Issuu

E R P

News

3 Editorial

E W P

9 Comment

! K E

Arts & 12 Culture

Sports & 14 Recreation

Join the movement

Unc and proud

Live, love, liberté

Bittersweet home

Make a move

Run this month to raise money and awareness for Indigenous mental health

The hard lesson that to be different is to be free, just be yourself

Why we need to protect Quebec and our French culture in Canada

Iranian artists explore the idea of home in student gallery exhibit

Anyone can play a mental sport with the U of M Chess Club

September 02, 2026

SINCE 1914

VOL. 113, NO. 04

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EDITORIAL

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COMMENT

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The Manitoban reserves the right to edit all submissions and will not publish any material deemed by its Editorial Board to be discriminatory, racist, sexist, homophobic or transphobic, ableist or libellous. Opinions expressed in letters and articles are solely those of the authors. Editorials in the Manitoban are signed and represent the opinions of the writer(s), not necessarily those of the Manitoban staff, Editorial Board or the publisher. A “volunteer staff” member is defined as a person who has had three volunteer articles, photographs or pieces of art of reasonable length and/ or substance published in the current publishing year of the Manitoban.

ARTS & CULTURE

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SPORTS & RECREATION

page 16

News

September 02, 2026 news@themanitoban.com

Seela launches 6 km run for Indigenous mental health September runs will raise awareness and collect donations Roy Albright Obah, staff tinues Seela’s efforts to honhroughout the our his sister, Cheyenne Wilmonth of September, liamson, whom he lost to suiRayden Seela, UMSU Indigen- cide in 2017. ous students’ representative, He previously biked from will embark on a 6 kilometre Winnipeg to Thompson run every day to raise aware- through “Rayden’s Ride for ness and collect donations Hope” in her honour. for mental health and sui“That is what this is all cide-prevention efforts. about, turning pain into purThe initiative, “Movement pose,” Seela said. is Medicine,” seeks to address All donations raised will be mental-health challenges split equally between the U of affecting Indigenous com- M Indigenous Students’ Assomunities. Everyone is wel- ciation (UMISA) and Sunshine come to participate how they House, a community resource can. centre that tackles commun“Intergenerational trauma ity support and inclusion, is a real thing, and it is still along with harm reduction. seen to this day,” Seela said. Seela plans to let IndigenSeela said some Indigenous ous students decide how the people turn to certain cop- UMISA funds will be used. ing mechanisms to alleviate “I will be hosting a comthat pain, but these responses munity assembly where ultimately deepen the chal- Indigenous students will have lenges they face. the opportunity to voice their His initiative draws on opinions and decide how this his own experience which money should be spent,” Seela became an important part of said. how he worked through grief. The initiative also invites “CrossFit allowed me to members of the commun“People can get involved use the pain I had into some- ity to participate in the daily by coming out for a run, walk, thing good, bike, whatever into somethey would “Intergenerational trauma is a real thing, thing powerlike! Just get ful,” Seela your body and it is still seen to this day” said. “It gave moving,” Seela me [myself] — Rayden Seela, Indigenous students’ representative said. back. My conWeekday fidence, my runs will take self-esteem and my worth.” activity in whatever form they place from 7 to 8 a.m., while The campaign also con- choose. weekend runs will take place

PHOTO BY EBUNOLUWA AKINBO / STAFF

from 9 to 10 a.m. The starting point will be across from the Princess Auto Stadium. Seela said the initiative seeks to turn difficult experiences into action and encourage members of the university community to support one another through movement and community. “Sometimes instead of looking for the light, you must

create your own,” Seela said. “Be the light for yourself and for others.” Donations and updates are available through the Instagram accounts @UMISACOUNCIL, @indigenouscommunity_UMSU and @Raydenseela.

‘Toban news briefs Roy Albright Obah, staff UMGPS to hold Special General Meeting Sept. 16 UMGPS will hold a Special General Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. The hybrid meeting will take place in 217 University Centre and online through Microsoft Teams. Graduate students will discuss and vote on matters concerning governance and leadership, including ratification of bylaws and approval of the slate of board of directors candidates. Registration is required to attend. The registration link is available on the society’s website, graduate students are encouraged to register and participate. Only verified students will receive the meeting link, which will be provided near the meeting date. More information and the meeting agenda are available on the society’s website.

National Black Canadians Summit coming to Winnipeg The fifth National Black Canadians Summit will take place in Winnipeg from Friday, Sept. 18 to Sunday, Sept. 20, under the theme “Moving Forward Together.” The three-day summit will be held at the RBC Convention Centre and will feature performances, keynote speeches and workshops. The event will bring community members and allies together for discussions on issues affecting Black communities and possible steps forward. Registration remains open, with free youth passes available to people between 18 and 30. More information and registration details are available on the summit’s website at www.blackcanadiansummit.ca/.

St. Paul’s College Campus Ministry resumes services St. Paul’s College Campus Ministry resumed liturgical services on Aug. 30 following its summer break. Weekly Sunday masses have resumed after the ministry held its last mass of the academic year on June 28. Weekday masses will resume Tuesday, Sept. 15, and will be held Tuesday through Friday at 11:45 a.m. The college will hold its Opening Academic Exercises on Sunday, Sept. 27, welcoming new and returning students, academic award recipients, donors and members of the college community. Registration is open until Sept. 18 through the registration link on the college’s website.

IRCC updates proof-offunds requirement for study permits Beginning Sept. 1, Canadian study permit applicants will be required to meet new proof of financial support requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. The update entails an increase in the amount applicants must demonstrate for each year of their stay, excluding tuition fees and relocation costs. For individual applicants, the required amount will increase from $22,895 to $23,448, representing a 2.42 per cent increase. Applications submitted before the change will continue to be assessed using the previous requirements.

Vol. 113, No. 04 news@themanitoban.com

News

A headstart in arts ASBC welcomes students with prep week Arifah Gheesah, staff

ncoming U of M arts students had the chance to get familiar with their new faculty at the Arts Students’ Body Council (ASBC)’s prep week session on Sept. 1. The event, titled “Welcome to the Faculty of Arts,” brought together first-year and incoming students for an introduction to the Faculty of Arts and the wider student community. The day began with a presentation from the faculty and faculty ambassadors before students took part in tours and activities around campus. ASBC President Mayah Duque said the event was intended to give students a ‘low-pressure‘ opportunity to become familiar with the university before the start of classes. “It’s very nice to be able to get like a trial run of the school before actually getting here,” Duque said. Students were able to participate in several activities throughout the event, including a pop-up matcha bar with

free drinks, a photo booth and tours led by ASBC counselors and faculty ambassadors. Student clubs and representatives from different departments also attended, giving students an opportunity to learn about the different communities and activities available outside the classroom. For Duque, helping new students find a sense of belonging was an important part of the event. Duque initially began in the faculty of science before switching to arts, where she said she found a stronger connection to her passion. “I really found my belonging when I switched over to Arts,” Duque said. Duque said events like Arts Welcome Day can be particularly helpful for students who are entering university for the first time or moving to Winnipeg from another city. “Being able to bring that space that’s so new and scary [...] especially if you’re not from Winnipeg,” she said.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ASBC

ASBC is working with the Faculty of Arts to provide students with a ‘rounded experience’ to both their academic environment and student life in the faculty. The organization will continue connecting with students throughout the first two

weeks of the semester, with ASBC representatives and student clubs around campus. For incoming students, the event offered an early opportunity to explore their new faculty, meet fellow students, and learn more about the communities available to them as

they begin the academic year. Students can learn more about ASBC and upcoming events on their instagram @um.asbc

September 02, 2026 news@themanitoban.com

News

UMSU fall priorities at August meeting Housing, transit and tuition remain key concerns. Arifah Gheesah, staff

MSU board of directors received updates on student advocacy, affordability, transit and academic policies during its Aug. 20 meeting. President Heaven Kaur reported on UMSU’s work with federal, provincial and municipal decisionmakers over the past month. At the federal level, UMSU representatives met with MP James Bezan and MP Terry Duguid to discuss student priorities developed through the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA). These priorities include increasing Canada Student Grants and loan limits, addressing the funding gap in the Indigenous Post-Secondary Student Support Program, extending the Student Work Placement Program and increasing support for equity-deserving students. The board also heard about UMSU’s continued advocacy on student housing, including proposed amendments to Bill C-227. Kaur also reported on her work with CASA’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which is developing its strategic plan and training for delegates. Provincial advocacy has focused on housing, healthcare and tuition. UMSU met with Minister Mintu Sandhu to discuss proposed amendments to Bill 13, including adding post-secondary students to consultations involving vulnerable populations and introducing student-specific data collection. Meetings with MLA Jennifer Chen and Minister Adrien Sala focused on reinstating provincial healthcare coverage for international students, increasing access to safe and affordable student housing and addressing tuition costs. UMSU is advocating for a tuition increase cap of no more than

GRAPHIC BY TEEGAN GILLICH / STAFF

two per cent per year and the reinstatement of the Graduate Tuition Fee Income Tax Rebate. Municipal advocacy has also focused on issues affecting students, particularly public transit. UMSU representatives met with Mayor Scott Gillingham and Councillor Janice Lukes to discuss transit, housing and safety. The board heard that several Winnipeg Transit improvements are planned for Fall 2026 following concerns raised through UMSU and U of M surveys. The changes include “increased frequency on key routes, additional peak-period service, extended Route 889 service, improved access to Fort Garry Campus through Routes 678 and 679, better coordination of feeder routes and additional capacity on routes experiencing frequent pass-bys.” Within the university,

UMSU continues to advocate for a “centralized course syllabus database and clearer expectations around the use of artificial intelligence in coursework.” The proposed syllabus database would allow students to access course outlines, assessment structures and course expectations before registering for courses. UMSU has been meeting with deans, associate deans and other university administrators about both initiatives. The board was informed that UMSU has received an opportunity to present its proposals at the faculty of arts department heads meeting in October. The board also received an update on changes to the community representative structure. “Beginning May 2027, community representatives will transition from elected positions to paid, part-time UMSU staff roles.” The mature

and part-time representative positions will be removed under the new structure. UMSU executives have been consulting with current community representatives about “responsibilities, lounge operations, keyholder structures, hiring process and how community involvement and accountability can be maintained” during the transition. Student engagement was another focus of the report. UMSU executives have participated in Ready to Roam and continued meetings with student clubs and faculty associations through the assembly of club executives and board of association executives. The union is also preparing fall events, including orientation activities, Summer Games and an All Execs Field Day. A Porch Fest is being planned in partnership with ASBC. The board was also updated

on student affordability initiatives, including CASA’s ongoing work on student grants and financial aid. A letter-writing and poster campaign is being developed as part of the advocacy work. Throughout the reports, student engagement was identified as an ongoing challenge. UMSU executives emphasized the importance of students participating in consultations, town halls, rallies, campaigns and other advocacy opportunities. The board’s next priorities include continuing advocacy with government and university officials, increasing student participation in UMSU initiatives and building relationships with decisionmakers and community partners as the fall term approaches.

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Research & Technology

Vol. 113, No. 04 research@themanitoban.com

Canada’s changing defence landscape U of M research explores the future of Canadian defence Mansura Akter Meghla, staff

ccording to Andrea Charron, a professor of international relations in the political science department at the U of M, Canada is entering a period of significant change in defence policy. Charron said Canada faces important decisions as it invests in continental defence and responds to growing security concerns in the Arctic and emerging missile technologies. Charron also serves as the director of the Centre for Defence and Security Studies. Charron’s work in strategic studies examines how governments, militaries and other actors use political, economic, military and technological power to pursue security and foreign policy objectives. Her research focuses on North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Arctic security, sanctions and Canadian foreign and defence policy. Canada is currently undertaking a long-term modernization of its contribution to NORAD. The federal government has committed $38.6 billion over 20 years on an accrual basis to the modernization effort, including investments in surveillance, command and communications, air weapons systems, infrastructure and research and development. In March 2026, Canada also announced that it had reached NATO’s benchmark of spending 2 per cent of gross domestic product on defence for the 2025-26 fiscal year. For Charron, understanding such developments requires recognizing how closely Canada’s security is connected to developments outside its borders. “Strategic studies have become increasingly important for Canadians to understand because many of the issues that shape our daily lives — from national security and economic prosperity to international trade and energy security — are influ-

enced by developments in the ing of threats approaching global security environment,” Canada and North America she said. through northern and ArcA major focus of Char- tic regions. Initial capability ron’s research is NORAD and is anticipated by December the Canada-U.S. relationship 2029. underpinning continental Charron said her future defence. research will examine how Her work shows how Canada should respond to NORAD has changed along- changing air and missile side the security environ- threats. She plans to study ment. Created during the the future of Integrated Air Cold War for aerospace warn- and Missile Defence in North ing and defence, NORAD later America, including the implitook on new responsibilities, cations of the proposed U.S. including maritime warning, Golden Dome missile defence while adapting to challenges architecture. that emerged after the U.S. “A key question I hope to September 11 attacks (9/11) in examine is whether Canada 2001. will participate in these efforts “9/11 significantly altered primarily through NORAD, the Canada–U.S. relation- which has long been responship. Border security became sible for the aerospace defence a central concern, and insti- of North America, or whether tutions such as NORAD took Canada may choose to pursue on new missions related to complementary capabilities homeland defence,” Charron independently,” she noted. explained. “A central finding Advanced cruise missiles, of my work is that NORAD’s hypersonic weapons, drones greatest strength is its ability and increasingly sophisticated to evolve.” missile systems are compliCharron’s research argues cating established approaches that Canada and the U.S. share to continental defence. Charresponsibility for continental ron is interested in what this brought together researchdefence through NORAD, as could mean for Canadian ers from Canada, the U.S. and Canada maintains a role in investments in sensors, Arc- Mexico to examine the longshaping decisions by contrib- tic surveillance and other er-term effects of the attacks. uting its own capabilities and defence capabilities, as well as The project examined chanexpertise. how those priorities could be ges in areas including defence The Arctic is becoming an balanced with Canada’s NATO policy, intelligence cooperincreasingly important part commitments. ation, border management, of that discussion. Charron “Canada is at a pivotal civil liberties and foreign identified climate change, moment where choices about policy. It found that 9/11 transincreased accessibility and defence investment, alliance formed security governance growing straacross North “Canada is at a pivotal moment where choices America and tegic interest from other significantly about defence investment […] could shape states as facchanged the North American security for generations” tors conC a n a d a - U. S . tributing to relation— Andrea Charron, U of M department of the region’s ship. Many importance for institutions political science professor Canadian secand policy urity. frameworks Current Canadian invest- cooperation, Arctic secur- developed after the attacks ments reflect that shift. In ity and missile defence could continue to shape responses June 2026, Canada formal- shape North American secur- to issues including cyber ized arrangements with Aus- ity for generations,” she said. threats, Arctic security and tralia to acquire technology Her research also examined geopolitical competition. for an Arctic Over-the-Hori- how earlier security decisions For Charron, research can zon Radar system. Accord- continue to influence present help Canadians and policying to the federal govern- policy. makers navigate defence ment of Canada, the system Charron co-edited the 2023 questions without prescribing is intended to provide long- book The Legacy of 9/11: Views simple answers. More broadly, range detection and track- from North America, which Charron said her overall

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ANDREA CHARRON

research aims to bridge the gap between academic scholarship and public policy by making complex security issues more accessible and providing evidence-based analysis to inform public discussion and policy decision-making.“ Good research cannot make those decisions for them, but it can help clarify the options, identify trade-offs and anticipate potential consequences,” she said. To mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Charron has invited NORAD and the U.S. Northern Command’s chief historian to deliver the Paul Buteux Memorial Lecture on Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Schultz Theatre in St. John’s College, reflecting on the attacks and their aftermath. Interested individuals can find more information and register for the event online at www.eventbrite.ca/e/ norad-911-25-years-latertickets-1994511551742.

Editorial

September 02, 2026 editor@themanitoban.com

Why I love being an unc How I learned to embrace my unconventional side Boris Tsun Hang Leung, staff

have always been an “unc,” despite only being in my early twenties. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word unc comes from African-American English and is an abbreviation of uncle. The term was originally used for uncles or older men, but in recent years the internet has appropriated the word, using “unc status” to describe someone who acts older than their age in addition to people who are old or getting old. I first noticed my unc status at age 15 during a trip to Italy. I desperately wanted to spend time admiring medieval and Renaissance art or bask in the splendour of Gothic cathedrals. My peers, however, were far more interested in taking photos for social media. I quickly realized I had different interests and priorities compared to others in my age group. It certainly did not help that I was nicknamed Gramps for the rest of that trip. Being an old soul can be isolating. I am often the only person in the audience without grey hair at a classical music concert (and the only person of colour, too). It also prompts strange reactions. I mentally brace myself for the awkward silence and blank stares that typically ensue when I tell people I unironically play fiddle music. I am mad for tweed blazers and wool sweaters, or “old people clothes,” as many in my life have lovingly put it. Despite my work in arts and culture, I find it difficult to follow popular culture, and I am frequently lost in conversations about the latest trends and celebrities. I am somehow both chronically online and perpetually out of the loop. If you have ever approached me with a piece of celebrity gossip, I probably had no idea who you were talking about, sorry. This comes from a place of genuine disinterest, but I would be lying if I said I did not actively avoid the mass-produced and algorithm-driven content designed to be nothing more than a cash grab. Does my “unc-ness” come with a tinge of snobbery? Perhaps. It is also disappointing that the resurgence in vintage fashion and lifestyles, particularly in online spaces, is sometimes accompanied by conservatism, with people blindly romanticising the “good old days” without critical evaluation of the racial and gender inequalities of the time. I, for one, have no desire to align myself with these notions,

GRAPHIC BY EMMA GILLICH / STAFF

and my affinity for old things does not extend to outdated values and bigoted beliefs. However, on the flip side, having unusual interests makes my relationship with those who can match my wavelength extra precious, and some of the best moments of my life have been spent with people who are equally as oddly specific and nerdy about cultural history as I am. It allows me to identify the people who matter, and I do everything to nurture meaningful connections with them. More importantly, I slowly

realized that people who just don’t get it might shrug or give me an odd look, but they quickly move on with their lives. It is true that we all make value judgments of other people, whether consciously or not, but life is too short to be preoccupied with what someone may or may not be thinking inside their heads. It is also entirely possible that I have lost the plot. Perhaps I have been overly focusing on my differences with people and overlooking our commonalities. I like to think that human beings are infin-

itely complicated and diverse, and there are always facets of our psyche that are incomprehensible to anyone but ourselves. Maybe being peculiar in our own ways is just a part of what it means to be human. I am aware of the great risk of sounding “woe is me” with this article. I can assure you that I am not trying to make myself a martyr over a trivial issue, and we all know there are bigger fish to fry in the grand scheme of things. I am not bashing conformity either, and there is a right time and place for expressing

oneself. But embracing my unconventional side is one of the most liberating things I have done for myself, as cliché as it may be. In the meantime, I will continue to yearn for antique dark wood furniture and go on long walks to nowhere in particular. If you ever see me wearing a grandpa sweater and a flat cap on campus, know that it is my way of living authentically — and I urge everyone to find their own way of achieving that.

Diversions

No. 818

SUDOKU

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Sijy Varghese, volunteer

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xkcd.com

Do you have a comic you’d like to submit to the Manitoban? Email your submissions to graphics@themanitoban.com

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Vol. 113, No. 04 graphics@themanitoban.com

2026 Alance AB

S T P e G am M

Comment

Vol. 113, No. 04 comment@themanitoban.com

French is crucial to Canadian identity La belle province, le Québec, n’est pas négotiable Quinn Mayhew, staff

arlier last week, Mark Carney withdrew from trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. over the protection of the French language. You may be asking what this means. Trump is ultimately seeking agreements to discourage the promotion of French-language cultural content. This raises the question of why Trump would intentionally target the French language and heritage as a point of contention in national trade deals. Language is not only part of identity but also of culture. Protecting the language is protecting culture amid a mass identity crisis in a predominantly English-speaking Canada. Bill 96 is the province’s way of strengthening the French language in Quebec, requiring products sold in Quebec to include packaging facts and instructions in French.

For manufacturers in the U.S., this means producing separate packaging for Quebec residents. Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette spoke out, describing Trump’s demands as a “red line,” and added, “our culture, our language, is central to our identity, and it is important to exclude that from the negotiating table.” For many, it’s a way to safeguard cultural identity. Amid Trump’s growing resentment for Canada, I can’t help but find it ironic that many American citizens are actively applying for proof of Canadian citizenship as a plan B surrounded by the ongoing human rights violations and cruelty being perpetuated by Trump and his administration. Despite Trump trying to create a form of erasure with the French language, I believe it’s vital to preserve Quebec as a French-speaking hub but also a multicultural one. It’s not only Quebec whose

French identity is being threatened, but beyond la belle province du Québec. French speakers appear all over Canada, but speaking for Winnipeg, St. Boniface is a little slice of France on the Prairies. This Franco-Métis community is home to festivals such as Festival du Voyageur and attractions such as Saint-Boniface Cathedral and Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum. French culture is everywhere, and when identity is threatened to this degree by a country we consider our neighbour, this is nothing if not an attack on identity, exacerbated in one of the most callous ways by using tariffs as a form of exploitation over Canada. French-Canadian sovereignty has been present in Canada for at least 200 years, enduring a long, significant decrease in French speakers in Canada. I am sure that Quebec can handle one moody

GRAPHIC BY EMMA GILLICH / STAFF

president with an affliction to cruelty. Language is the facilitator of cultural connection. It builds group identity and helps communities share values. When language is taken away, it threatens identity and

heritage. Trump will never fully achieve what I assume his goal to be — to limit cultural connections between communities. French language is not negotiable, it’s imperative.

The Manitoban horoscope for the week of August 31 Zodiac sign mania, flip a coin and see your fate this week Quinn Mayhew, staff

AQUARIUS January 20 – February 18

–

Dear Aquarius, do not ponder too hard on that choice you made. The time has passed, you need to move on. You cannot change time. It’s okay to make bad choices, but don’t let this become a habit.

Taurus, do not quit your job. You might be hating your job right now but do not quit. Try to stick it out just a little bit longer so you don’t do something you may regret.

PISCES February 19 – March 20

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Pisces, I’m sorry to say an Aries or a Libra might be mad at you in these upcoming weeks. Prepare yourself, this will not be resolved easily. You may have to repent for your actions. ARIES March 21 April 19

–

Dear Aries, you need to do yoga. You need to calm down, there’s no need to get that angry over the little things. Just because your sister forgot to do something doesn’t mean you need to get this angry, do some reflecting.

TAURUS April 20 May 20

GEMINI May 21 June 20

Gemini, the Púca may be watching you. This may bring good or bad luck to you. Be careful where you step this week, avoid cracks and do not make enemies this week. CANCER June 21 July 22

–

Cancers, you need to take responsibility for something you did to hurt someone and now you are pulling away because you are embarrassed. You need to make amends and show you are sorry.

LEO July 23 – August 22 Leos, you need to be more confident. Stop holding back on things because you’re scared of failing. Everyone fails sometimes, it’s okay to fail. Do not let fear stop you. VIRGO August 23 – September 22 Virgos, you need to resolve your issues with your mother. I did your tarot cards for the week, and it’s showing you have unresolved problems with her. Make amends with your mom. LIBRA September 23 – October 22 Libras, eat healthier. Eating Kraft Dinner every week will not save you. It’s okay to eat junk sometimes, but try to balance it with healthy meals in between the Kraft Dinner.

SCORPIO October 23 – November 21 Scorpios, start fresh with something that excites you. Stop trying to pretend to like things you don’t. Do not be surprised if new opportunities come knocking at your door this week. SAGITTARIUS November 22 – December 21 Sagittarius, you need to get serious about your professional life. Where is your career trajectory headed? What do you plan on doing in the future? You need to start asking yourself the tough questions. CAPRICORN December 22 – January 19 Capricorns, you need to start leaving your house more for fun, not just for work. You need to revive plans or opportunities you may have cancelled to make time for work. Try to make time for yourself.

WORK AT THE MANITOBAN! WORK AT THE MANITOBAN! THE MANITOBAN IS HIRING A THE MANITOBAN is hiring a NEWSPAPER ASSISTANT NEWSPAPERDISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANT The Newspaper Distribution Assistant works with the Newspaper Distributor to bring the Manitoban to newsstands on the U of M’s Fort Garry campus. $150 per distribution Applicants must have (up to $300 biweekly)

availability Sept. 2026 -Tuesdays April 2027 and Wednesdays, to assist in the pickup of remaining issues and in the distribution of new this could be you! papers. Attention to detail is an asset. The Newspaper Distribution Assistant works with the Newspaper Distributor to bring the Manitoban to newsstands on the U of M’s Fort Garry campus.

This position is paid $150 per distribution (up to $300 biweekly)

ALL APPLICATIONS DUE 11:59 pm ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2026

Applicants must have availability Tuesdays and Wednesdays to assist in the pickup of old papers and distribution of new issues.

Please email all applications to hiring@themanitoban.com Attention to detail is an asset,

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT themanitoban.com/jobs

ALL APPLICATIONS DUE BY SEPTEMBER 4, 2026 11:59PM Please email all applications to hiring@themanitoban.com For more information, visit themanitoban.com/jobs

Arts & Culture

Vol. 113, No. 04 arts@themanitoban.com

Never far from home Iranian artists explore diasporic realities in student gallery exhibit Boris Tsun Hang Leung, staff

aryam Bagheri, who resides in Winnipeg with her husband and two children, has not been able to visit her family in Iran for the past nine years. She keeps in contact with her mother with video calls, which inspired Bagheri to create an anthotype portrait of her using turmeric. The portrait is reproduced on strips of canvas and hung around the gallery. Bagheri is one of the artists whose work is on display in Dwelling in Thresholds, an exhibition at the School of Art Student Gallery presented on Aug. 26 showcasing works by five Iranian students and graduates from the school of art. “The portrait is actually screenshots of my mother and I talking on the phone,” she said. “It was only through the cell phone’s camera, just seeing each other through these screens.” “My mother, my brothers, my father, they all live in Iran,” she added. “It’s been a lot. This work is talking about that distance from home, from my family, especially my mother, [who] was sick for a long period, and I couldn’t be there for her.” Ali Bayat, the curator of the show and a PhD student in film studies at the U of M, explained that the show is all about home in a broad sense. “It’s about [...] what makes home, and all these questions related to very foundational components of one’s identity, especially after geographical or cultural displacement,” he said. This exhibition was conceived in response to the upheavals and crisis in Iran over the past year, said Bayat, and it also deals with the experience of being worried about home while watching from afar. Another piece on display is a ceramic mosaic by MFA student Sara Sattari depicting a feminine body riddled with bullet wounds. “This picture, if I’m not mistaken, is presenting an actual picture that became mainstream all over [the] place after [the] January crisis,” the curator said. “If you come from that bubble of Iranian social media, that image makes sense to you because it definitely brings up a lot of memories.” Bayat, also originally from Iran, described a complicated relationship with his homeland. It has given him his language and traditional family

structures and defined who he is as a person. “At the same time, this is entrenched in so [much trauma]. So it’s not all rainbow and roses,” he said. “[Home is] a very complicated combination of negatives and positives with all their force, so destructive and constructive at the same time, but a phenomenon that needs to be studied,” he added. “[It is] a phenomenon that is not personal. It’s very communal.” Bayat stressed that Dwelling in Thresholds is not only about Iran, but the diasporic experience in general. “I think anyone who is concerned about this idea of being at home, who’s concerned about the idea of even identity in general, would probably take something personal out of this exhibition because all these artists are doing a very deep dive, honestly, within themselves to search for the roots of their personal anxieties.” Dwelling in Thresholds is on view at the School of Art Student Gallery until Sept. 9.

PHOTO BY BORIS TSUNG HANG LEUNG / STAFF

PHOTO BY EBUNOLUWA AKINBO / STAFF

September 02, 2026 arts@themanitoban.com

Arts & Culture

Prairie Comics Festival returns for 10th anniversary Two-day festival showcases art by 115 comic artists Boris Tsun Hang Leung, staff

he annual Prairie Comics Festival is set to take place from Sept. 5 to 6 at the Manitoba Museum, marking its 10th anniversary this year. According to artistic director Sam Beiko, visitors can expect to see comics by 115 artists from across Canada and the U.S. There will also be industry-led panels on topics such as comics and social change, Indigenous comics and queering comics. “We are about promoting and supporting independent creators of comics, zines, graphic novels, anything that is sequential art,” the director explained. The festival is entirely run by volunteers, she also stated. It began in 2016 at the Millenium Library with 23 artists, which drew a crowd of about 400. “After the festival wrapped, we just kept hearing from people that we really need something like this in Winnipeg that supports the independent comic and zine

and graphic novel community here, because there is a rather big one,” she said. However, because Winnipeg does not have a dedicated post-secondary program explicitly for comic illustration, the festival provides budding artists with opportunities to connect with those already working in the industry. Apart from the festival, the organization also hosts Comic Coven, an open comic studio night every Wednesday. As the comic artist behind the series Krampus is My Boyfriend!, Beiko enjoys the medium because it can deliver cinematic storytelling without the patience needed for hand-drawn animation. “You are the artist and the storyteller, and you’re also the director, and you’re also having to think about the facial expressions and everything of every single character in every moment,” Beiko commented. “There’s just so many possibilities with style and playing with form, and you can see the story be alive on the page.”

Beiko hopes the festival will give visitors the chance to appreciate and support art created by real people, especially local artists, as opposed to things generated by artificial intelligence. “What I really hope people get when they walk through the door is that [they know] there are still so many people in the world who create art with their hands and their brains, and not with a water-guzzling prompter,” said the director. “Supporting independent creators is really, really important right now because a lot of their work is being stolen and being profited off of without their permission. It was already a career with thin margins.” She also stated that sequence art has been around since time immemorial, and it will continue to persist. “Art is not dead. It is never going to die. Human beings have told stories with words or with just pictures since we figured that we could [paint] on

PHOTO PROVIDED BY SAM BEIKO

a cave wall in sequence, and we’re going to keep doing it.” The Prairie Comics Festival is free to attend. Com-

ic Coven takes place every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at 611-70 Arthur Street. Visit prairiecomics.com for more information.

Sports & Recreation

Vol. 113, No. 04 sports@themanitoban.com

Building the Ken dynasty Bisons women’s volleyball coach outlines recruitment process Faiyaz Chowdhury, staff

he Bisons women’s volleyball team has had immense success recently, evident by their 2025 U-Sports Championship victory. One of the foundations for this success might be the recruitment process that goes unnoticed. The 2026-27 season games for women’s volleyball will start on Oct. 23 against the Trinity Western Spartans in Langley, B.C. For the 202526 season, the squad finished with a 16-8 overall record. Speaking to the team’s coach, Ken Bentley, about the new season, he made it clear that his primary objective is to ensure that he recruits the top athletes from the province and puts them through the Junior Bisons program. Bentley added that he also recruits nationally and internationally. When it comes to finding players using game footage, Bentley likes to watch it by himself, but he does not only rely on it, as he likes to go and watch teams play in person.

Bentley said if he likes the film and has an introductory meeting with the athlete, he might fly the athlete out to evaluate their productivity and skill set, while also determining how well they would fit into the team. The coach noted, “I’ve become much more vigilant about doing the best job I can to ensure [...] that the athletes I’m recruiting to this prgram are going to fit [...] That they really are going to be excited about what the program offers.” Bentley said he has occasionally made offers on the spot, but he usually likes to tell the athlete to go home and consider the offer, and then get in touch with the athlete in a couple of weeks, at which point he might finally make the offer. Bentley made it clear that just because an athlete is promised a place on the squad does not mean playing time or a starting position. He added, “It’s up to them to demonstrate if they’re good enough to actually play.”

He revealed that this is because of the message it would send. “I could have players in their third year that have worked really hard to start and maybe haven’t started yet, or have become really good players and might have an opportunity, [but] I’ve placed this first-year kid ahead of them, through that promise. So, now, what would motivate my returning players to want to come in and train hard and be a part of our culture if this is what I’m doing?” Bentley acknowledged that the athletes are entering a new world with the university program and are largely unaware of what the demands are until they get there, so Bentley’s expectations are fairly low when it comes to their physical preparation. “They’re not very familiar with things like Olympic lifting or how to squat properly,” he said. “These are all things we have to educate them on once they get here. That’s just part of the development process.”

PHOTO BY EBUNOLUWA AKINBO / STAFF

According to Bentley, becoming part of the team is an organic process. Play-

ers become familiar through training and being together.

Check the U of M Chess Club Make friends and exercise your brain with chess Faiyaz Chowdhury, staff with an Elo rating of 2,200. way to make more friends, For beginners, the club have a social and relaxed The transition from chess being perceived as a game offers the opportunity to learn environment, and if you are played by nerds to a game in a relaxed environment, competitive chess player, it respected for requiring where they can find oppon- also gives you a chance to extreme mathematical and ents closer to their own lev- compete at chess.” The club does not have computational skills has els. “If you don’t know how to been a rollercoaster ride, not play, the executives will most practice sessions. For beginto mention the rise of chess likely help you,” said Moeez. ners, Moeez recommends superstars such as Magnus He also emphasized that he playing longer games and has witnessed club execu- not immediately focusing on Carlsen. Pawn your attention to tives spending hours teaching speed, analyzing the games afterward and using books the U of M Chess Club, a club others basic openings. Most meetings do not fol- and YouTube videos to get that meets every Monday and Thursday during Fall and Win- low any specific formats, with better. However, Moeez did have ter semesters. On Thursdays the students mutually decidthe group meets at VW Social ing the kind of format they a realistic take. “It’s a very Club, and the Monday meet- want to play. However, the unique sport, where just ing locations are announced club does hold competitive because you play a lot doesn’t tournaments throughout the necessarily mean you will via Instagram. Any U of M student can join school year. For competitive get better, which [means] the club, regardless of experi- events, Moeez said that the you actually have to sit and analyze your ence. Students game.” do not need “It’s a very unique sport, where just because As for the to bring their role computown chess sets you play a lot doesn’t necessarily mean ers have in the or clocks, they you will get better” sport, Moeez are provided had a pragby the club. — Abdul Moeez, U of M Chess Club president matic take. According “We have sort to club president Abdul Moeez, the club club uses rapid chess with a of accepted that we can never has more than 500 members 10-minute starting time and beat computers and we can and five executives. The club 15-second increment after just play ourselves.” Beyond the club’s weekly also has two senior advis- each move, or a 10|15 format. Moeez said the club offers meetings, they have other ors. Moeez said the range of experience starts with begin- a nice break from school and events to look forward to, such ners and extends to players work. “Chess club is a great as the Canadian University

PHOTO PROVIDED BY U OF M CHESS CLUB

Chess Championship where all the student teams from universities across Canada compete against each other. Moeez shared his experience of travelling to University of Toronto for the 2026 championship, which took place earlier this year from Jan. 16 to 18. He recalled that eight players from the U of M qualified to play in the tournament. Moeez stated that members of the Chess Club were left to cover expenses while representing the university. “I think I paid close to $500 out of pocket,” he added,

referring to his own expenses for transportation, accommodation and food. The club also received funding from hosts University of Toronto. For the upcoming 2027 championship at the University of Waterloo, Moeez said that the club plans on raising external funds and is currently in contact with potential sponsors. The U of M Chess Club can be found on Instagram @uofmchessclub.