UK, Okay! Page 6 SK8er Boiz Page 13 Page 15 A Whale of an Album Volume 57, Issue 20 M AY E D ITION may 1, 2003 THE Uniter T HEUniterO FFICIAL W EEKLY S TUDENT N EWSPAPER OF THE U NIVERSITY OF W INNIPEG Enns, Manitoba Conservation’s Fire Program Manager. Where forest fires are concerned, the loss of human life is the greatest risk, but forests themselves need fires as a natural way of staying healthy and green. “Environmentally, forests need to have fires,” said University of Winnipeg Forestry graduate Jennifer Joa.“In places like Riding Mountain National Park we’ve let the forest grow more than we should have. Right now it’s basically one big tinder block.” Because the forest here has not been allowed to burn, even under controlled cir- cumstances, there is a great risk that a fire in the future could easily become out of con- trol. The dry and dead trees found in this forest are extremely flammable and would create a massive and dangerous fire. No one has been killed in a Manitoba forest fire for many years and this has to do partly with the fire detection procedures carried out by Manitoba Conservation. When lightning strikes anywhere in Manitoba, it can be monitored on a comput- er screen. Other fires are found through air detection and through reports from the public. Forest fire season in Manitoba usually Fire Prevent Heats Up as begins when the warm weather sets in around mid March or April and lasts until the beginning of September when there is more humidity and precipitation. Camping Season Begins Until this time, Manitoba Conservation claims that most forest fires can be prevent- ed if the public is more aware of the danger BY GINNY COLLINS Manitoba,” said Bob Enns of Manitoba risk. Conservation. “Green acts as a fire retar- According to Manitoba Conservation, involved. When large fires need to be built Campers should be cautious when start- dant but we’re not seeing a lot of that right about 90 per cent of forest fires are caused for projects such as crop burning, a permit ing fires this spring as campgrounds and now.” by human activity. These include campfires, needs to be obtained. When small fires are parks open. So far this year there have been This season, the fires have hit hardest in crop burnings and sparks made by passing built, it needs to be under the right condi- 38 forest fires in Manitoba, some burning as brush areas. These grass fires tend to burn trains. A few fires are caused each year by tions, not in hot, dry and windy locations. much as 5000 acres of woodland and reach- very quickly and cover the largest amount lightning but most are caused unnaturally. “People really need to know how to put ing speeds of 20-30 metres a minute, says of space. The southern part of the province “There is always a human risk during a their fires out properly,” said Enns. Manitoba Conservation. has received more precipitation than the forest fire. One Manitoba home has already “As Smoky the Bear says ‘Only YOU “Right now there is a lot of dryness in north and these dry areas are becoming high burnt down this year because of one,” said can prevent forest fires.’” U Tuition Fees Frozen Again But Burning Issues Still Bother Student Leaders Vice-President Advocate Cathy Hamilton said career employment. cisms. T AMARA that while she is pleased to see the tuition UWSA officials say they are pleased with “I’ve never heard a university say it’s KING freeze, the government needs to take further the extended interest-free period given to stu- enough. Of course universities are going to Features Editor measures to ensure quality education. dent loans. But they say there is a case to be want more. Everyone wants more,” “I think the Canadian Federation of made for extending the deadline – which has McGifford said in a telephone interview in the Students is happy the provincial government now been increased to one year after gradua- week following the announcement. Tuition fees will stay the has decided to freeze tuition fees for another tion – even further. The recent budget sees a tax credit of up same this fall following the year. But the CFS believes the tuition fees “It’s good but more can always be done… to $1,000 for businesses who take on student recent unveiling of the need to be lower,” Hamilton said. I believe it was Diane McGifford who said the interns. UWSA President Chris Minaker said, 2003 provincial budget. The announcement, One of the biggest surprises in the budget freeze can’t last forever,” Hamilton said. however, that the provincial government is which sees fees for most programs set at 1999 is the extension of student loan paybacks. Education Minister Diane McGifford said tackling the wrong issues. levels, is a small cause for celebration for Students now have an extra six months to start she thinks the budget - particularly the freeze, “This is important too. Partnerships are some, but many student leaders say more paying back their student loans without inter- an extended interest free loan period and the important, but until they [government] needs to be done. est charges. This is to help alleviate the bur- tax credit for co-op education- is good news addresses the proper issues of funding and Following the announcement, UWSA den of graduates searching for their first for university students, in spite of the criti- Continued on Page 2 Uniter Publishes Over Summer - page 4 page 2 MAy 1, 2003 the uniter the uniter Volume 57, Issue 20 May 1, 2003 news STAFF Cortney Pachet News Editor Get Some Gender Loving Care at U of W through workshops, a panel discussion and a run concurrently. The panel will consist of BY MICHELLE JONES Tamara King key note address. members of the TG community and family of Features Editor A little Gender Loving Care is coming to The scheduled keynote speaker is Dr. TG individuals. The audience is strongly Jonathan Tan the University of Winnipeg. The two day con- Randi Ettner, a psychologist, president of the encouraged to participate in the discussion. Focus Editor ference, held at the U of W over May long New Health Foundation and author of two Participation for both days is limited. weekend will focus on transgender and trans- books on transgender issues. The day will Registration for Day One costs $50 and is lim- Michelle Kuly sexual issues. wrap-up with two lively performances each ited to 40 professionals. Day Two is $30 for the View and Culture Editor Transgender individuals are people whose with a transgender theme. general public and $12 for students, with a core gender identity does not match their birth Workshop topics will cover such issues as limit of 75 participants. Workshops on Andrew Buck gender. TG people include transsexuals, cross- creating a TG (transgender) Friendly Saturday are also limited, so register early to Sports Editor dressers and those whose gender roles are Environment, hosted by Ettner; Gender Rules, ensure that your first choice can be accommo- ambiguous. It is estimated that about 2 per cent Stereotypes and the Status Quo, hosted by dated. Ginny Collins of the population in North America is trans- Michelle Paquette, a post-operation transsexu- For more information about the conference Beat Reporter gendered. al; Real Lives of Transgendered Individuals, or for registration information, please contact The first day of the conference, May 16, is hosted by lay minister and Rainbow Resource John Stinson at Nine Circles Community Andriy Michalchyshyn for professionals who want to develop skills in Centre staff member Jordan Cantwell; and Health Centre at 940-6000, Randy at Interfaith Photo Editor working with the transgender community. The Navigating a Transition, hosted by Rachel Marriage and Family Institute at 786-9911, or second day, May 17, is open to anyone inter- Morgan, a post-operation transsexual. Michelle, Davis or Craig in the LGBT* Centre Eszti Nagy ested in learning more about transgender issues Each workshop will be 90 minutes and will in 0R13 or call 786-9025. Distribution Manager Stu Reid Production Manager Ted Turner Advertising Manager Remembering Carl between the life of faith and the life of so strongly. Matt Hiebert BY PETER DENTON the Uniter Coordinator action. In many roles, he served his commu- To my delight in what passed for his History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies nity, and his community was as big as his “retirement,” Carl agreed to be my supervi- heart. A man of many metaphors, with a good sor and mentor as I transferred into the min- THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTORS On Saturday, March 29, Dr. Carl Ridd sense of humour, he could laugh at the flights istry of the United Church. died after a month-long battle with of Riddian rhetoric that sometimes left his Looking back, our conversations now Allison Besel leukemia... audience or his readers convinced there was seem far too short, the topics we agreed to For me as for many others, the news of a profound insight hovering at the edge of explore later only promises not kept, insights Miss Pasjmina Constantinas Carl Ridd’s passing was accompanied by understanding – but not quite present. just beginning to be shared. Scott de Groot shock – at his death, first of all, but also at As an undergraduate in the 1970s, I For myself, I will remember his pas- the speed his athlete’s body and tireless pas- remember my friends exclaiming about this sion, the way he measured his own actions Sam T.