackhawks
Colorado Avalanche @ Jets
* All times CST
Nov. 17 — Final: 2 – 3
Nov. 19 — Final: 3 – 0
Nov. 21 — 3 – 4 / OT
Nov. 23 — 6 p.m.
Nov. 25 — 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 27 — 6 p.m.
Nov. 29 — 7 p.m.
Bisons volleyball
This past weekend both the Bisons men’s and women’s volleyball teams went headto-head with the Brandon University Bobcats. Both teams played at the Investors Group Athletic Centre on Nov. 18 and 19.
The women’s team took home two wins despite its recent losses against the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat. In the first game of the weekend, the Bobcats put up a good fight with set scores of 18-25, 22-25 and 12-25, but the U of M won them all. Great hits were seen by Ella Gray, who had 11 kills this game.
As for the team’s second game of the weekend, there was a greater point differential than the game from the previous night. The Bisons swept up all three sets again, showing no remorse on the court. This game, Raya Surinx cleaned up with 11 kills and two aces. This put the women’s volleyball team at a game ratio of 4-4.
The men’s volleyball team was not as lucky in the first game, losing all three sets to the Bobcats. Coach Arnd Ludwig said this game was the result of injuries that kept the team from practicing as a complete unit last week. Despite this, the herd fought hard, coming close in all three sets but just missing the edge that would have secured a win.
The team didn’t let this first night discourage it, as it came back even more fiercely than the day before in the second game against the Bobcats. This game went into five sets, with U of M winning the first, U of Brandon winning the next two, and U of M finishing it off by winning the last two sets to secure the win.
This game was intense and exciting to watch as each team put up a great fight, both wanting to win more than anything. Redeeming itself from its loss the night before, the Bisons left the court glowing, improving its record to 4-6.
The women’s next game is Nov. 25 against the University of Regina Cougars and the men’s next game is Dec. 2 against the Mount Royal University Cougars.
