6 February 2019

EDITORIAL

Be heard, take part

Student perspectives valuable in search for president PAGE 8

NEWS

COMMENT

UMSU launches tutoring app

Sick careers in healthcare

Peer to peer PAGE 5

It's not just doctors and nurses PAGE 12 SPORTS

O Captain Rieder’s journey just beginning PAGE 20

VO L 1 0 5 · N O 2 3 · F E B R UA RY 6 , 2 0 1 9 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO B A N .CO M

Index

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VOL. 105 NO. 23 February 6, 2019

ARTS AND CULTURE

COMMENT

Free market dial-up Private sector fails to provide cheap internet PAGE 13

Challenging stereotypes

Exhibit explores violence, racism and resilience PAGE 16

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Petitioning the people LGBTTQ* rep gathers signatures on name change PAGE 4

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News

News Editor: Malak Abas Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

UMSU joins CASA mental health campaign

Letters written by students to reach minister of health MALAK ABAS, STAFF

PHOTO BY ALEXANDER DECEBAL-CUZA

U

MSU joined university cam“At the end of the week these 10,000 students to the federal health tal health initiatives and supports on puses across Canada last week hearts will be packed up and sent minister demanding increased men- Canadian campuses.” to foster awareness of mental well- to the federal health minister of tal health funding,” he said. While the letter-writing campaign ness by taking part in the Canadian Canada,” she added. “Something UMSU deeply on campus ended Friday, students can Alliance of Student Associations Despite taking part in the cam- believes is that there is power in col- still submit letters through CASA. (CASA) #StudentsLetsAct initiative. paign, UMSU is currently not a laboration, and we will work with any The alliance’s website provides a preThe initiative took place from Jan. member of CASA — but the UMSU organization that runs campaigns we written letter that students can send 28 to Feb. 1, during UMSU’s mental executive has recommended the see as valuable for our members. to their elected member of parliament health and wellness week. union defederate from its current "This was the best nationally and the minister of health. The union’s VP advocacy, Sarah advocacy organization, the Canadian co-ordinated campaign option for “The goal of this campaign is to Bonner-Proulx, said UMSU joined Federation of Students, and join UMSU this year and we were proud turn the many conversations we've the campaign to lobby the federal CASA. had about mental government for additional mental UMSU health into real “Everyone has a mental health story and health resources for students. president Jakob action and change “The main purpose of this cam- Sanderson said Canadian posttalking about it shouldn’t be taboo” — Sarah on paign is to advocate for increased gov- UMSU’s decisecondary campuses ernment funding for mental health sion to join an and doing this by Bonner-Proulx, UMSU VP advocacy supports and services for students at initiative led by flooding Parliament post-secondary institutions,” she said. a student assoHill with letters and “This week, from Wednesday ciation that the union is not a member to participate.” hearts written by students about why through Friday, we have been actively of was a matter of the quality of the A statement released by UMSU mental health matters and what the tabling in UC to encourage students initiative. Friday said the union “and CASA federal government can do,” Bonnerto take action and speak up in support “The campaign is a phenomenal believe that the federal government is Proulx said. of increasing [and] securing mental one that has student unions at over in a position to play a significant role UMSU’s statement also urged health supports by writing on a bro- 20 institutions in Canada — includ- in assisting students struggling with the federal government to provide ken heart with the prompt ‘Mental ing UBC which is also not a CASA mental health issues by providing funding supports for students expeHealth Matters Because...’" school — delivering messages from increased funding targeted at men- riencing “the episodic nature of many

mental health issues” by updating its Canada Student Grant funding allotted to students with permanent disabilities to include “those with temporary conditions such as a number of mental illnesses.” Other mental health and wellness week events included a question-andanswer session hosted by U of M nursing students and a film screening in the Dafoe theatre. Bonner-Proulx said students looking to promote mental wellness on campus can start by being cognizant of how their words can affect others. “As for what students can do — one of the best ways to help end this stigma that still surrounds mental health and illness, is to talk about it and to be kind and considerate to others,” she said. “Remember that your language matters and that everyone has a mental health story and talking about it shouldn’t be taboo.”

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News

News Editor: Malak Abas Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

UMSU LGBTTQ* rep announces resignation Departure follows attempt at name change, petition by RPM MALAK ABAS, STAFF

U

MSU LGBTTQ* representative Eun-Bi Kang has said she will resign this week, likely after the union’s Feb. 7 board meeting. While Kang confirmed she was indeed stepping down, she declined to elaborate why, saying she was “not comfortable” with speaking further on the topic. The last few months have been significant for RPM, after an attempt to change the title of Kang's position from LGBTTQ* representative to gender, relationship and sexual diversities (GRSD) representative was met with criticism. Kang later said she felt she had not sufficiently reached out to the wider LGBTTQ* community beyond the

Rainbow Pride Mosaic (RPM) stu- the next LGBTTQ* representative. including RPM, receive funding. dent group and voted to withdraw RPM is currently one of four The Feb. 7 board meeting will be the name-change motion indefinitely. particularly significant to RPM and community groups — includDespite her plans to resign, Kang the wider LGBTTQ* community on ing the Womyn’s Centre, the was tabling on behalf of RPM at campus because UMSU will likely be Student Accessibility Centre and the University of UMSU University Centre (UC) last Manitoba Indigenous While Kang confirmed she was indeed week with petiStudents’ Association tions both for and resigning, she refused to comment on her — that receive fundagainst changing ing from UMSU’s the representa- reasoning, saying she was “not comfortable” services group levy. tive’s title from Shou ld the with speaking further on the topic LGBT TQ* to motion pass, UMSU GSRD. will change the Kang said she was not sure if she voting on a motion to alter its fund- funding structure for community would bring the name change motion ing to what the executive has called a groups — so rather than RPM havto UMSU at the this week's board community initiative funding (CIF) ing sole access to community group meeting but said if she chose not to, plan — which, if passed, would alter funds, other LGBTTQ* communithe petition would serve as data for how community groups on campus, ties would have equal access to the

funding. The CIF motion was presented at the union’s Jan. 10 board meeting but was tabled until Feb. 7 after Kang moved to postpone voting to give her time to better inform her constituents of the motion. Kang said she will attend the Feb. 7 meeting and will take part in the CIF motion vote. It is not known whether UMSU will seek a new LGBTTQ* representative in the coming months or leave the position vacant until after next year’s UMSU executives are voted in. Nominations for the 2019-20 year began Monday and voting will take place March 6-8.

LGBTTQ* rep queries students on title change

Board member seeking input regarding name change motion MALAK ABAS, STAFF

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

T

he LGBTTQ* student group continuing at that time would be vided asking students to explain After concerns that elongating the Rainbow Pride Mosaic (RPM) “irresponsible.” their involvement in the LGBTTQ* acronym would be too “cumbersome,” gathered signatures last week to Kang also said she would work community before providing a brief UMSU community co-ordinator gauge support — or lack thereof — to gather more input from the wider summary of why they signed for or Mubo Ilelaboye suggested the GSRD for changing the title of UMSU’s campus community before pursuing against changing the representative acronym. LGBTTQ* representative. the motion again. title. The GSRD acronym and variaCurrent LGBTTQ* representaThe tabling, tions of it are relative Eun-Bi Kang originally planned which occurred tively new and are The idea to change the name began in to bring forward a motion to change i n UMSU meant to propose the name of her position to the University a wider view of the August 2018, when Kang suggested adding Gender, Sexual and Relationship C ent re l a st LGBTTQ* coman “IA” to the original acronym to include Diversities (GSRD) representative week, provided munity. The acroat the union’s Jan. 10 board meeting. students with nym is not used by “intersex” and “asexual” identities After the motion was met with two petitions, any other university criticism — both of the name change one in supin the province but and due to concerns the wider port of changing the representative The idea to change the name was considered an “official commuLGBTTQ* community on campus title, and one against the change. began in August 2018, when Kang nity acronym” by Pride Winnipeg was not made appropriately aware of Both petitions requested students suggested adding an “IA” to the in 2018. the motion — Kang moved to instead “self-identify.” original acronym to include “intersex” This is RPM’s second attempt at a table the motion indefinitely, saying A questionnaire was also pro- and “asexual” identities. petition. The first was conducted in

the fall term and received only 15 signatures, most of whom Kang admitted were “RPM regulars” and even said she was surprised the UMSU governance committee agreed to draw up a motion after she presented the petition. Kang said she is not sure if she will present the petition at the Feb. 7 UMSU board meeting. While Kang has since announced she will be leaving the position after the next UMSU board meeting, she said if she chooses not to present the petition to the board, it will be used as data for the future LGBTTQ* representative.

VOL. 105 NO. 23 February 6, 2019

News

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UMSU launches peer-to-peer tutoring app

Students can connect, pay tutors through mobile device MALK ABAS, STAFF

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

U

MSU’s peer-to-peer tutoring app has arrived. The app connects student tutors to possible tutees. Students can set up an account through the app, which is available on iOS or Android mobile devices, and can then connect with course-specific tutors. The app is hosted by Nimbus Tutoring, a peer-to-peer tutoring service founded by McGill University alumnus William Liu, and is home to similar apps for universities across Canada. Tutors can charge up to $15 an hour for their services, which are paid directly by the student through the app. The app, which was an election promise by the Elevate UMSU slate during the 2018 UMSU general elections, was originally promised to be active in “mid to late September.”

UMSU vice-president of student services Carly Mastromonaco led the process of bringing the app to the U of M, including setting standards for possible tutors.

she said. “They are then interviewed by our peer tutoring co-ordinator.” The U of M offers a student-centric tutoring program through the Academic Learning Centre (ALC). Located in the Tier building, the centre offers peer writing tutors, peer "We have also study skill coaches, online tutoring, had very good writing workshops and more. Outside of fees included in base attendance tuition costs, all these services are at ALC workshops” — offered free of charge. The ALC writing tutor position Monique Dumontet, and the ALC content/study skills tutor position both remunerate $17 ALC director an hour. ALC director Monique Dumontet “Tutors are required to submit said the centre’s services are all wellproof of their achievement of A or used by U of M students. higher in the class(es) they wish to “The free weekly review sessions, tutor, as well as a small blurb about which are facilitated by peer mentors why they want to become a tutor,” who have previously taken the course,

as well as additional ALC training, are each attended by approximately 20-25 students,” she said. “ALC one-to-one tutoring — content, study skills and writing — is also very well used by students. In fall 2018, U [of] M students made 2,969 one-to-one tutoring appointments. We have also had very good attendance at ALC workshops.” Dumontet, along with the U of M’s executive director of student engagement and academic success Brandy Usick held a meeting with Mastromonaco and UMSU president Jakob Sanderson Sept. 24 to discuss UMSU’s goals with the app. “At the meeting, Brandy Usick and I had the opportunity to learn about UMSU’s plans,” she said. “We also had the opportunity to share information about existing Academic Learning Centre supports

and programs, including course-specific supports, supplemental instruction and ALC content tutors.” According to Dumontet, ALC tutor training was also discussed at the meeting — ALC tutors receive between six and 16 hours of training on various tutoring strategies — and UMSU agreed to “encourage tutors on the UMSU Nimbus registry to mention their completion of ALC tutor training in their biographies.” Despite this, UMSU does not require the app’s tutors to take part in any kind of training, but according to Mastromonaco, “tutors are highly encouraged to partake in the tutor training offered by the Academic Learning Centre.”

Indigenous admin resigns citing lack of support Barry Lavallee is the second Indigenous administrator to resign in two months MALAK ABAS, STAFF

M

ere months after the resignation of the U of M’s vice-provost of Indigenous engagement — who cited a lack of response on Indigenous issues by the school’s administration — another Indigenous member of the U of M has announced their departure. Barry Lavallee, who taught at the university and was director of education for Ongomiizwin — the

Indigenous institute of health and healing — told local media he left because “solid support by the academy itself to address Indigenousspecific racism in context” was “not achieved.” U of M spokesperson John Danakas issued a statement saying the university is “committed to reconciliation and Indigenous priorities, as is laid out in its strategic plan.”

“The University of Manitoba ship on the Rady Faculty of Health deeply appreciates Dr. Barry Sciences’ [Truth and Reconciliation Lavallee’s efforts in support of Commission] reconciliation action Indigenous students and Indigenous plan as well as the task force and diahealth, including the development of logue session on addressing racism the longitudinal Indigenous health in the learning environment held in curriculum in the Max Rady College 2018,” the statement reads. of Medicine; his important contribuDuring an Indigenous Scholars tions in improving Indigenous health Speaker Series lecture held on camand cultural safety awareness among pus in September, Lavallee suggested all medical students; and his leader- the U of M approach issues of racism

by removing U of M president David Barnard and replacing him with an Indigenous woman. In December, the U of M’s first vice-provost of Indigenous engagement, Lynn Lavallée, resigned after just over a year in the position, saying her “vision for this role was not in alignment with administration.”

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News

News Editor: Malak Abas Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Man found guilty in 2017 slaying of bus driver Jury returns second-degree murder conviction in Fort Garry campus killing GARETT WILLIAMS, STAFF

A

Thomas’s defence did not dispute 24-year-old man has been con- and 25 years. No jurors offered the victed of second-degree murder court a recommendation for how long that he stabbed Fraser but argued it in the February 2017 stabbing death Thomas should serve before being was an act of self-defence. Crown of a Winnipeg Transit operator on granted an opportunity for parole. prosecutors said it was an act of the Fort Garry campus. Fraser died after suffering numer- revenge against the driver forcing Brian Kyle Thomas was con- ous stab wounds following an alterca- him out of the bus. victed Jan. 31 of killing Irvine Jubal tion after Thomas refused to exit a bus The stabbing left bloodstains on Fraser in the early morning hours at the final stop around 2 a.m. the sidewalk directly across from of Valentine’s day. A jury returned a A coroner testified that Fraser was Taché Hall while police investigated. guilty verdict after deliberating for a stabbed six times, with one sever- It also renewed calls for increased little more than two hours. ing his jugular vein and puncturing security for Winnipeg Transit The conviction carries an auto- his trachea. His left lung was also operators. matic life sentence with no chance collapsed. A sentencing date has not been set. of parole for a period between 10

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

Decolonizing political studies at the U of M

Assistant prof discusses governance, education in colloquium lecture TY BRASS, STAFF

D

o you understand Indigenous governance? That is the question U of M assistant professor Réal Carrière asked during a lecture on his research of Indigenous governance Jan. 30. Carrière’s talk, titled “Kinistotên Nehinuwak Okimahin?: Do You Understand Cree Politics?” was part of the department of Native studies’ colloquium series, which invites students to attend lectures held by Indigenous speakers covering a variety of topics. The theme for this term’s lecture series is “Insurgent Readings and Resurgent Actions.”

“And what I try to focus on is what is happening by Indigenous people that aren’t necessarily part of the government” — Réal Carrière, assistant professor, political studies The lecture touched upon Carrière’s background, his studies, Indigenous governance and Indigenous methods of learning. According to Carrière, what many call Indigenous governance is the Canadian government’s idea of Indigenous governance, rather than that of Indigenous people. Understanding this, Carrière studied “Indigenous governance on Indigenous terms.” “The Canadian government has a way of defining who is Indian, who is Inuit, and also a way of defining who is Métis,” he told the Manitoban. “But those aren't Indigenous ways of defining Indigenous identity. So the important distinction that needs

to be made when talking about Indigenous governance is, ‘Who are you talking about?' Are you talking about terms that the state defines and controls, or are you talking about Indigenous terms?” Carrière said governance is a broad term but that is part of why it works well when discussing Indigenous leadership. “Why, I think, that Indigenous people have started to use this term is because it doesn’t just mean what is government doing, it means what is happening out there in the field by people who aren’t necessarily part of the government,” he said. “So there’s another important distinction to be made in terms of the term ‘governance.’ And what I try to do is focus on what is happening by Indigenous people that aren’t necessarily part of the government.” Carrière, who is a faculty member of the U of M political studies department, said there is talk within the department to provide students more Indigenous-centric political studies classes. “One of the reasons I was hired is that the whole department wants to develop more Indigenous classes, right now there is just one at the 4000 level but there’s the vision in the next few years [...] that we could have more classes,” he said. “So that a student that comes into political studies could specialize in Indigenous politics. So there’s going to be more courses and that’ll be developed in the coming years.” Carrière also shared his ideas for what these classes could look like. “Ideally, there’s a couple of different things I would like to do. First would be to have a class land-based on Indigenous politics, so going out into the communities perhaps in an intensive mode, maybe that could be in partnership with specific communities,” he said. “The next thing I’d like to do is, perhaps have a course on Indigenous political theory, and each week have different elders to come in to talk

PHOTO BY ASHA NELSON

about the different perspectives that exist within Manitoba, and then start locally. “I always want to focus on local knowledge, so perhaps beginning with Anishinaabe people, and then the Cree people, the Dené people, and so on, expanding that circle outwards, would be a really good class that I’d like to organize.” Carrière said the journey to a greater understanding of Indigenous governance in Canada could begin with more academics focused on the subject. “Really my teaching focuses on

Indigenous knowledge of politics, and specifically my research looks at Cree knowledge, but I think it’d be amazing to have an Anishinaabe class on governance, a Métis governance class,” he said. Carrière also spoke about how Indigenous relationships of knowledge have a similar structure to relationships of knowledge in his studies, with both lacking what he referred to as a hierarchy system that exists in many other careers. “What I enjoy about academia is that learning is achieved through a lifelong relationship, so not amongst

superiors, but among equals, among colleagues, and I think that, to me, it’s within an Indigenous worldview of how learning is achieved intergenerationally,” he said. “And of course it recognizes that there are elders, there are knowledge keepers, there is somewhat of a superior, but it’s not a hierarchy.” The department of Native studies winter 2019 colloquium series lectures occur every Wednesday at 11:30. The next speaker in the series is Leslie Sabiston on Feb. 6.

VOL. 105 NO. 23 February 6, 2019

News

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Islam Awareness Week comes to the U of M MSA hosts movie night, hijab try-on session and more MALAK ABAS, STAFF

PHOTO BY ALEXANDER DECEBAL-CUZA

“B

reaking stereotypes” was the MSA answered questions and distheme of last week’s Islam tributed free literature on Islam. Awareness Week activities at the U MSA internal affairs manager Fajr of M. Awan, who clarified she was speakThe initiative, which was led by ing on behalf of the MSA, said the the Muslim Student Association theme came from the MSA’s work to (MSA), was mainly held in UMSU “eradicate ignorance.” University Centre (UC) where the “Islam Awareness Week was an

opportunity for members of the on- of North America (ICNA) Sisters community and provide people with campus community to meet Muslims, Canada group for a hijab try-on ses- an alternative view of Islam to what they may receive from other sources. connect with us, and learn a little sion for anyone interested. more about Islam,” she said. Awan said the activity was a fun “We hope students learned that “Today’s mainstream media tends way to relay an important message. their Muslim counterparts are just to portray a misinterpretation of “Anyone who was interested in see- like them, we study the same things, Islamic beliefs and practices and ing what they looked like in a hijab wear similar clothing, and enjoy the one way to clarify same food — we also adopt many such assumptions of the same valis by giving people “We hope students learned that their Muslim an opportunity to ues that the avercounterparts are just like them” — Fajr age Canadian talk to those who actually practice has, especially in Awan, internal affairs manager, MSA considering how and understand many Muslims the religion. This were born and semester, we focused on the many stereotypes — both men and women — was able raised here in Winnipeg,” she said. “We hoped that students learned against Muslims or Islam and tried to do so and take a scarf home for the importance of talking to and to challenge them.” free,” she said. Along with tabling in UC, the “This event was a way to show connecting with one another, which MSA also hosted a movie night and that wearing the hijab is a choice can seem like a hassle because of how offered students a tour of the on- and was also an opportunity to talk busy we all are. Hopefully, Islam campus mosque. about women’s rights in Islam and Awareness Week taught students that The week ended on Feb. 1, which is challenge the stereotype that Muslim if they have questions about Islam or recognized internationally as World women are oppressed.” about Muslims, they are more than Hijab Day, and the MSA celebrated The MSA’s goal, Awan said, was welcome to reach out to Muslims and by partnering with the Islamic Circle to reach out to the wider campus our association to learn more.”

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Today’s students have opportunity to shape tomorrow's U of M Presidential search committee looking for input on university's priorities MATTHEW DOERING, STAFF

What does it mean, in today’s world, to be a leader of tomorrow? What values and goals should the next U of M president have? Returning to the university’s vision — that guiding statement in times of change — what does a commitment to research and scholarship mean in practice? To innovative teaching and learning? And how can it be strengthened by Indigenous knowledge and perspectives? What is needed before these conversations can even take place? There are, of course, more questions than answers but there is no shortage of educated people to bring the current priorities of our 122-yearold institution to the presidential search committee.

Be heard

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inding faults, the work of geolo- Triumphs Smartpark was established durgists and journalists, is critical to The university president’s role has ing Emőke Szathmáry’s tenure building the platform from which a broad responsibilities in preparing — she was president and vice-chanrocket is launched. Equally critical is annual budgets and in setting priori- cellor from 1996-2008 — in 2002. the vision to launch the rocket. ties “advantageous to the university.” Szathmáry, a dedicated academic As the U of M begins the search When David Barnard took the who has published more than 80 for its 12th president and vice-chan- helm in 2008, he left a role as chief articles and served as the editorcellor, it is a rare chance to rekindle operating officer and chief technology in-chief of an anthropology journal the university’s vision, revisit the tri- officer of a private sector software while president, returned to acaumphs of past presidents, identify the company. demia and the study of the genetics priorities of students — not only now News reports at the time indicated of Indigenous populations, with a but for the coming decade — and that the U of M was unhappy with its position at the U of M, after retiring voice our insights into our education last-place rank in Maclean’s guide to from the president’s office. and our university so they may be Canadian universities and had advoSzathmáry tripled internaconsidered in the search and recruit- cated for an end to the tuition freeze tional student enrolment, doubled ing process. imposed in 2000. Indigenous student enrolment and had been elected a fellow of Vision the American Association for the An organization’s vision statement Advancement of Science (AAAS) For the next two is the guiding beacon of a distant star. — an honour bestowed upon 22 U of months the search It isn’t what you do in a day, but why M faculty since 1908 — prior to her you get up in the morning. positions at the U of M. committee says Arnold Naimark, president from The U of M’s vision is “to take they will be looking our place among leading universities 1981 to 1996, was a department head through a commitment to transforma- for input into what and dean of the faculty of medicine tive research and scholarship, and to at the U of M before his time as presiinnovative teaching and learning — the priorities of the dent and was elected an AAAS fellow uniquely strengthened by Indigenous in 1966. university are. Be knowledge and perspectives.” He returned to an administraWhile not achievable in short tive position in the faculty of mediheard, take part measure, it recognizes the U of M’s cine after leaving the office of the place among the U15 research unipresident. versities and appreciates the value of Tuition freezes from the former Though the past year has been a Indigenous communities. The search NDP provincial government have challenging one with regards to pubcommittee — and the next president, ended with the 2017 passing of Bill lic perception — with faculty memto the greatest degree — must follow 31. And in Maclean’s 2019 rankings, bers put on leave and investigated this lodestar to move the university the U of M ranked 14th of 15 medical for sexual assault, sexual harassment, forward. and doctoral schools. personal harassment and human Students too must embrace these During his terms, Barnard has rights allegations; two high profile lofty visionary goals, and make them encouraged investment in Smartpark resignations citing the university's a priority, when giving input on the and grew the university’s economic failure to support Indigenous perpriorities of the next U of M president. impact. spectives and Monsanto relocating to

U MSU president Ja kob Sanderson and UMGSA president Carl Neumann are on the presidential search committee. For the next two months the committee says they will be looking for input into what the priorities of the university are. Be heard, take part. As students — both as individuals and as communities — give input to the presidential search committee, look at the successes of past, and the current, presidents. And keep their GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY failures in mind too. What direction does our campus Calgary after its merger with Bayer community need to advocate for to — the past years are not about success rebuild its public image, to provide or failure. They are about moving into a welcoming learning environment, a new chapter. and to continue to be the institution The next president’s success — the of choice for students locally and university’s success — depends not internationally? only on moving forward but also Beyond just a change in president, in finding the right person to move there is also an incoming chancelforward in the best ways possible, lor — starting June 2019 — well conaligned with the priorities of the nected to the business community university’s broad community. and versed in philanthropy, and also a new strategic marketing plan — to be unveiled in spring and summer 2019 — projecting an outward image “I want to be part of and international reputation of the university. the team that built Taken together — chancellor, president, marketing plan — the the platform from president at the helm need not have which the next team unfathomable depths of corporate connections. The next president’s launches the rocket” priorities do not, necessarily, need — David Barnard, 11th to be business priorities. The next president’s priorities can president and vicefocus on a return to pedagogy, with chancellor, U of M a focus on faculty priorities, a focus on all students. But that vision may only be posPriorities sible if students take advantage of Is the university a corporation? the opportunities to give input to the Will it be for the next decade? Is it search committee. Barnard said in a time for pedagogy to return to the 2015 interview with the Manitoban, “It top of the university’s concerns? Or wouldn’t bother me not to be rememare there financial or personnel issues bered, but I want to be part of the that remain for the foreseeable future? team that built the platform from How will bonds with Indigenous which the next team launches the students, faculty and community be rocket.” strengthened? It is incumbent on today’s students Among the four categories evalu- — undergraduate and graduate, at the ated in the 2019 Maclean’s rankings, start of your programs or at the end — the U of M’s strengths are in being a to share perspectives that will govern leader of tomorrow. the future of our university.

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Comment Comment Editor: Jacob Singleton Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Bell, let’s talk about capitalism Mental health has economic dimensions EMELIA FOURNIER, STAFF

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ell Let’s Talk day was held Jan. 30, raising a record-breaking $7.2 million. Bell Let’s Talk began in September 2010, with the mandate to end the stigma surrounding mental health and pledging to donate to various non-profit mental health-related initiatives. While “ending the stigma” and being more open about mental health issues are important, Bell’s campaign does not address what underlies a lot of mental health issues: stagnating wages, precarious employment and the rising cost of living. Working more hours to break even makes it hard to engage in the recommended activities to improve mental health such as exercise, meditation, sleep and a healthy social life. It also limits the time available to take advantage of the limited counselling services the city has to offer. Rather than look at economic realities that underlie a large portion of mental illness, Bell focuses on language inclusivity, voluntary regulations and a grant-based approach to funding mental health initiatives. While Bell’s funds go to helpful initiatives, they are not changing their business practices on a fundamental level, such as raising wages or expanding vacation days. Bell’s campaign is a prime example of neoliberal corporate social

responsibility, which advocates for voluntary corporate regulations to maintain good standing with the public. According to the Let’s Talk website, “Bell is committed to leading by example in our own workplace by adopting the voluntary Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace and is encouraging greater corporate engagement across Canada.” The Mental Health Commission of Canada and the CSA group released the standard back in 2013. The CSA Group states: “The voluntary standard is not intended to be adopted into federal, provincial or territorial legislation. It can be used differently by businesses and organizations of all sizes depending upon their needs.” In November 2017, employee allegations of worker mistreatment came to light against Bell. Employees alleged they were pressured to make a sale every call, regardless if the customer fully understood what they were buying or if they were financially capable of making the purchase. Employees taking stress leave and having panic attacks were common in Bell’s workplaces. The standard did not prevent these workplace abuses. This standard is essentially a toothless agreement, meaning a company can interpret it

however it sees fit with no legislated repercussions. Workplace standards for mental health need to be legislated, not voluntarily implemented within private corporations. Profitability will always be a capitalist corporation’s number one priority, even if they pay lip service to social causes. The Let’s Talk campaign makes it appear that corporations, without changing their profit incentive, can provide a solution to mental health problems that worker exploitation itself has created. More open dialogue and support for non-profits are important, but they cannot resolve the mental health crisis alone. In order to improve the mental health of our communities, we need to take a good look at what is systemically wrong with our economy. Isolating mental illness from its economic circumstances can lead us to ignore that anxiety and depression go hand in hand with financial precarity and overwork. It can lead us to believe that mental health exists outside of our neoliberal capitalist system, to be remedied solely with medication or meditation instead of higher wages, more vacation time and even socialized psychological services. Working on mental health takes time, and people need mental space

fill a gap in your program

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

in order to be able to feel mentally healthy as well — not every minute can be scheduled. “Mental health affects us all,” as Bell states, but some have greater ability to maintain that health than others. Mental illness is not a great equalizer. Inequality and time poverty prevent people from accessing much-needed professional help and are at the root of many mental health issues. For-profit companies do not act out of altruism, but out of the desire to remain profitable. Bell’s mental health awareness campaign is also a

brand awareness campaign. Tacking their name onto a social cause and spending heavily on advertisements does not mean their company will lead the social change necessary to address the pervasiveness of mental illness. The conversation around mental illness needs to go beyond Bell’s surface-level dialogue. Bell’s commitment to improving mental health cannot be taken seriously until they advocate for transformative social change ­— an unlikely move for a capitalist corporation.

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Comment Editor: Jacob Singleton Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Building your alternative career in healthcare There are way more health occupations than you ever realized REBECCA BALAKRISHNAN, THE WORK LIFE

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ou do not need to be a doctor or nurse to have a fulfilling career in the health industry. Healthcare is an attractive sector for many people, as it is perceived to offer job security and a high salary. It is also the obvious choice for anyone who loves science and helping people. The most highly visible professions within this sector are definitely physicians and nurses. As a result, plenty of students dream of careers in these fields. Unfortunately, these programs have become prohibitively difficult to enter as more and more students apply. Nursing is already a competitive program in Manitoba and with Red River College axing 75 seats in its nursing school, students will be competing for fewer seats. Since grade

point average (GPA) is the criteria for admittance, the minimum grade for entrance into Red River’s program is likely to increase. Fortunately, these two occupations represent only a fraction of the career possibilities within healthcare. Canada’s National Occupational Classification lists 36 broad occupational unit groups within health. This list is extensive, but not exhaustive. Occupations outside of direct service healthcare, such as epidemiology, health policy analysis or hospital social work are in other sections of this database. In reality, the list is even longer. Do not limit yourself to two options. If you want to work in the health sector, research the diversity of training available to you. Let’s explore some health occupations you could consider beyond medicine and registered nursing.

Dietetician

Dietitians are experts in healthy eating who create nutritional plans in line with their clients’ health goals, allergies or medical conditions. They work in many settings including private practice, health care facilities, government and the food industry. If you love biology, chemistry and food, this could be an

You give me butterflies in both of my stomachs.

exciting job for you.

Occupational Therapist (OT)

engaging in social activities or grocery shopping.

This is the coolest job you have Athletic Therapist (AT) probably never heard of. Though often confused with its OTs support individuals in adapt- more physical cousin, athletic therapy ing their environments so they can is a unique profession with distinct continue to live their lives fully even if expertise and training. they have experienced a limitation to ATs treat musculoskeletal injuries their functioning caused by physical using taping, exercise and massage in disability, illness or a psychological a clinical setting or right on a sports concern. field. This is a great profession for individuals who are interested in working in a hands-on healthcare Do not limit yourself job and who are fascinated by the human body. to two options. If

you want to work in health, research the diversity of training available to you

Their work is varied, occurring in a multitude of settings with a diverse group of clients, making it difficult to explain. As an example, an OT might support a client who has lost mobility in one arm in finding creative ways to cook, drive their car, dress or do their job. They might also work in a psychiatric facility, supporting an individual with an eating disorder in

Licenced Practical Nurse (LPN)

further your education, you can eventually seek out an LPN to bachelor of nursing bridging program to become a registered nurse.

Physician Assistant (PA)

PAs provide healthcare services such as making diagnoses and planning health interventions under the supervision of a physician. With a master of physician assistant studies, you can provide up to 75 per cent of primary care interventions without physician referral, including prescribing some medications.

Find more health jobs

Dig a little deeper and do your research: from the National LPNs care for patients by moni- Occupational Classification’s online toring therapies, administering medi- job descriptions to healthcare job cations and taking vitals. boards, you can find a plethora of They also teach patients and their opportunities in healthcare if you families about health. just seek them out. LPNs complete a two-year college For example, if you check out program. Unlike the GPA competi- the Winnipeg Regional Health tions for entry into most bachelor of Authority’s job board, you will find nursing programs, applicants to LPN over 400 posted positions covering all programs, like the one at Assiniboine kinds of jobs, including social workCommunity College, are admitted ers, audiologists, radiology technolobased on a lottery system. gists and more. Healthcare is a diverse sector comThis might be the perfect second chance for students struggling to be posed of workers with all kinds of specializations. Take a closer look admitted to GPA-based programs. If you decide you would like to and you might find something special.

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VOL. 105 NO. 23 February 6, 2019

Comment 13

Nationalize broadband services now Government has critical role in making internet universally accessible KENNY INGRAM, STAFF

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nternet is now an essential service. strategy of more corporatism. Moreover, industry watchdogs We are in the new age of embracing The CRTC has stated that it have said they intentionally do not its practicality. wishes to work with the industry in compete with each other and instead Pew Research found that 34 per order to “set targets” on download choose to create a pattern of increascent of people looking for a job found and upload speeds, while sitting idly ing prices in tandem with each other. the internet was the most important by to let “market forces” deal with And while the three largest telecom resource for information related to the prices. companies in Canada are among the their job hunt. most profitable in the world, almost More than this, internet is a great half of Canadians are exceeding data equalizer in education and oppor- The simple truth is limits and forced to pay exorbitant tunities. When some families have as a result. that there is no more feesThe access and others do not, societal simple truth is that there is inequalities are only emphasized. no competition within the telecom true competition The United Nations Human industry, leaving only the illusion of it. in the telecom Rights Council agreed with this Canada’s telecom industry has sunk assessment when it introduced and industry, leaving only so far into regional monopolies that Canadians are now left to deal with passed a resolution which condemns the illusion of it actions taken by countries in order the ramifications of an industry that to “intentionally prevent or disrupt has, in effect, a tyrannical control access” to the internet. It went a step over consumers. further by stating the internet “faciliWhat the CRTC misses is the The same issues manifest themtates vast opportunities for afford- fact that broadband providers have selves south of the border. Similar to able and inclusive education globally,” a long history of gouging consum- Canada, 40 per cent of Americans with “great potential to accelerate ers. Attempting to negotiate and play live in an area where they have only ball with them, while simultaneously one option for a broadband provider. human progress.” Although not all countries are advocating for consumers, is senseless. These regional monopolies exist for These are the same telecommu- the sole reason of increasing profit — on board with this line of thinking, Canada adopted the United Nations’ nications corporations who through like all corporations — not providing stance. The Canadian Radio- “market forces” have produced the a social service. When these cartels television and Telecommunications most expensive cell phone plans in or regional monopolies form, people Commission (CRTC) declared the developed world. are forced to pay for what amounts to These large companies are made an essential service at inflated prices. access to broadband internet a “vital” service, with the intention of expand- up of industry experts who know There is little logic in continuing ing internet service to everyone across how to squeeze the most amount of an inefficient, crony-capitalist system money from Canadians’ hands. They of market gouging. the country. While this is fantastic news, in achieve this goal by not embracing, The quicker Canadians realize typical fashion, the conclusion the but eliminating competition in the “market forces” will never just sudfederal government has come to is a form of mergers and acquisitions. denly begin to kick in, the sooner

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

the issue of broadband access can be addressed with meaningful policy. Instead of having to deal with corporations that will never be persuaded to change the current mindset of ripping off consumers, Canada must nationalize the entire broadband industry. Just like the postal service, healthcare or education, the

government has a critical role to play in actualizing the universalization of broadband service. Although the Canadian government may not have much control over the inequalities related to broadband in developing nations, it has a clear pathway to ensuing these inequalities are all but eliminated nationwide.

RE: “In defence of lobbying for up front grants” U

MSU president Ja kob Sanderson’s recent advocacy adventures with the Undergraduates of Canadian Research-Intensive Universities (UCRU) have not gone without criticism. Sanderson and other representatives from some of the larger universities in Canada have decided the elimination of tuition tax credits (and increased funding for grants) is the way to go. His latest response to some of this criticism has come through an article in the latest edition of the Manitoban where he breaks down some of the arguments against his efforts. The end of the article comes with the admission that publicly funded education with no individual tuition would be the ideal outcome — but this is not what Sanderson and

UCRU are advocating for. It seems anything to do with raising taxes is taboo in Canadian culture and I see no reason for this to continue. The more people that talk about something, the less taboo it becomes. Take marijuana legalization, for instance. It took a long time and a lot of discussion before it became reality, but the fact is it is now a reality. How about universal healthcare? Doctors actually went on strike to oppose its initial implementation in 1961, but generations later Canadians love their healthcare system and a majority of them are even willing to pay more taxes for its expansion. Most people look back and wonder why the system was ever privately operated. And this will happen again in the

future with post-secondary education. Let us follow in the socialist footsteps of many European nations, rather than the path to privatization the USA is currently on. The Canadian Federation of Students is the only national association of student unions to currently have a campaign demanding that tuition not only be reduced but eliminated altogether. Sanderson is actively looking to leave the federation and seek less-than-ideal compromises when it comes to tuition through other avenues, such as UCRU. It is obvious that the elimination of tuition will not come overnight, but if you take steps today in its direction you begin to pave the way for others to do the same tomorrow. — Mathew Scammell

14 Comment

Comment Editor: Jacob Singleton Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

The social cost of unaffordable housing Expand public housing to satisfy human need JACOB SINGLETON, STAFF

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he replete cold which crystalized much of North America last week made naked our systemic deficits. Last week, while CBC radio reminded its listeners that the -50C weather would leave bare skin devoid of life and marred with frostbite in a mere two minutes, well-meaning Winnipeggers handed winter coats that doubled as sleeping bags to the city’s homeless. For some, this was the only protection against the frigid cold since

holes ripped in our social fabric by the seemingly inescapable system we find ourselves in. What seems to get missed in the scramble to save the lives of people forced to live on the streets is they share the same struggle as the mother hard-pressed to pay rent, the abused woman who cannot leave her abuser and the young people stuck at home, unable to start a family. There is no right to housing. There is no right to a place of protection, warmth and comfort. The housing market is the altar in Winnipeg on which most people’s income is sacrificed. In our city alone, nearly 40 per cent of all renter households spend more than 30 per cent of their income on rent and utilities. Nearly 16 per cent spend over half of their income on rent. GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY every shelter in Winnipeg was burstThe rentier is no one’s friend. The ing at the seams as the downtrod- lease and the mortgage are transacden sought refuge. Several homeless tions that have no meaning other shelters in the city turned away the than deriving profits. homeless who were suspected to be The rentier’s fixation with mondrunk. Others cautiously invited etizing a basic human need leaves them inside. None of them offered horrific social costs. a permanent home. When a woman is in an abusive On nights when the weather is relationship and housing is not a extreme, the chasm where we bury right, she must confront two realithe knowledge of what the dispos- ties. Either suffer under the twisted sessed suffer becomes shallow. And partnership and keep her home or what emerges shrinks us all into mice report the abuser and see the place as we scurry to try to patch gaping she is living become unaffordable.

When one of the 40,000 Manitoba This is the result of the provincial households who have no access to social housing program’s reliance on affordable housing must make dif- rentiers to provide an adequate numficult decisions between feeding ber of low-income dwellings. their families and paying the rent, The prime mode of social housing they often turn to the food bank to in Manitoba is through Rent Assist. make up the shortfall. And in some The provincial government provides cases, these people have to embar- payment to landlords who rent at rass themselves just to access the food 75 per cent average market price to by providing documentation of their subsidize housing. However, most desperate situation. rentiers are developing medium- and Despite the humiliating require- high-end units, leaving the available ments to access the food bank, in social housing at their current inadevery community across Canada, equate levels. people are relying on it more than For Manitoba to ensure stable ever. housing that satisfies human need, Only a few decades ago, young the province must expand governpeople were able to afford to move ment-owned social houses. The rentout on their own. Today, every cat- iers have failed to provide homes on egory of young adult is staying in the basis of human need. Enjoying their family home for longer and in a safe and affordable home is an greater numbers. This has resulted in essential freedom, because without a dramatic decline in young people it the potentialities of life end up in starting families. a straitjacket of misery. These changes in the ability to The current provincial government start a family are not the product of has only exacerbated things. Just last some cultural schism as portrayed in year the province sold a major proright-wing literature. Rather, 10 years vincially-owned apartment tower to ago, the rentier was able to capture a private developer. While the new only a smaller portion of people’s developer will put money into the income. building, it will not benefit the towWhat is the rentier other than a er’s former tenants. burden on the whole of humanity? Rather, the privately-controlled Manitoba’s attempt to create social housing will amass profits for the housing — housing meant to address rentier with no concern for the social human need — is largely a failure. ramifications.

Razor-thin profit margins leave no room for social change Gillette is after money, not change XANDER TACHINSKI

looked to monetize his message. The resulting campaign proved to be a success. Nike’s immediate sales increased 31 per cent, social media mentions increased 1,678 per cent, and the company’s stock reached a 2018 high in the three-week period following the campaign. Similar to Nike, Gillette had also been losing market share. Gillette’s market share peaked at 70 per cent in the mid 2000s, but has since declined to less than 50 per cent. The loss in GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY market share was in large part due to the emergence of digital upstart he similarities between Nike’s their consumer base. companies like Harry’s and Dollar Colin Kaepernick advertising Nike’s advertising campaign built Shave Club. campaign and Gillette’s “The Best a around “peak performance” had been Harry’s and Dollar Shave Club Man Can Be” campaign are uncanny. losing market share to its competi- offer inexpensive razors with home Both campaigns take strong stances tor Adidas. Adidas’s stylish-athletic delivery options. Their advertising on social issues. Both campaigns were brand message was resonating is based on providing slick “mememade by companies losing market with young millennial and gen-Z able” graphics to entice young digital share in their respective industries. consumers. consumers. As the typical consumer And both campaigns were calculated To stop Adidas’s momentum, of the razor shifted to include young business decisions. Nike launched the Kaepernick cam- digital consumers, Gillette faced an Publicly traded companies using paign. Kaepernick, a former NFL existential crisis of name recognition contentious social issues to sell prod- quarterback, staged several protests and relevance. ucts is a new innovation. By taking a against police brutality during the To combat the continued erostance on controversial issues, com- 2016-2017 NFL season. Kaepernick’s sion of its market share, Gillette panies are distancing themselves protest resonated with the same launched its “The Best a Man Can from many potential consumers. And young consumers who were gravi- Be” campaign. future profits. But Nike and Gillette tating toward Adidas. The campaign highlights the riswere both in positions where they After the NFL effectively ousted ing consciousness of anti-toxic maswere willing to take chances to build Kaepernick from the league, Nike culinity. Toxic masculinity typically

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describes a canonical masculinity that encourages, excuses or minimizes sexual assault, bullying, unproductive violence and misogyny. Gillette, much like Nike, attempted to monetize the authentic social movement popular with young consumers. Public perception of Nike and Gillette has improved since their ad campaigns. The issues of police brutality against minorities and toxic masculinity among men are social issues that need to be addressed. It is important to remember the sole purpose of a publicly traded corporation is to increase the profits of its shareholders. Both Nike and Gillette did extensive market research before launching their respective campaigns. Both companies were losing market share in the young adult demographic. Both companies aligned themselves with messages that resonated with the young adult demographic. And both companies were willing to isolate non-socially-conscientious consumers in the short term, with the trade-off being future profits from young adult consumers in the long term. These were business decisions motivated by profits.

While Nike and Gillette have furthered the conversation on these controversial social issues, it is important to note that the motivation for such a move did not come from a genuine desire to improve society. Corporations are not the most reliable bedfellows for long-term sociopolitical projects. Corporations who start supporting social issues for monetary reasons will also be the first ones to abandon ship when the money dries up. It is dishonourable to have people and companies influencing social issues they are not truly passionate about. At best, it is morally ambiguous to support corporations profiting from social initiatives. However, the decision to support any product tied to these sorts of campaigns are up to the individual. Nevertheless, no one should be naive to the motivations and the fickle character of corporate support should the winds begin to shift. In the meantime, be ready for more corporations to take stances on social issues in the future to satisfy the socially contentious consumer’s desire to feel like they have effected change when going through the check-out.

15

Diversions Graphics Editor: Evan tremblay Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

PREVIOUSLY... Why didn’t you give him the powers to save his village from the beasts?

Why didn’t you help the trapper?

Phlox shared her powers with you because you saved her and she trusted you. When the trapper tried to take those powers by force, he betrayed that trust.

I’m just a shepherd of this warren. Those powers are not mine to give.

No.19 What if I’m wrong?

And now he has Phlox. He’s trying to take those powers again.

He’s just trying to save his village.

What if the trapper needs Phlox more than me?

...

Phlox chose to help you on your journey -- to share her abilities with you. The trapper took Phlox.

How do I find her? How do I even get out of here without Phlox?

SCOTT A. FORD

And what about your own village?

Now you can choose to help her.

The trapper may no longer have a connection to the underground, but his grave is still connected to him...

I’m coming, Phlox. Where am I?

GASP

The trapper’s grave leads here?

Wait...

#BOREALCOMIC CATCH UP ON BOREAL AT THEMANITOBAN.COM

This is the trapper’s village!

Arts & Culture Arts & Culture Editor: Emelia Fournier Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

16

“Cowgirls and Indians” is showcased at Urban Shaman Sarah Sense challenges old stereotypes AMIN MONTAZERI POUR AGHA, STAFF

PHOTO BY ASHA NELSON

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arah Sense’s scintillating new mixed media exhibition, Cowgirls and Indians, is being showcased at the Urban Shaman gallery from Feb. 1 to March 16. Sense is a Chitimacha and Choctaw visual artist from California whose unique style of storytelling

creates multidimensional artworks. Sense creates an eye-catching blend between her ancestral way of basket weaving and her digital landscape photography. Each piece is an interwoven collage of photographs and posters that create an intricate tapestry, revealing her Native American

roots. Sense’s photographs are printed on bamboo paper or rice paper then sliced into thin strips. She then weaves them together by hand using traditional basket weaving techniques. This gives a basket texture to her artwork, entwining conflicting, yet coexisting ideas. “This time I wanted to also incorporate some of the images from the reservation, so most of the pictures have the Bayou [Teche],” she said. The Bayou Teche is the main body of water on the Chitimacha reservation. She used these images in order to juxatpose the lasting beauty of her ancestral land with the stereotypical imagery of the cowboy and Indian archetypes. “I began using photographs 15 years ago, when I was living in New York, and when I first started I was doing reservation landscape and I was weaving together landscapes as well as old family photographs,” Sense said. “I noticed that there was actually quite a lot of cowboy and Indian iconography in fashion in particular, of course in Hollywood and in other visual media, that just seemed to be everywhere at the time.” Sense began to collect vintage posters with this iconography. “I then also photographed myself as my two personas, the cowgirl and the Indian princess,” she said. “So

both personas were myself dressed up in this sort of fake fashion, the fake Indian fashion and fake cowgirl fashion, to basically play on these

“These older stereotypes that are really incredibly important today with some of the political challenges that we’re facing” — Sarah Sense stereotypes.” Sense decided to revisit these themes for her latest work given the current American political climate. “Last year in 2018 in April, when I started making the work for this solo show, which has been travelling, I wanted to revisit those images and that concept of cowboys and Indians and even going a little bit deeper to gun violence and kind of more to the point with the racism that is triggered with those stereotypes, particularly for Native Americans,”she said. “I’m using these really playful images then, playful Hollywood cowboys and Indian imagery, to try

and bring up some really heavy issues that are very prevalent in the United States right now.” “The cowboy part of it I think is then the history of the guns and the violence that comes with the cowboy and how that is still an exceptionally prominent part of what America is today,” said Sense. According to Sense, some Americans are “becoming their own hero by becoming the cowboy, using their guns to kind of fight back and fight against whatever it is that they’re angry about.” Sense’s inkjet prints allude to famous images, including tropes that have contributed to the misinterpretation of Native American culture. In viewing her portfolio, the audience is reminded of the ignorance surrounding Native Americans that has led to cultural genocide. “These older stereotypes that are really incredibly important today with some of the political challenges that we’re facing,” she said. “I’m looking a lot of those historical parallels and kind of trying to ask the question of well where does it end? When do we learn? And can we ever get beyond these stereotypes [...] and get rid of the racism?” Cowgirls and Indians will be showcased at Urban Shaman’s Main Gallery and Marvin Francis Media Gallery from Feb. 1 to March 16.

New campus collective aims to combat artistic underrepresentation Chroma seeks to provide safe space for BIPOC artists QUDUS ABUSALEH, STAFF

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group of artists on campus is looking to highlight the work of members of the university’s black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) communities. Students from the U of M’s School of Art had the chance to attend the first meeting of the Chroma collective Friday. The collective is organized by students Annie Beach, Shaneela Boodoo and Ekene Maduka. “Chroma, an art term meaning ‘The purity or intensity of colour,’ is a collective organized by BIPOC, for BIPOC, specifically catered toward students of colour who are students of the University of Manitoba's School of Art,” Beach said. “Although the collective is for art students, it is a space that is open to the greater artist BIPOC community of the U of M and Winnipeg.” Beach added that the idea of establishing the collective first surfaced in March 2018 when intern curator of the School of Art Gallery Noor Bhangu discovered a significant lack of diversity in art projects across the gallery. “The collection does include a

couple of Indigenous artists, but as a Beach said through its events, she whole, BIPOC art is underexposed hopes the collective will develop into and underrepresented,” Beach said. “solid support for students of colour.” Bhangu began organizing events “We will likely begin our own profocused on presenting projects cre- jects,” she said. ated by students from underrepresented communities. One of the events, Women of Colour @ SOA “We want BIPOC Gallery, encouraged BIPOC stustudents to have a dents from the School of Art and throughout Winnipeg to submit place they can go, projects for display. and we want to Along with the show, a panel discussion on representation in art make a safe space institutions was also held. for these students “That show and the discussions around it sparked the importance to discuss topics to build a community by BIPOC, and be critical in for BIPOC, to ensure that we aren’t ignored and left out of these spaces an open way” — and discussions,” Beach said. Boodoo pointed to a lack of rep- Shaneela Boodoo, resentation in academia as another organizer, Chroma factor for launching the collective. “Oftentimes, the curriculum can be very westernized and focused on European art,” she said. Beach said some of these projects “Because of this, BIPOC students could include a speaker series, group often feel isolated and are not able art critiques and shows, studentto see them in academic spaces and organized panel discussions and within artist circles.” group outings to First Fridays gal-

PHOTO BY QUDUS ABUSALEH

lery openings. Boodoo said the collective will aim to “cultivate a sense of community” among students from marginalized and underrepresented communities.

“We want BIPOC students to have a place they can go, and we want to make a safe space for these students to discuss topics and be critical in an open way.”

VOL. 105 NO. 23 February 6, 2019

Arts & Culture

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Toby Gillies’s “Seasons of Togetherness” PHOTO BY ASHA NELSON

Toby Gillies’s Seasons of Togetherness, a multimedia installation about human interaction and connection, on display at Ace Art during last week’s First Fridays. The exhibition runs until Feb. 15.

Black Panther: catalyzing change, spurring resistance One year of Afrofuturist superheroes ZACHARY SIGURDSON, STAFF

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t has been roughly a year since Marvel’s Black Panther hit theatres. Written and directed by Creed’s screenplay writer Ryan Coogler, the film has garnered praise from critics and audiences alike. It was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture. Globally, it has grossed US$1.3 billion in theatres with a US$200 million budget. Many have pointed out that Black Panther is not the first black-led superhero movie in history. Spawn (1997), Blade (1998) and Hancock (2008) all fit within the superhero genre. Netflix’s Luke Cage occupies a small corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and came out in 2016. That having been said, most would agree there is a difference between late 1990s-2000s superhero films and the current cultural landscape where the MCU has become the highestgrossing movie franchise in history, currently with a total global box office of US$17.5 billion. The film’s importance was already apparent before the film even dropped with its record-breaking pre-sales. The viral Black Panther challenge began with Harlem philanthropist Frederick Joseph’s GoFundMe page to raise money for children to see the film. Joseph raised over US$900,000 with the initiative. Celebrities such as Octavia

Spencer, Serena Williams and Snoop most relatable and sympathetic vilDogg organized full theatre outings. lain in the MCU thus far. The charBlack Panther screenings around acter’s entire creation stems from a the world became events with tra- critique of Wakanda’s isolationism. ditional outfits, cosplay and music Coogler told MTV that to create performances. Erik Killmonger’s character he asked Black Panther’s predominantly himself “What would Wakanda’s black cast is integral to the movie’s relationship be like with the [rest of plot. Racial identity and politics the] world […] also the idea of ‘Am I are central to the film’s plot, char- my brother’s keeper?’” acter and themes. Characters conActivist, historian and journalflict over the future of a fictional ist Shaun King deemed the film as African superpower and what it owes culturally important for black history oppressed people globally. as Michael Jackson’s Thriller, which Black Panther’s aesthetic and has become the top-selling album of themes are f irmly rooted in all time, and the election of Barack Afrofuturism, a subgenre of science Obama. fiction that uses a critical racial lens “Wakanda showed us our families to ask questions about the future for in one piece. No war on drugs. No black and African identity in the mass incarceration. No KKK. No future. The works of Sun Ra, Octavia lynching. No racial profiling. No E. Butler and Janelle Monáe are other police brutality,” wrote King for examples of Afrofuturism. Medium. Afrofuturism offers a radical perKhanya Khondlo Mtshali, a spective on the world in Black Panther. South African writer, criticized those A fictional futuristic African country, who would use viewing the film as Wakanda, is home to the film’s title an individual act of resistance, and hero, Black Panther. emphasized that merely acknowlEvan Narcisse, who co-writes edging the film’s importance is not The Rise of the Black Panther minise- activism. ries said, “Wakanda represents this “Let’s remember watching a film is unbroken chain of achievement of not a brave act of resistance. There’s black excellence that never got inter- plenty more work for us to do,” wrote rupted by colonialism.” Mtshali for The Guardian. Black Panther’s villain Erik The film did spur political action. Killmonger, played by Michael B. Three black women, Kayla Reed, Jordan, has now been touted as the Jessica Byrd and Rukia Lumumba,

realized the large turnout of black not commercially or critically viable people at the film could provide an has been definitively proven false. opportunity to increase the number While the Oscar nominations may of registered black voters. be criticized by some as a gimmick, The #WakandaTheVote campaign or used to placate progressive voices, set up over 100 voting registration Disney campaigned for Black Panther events in 50 cities corresponding with to gain Academy recognition. theatre showings. In her Indiewire article, Anne In addition to spurring activ- Thompson wrote that Disney “needed ism, Black Panther’s success shifted the film to be seen by cinephiles old attitudes in Hollywood towards (including older Academy members) minority-led movies. who were never interested in watch“Studios’ executives believed that ing it in the first place.” white moviegoers wouldn’t come out It means something when a major in droves to a black-driven film, a cor- studio is willing to back a minorityollary to another long-standing trope: led Afrofuturist Hollywood prothat black stars don’t fare well inter- duction. Black Panther has become nationally,” wrote Steven Zeitchik for a lightning rod for political movethe Washington Post. ments and identity. And simply, it In 2017, Jordan Peele’s Academy gave black kids heroes they had been Award-winning Get Out, a thriller denied for a very long time. based in racial social criticism, Jamil Smith wrote for Time, “In grossed over US$255 million from the midst of a regressive cultural and its US$4.5 million budget. political moment fuelled in part by On the coattails of Black Panther, the white-nativist movement, the 2018 also gave us BlacKkKlansmen, very existence of Black Panther feels Sorry to Bother You, Blindspotting and like resistance.” The Hate U Give, a string of black-cenBlack Panther’s success challenges tred stories by black creators. Sony’s the resurgence of white nationalism animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider- and increasingly hateful political Verse has already grossed over US$300 rhetoric. The film brought a story of million worldwide with glowing black empowerment to mainstream reviews and was the motion picture audiences, its popularity a sign of debut of Miles Morales (voiced by solidarity. Shameik Moore), the Afro-Latino Its significance should not be successor to Peter Parker. understated — Black Panther is a The myth that black-led films are beacon of hope in dark political times.

Sports Sports Editor: Jason Pchajek Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

18

Putting in overtime at Wayne Fleming arena Bisons split series and honour seniors with pair of extra time games JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

tested. She stopped up and ripped a wrister below the bar on Micklash for the win. “I’m always happy to help my team out any way I can,” Kostenko said. “It just feels good to be able to come [up] big for them in that last little bit of overtime.”

Saturday

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ightning struck Friday and thunder followed Saturday, as the U of M Bisons women’s hockey team on the weekend split a series with the UBC Thunderbirds.

Friday

The early bird went home emptyhanded Friday as the Bisons battled back from a slow start to win 3-2 over the Thunderbirds. “I liked our first five minutes and I liked the last five in the first period,” Bisons interim head coach Sean Fisher said. “It was the 10 minutes in between there that wasn’t so hot. Part of that’s the ebbs and flows of the game, part of that is our opponent […] and we haven’t played a team like that in a month.” The Bisons looked shell-shocked

and playoffs. But we’re a tight group of people and definitely going to be friends for a long time.” After the ceremony there was still a game to be played. Allison Sexton got the Bisons ahead late in the opening period. Anderson gave Sexton the puck and she walked down the right side throwing the puck on goal. UBC goaltender Micklash could not handle the wide-angle shot and let it sneak by for the 1-0 Manitoba lead. That margin held until the third, where UBC scored back-to-back powerplay goals to take the lead, 2-1. Both goals came on backdoor plays and Taraschuk could not get over to stop them. Then, with the final seconds ticking off the clock, Kostenko tied it up. Rieder threw the puck up the side boards to Sharman and she blew into UBC territory. “I looked up at the clock and was like, ‘Oh we have barely any time left,’” Rieder said. “I literally turned around and just — I wanted to fire — but [thought] ‘Better make a good pass.’” Sharman put the puck on and in a scrum Kostenko poked it through to tie the game with seconds remaining. Two overtimes solved nothing and Mathea Fischer had the lone goal for UBC in the shootout to seal it for her club.

There was not a dry eye in the house Saturday before a 3-2 Bisons shootout loss to the Thunderbirds. The Bisons honoured eight fifthyear players prior to puckdrop. Erica Rieder, Alanna Sharman, Erin Kucheravy, Courtlyn Oswald, Anderson, Keen, Kostenko and Kirkup will all graduate from the program at season’s end. “I liked that whole crew tonight,” PHOTO BY ALEXANDER DECEBAL-CUZA Fisher said. “They managed their emotions early. Passes were missed, defensive Keen to cut the UBC lead to one. well. They battled and competed miscues led to UBC scoring opporThe marker energized the Bisons hard and they were out there kind of tunities and a solid Thunderbirds and Keen struck again to tie the game affirming their legacy here at Max defence bred frustration in the herd. 2-2 late. Bell Centre.” The frustration only intensified Karissa Kirkup stepped out Captain Rieder and alternate capafter Mikayla Ogrodniczuk gave from behind the net and sent a pass tain Sharman reminisced on their UBC a 1-0 lead in the first. to Keen in front. Keen kicked the five-year Bisons careers after the Ireland Perrott hopped out of the puck to her stick and flipped it over game. box as her penalty expired and picked Micklash for the finish. “A few of us got emotional,” Rieder up a pass. The forward broke into the “I had an opportunity there earlier said. Bisons zone and fed Ogrodniczuk in in the period and I didn’t crash [the “This program has been unbelievthe slot, who picked the corner on net] hard enough,” Keen said. able. I didn’t really know what to Lauren Taraschuk for a 1-0 UBC lead. “So when I saw [Kirkup] and expect coming in, but I can firmly say UBC extended its lead to two in [Natasha Kostenko] driving there I this [was] the best decision I’ve ever the second with a Rylind MacKinnon knew I needed to get down a little bit made — to come play for the Bisons.” powerplay marker before the Bisons harder and, yeah, perfect pass right “It’s been an amazing journey,” got on the board. to me and I didn’t make a mistake.” Sharman said. The Bisons will finish the regular After a few solid chances for the “Sometimes on the road we remi- season on the road next week against The teams battled through regulaBisons, Alexandra Anderson put a tion, and in overtime Kostenko put nisce and it’s been some pretty great the University of Saskatchewan point-shot on goal. The puck skit- it away. times these past five years — obvi- Huskies. Game one is Feb. 8 at tered through a crowd and was tipped Kostenko got the puck at the point ously a lot of highs and lows with 7 p.m. CST and game two is past Tory Micklash’s foot by Lauryn and walked into the high slot uncon- winning and losing and close games the next day at 5 p.m. CST.

Welcoming the new kid to town Bisons hockey to share Wayne Fleming with Winnipeg Ice JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

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n a fittingly frigid afternoon, — is complete. up to WHL standards, including Sirant in particular benefits from Colten Veloso, a product of the Ice Greg Fettes and 50 Below Bisons men’s hockey head coach renovations to the dressing rooms, having the Ice in his own backyard. franchise. Veloso has a goal and three Sports and Entertainment announced Mike Sirant and Bisons women’s a video scoreboard and expanded The men’s hockey bench boss says assists in eight games with Manitoba. the imminent arrival of the Western hockey head coach Jon Rempel were seating. he will be able to scout and evaluA potential hang-up may be Hockey League’s (WHL) Winnipeg in attendance to hear what awaits Commissioner Robison said the ate talent more effectively, even after scheduling conflicts, a fact not disIce. their respective teams. WHL conducted an inspection of the the club leaves Wayne Fleming in cussed at the press conference. During a Jan. 29 press confer“First of all we welcome the Ice to site and is confident the arena will be two years. From October to April, the Bisons ence held at the site of franchise’s the Winnipeg hockey community,” up to league standards when the puck “It’s a great advantage for us alternate home weekends, leaving future home, Fettes — chairman of Sirant said. drops on the 2019-20 season. recruiting-wise,” Sirant said. time for players to fulfil the student 50 Below — was joined by Ice general “From our perspective with the Sirant and Rempel both said they “It gives me an opportunity to half of the student-athlete role. manager Matt Cockell and WHL Bisons, it’s going to provide a great are excited for the renovations, stress- scout the players on a weekly basis. With Ice players being by-andcommissioner Ron Robison to dis- opportunity to keep our talented ing the impact a more professional Currently the closest franchise in the large high school students, weekend cuss the relocation of the WHL’s Manitoba players in our province.” atmosphere will have on their respec- [WHL] is Brandon so it’s a lot more dates will be a necessity for all three Kootenay Ice to Winnipeg. “I congratulate Matt and Greg tive clubs. difficult for us — with our schedule clubs. The team will begin play in the — knowing Matt personally for as “To have some capital money put — to get out and watch the games.” “I don’t really know logistics,” Manitoba capital during the 2019-20 long as I’ve known him and a good into it is a big thing for our current “Having the Ice players play in our Rempel said. season, hosted at Wayne Fleming friend of mine — just to see what players for sure,” Rempel said. building, the familiarity with our “I know there’s a plan in place Arena at the U of M. Wayne Fleming they’ve all accomplished is amazing,” “Just having a sense of keeping up campus, our players, our program, — which I’m sure Mike and I will will serve as a temporary home for the Rempel said. with what’s going [on] around us in will certainly be an advantage […] [have] shared with us. I guess our franchise for an expected two years, While the situation will be tem- the conference […] from a recruiting for evaluation, scouting and of course group [Bison Sports] wouldn’t have until construction of its permanent porary, Cockell said the Ice and 50 standpoint that’s a big deal. Just a recruiting,” Sirant said. gone into it if they would’ve felt that home — located on west McGillivray Below will make a major capital sense of professionalism and adding The Bisons already sport plenty of we were compromised and I feel that investment to bring Wayne Fleming to what’s already there.” WHL talent, including new arrival will not be the case.”

VOL. 105 NO. 23 February 6, 2019

Sports

19

Duckworth trophy headed back downtown

Manitoba lets rivalry series slip through its fingers JASON PCHAJEK AND KELLEN TANIGUCHI, STAFF

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he 28th edition of the Duckworth Challenge belongs to the University of Winnipeg Wesmen. Each year the Duckworth Challenge pits the U of M and U of W against each other in a best-offive series. The U of M Bisons went into the week’s action up 1-0 against the Wesmen but lost three straight to give Winnipeg the title. In the first Duckworth match of the year, the Bisons women’s soccer team came away with a 1-0 win over Winnipeg in a game at IGF.

Women’s basketball lets U of W get even

A slow start sank the herd Thursday in a 79-60 loss to the Wesmen, tying the Duckworth Challenge at 1-1. Faith Hezekiah dropped 24 points in a monster performance for the Wesmen, while no Bisons player cracked double digits. Winnipeg built a 17-6 lead in the first quarter before Manitoba got the engine going, but the Bisons were still outscored 10-9 the rest of the way, ending the quarter down 27-15. The second quarter was little better, as the Bisons were held to 11 points for a 44-26 Wesmen lead at half-time.

Winnipeg kept Manitoba at arms- Bisons Friday at Investors Group length the rest of the way, and took Athletic Centre with a 3-2 win the game. in men’s volleyball to win the Duckworth Challenge. Men’s basketball Kevin Negus was unstoppable for dominated by Wesmen Manitoba with 27 kills, while Dustin In the second game Thursday Spiring had 14 kills and seven digs in night, Sean Tarver walked all over his last Duckworth Challenge game. the herd in a 97-75 loss. Negus’s hitting “was exceptional Tarver had a game-high 30 tonight,” said Bisons head coach points for Winnipeg while Keiran Garth Pischke. Zziwa stayed hot with 18 points for “It was more than that. It was his Manitoba. blocking — it was as good as it’s ever A strong 26-17 opening quarter got been, his backcourt defence was very the Wesmen off to a running start, good, and even his serving was really and 17 points by Tarver led Winnipeg good.” to a 48-37 lead at half-time. Spiring started his final home Manitoba turned up the heat in game on a good note, slamming the second half, twice cutting the down four kills for the home side in Wesmen lead to nine. the first set. Manitoba led 20-17, but A Joel Adu-Quaye jumper got Winnipeg responded with eight conthe herd within one, but Winnipeg secutive points to win the set 25-20. went on an 11-point run before Malik Negus smacked down nine kills Irwin knocked down a buzzer-beater in the second set to lead Manitoba to make it 67-57 Wesmen after three to a dominant 25-17 win, tying the quarters. match at 1-1. The Wesmen threw up 30 points Winnipeg was up 15-11 early in the in the final quarter to bury the Bisons third set, but Manitoba responded and take a 2-1 lead in the Duckworth with six straight points to take a 17-15 Challenge. lead. Winnipeg did not go down and battled back to a 21-21 score, before a Men’s volleyball trips 4-1 Bisons scoring run gave the herd at the finish line a 25-22 win. The Wesmen finished off the The Bisons led 17-15 in the fourth

frame, but three consecutive points swered points, but Manitoba struck pushed the Wesmen in front by one. back with five consecutive points of The two sides traded points until its own. The teams went hit for hit for Winnipeg eked out a 25-23 win to the remainder of the frame. force a fifth set. The Wesmen led 30-29 when The cross-town rivals went blow- Abbott killed another game-tying for-blow in the final set, until Adrian ball, followed by a Tori Studler serDyck hammered one final ball to give vice ace to give Manitoba the 31-30 Winnipeg the 15-12 victory. lead. Abbott smashed another ball Spiring was presented with for the 32-30 opening set win. “Dusty” chants following his final Manitoba went on an early 5-0 run home game in a Bisons uniform. to take a 6-2 lead in the second frame, He has been “a great leader and followed by another to go up 11-3. a real example to the rest of the stu- Winnipeg woke up and got within dent athletes across the country,” said four at 18-14, but the Bisons powered Pischke. down eight unanswered points for a 25-14 set win. Women’s volleyball Another early 5-0 run in the third wins too late set had Manitoba up 7-3 and they With the challenge already won, never looked back, as the herd won there was still one final game to be the set 25-19 to take the match. played Friday, as the Bisons swept the Following the game, Bujan talked Wesmen 3-0 in women’s volleyball. about her final Duckworth Challenge. Kearley Abbott led the herd with “I’ve grown up with these players 15 kills, while Cassie Bujan had a and so have my teammates,” said game-high 20 digs. Bujan. The Bisons “started off pretty “We’ve played with them, against rough but it shows how our team them pretty much our whole lives. holds it together,” said Bujan. So it’s pretty sweet to come out with “We solidified the first set […] and a win, pretty sad to say goodbye to then pretty much competed the rest it, I guess.” of the match and performed closer to what we have as our standard.” Winnipeg opened with six unan-

Rounding out the conference dates

Herd nabs two wins and two losses to close home-and-home week JASON PCHAJEK AND KELLEN TANIGUCHI, STAFF

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ith the Duckworth decided, the Bisons and Wesmen still had conference obligations to complete. For the men’s volleyball and women’s basketball teams it was unfortunately more of the same with losses, but for men’s basketball and women’s volleyball, the weekend ended with victory.

forth in the final set until a Josie Abbott kill sealed the win 16-14 for Manitoba. The Bisons now sit sixth in the conference at 11-9 and are closing in on clinching a playoff spot.

The U of M women’s basketball team lost a close 68-64 match to the Winnipeg Wesmen Saturday at Investors Group Athletic Centre. Wesmen forward Faith Hezekiah was on a mission, posting a doubledouble of 28 points and 18 rebounds. Men’s volleyball Taylor Randall spearheaded the drops quick match Bisons offence with 17 points and Winnipeg made quick work of Nicole Konieczny scored a double the Bisons men’s volleyball team in of 12 points and 11 rebounds. Women’s volleyball a 3-0 win Saturday at Dr. David F. “I think we showed a lot of resilcompletes sweep Anderson Gymnasium. iency, especially when the ball The Bisons rounded out the The two sides traded points in the wasn’t going in the net for us,” said weekend with a 3-2 win Saturday opening set until Winnipeg strung Bisons forward Claire Harvey. over a resurgent Winnipeg squad. together a seven-point run to take a “I think that’s something that’s After being swept in straight sets 14-10 lead. From there, the Wesmen going to light a fire under our butts the day before, the Wesmen bat- controlled the pace of play en route going into playoffs and I really like tled hard in the opening two sets to a 25-20 set win. that we have that energy kind of Saturday. With 25-21 and 25-23 wins, A lopsided 25-18 second set win behind us, that hunger to win.” Winnipeg looked like it could pull for the Wesmen pushed the Bisons The Wesmen opened the game off the upset, but fate had different on the brink and a solid third set put with a 16-2 scoring run. Manitoba plans. Manitoba away. Winnipeg strung responded with 10 straight points to The Bisons stepped back onto the together three separate four-point cut the lead to four, but Hezekiah court for the third set and strung runs to take the set 25-20, and the stopped the Manitoba momentum together a pair of six-point scor- match. with a bucket, ending the frame ing runs to lead 13-4. Winnipeg was The Bisons have now lost four 19-12 Winnipeg. knocked on its heels and could not in a row and sit 10th in the conferThe visitors held a 29-22 lead recover as the Bisons rolled to a 25-12 ence at 7-13. With just two games in the second frame, but Emma set win. remaining, the Bisons need to sweep Thompson scored five points to Manitoba kept up the pressure the 14-4 Trinity Western Spartans cut the Wesmen lead to 29-27 at in the fourth set, pummelling its to stay alive. halftime. downtown rival with a 26-16 score Winnipeg began pulling away in to force a deciding fifth set. Women’s basketball the third but Randall and Konieczny The two sides battled back-and- drops tight game each scored four points to keep the

Bisons in the game. Winnipeg led 49-43 entering the fourth. The Bisons clawed back into the game, and a fourth-quarter Konieczny three tied the score at 53. Winnipeg regrouped, put together an 8-0 run to take the lead and held on to win the close match. Following the game, the herd’s four graduating athletes Harvey, Konieczny, Tianna Mighty and Tiara Licsi were recognized. “I think you look into the crowd and you see everyone that you’ve met over the years,” said Konieczny. “It’s really a pretty amazing community that we’ve been able to build here.”

what we did. It worked out for us tonight.” Winnipeg opened the game with a 14-0 run and Manitoba answered with an 8-0 run, capped off by a Keiran Zziwa steal and breakaway layup. The Wesmen held a 17-14 lead after the first. Winnipeg led 26-24 in the second when they strung together seven straight points to expand their lead to nine. The Wesmen led 39-35 at halftime. An early 8-0 run got Winnipeg ahead by 10 in the third quarter, but Manitoba battled back to close the gap to just six points at 56-50 entering the fourth. Men’s basketball finishes With Manitoba trailing 77-74, regular season with win Zziwa drained a three to tie the A Rashawn Browne three- game at 77. On the next possession, pointer was the difference in a Winnipeg turned the ball over and thrilling 81-78 win for the Bisons Zziwa found Browne for a wide men’s basketball team over the open three-pointer to take the lead Wesmen Saturday at Investors with just 37 seconds remaining in Group Athletic Centre. the game. Browne scored a game-high 22 Don Dayrit missed a game-tying points, while Sean Tarver netted 21 buzzer beater and the Bisons won points for the Wesmen. 81-78. “My teammates just got me open Manitoba finishes the regular looks, credit to them,” said Browne. season at 10-10, good for ninth in “We preach like we were just the conference, and will face the going to come in and fight and live Wesmen again in the opening round with the result and that’s exactly of the playoffs.

20

Sports

VOL. 105 NO. 23 February 6, 2019

From the Prairies to the pros Senior Spotlight: Erica Rieder KELLEN TANIGUCHI, STAFF

first national championship. Though for Rieder, winning Canada West meant a tad more. “I think being in [London] and winning nationals was one thing,” said Rieder.

PHOTO BY VANDE CAVEYE

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rowing up in Regina, Bisons recruiting, he was probably the best women’s hockey captain Erica and he gave me the best offer, so I Rieder had the stereotypical hockey took it,” said Rieder. family experience. She was also recruited by the UBC “My brother was big into hockey, Thunderbirds prior to committing and then my parents put me into with Manitoba, even flying out for a hockey, and my sister went into campus visit, but decided the distance hockey — so we were a big hockey was too much. family,” said Rieder. Although Winnipeg is much Now in her final year with the closer to home, allowing her parents brown-and-gold, Rieder’s hockey to drive in and see her play, the move journey went from normal begin- was not without hang-ups. nings to a championship pinnacle. “Winnipeg was all new and I didn’t The 22-year-old was playing know anyone,” said Rieder. hockey in Saskatchewan when Bisons “But I took a leap and it paid off.” head coach Jon Rempel recruited her The decision to join the Bisons to the University of Manitoba. paid off in the best way possible last “Jon Rempel […] was really good at season, when the herd captured its

“I don’t really know exactly where yet, maybe Sweden, but that’s my plan, to just further pursue hockey” — Erica Rieder, Bisons women’s hockey captain “But winning [Canada West] here in our building with all of our fans and all of the other sports teams here, that was, I think, my most favourite memory from last year.” The two championships did not come easily. Rieder and the rest of the Bisons endured their fair share of hardship — the team lost a Canada West finals in 2016 and was bounced in the second round the year after — but she admits it brought the team closer together. “We’ve become so close over the

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past couple of years and we’ve been through a lot,” said Rieder. “We didn’t always win. I know it’s a theme now, we’re always winning but […] us core as a group, we’ve lost a lot and so last year was really nice to get that win.” The defender was named Bisons captain in the offseason following the departure of her long-time defensive partner Caitlin Fyten. The most important thing, said Rieder, is to “lead by example.” “Going out there every day and making sure I have more good days than bad days,” she said. “Just trying to go into the dressing room and maybe helping those younger players be integrated into the program.” One way she leads is by bringing her environmentally conscious attitude to the Bisons dressing room. “I’m very sticky about recycling in our dressing room,” said Rieder. “The other girls don’t really like that. I call them out on it.” This drive to protect the planet comes from her education. Rieder will graduate with an environmental studies degree in the spring. “Over the past couple of years, I’ve gotten more passionate about the environment and saving the environment,” said Rieder. The end of her Bisons career does not mean the end of her hockey career.

Rieder plans to take a shot at playing professionally. “My plan is to go to Europe next year and play hockey,” said Rieder. “I don’t really know exactly where yet, maybe Sweden, but that’s my plan, to just further pursue hockey.” The 22-year-old has already been planning ahead and emailing some coaches in European leagues. Rieder also has some in-house resources helping her transition to play overseas. “I have Venla Hovi from last year, she’s a good contact,” said Rieder. “And Maggie [Litchfield-Medd], our assistant coach, she coached and played in Sweden.” Rieder has become a pillar for the herd during her career and feels ready for the professional grind, but knows she can grow even more as a pro. “My game right now has really improved and I feel really good about it,” said Rieder. “I think to just stop it right here, I wouldn’t be so happy with that.” For now, though, the Bisons captain is focused on the post-season ahead. The Bisons enter the Canada West playoffs with a bye to the semi-finals. “I think we have that core group in there that knows what it takes,” said Rieder. “We won’t stop. We won’t stop pushing and I think we’re in for an exciting playoff run.”

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