The Three Rules of Fight Clubs in Winnipeg

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The three rules of fight clubs in Winnipeg

Highlighting common aspects in Winnipeg's diverse combat sport scenes

Public art explores Lockouts highlight hostile Targeted ads and New Métis history P5 labour environments P11 Year's resolutions P14

The official newspaper of the University of Winnipeg 2 The Uniter // january 23, 2020

Let's talk on the cover Martial artist Candace Daher is one of many Winnipeggers using combat about fight sports as part of their cultural life and fitness routine. club! Read more on page 7. Chuck Pahlaniuk’s 1996 novel Fight Club and the 1999 film adaptation by David Fincher offered pointed critiques of toxic masculinity, back before the term “toxic masculinity” had entered the zeitgeist. The characters used violence to exorcise their own frustrated sense of manhood and lash out at a society that they feel has “emasculated” them. That’s grim and gruesome. No wonder no one wanted to talk about fight club. Who would’ve wanted to hang out with those machismo- obsessed goons in the first place? In this week’s issue of The Uniter, our arts and culture reporter Naaman Sturrup offers a look at communities in Winnipeg offering a decidedly cooler idea of a “fight club.” By speaking to folks from the city’s various combat sports scenes, including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Isshin-Ryu karate and professional wrestling, Naaman showcases how Winnipeggers are using these sports to stay active and have fun in productive, non-violent ways. Unlike the reactionary vision of a “fight club” presented in Fincher’s film, we explore the ways in which these scenes are striving to become more inclusive, more diverse and more welcoming. Winnipeg’s various wrestling promotions have made pioneering efforts to make their shows safer spaces, and Winnipegger- turned-international wrestling superstar Kenny Omega has used his platform to centre queer stories in wrestling in a completely new way. The world of 2020 looks a lot different than that of Fight Club. People seem to be a lot less sulky about IKEA and Starbucks. People are finding new, positive ways to engage with fighting for fun. Yet, somehow, Brad Pitt still rocks the shirtless look like no one else.

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photo by callie lugosi

@TheUniter @TheUniter facebook.com/ Prairie Studio Glass, a glass art studio founded in 1978 by Lucinda Doran and Brian McMillan, focuses on producing quality art while also giving back to their theuniter community. Read more on page 4.

UNITER STAFF Staff photographer and online content co-ordinator contributors contact us Submissions Corrections Callie Lugosi » [email protected] Managing Editor Thomas Pashko » [email protected] STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Comic General Inquiries Submissions of articles, letters, In the Jan. 16 article Business Manager Keeley Braunstein-Black » [email protected] Keegan Steele 204.988.7579 graphics and photos are ”Strategizing for instability,“ VACANT STAFF Illustrator photographer [email protected] encouraged, however all new we referred to the Manitoba Gabrielle Funk » [email protected] Kayla Stensland www.uniter.ca contributors (with the exception of Eco Network by the acronym Creative director letters to the editor) must attend MEN. The organization's official Talia Steele » [email protected] Features REPORTER writer Advertising a 45-minute volunteer orientation acronym is MbEN. Arts & culture EDITOR Keesha Harewood » [email protected] Christina Hajjar 204.988.7579 workshop to ensure that the Beth Schellenberg » [email protected] » For inquiries email: volunteer understands all of the In the Jan. 16 article Arts & culture Reporter [email protected] ”Shakespeare, through a Naaman Sturrup » [email protected] publication’s basic guidelines. features EDITOR different lens,“ the name of Katherine Cao » [email protected] Room ORM14 Next volunteer workshop takes Arts & culture Reporter place Wednesday, January 29 playwright Tim Crouch was Hannah Foulger » [email protected] University of Winnipeg mistakenly omitted. The City EDITOR 515 Portage Avenue at 5 p.m., in room ORM14. Please Lisa Mizan » [email protected] city Reporter email [email protected] for more website for ticket sales was Mouseland Press Board of Winnipeg, Manitoba also incorrect. COMMENTS EDITOR Alex Neufeldt » [email protected] Directors: Kristin Annable (chair), R3B 2E9 details. Deadline for advertisements Haley Pauls » [email protected] CAmpus REPORTER Anifat Olawoyin, Larissa Peck, Treaty One Territory is noon Friday, six days prior to The Uniter regrets these errors. publication. The Uniter reserves COPY & STYLE EDITOR Callum Goulet-Kilgour » [email protected] Joëlle Preston, and Jack Walker Homeland of the Métis Nation » For inquiries email: [email protected] the right to refuse to print material Danielle Doiron » [email protected] VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR submitted by volunteers. The Uniter PHOTO EDITOR Tamika Reid » [email protected] will not print submissions that are Daniel Crump » [email protected] homophobic, misogynistic, racist or libellous. We also reserve the right to edit for length/style. ARTS

Whose House? Ryland Bird’s house

photos by keeley braunstein-black

Ryland Bird in his home Welcome to the 1) A quality setup “Wii U, regular Wii, a Switch, Xbox 360, gamer’s den PlayStation 3 and 4, that’s kind of our arsenal.” KEESHA HAREWOOD 2) Food at the ready FEATURES REPORTER @KEESHAHAREWOOD “With four people living in the house, our one fridge in the kitchen was not For many gamers, it’s important to have a enough … that one we got from one space to settle down and get comfortable of our old roommate’s grandfather’s.” before diving headfirst into a video game. Ryland Bird has just that space. 3) It’s Bob Ross! “It’s a little bit of everything,” he says. “When I’m not at work, it’s not like I’m “He’s a very peaceful guy. He only itching to get out of the house. I’ll go out means good things.” and do stuff with my friends, but I don’t mind being at home, because there’s so 4) A little ruff around much to do here.” the edges When Bird’s not at home playing video “The Chance the Rapper one I actually games with his three other roommates, got from a university in Nova Scotia, he works as the director of community but it’s a little chewed up by the dog.” outreach for the Manitoba Esports Association. “I have been a part of the Manitoba 5) Homemade computer 1 2 Esports Association for a little bit under a “For my entirety of high school, I was year now,” Bird says. on a MacBook Pro … and then I finally “I focus a lot on (the) community upgraded.” aspect. I reach out to different schools, different programs to see if there's any 6) Makeshift curtains interest or anything that we can help “It’s more because I don’t have out with in regards to setting up either events or more focus on esports in the curtains. Keeps the sun out in the community.” morning.” Bird is excited for the future of the Manitoba Esports Association and 7) hidden loot 3 4 particularly for an upcoming event “That’s kind of all our collections of happening this summer. stuff, but it’s pretty layered in there “We’re partnered with the Red River as well.” Exhibition this year. So we're going to be putting on 10 day events come June,” he says. “We’re going to have a lounge there and have a bunch of different games set up, and on weekends we’re having live events for our esports semifinals and finals for a league that we’re putting on.” The ultimate goal is to expand the esports scene in Manitoba. “There is a lot of demand for esports here that really isn’t recognized a whole lot,” Bird says. “I see so much potential for the future.” 5 6 7 4 The Uniter // january 23, 2020

Glassically beautiful Glass art studio brightens community

hannah foulger @foulgerscovfefe

arts and culture reporter

Prairie Studio Glass glitters on the corner of At Prairie Studio Glass, they also teach Sargent Avenue and Sherbrook Street in the courses on fused and stained glass for dif- West End. The glass art studio, founded in ferent skill levels, offering six-week inten- 1978 by Lucinda Doran and Brian McMil- sives or one-day workshops. lan, focuses on producing quality art while “We’ve designed the classes to be accom- also giving back to the community. modating to anybody,” McMillan says. The Following Doran’s retirement last sum- classroom and the workstations are wheel- mer, her son Matthew McMillan now leads chair accessible, and the courses have been the studio, but he says “we don’t advertise made available to blind or deaf students. ourselves as individual artists. We are Prai- “The classic studio mentality has always rie Studio Glass.” been to be very guarded about all the The Prairie Studio Glass building con- information that you have developed over tains a store, a classroom where they teach the years, and to give that information to photo by callie lugosi courses on glass art and a full artist studio. someone off the street is obviously a lit- Stained-glass pieces hang in the window of Prairie Studio Glass on Sargent Avenue. The store sells “everything you need to tle troubling for most studios. (But now) do glass as a hobbyist or artist,” Matthew we’re focusing on producing well-designed McMillan says. The studio is where they artwork and setting the bar for Canada in handcrafted and numbered,” McMillan year’s Inukshuk ornament as “standing on create original or commissioned pieces, as glass art,” McMillan says. says. “Every penny goes to a local charity. a hill, looking to home. That strikes a chord well as where they restore older windows. Despite the fact that they create an This year, we raised $4,500 for House of with me, because we offer home here.” The Winnipeg Gallery at the Manitoba expensive art form, Prairie Studio Glass Hesed (which provides supportive housing “This is our community,” McMillan Museum features a restored stained-glass strives to make their art accessible and give for people living with HIV/AIDS). In past says. “(Our first shop was) at Victor, and window from the old Winnipeg city hall. back to the community. “We renovated years, they have fundraised for Agape Table then we moved to this shop 30 years ago. “The sheer size of that window crushed in the last three years to bring more of a and West Broadway Youth Outreach. We love it. We like to think that we (are itself slowly over time,” McMillan says, but street-side presence,” McMillan says. They Moe Feakes, the executive director of a) little beacon of artistry and beautiful artists at Prairie Studio Glass were able to painted their art studio “white, so the art House of Hesed, says “We live on a shoe- things.” maintain the quality of the window and pops from the street side.” string every month. That is a huge, huge managed to keep all the original glass Every Christmas, the studio creates a gift to us.” Prairie Studio Glass is located at 587 Sargent Ave. pieces except for one. limited-edition ornament. “They are all Feakes says McMillan described last

This master cannot truly be followed Shakespeare closes out Master Playwright Festival with relevance and appeal

@foulgerscovfefe betrayal and factions against factions. hannah foulger (The program participants) understand that world of people (with) this gang arts and culture reporter mentality of us versus them ... these guys understand that world of ostracism, that world of violence.” William Shakespeare is the final focus SIR’s show Awaken, co-produced by of the Master Playwright Festival. In Zone 41 Theatre, was adapted by Tracy it’s twentieth season, which is produced Penner from A Winter’s Tale. “Shake- by Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre speare was adapting works from his (RMTC), the fest features several differ- time, and we’re continuing that tradi- ent productions by different theatre com- tion,” Beilfuss says. panies in Winnipeg, including RMTC. Last year, Strachan performed in a Every year focuses on a different play- bilingual production of The Tempest wright, with all the plays either written in American Sign Language (ASL) or inspired by the master playwright. and English at the Citadel Theatre in Despite Shakespeare’s works being Edmonton. “Shakespeare beautifully 400 years old, Shakespeare in the Ruins translates into ASL,” Strachan says, and (SIR) artistic director Rodrigo Beilfuss Shakespeare’s verbal language “can be says the playwright “is simply one of the expressed even stronger in gesture and best. There is no way around it. His plays sign language.” are huge worlds. (They) can sustain a lot Strachan has a long history with (and are) so full of imagination, and his Shakespeare that he says, unfortunately, characters are so well defined and have started with The Cosby Show. “Christo- such a rich inner life that can really sus- pher Plummer and a Black English pro- tain anything you throw at it.” fessor (played by Roscoe Lee Browne) Ray Strachan, who plays the epony- were on an episode, and they were doing mous character Othello in Beau The- a scene from Julius Cesar. I actually fell atre Co.’s production, says Shakespeare in love with Shakespeare.” supplied photo “tackled infidelity, deceit, race, sexism, Othello is an exciting challenge for masculinity, uber masculinity, toxic Strachan. “I’ve always been attracted to Actor Ray Strachan stars as Othello in one of many Shakespeare productions in the final Master Playwright masculinity,” themes which are still it, because you can relate to the Black Festival. relevant. struggle and being excluded because SIR runs a program at Stony Moun- you’re Black and being discriminated Strachan explains that portraying cise, but it’s one that is totally worth it.” tain penitentiary where they offer perfor- against because you’re Black. That part racial discrimination is challenging. “As mance and theory workshops on Shake- rings true and that rings true today, not an actor, I try to connect to the character Beau Theatre Co.’sOthello opens on Jan. speare for high-school credit. Taught by just in Shakespeare’s day. People use race as close as I can with my own personal 25 at the Dalnavert Museum (61 Carlton Claire Friesen, plays like Julius Caesar are and use Blackness to dehumanize people, experiences. Having to go through and St.). SIR and Zone 41’s Awaken runs from very relevant to some of their incarcer- to divide people, but I think we portray recollect incidences where my race has Jan. 16 to 26 at the Rachel Browne The- ated program participants. that very strongly in this production.” been used against me just to feel what atre (211 Bannatyne Ave.). Both venues “Julius Caesar is a play filled with this character is feeling is a difficult exer- are wheelchair accessible. ARTS The Uniter // january 23, 2020 5

supplied photo

Ian August's Rooster Town Kettle marks the site of the historic Métis community of Rooster Town.

Stories Left Untold were ‘dirty,’” August says, noting that says. He also notes that salt, sugar beet the negative press was clearly intended and honey production have been parts to eradicate public sympathy and pave of Manitoba’s trading history. New public art explores Winnipeg's Métis history the way for the eviction of the com- Salt Fat Sugar Your Water is Safe, munity. “Newspaper articles only told which Burns describes as “concrete one side of it. It was a real community, poetry,” is “pointing to a disparity in our beth schellenberg hood. August learned about Rooster and folks had nice times raising their culture where many people don’t have Town when he was conducting archival families. Many lived there for several safe water, which is dead wrong in one research and came across old newspaper arts and culture editor @bethgazellenberg decades”. of the wealthiest societies in the world.” articles portraying Métis communities The Rooster Town Kettle commemo- Part of Burns’ art practice is “look- in a negative light. rates this community, providing both a ing at the way we organize our industri- Winnipeg’s Métis history is being “After the Red River Rebellion, Métis commentary about historical and cur- alized world ... When I arrive in small explored by new public art works. The people didn’t receive any of the land rent human rights issues regarding the villages or towns in the North, what works are part of an initiative, funded they had been promised via legislature,” availability of clean water within Indig- usually happens is that I am given a gift by the Winnipeg Arts Council (WAC) August says, which ultimately resulted enous communities, while also nodding of caribou meat by elders as a welcome through the City of Winnipeg’s Public in these communities “squatting” on towards Métis hospitality, in which tea gift. It got me interested in what trade Art Program, to have a robust public art provincial road allowances. has always played a starring role. is and what giving is. What I found up presence along the new transit line. Bill August explains that “the city didn’t Burns, a prairie artist currently resid- North is that gifts have a different sig- Burns and Ian August are among the charge property tax, because they would ing in Toronto, wanted to create a piece nificance. There is no agenda.” artists who were commissioned to create be on the hook to provide services like for the transit line based on his interest pieces for the project. water and sewage ... All the photos of in site-sensitive projects that take a his- The City is currently considering reducing August’s work, Rooster Town Kettle, Rooster Town depict people collecting torical and geographical perspective. the Public Art Allocation to $200,000 and marks the site of Rooster Town, a road water, which was a daily issue.” “In Winnipeg, I looked at the history eliminating it from the budget all together allowance settlement that came into “The kids in Rooster Town went of pre- and post-contact trade and found in 2021. Please write to your city council- existence in 1901 and was dismantled by to Winnipeg schools, and parents that the Red River confluence was a lor if you feel our city benefits from public the city in the late 1950s to make room instructed children not to touch kids place where things like the grease trade art. Contact information can be found at for Grant Park Shopping Centre and from the road allowance, because they from the West Coast existed,” Burns winnipeg.ca/council/contact.stm the expanding Fort Rouge neighbour-

arts BRIEFS beth schellenberg // arts and culture editor @bethgazellenberg

Plant This Movie Pizza fundraiser Winterruption Sweet on Indigenous Is Not Two solo Eco Team UWinnipeg is for Arts Junktion Winnipeg Sustainability a Genre exhibitions at screening Plant This Movie on Friday, Jan. 24 at 6 p.m in the This Saturday, Eadha Bread Real Love Winnipeg and 4th Sustainable South Osborne Indigenous Music West presents Plug In ICA Bulman Student Centre (515 bakery (577 Ellice Ave.) is Quarter Records are presenting Community Co-op is hosting an “Indigenous Is Not a Genre: Portage Ave). The film explores throwing a pizza fundraiser for a night of local rap for the first afternoon of information sharing Indigenous Perspectives on the Chen Zhe’s Towards Evenings: different ways to amp up urban ArtsJunktion! $7 from each pie edition of Winterruption Winnipeg featuring local organizations Music Industry” at The Forks, 891 Dusks, an Encyclopaedia of farming and locally grown food goes directly to the organization, on Saturday, Jan. 25. The show that work with gardening, food South Aisle (1 Forks Market Rd.). Psychological Experiences and movements. which provides a safe space for is at The Handsome Daughter (61 and sustainability. Learn about Speakers include musicians and Hyphen-Lab’s NeuroSpeculative folks to use recycled and donated Sherbrook St.) and features Dill the everything from fermentation to other industry professionals AfroFeminism are both opening at art supplies. The event runs from Giant (3Peat), Ed Riley, Flamenco urban foraging. The event is on and will address Indigenous Plug In ICA (460 Portage Ave.) on 11 a.m. to 4 p.m on Jan 25. Sketch and Sir Louie. Tickets are Saturday, Jan. 25 at Lord Roberts identity and labels within music, Friday. The opening runs from 7 $10 advance, and the doors open Community Centre (725 Kylemore marketing and presentation. The to 10 p.m. on Jan. 24, and you can at 9:30 p.m. Ave.) from 1 to 4 p.m., and entrance talk is free and goes from 7 to 9 catch Zhe in conversation with is by donation. p.m on Wednesday, Jan. 25. assistant curator Nasrim Himada on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. supplied photo

What Did Jack Do? CKUW top 30 Streaming now on Netflix ter known only as “Detective.” He meets January 13—19, 2020 in a train station diner with a capuchin thomas pashko monkey named Jack. The two engage TW = This Week // LW = Last Week // ! = Local content // * = Canadian Content in a conversation that quickly becomes Managing editor @thomaspashko an interrogation by Lynch’s detective as Tw lw c artist Album Label he tries to determine ... something? The 1 1 ! The Mariachi Ghost Puro Dolor Pipe & Hat detective seems to be trying to figure out 2 2 ! Begonia Fear Rex Baby It wasn’t too long ago that it seemed like whether the besuited primate has been we may never see a new David Lynch film. hanging around with chickens, turkeys 3 5 * Matana Roberts Coin Coin Chapter Four: Memphis Constellation The Twin Peaks co-creator and visionary or other farm animals. Jack speaks in a 4 17 ! Cell Ancient Incantations Of Xarbos Self-Released surrealist behind films like Eraserhead, slow, slurred voice that echoes through a 5 3 * Fly Pan Am C'est Ca Constellation The Elephant Manand Blue Velvet kicked digital haze (it’s unclear who’s responsible 6 7 ! Micah Erenberg Love Is Gonna Find You Sleepless off the 21st century with Mulholland Dr., for voicing Jack; the credits simply state 7 4 guided By Voices Sweating The Plague GBV Inc. a nightmarish neo-noir that garnered an “starring Jack Cruz as himself”). Oscar nomination for best director and Their conversation contains the men- 8 RE Purple Mountains Purple Mountains Drag City has since been recognized as one of the ace and pitter-patter rhythm of great film 9 18 ! JayWood Time Self-Released greatest films of all time. noir interrogation scenes, but rather than 10 9 ! greg Rekus & The Inside Job Death + Taxes Self-Released But things seemed to slow down for unravelling a mystery, the film employs 11 12 * Old Man Ludecke Easy Money True North Lynch. By 2016, his only subsequent Lynch’s signature dream logic. The piece 12 14 JPOD Circadian Rhythms Additech feature was 2006’s Inland Empire, a does arrive at a conclusion that has a sort three-hour experiment that could best of satisfaction, but it only makes sense in 13 19 ! Smoky Tiger And The Manitobandits Premium Quality Royal Rumpus Transistor 66 be described as “for Lynch fans only,” the way that a nightmare makes sense 14 RE * Pup Morbid Stuff Little Dipper and he seemed more focused on visual while it’s happening, only to dissolve into 15 11 ! Selci Effervescence Self-Released art, selling signature coffee blends and half-remembered nonsense upon waking. 16 8 * Ian & Sylvia The Lost Tapes Stony Plain creating weird YouTube videos about Like The Return, What Did Jack Do? 17 NE * Baritone Madness Baritone Madness Chronograph making quinoa. is a reminder of just how entertaining Then came 2017’s Twin Peaks: The Lynch can be in front of the cam- 18 20 Ezra Weiss We Limit Not The Truth Of God Origin Return, a follow-up to his classic ’90s era. His rare appearances as an actor 19 21 * The Flamingos Pink Kustom Kreme Label Etiquette TV show. Directed entirely by Lynch, always inject a film or TV show with 20 NE los Straitjackets Channel Surfing Yep Roc this season of television played like an his strange, often confusing sense of 21 10 Negativland True False Seeland 18-hour movie, as experimental and for- humour, and Jack certainly has its share 22 16 * geoff Berner Grand Hotel Cosmopolis Coax mally daring as any work of art released of laughs. Like in Eraserhead and por- The Return 23 13 * little Scream Speed Queen Dine Alone / Merge last decade. Lynch seemed to be back in tions of , he uses black-and- full form, and on Jan. 20 (Lynch’s 74th white photography and murky sound 24 RE * Shotgun Jimmie Transistor Sister 2 You’ve Changed birthday), Netflix surprised everyone by design to create an eerie atmosphere. 25 28 * Friendly Rich We Are All Terrorists Pumpkin Pie Corporation dropping his new short film, What Did But while those projects used that 26 23 little Fyodor Pithy Romantic Ballads Self-Released Jack Do? atmosphere for dread, Jack uses it to 27 RE ! living Hour Softer Faces Kanine To be clear, the film isn’t exactly punctuate its jokes and non-sequiturs. 28 RE * The New Pornographers In The Morse Code Of Brakelights Concord “new.” It screened briefly in 2017 at an art Ultimately, this short is a welcome museum in Paris and, with the exception addition to Lynch’s filmic comeback. 29 26 * Rheostatics Here Come The Wolves Six Shooter of one festival screening in New York, has Alongside last year’s The Irishman and 30 NE ! The Famous Sandhogs Pan Jan Potop Self-Released been impossible to see ever since. Sud- Marriage Story, it’s also a reminder of denly, this mysterious little film by one of how Netflix can act as a platform for the greatest living filmmakers is available celebrated filmmakers to release idiosyn- to all Canadian Netflix subscribers. cratic movies, at least when Ted Sarandos In addition to writing, directing and decides to use his power for good rather editing the film, Lynch stars as a charac- than evil.

AllAll the the best best in in the the 2019/20202017/18 academic academic year! year! Words by Naaman Sturrup Arts and Culture Reporter @naamansturrup Feature Photos by Daniel Crump Photo Editor @dannyboycrump The three rules of fight clubs in Winnipeg Highlighting common aspects in Winnipeg's diverse combat sport scenes

“The first rule of fight club is you do not talk about fight club. The second rule of fight club is YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT FIGHT CLUB.” Although they may not be as iconic as Tyler Durden’s rules in the movie Fight Club, there are common guidelines in some of Winnipeg’s professional wrestling organizations and martial art clubs that make them as enticing and iconic as the 1999 film. Or that’s what combat sport participants and their fans might hope. Premier Championship Wrestling (PCW) founder Andrew Shallcross, Bra- zilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and Isshin-ryū karate instructor Candace Daher and Winnipeg Pro Wrestling (WPW) competitor Mentallo all highlight three commonalities in combat sports clubs in Winnipeg: a welcoming community for participants and fans, a focus on diversity and multiculturalism and a promotion of healthy practices. These are not strict rules that every organization must adhere to, or rules that every organization claims to follow, but these commonalities highlight a growth in inclu- sivity, cultural respect and recognition and a greater focus on safety in Winnipeg combat sport scenes.

COVER FEATURE CONTINUES | NEXT PAGE >>

Tag-team wrestlers fight it out at a PCW event at Doubles Fun Club on Jan. 18. : continued

Tag-team duos London Dynasty and American Psychos during a PCW match at Doubles Fun Club

photo by kayla stensland

Local wrestler Mentallo has incorporated elements of Mexico's Lucha Libre style of wrestling into his training and performance.

Rule #1: Actually talk following Sunday, I was at my first about fight club training session. From there, I trained for six months. I set up and tore down the Fight Club’s first two rules highlight its ring and did various shows in Manitoba secrecy and intimate community, but for community clubs.” they consequently rule out the general Mentallo says the global wrestling public who were not aware of it. However, community is welcoming, which he Shallcross says PCW has an open and experienced firsthand in his travels for accepting community for prospective wrestling. wrestlers and fans, and he points out “When I decided to broaden my that Winnipeg has always welcomed pro horizons, I went to the United States wrestling. and did shows and training camps there. “Winnipeg has had a long history After that, I went to Mexico and spent of supporting pro wrestling, and the nine months learning Lucha Libre. Just city was a regular stop for the old AWA being in the wrestling business, acquiring (American Wrestling Association), which different skills and getting better led to was a huge international promotion,” an opportunity for me to go to Japan, he says. where I was able to wrestle there from Shallcross notes that PCW’s support 2010 to 2012.” has ebbed and flowed during its 18-year tenure, but it has grown more in Rule #2: Fight club must recent years. always remain inclusive “We now have a very strong fanbase that comes out to our events, and our Although a national 2005 Statistics wrestlers seem to have a lot of support. Canada report states that women’s The fans are savvy, smart, they support a participation levels in martial arts were more athletic brand of wrestling, and they too unreliable to be published, interest has support us by buying tickets, merchandise grown in recent years, and organizations and traveling for events,” he says. like the Canadian Fighting Center (CFC) “We really are about the grassroots, are taking steps to encourage women to developing young talent and giving participate. them a platform in Winnipeg to learn Daher leads a women-only BJJ and self- and grow as wrestlers. We have had defence program at CFC, and she says several wrestlers to go on to wrestle programs like this are important because globally, including for the WWE (World of their positive impacts in women’s lives. Wrestling Entertainment) and the AEW “A lot of women get into martial arts (All Elite Wrestling), and the biggest star purely as a hobby and for fun, but the we have had thus far is Kenny Omega, deeper they go into it, the more they realize who has wrestled with us for the entirety how empowered they have become and of our existence.” how much stronger they are,” she says. Mentallo mentions that the pro “I would say about 60 per cent of the wrestling community accepted him women in my cardio kickboxing class that with open arms, and his wrestling career I taught went into more dedicated martial began shortly after leaving his high arts because they really wanted to learn school basketball team and seeing a the skills instead of just losing weight. So wrestling poster in a mall. the idea of personal empowerment, safety “At that time, I was considering either and the feeling of independence are some pro wrestling or kickboxing, but as a of the reasons I find that so many women child, I always loved pro wrestling,” are attracted to martial arts.” he says. Mentallo has travelled to compete and “I went to the show on a Wednesday, train internationally and has adopted the Lucha style, saying that many cultures and I spoke with Vance Nevada, who Sammy Peppers (left) fights Sydney Steele (right) during a PCW match at Doubles Bar. became my very first trainer, and that and countries view wrestling differently. “For Lucha Libre, it is very cultural and Candace Daher (blue) spars with Drayden Crossman (white) during a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training session at the Canadian Fighting Centre.

family-based,” he says. inclusiveness, which is something that “Things are passed down from we want to live up to,” Shallcross says. generation to generation, and that Omega has made his support is why you see a lot of sons get into for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities wrestling after their fathers. In the explicit both through statements in USA and Canada, it is viewed as a soap interviews and through his wrestling opera, where there is a lot of dialogue, performance itself. His long-running but Lucha Libre is a more ingrained, story arc with New Japan Pro- family-based entertainment, and it is Wrestling involved a relationship with more like heritage. his tag-team partner Kota Ibushi that “In Japan, it is the opposite, where many fans have interpreted as a gay it is viewed as a sport, so you find relationship (a reading which Omega less talking and more action, harder supports). Known collectively as The hitting, and it is almost viewed on the Golden Lovers, the duo’s storyline of level of mixed martial arts.” splitting up and eventually reconciling has been called “a crucial step for Rule #3: Fight club queer representation in wrestling” by must always be a safe Paste Magazine. place Mentallo reiterates this support and says WPW wants to create an A 2019 CBC article notes that WPW environment where everyone can has banned the use of slurs and feel safe. sexually or racially offensive remarks, “There are people of all genders, and this practice is spreading, as races and nationalities there,” he says. leagues consider creating safer spaces “No one is made to feel ostracized, for their participants and fans. and a lot of the promotions in Shallcross says PCW is cognisant Winnipeg are inclusive to everyone.” of its diverse community and says Mentallo says that fans are not they try to provide a safe environment typically swearing and giving people for all. a hard time, and he assures that “The old way of thinking about if such a thing does occur, these wrestling has changed,” he says. people are eliminated from the scene “Wrestling is trying to change immediately. more, and for PCW, we want to be at “Nobody wants to be involved with the forefront of that. We are aware of that behaviour anymore.” being diverse and attracting a diverse Daher highlights the safety audience and talent. We are active in extended to participants, and she (the) LGBTQ community, and we are notes that more clarity should be mindful that we have many fans from given to point out that the winning that community, that we have many formula of combat sports like BJJ and female fans and many of our talents karate is to dominate your opponent come from different backgrounds.” and win through better technique, Shallcross says Omega, who has not violence. wrestled for PCW as recently as 2019, “I take exception to any martial arts is supportive of the 2SLGBTQIA+ being called violent,” she says. community, and he continues to be a “If it is truly a martial art, whether role model for both wrestlers and fans. it is a stand-up art like karate or a “In Kenny Omega’s documentary, ground-fighting art like sambo or BJJ, Omega Man: A Wrestling Love Story, neither of them are violent (at) any which we were a part of, he spoke time. When you look at mixed martial about LGBTQ support. He really arts, it is a combination of arts like Candace Daher is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. She trains at the Canadian Fighting Centre in Winnipeg. sets an example for people including BJJ, kickboxing and wrestling. Each myself, and he sets the bar high for one of those has a very specific set of 10 The Uniter // january 23, 2020

: continued

skills that are not about violence. “Yes, the goal is to dominate your opponent, but that is the same concept in basketball, as you want to score more points than your opponent.” “And if you see me, you would not think that I was a violent person. I look like a grandmother,” she jokes. These rules point out the enticing nature of combat sport scenes in Winnipeg, which can draw both fans and participants to these organizations. For participants, a significant training regimen to learn techniques, constant practice and healthy habits are viewed by some to be the keys to success. Although they may have their own unique set of challenges, Daher says these practices have a positive, all- encompassing impact on one’s life. “It challenges my body and mind, helps strengthen my personal relationships and teaches me to deal with others and makes me aware of my limitations.”

“If it is truly a martial art, whether it is a stand-up art like karate or a ground-fighting art like sambo or BJJ, neither of them are violent (at) any time. When you look at mixed martial arts, it is a combination of arts like BJJ, kickboxing and wrestling. Each one of those has a very specific set of skills that are not about violence.” - Candace Daher

“It challenges my body and mind, helps strengthen my personal relationships and teaches me to deal with others and makes me aware of my limitations.” - Candace Daher

city briefs Lisa Mizan // City Editor @lisa_mizan

Indigenous Classic play to Nominations for Ex-Winnipeg Bell “Let’s Talk” Report outlines Affairs book grace U of W faculty and staff reservist jailed Day actions helping

Launch again awards After Winnipeg Free Press The Bell Let’s Talk Day initiative graduates succeed reporter Ryan Thorpe infiltrated returns on Jan. 29 to spread The University of Winnipeg The Love of the Nightingale by Nominations are now being Manitoba universities and colleges a neo-Nazi group by going awareness about mental health and the University of Manitoba Timberlake Wertenbaker will accepted for staff and faculty have collaborated with the Business undercover, former soldier and issues and combat related Press will host a book launch be presented by the University awards to be presented during the Council of Manitoba to develop a neo-Nazi Patrik Mathews was stigmas. The University of for Injichaag: My Soul in Story: of Winnipeg’s theatre and film upcoming convocation ceremony for new strategic plan to help students exposed and fled to the United Winnipeg will hold a number of Anishinaabe Poetics in Art department from Feb. 11 to 15 contributions towards community succeed after graduation. A report States in August. Following mental health-related events and Words by Rene Meshake at the Asper Center for Theatre service, teaching, research, called Horizon Manitoba outlines his arrest in Georgia with two on campus, including “Blue the and Kim Anderson on Jan 27 and Film (400 Colony St.). The sustainability and commitment to the actions being “strategically other neo-Nazis, Mathews was Campus” at the Wellness Centre from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in room last time the play was performed students. Listed awards include: focused on areas such as work- denied bail after being jailed in and “Bell Let’s Talk Day Table” 2W16 of Convocation Hall. The on the U of W campus was the Clifford J. Robson Memorial integrated learning, Indigenous Washington, D.C. Thorpe’s article on the main floor of Centennial book details Meshake’s story 20 years ago. It is now being Award for Teaching Excellence inclusion, student pathways and “Homegrown Hate” attracted Hall on Jan. 24 and Jan. 29. as a residential school and directed by faculty member Hope and the Marsha Hanen Award for enhanced labour market data.” significant attention late last “Blue the Campus” will take 60s Scoop survivor and is McIntyre, who also serves as the Excellence in Creating Community With the prediction that 60 per year and detailed how Mathews place all day in the form of blue thematically based around his artistic director for Sarasvàti Awareness. The deadline for cent of jobs will require post- and his white-supremacist lighting, while the tabling will paintings. Productions. nominations is Jan. 31, and they can secondary education by 2024, group, known as “The Base” happen from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on be made through the online pages the Business Council of Manitoba were trying to gain a foothold Jan. 24 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the respective awards. hopes to enhance opportunities by in Winnipeg. on Jan. 29. partnering with Manitoba’s leading employers and schools. city The Uniter // january 23, 2020 11 The varied union toolbox Advocating in and out of the spotlight Spence says labour organizing and ALEX NEUFELDT action in the context of large franchises is “not easy to do, but it’s achievable” if employees reach out to unions for support. CITY REPORTER @ALEXEJNEUFELDT “It’s not easy to get a wage increase and ask your employer by yourself, but when Lockouts have been a big subject in prairie you’re unionized, you get the right to col- labour news in the past few weeks, as Tim lective bargaining,” he says. “One of the Hortons workers at the Winnipeg Lom- things that this does is it raises the issue bard location and Co-op Refinery workers (of rights for minimum-wage workers).” in Regina were locked out of their place of “I think a lot of people don’t realize work by their employer during the course of that there are these jobs where the wages bargaining between employers and unions. never increase (unless the minimum wage Andy Spence, a union representative is raised by the Province), and people are with the Workers United Canada Council, depending on them to survive. The only the organization that unionizes Tim Hor- way they can get raises in these jobs is tons’ Lombard employees, says that before unionizing and fighting for it,” he says. the lockout, the union had been bargaining Not all unions are able to use the same with the franchise owner, JP Shearer. tools when put under stress by employers. “We’d been going through bargaining Darlene Jackson, president of the Manitoba for a few months,” Spence says, “and we Nurses Union (MNU), says the MNU is got to a point when they weren’t moving “bound by our collective agreement, so we on wages at all, and so we made a decision are not in a legal position to strike. We need to talk to workers and tell them that they to work within the confines of our collec- weren’t moving.” Spence says they went to tive agreement.” According to their web- a strike vote, which the workers supported. site, a collective agreement “is a written, Spence says the union gave the strike binding contract between the union and notice on Dec. 18, 2019, which, according the employer, which specifies the terms and to the collective agreement, allows strike conditions of employment.” action two weeks after the notification. Jackson’s two years as president have been The next day, Shearer responded with a stressful, as cuts and consolidation have put a lockout notice, which also takes two weeks lot of pressure on the acute nursing shortage to implement. A lockout is the practice of Manitoba is facing, leading to increased vol- an employer barring employees from their untary and mandatory overtime for nurses. illustration by Gabrielle funk workplace until agreeing to terms. “Most people don’t understand what On Jan. 2, 2020, when strike action would it’s like to go to work and work a shift and paigns to speak out on the issue and support escalated on Jan. 20 when Regina police arrested have been legal, Spence says the workers did not be allowed to go home until you’ve the official opposition’s Bill 205, the Restrict- 14 picketers, including the Unifor union’s not take action, but they were locked out the worked two shifts back to back,” she says. ing Mandatory Overtime Act, which would national president Jerry Dias. Regina Police next day. After a week of support from other “The general public doesn’t really under- phase in limits on mandatory overtime. Service chief Evan Bray accused workers of unions, the public and students, the lockout stand the implications of that.” “essentially holding the city hostage,” while Dias ended on Jan. 10, 2020. The MNU has been undertaking cam- Tensions in the Co-op Refinery strike in Regina claimed the police acted “like thugs.”

Selective accessibility Proposed building code exempt from accessibility standards

ALEX NEUFELDT

CITY REPORTER @ALEXEJNEUFELDT

The Provincial Accessibility Advisory bility audits, says this whole situation is Council is in ongoing consultations to disappointing, because “it’s not includ- develop a Design of Public Spaces Dis- ing the built environment, and the built ability Standard. In theory, this stan- environment is exactly where the defi- dard could require a huge proportion of ciencies have been identified.” public space to become more accessible. She says this policy move seems to be But as it currently stands, the pro- intended to follow a similar trajectory posed standard makes a big assumption: as Ontario’s accessibility legislation, that the current Manitoba Building but that Ontario’s Building Code had Code does not fall under the jurisdic- already been updated and improved, tion of provincial accessibility legislation while Manitoba’s has not. and is already adequately accessible. This “The other thing that this standard would mean any issues with the code has not done well is actually define or the spaces it covers would have to be what public spaces are,” because “pub- supplied photo addressed through a separate process. lic spaces” exist both in public and pri- David Kron of the Cerebral Palsy vate property, she says. While the pro- Inadequacies in the Manitoba Building Code regarding accessibility have some Winnipeggers fearing that Association of Manitoba, Children's posed standard includes examples of new buildings could leave them out in the cold. Coalition and spokesperson for Bar- these spaces, what the standard applies rier Free Manitoba, says exempting the to, what is private and exempt from Kron says this patchwork accessibility do this,” she says. building code, which is supposed to the standard and what falls under the coverage means that “if someone’s put- Kron says this is an opportunity for address barriers toward accessibility in building code is not always clearcut, or ting up a new apartment block ... I can the Province to proactively contribute public spaces, from provincial accessi- is expressed in awkward ways, the inter- get into the front lobby, but I might not to an accessible future. “What we really bility standards is extremely insufficient. viewees argue. be able to actually get into a suite.” want to do for the next generation is to “The building code is just a basic legal Currently, the Manitoba Building Courage also has concerns about the make sure that there is a pool of accessi- requirement for building a building. Code deals with spaces like pedestrian type of accessibility the proposed stan- ble buildings out there,” he says. It’s not best practices, it’s not universal routes and signal systems, parking areas, dard addresses, which she says mostly “(We need to be) teaching people design, it’s not talking to people with recreational trails and beach access pertains to wheelchair use and overlooks good design, teaching people accessibil- lived experience, it’s not putting good routes. It also addresses spaces such as many other accessibility concerns, such ity, have that standard in there so that design out there and educating design- outdoor plazas, public eating areas and as needs for hearing and visual assistance. people with lived experience can edu- ers, architects, interior designers, engi- outdoor parks, play structures and other She also worries about the lack of cate folks,” Kron says. “It doesn’t cost neers on what good accessibility and community spaces. Despite this list, the clear enforcement details. “It’s just a any more to build an accessible build- design is,” he says. document says it’s not “limited” to these document with a bunch of ‘should’s’ in ing, but you need to do it at the design Marnie Courage, CEO of Enabling spaces, which is where definitions start it ... we need there to be an enforcement stage. It costs way more to do it after Access, a company that provides accessi- to get blurry. piece, so that people, more than doing the fact.” the right thing, realize that they have to CAMPUS Iran plane crash: a “Canadian tragedy” U of W has supports for affected students, but no ceremony organized In a letter to the Prime Minister, the callum goulet-kilgour Iranian Canadian Congress, a non-parti- san organization, praised him for “com- campus reporter @cgouletkilgour mitting to bring accountability, transpar- ency and justice for families of the victims On Jan. 8, Ukraine International Airlines as well as working towards a peace that flight 752 was shot down by the Iranian help ensure that such a tragedy will never military minutes after taking off from the happen again.” airport in Tehran. Fifty-seven Canadians Hardanian says that U of W faculty were among the 176 passengers killed in and staff have been “supportive and what has been called a “Canadian trag- there to help.” edy” by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “They’ve been asking around for me, Many of the victims were associated as an Iranian student,” he says, though with universities across Canada, includ- he wishes more students were better ing the University of Manitoba (U of informed about the tragedy. M), where remembrance ceremonies have “Because there wasn’t any memorial, been held in the past weeks. many of the students don’t know what Erfan Hardanian, an Iranian first-year happened so they (can’t) really do some- biochemistry student at the University thing,” he says. “If we would’ve had some photo by keeley braunstein-black of Winnipeg (U of W), says “it was just memorial to just tell people what hap- Erfan Hardanian, an Iranian first-year biochemistry student at the U of W, says that faculty and staff have awful,” when he first heard about the pened, they maybe would show more been ”supportive and there to help“ Iranian students after the Tehran crash that killed 176 passengers. crash, citing confusion over what hap- support or help the families in some way.” pened as exacerbating the situation. The University of Winnipeg Students’ these. Student Wellness offers free coun- offer other resources, such as wellness Hardanian does believe, however, that Association (UWSA) issued a statement selling to anyone “currently registered tips and health services (Klinic on Cam- the Government of Canada has made offering their “deepest condolences to at UWinnipeg in an undergraduate or pus) and organize events on campus such some encouraging moves toward support- everyone who lost loved ones in this trag- graduate program; the English Language as Thrive Week and Bell Let’s Talk Day ing the victims of this tragedy. Recently, edy.” The UWSA encouraged students to Program; or in Professional, Applied and (upcoming on Jan. 29). Trudeau announced that the federal gov- “use the wellness resources found on cam- Continuing Education,” according to ernment will give each victim’s family pus and in the community.” their website. For more information on the U of W’s Stu- $25,000. He has also promised to “expe- At the U of W, supports are in place While counselling is the main service dent Wellness services, visit uwinnipeg.ca/ dite visas and waive fees.” to help students cope with events like offered by Student Wellness, they also student-wellness.

Journalist Jacques Marcoux to give talk on campus Lecture is part of series exploring data in journalism

these decisions by sort of ‘peer-reviewing’ callum goulet-kilgour the assertions being communicated to the public,” Marcoux says. campus reporter @cgouletkilgour “I think this approach has always been relevant for (newsrooms) across the coun- On Jan. 29 from 12:20 to 2:30 p.m., the try, but only in the past decade has this University of Winnipeg’s (U of W) Cen- approach really been taken seriously. tre for Access to Information and Justice “And now you'll see that nearly all of (CAIJ) is hosting CBC journalist Jacques the most impactful news stories or inves- Marcoux, who will talk about “data science tigations contain some sort of data science in Canadian newsrooms.” This event, held component to them.” in room 1L07, is part of the CAIJ’s Politics The CAIJ, which “promotes public of Information Colloquium Series. interest research using freedom of infor- Marcoux says his “presentation will mation (FOI) and access to information supplied photo focus on the increased use of data, sta- (ATI) law,” and is housed in the U of W, tistics and general research methods in “aims to be a leading international hub CBC journalist Jacques Marcoux will give a lecture on data science in Canadian newsrooms on Jan. 29. Canadian newsrooms.” for public interest research on matters “Data journalism is the use of data of freedom of information and access to these data journalists often use freedom tain issues in society can be curbed to a and number-crunching in journalism justice in Canada and beyond,” accord- of information requests. degree,” Marcoux says. to uncover, better explain and/or pro- ing to their website. He says these talks raise the question: “Spreading these concepts, that can vide context to a news story,” according Kevin Walby, associate professor of “What would social science look like if we empower others to think more critically to Techopedia. Examples of this would criminal justice at the U of W, is the started to borrow some of the techniques about the information they consume or include the coloured map showing the CAIJ’s director. that data journalists use?” encounter in their daily lives, I feel is a big “Yes” versus “No” votes in Winnipeg “The CAIJ has a mandate to advance “We really want to foster this kind of part of the journalistic mandate and this during the Portage and Main referendum awareness of public interest research and dialogue between academia, journalism, event fits well into that theme.” that circled social media in 2018. advance research that uses freedom of advocacy and activism, which sometimes This event is the second of four in the “So much digital information gathered information requests,” he says. gets lost,” Walby says. Politics of Information Colloquium Series. by agencies, companies and various levels “This term, we tried to bring in data Marcoux, who has been nominated for of government is used for decision-mak- journalists who are real experts at this a Canadian Screen Award, currently works For more information on the Centre for Access ing and is used to justify all types of policy to try to educate professors, students, as an investigative reporter for CBC News. to Information and Justice’s Politics of Infor- decisions,” Marcoux says. academics, anyone really interested in “Knowing that there is a growing mation Colloquium Series, visit uwinnipeg. “Newsrooms are adapting to this reality trying to do this kind of work for their interest in the use of data gives me hope ca/caij. by building capacity internally to challenge own purposes,” Walby says, adding that that the spread of misinformation on cer- The Uniter // january 23, 2020 13 Durdana Islam Sessional Instructor, Department of Geography, U of W

Keesha Harewood

features reporter @keeshaharewood

One of the things Dr. Durdana Islam loves What is something you’ve about the University of Winnipeg is its learned from your small campus and the sense of community students? that comes with it. “When I teach,” she says, “it’s not just a “That I talk really fast.” student sitting in my class. It’s somebody I would like to build a relationship with. “The students here and the people I If you could have any work with are amazing.” superpower, what would it Islam has been an instructor for the be? Department of Geography for two years. “I would want to eradicate child She came to her position by following her poverty.” interests and her passion to learn. While hopping from IT to business and then to environment, Islam explored each area of study and earned degrees What was your worst grade along the way. in university? “Some people might say ‘oh, you were confused,’” she says. “I’m like ‘no, I was “The worst I got was (a) C+, and I hated just curious.’” it.” In addition to a profound love for teaching, Islam also puts her energy into politics and social justice. “I ran for office in the last provincial How do you think we could election,” she says. be more mindful of the As an NDP candidate from Seine River, environment? Islam believes in having “representatives “It is very important that we know how from all walks of life in politics” and fight- we’re leading our lifestyle, especially our ing for climate justice. Whether in the scope of the univer- carbon footprint. For instance, saying photo by keeley braunstein-black sity or provincial politics, Islam strives to no to plastic. I haven’t used single-use connect with people and create a sense of plastic for a long, long time.” community.

ACADEMIC & CAREER SERVICES EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITIES All players must register as individuals. Teams will be The University will begin the process of creating the created before the tournament using an automatic team T2202 tax forms on Mon., Jan. 20 in order to have the Study Skills Workshops Information Session generator. All skill levels are welcome. forms ready to be posted on WebAdvisor on Fri., Feb. Study Skills Workshops are designed to improve your If you are thinking about going on an exchange, please 28. It is very important that students provide their SIN Food and refreshments will be provided to all participants learning skills and help you achieve your academic goals. join us for an information session: immediately. Fri, Feb 7 after the playoff round and medals/prizes will be awarded The nine workshops cover topics such as note-taking 12:30-2:10 pm to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams. Grades for Fall Term techniques, reading strategies, critical thinking skills, Room 2M70 Grades for Fall Term (U2019F) will be available on time management and test/exam-taking strategies To register online, please go to recreationservices. WebAdvisor on about Thurs., Jan. 23. You can also visit our website at uwinnipeg.ca/ uwinnipeg.ca, click on “Recreation Service Programs” and The series continues until Jan. 29 on Mondays, Tuesdays study-abroad or drop in to the Exchange Opportunities choose “Student Activities and Intramurals.” and Wednesdays in Room 4C60. Changes to SC’s Hours Resource Area: For more information, contact Himal at h.parekh@ Fri., Jan. 24 – SC will be open 9:00 am - 4:15 pm. For more information, go to: uwinnipeg.ca/studyskills 2nd floor, Rice Centre, 2Ri55 uwinnipeg.ca Mon.- Fri., 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. SC’s regular hours are 8:30 am -5:30 pm Monday-Thurs- NEW: Study Skills at Merchant’s Corner day and 8:30 am-4:15 pm on Fridays. Note: The main deadline to apply is March 1. STUDENT CENTRAL For the first time, seven of the Study Skills workshops Winter Term Tuition Fees Locker Rental for Winter Term are being offered on-site at Merchant’s Corner, 541 INTERNATIONAL, IMMIGRANT & Selkirk Ave. The Winter Term (U2019W) Add/Drop Period was Jan. 6-17. Brrrr, it’s chilly weather outside! Need a place to store REFUGEE STUDENT SERVICES The last day to drop a U2019W course and not be charged your toque? Rent a locker for Winter Term! This new series covers most of the same topics as the Academic Success Workshops the fees was Jan. 17. Students who dropped a U2019W regular series on the main campus. course Jan. 18-22 or onwards are still responsible for To rent a locker: IIRSS is offering a series of workshops to help interna- paying all of the course fees. 1) register for your courses The workshops run: tional, immigrant and refugee students maximize their 2) choose a locker location & type or specify a couple of Jan. 20 – Feb 10 academic performance. SINs and Tax Receipts locker numbers Mondays and Wednesdays Starting with the 2019 tax year, the Canada Revenue 3) choose the rental time frame - Winter Term (Jan. 12:15 – 1:00 pm Held every Saturday, each workshop focuses on Agency requires all designated educational institutions 6 – Apr. 21) - $21.00/person Room 115, Merchant’s Corner developing one or two essential study skills, such as reading, note-taking, and time management. to provide students’ Social Insurance Numbers (SIN) on 4) go in-person to Student Central, OR fill out the form AWARDS & FINANCIAL AID the T2202 tax forms and so The University of Winnipeg online at uwinnipeg.ca/lockers Each workshop also features a Library research session, is requesting students’ SIN in order to comply with this Need funding for Winter Term? and Academic Advisors will be on hand to assist with requirement. Fall/Winter Term Courses It’s not too late to apply for student aid funding for degree/program planning. The final day to withdraw from a Fall/Winter Term Fall-Winter 2019-20. You may apply until the Feb. 29. For There is a new module in WebAdvisor and Student (U2019FW) class is Feb. 14. No refund is applicable. Workshops will be held: more information and to apply, please visit Manitoba Planning through which students add their SIN to their Saturdays until Feb. 8 Courses are dropped through WebAdvisor using the Student Aid at edu.gov.mb.ca/msa/. Awards Officers can University record. Please follow these steps: 10:30 am - 2:30 pm “Student Planning/Registration” link. also help during our drop-in hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 IIRSS Office, 8th floor, Rice Centre 1) Login to WebAdvisor am – 4:00 pm, 2nd floor, Rice Centre. Free lunch provided. 2) Click on Current Students STUDENT RECORDS Opportunity Fund & General Bursary winter applications 3) Click on Student Planning/Registration or Student Application Deadline for June Convocation Student Soccer Tournament Finance are due on Jan. 31. For more information, please visit Sat., Feb. 1 is the deadline to apply to graduate at the IIRSS is hosting a semi-competitive Soccer Tournament 4) Choose Social Insurance Number (SIN) Information uwinnipeg.ca/awards and click on “In-Course Awards June 2020 convocation. To apply for graduation, go to on Mon., Feb. 10, from 12 noon to 4:00 pm in the Recplex. 5) Click on the pencil/edit icon on the right side (current students).” the “Student Planning/Registration” link on WebAdvisor. This event is FREE for students, staff and friends. 6) Type in your nine-digit SIN and save Click on the “Graduation” tab and complete the form. COMMENTS

Latitude 53 (in Edmonton) titled “Has Feeding The Community Been Fed?” As the curator-in-residence, Bhangu facilitated public dialogues as a part of her research for her Diaspora upcoming exhibition on utopia, desire, histories of oppression and hopeful futures. Motivated by hospitality and Turmeric stains and other exchange, Bhangu spoke with me about interventions by Artists of Colour how serving food and cooking together created a communal space. christina hajjar “I like to offer something rather than just extract energy and insights from participants,” Bhangu says. “Plus, it speaks to columnist @garbagebagprincess my discomfort in Western institutionalized spaces and the various hierarchies at play I first became enthralled with the concept between staff, artists/curators and the public. of leaving traces in public space when Chil- “Everything is turmeric-stained now. I ean-Canadian ceramics artist Monica Mar- left a colourful imprint – and the gallery tinez told me about her time in art school. staff ate well for the next week.” Working with Albertan red terracotta Turmeric is a basic ingredient for clay (alongside or instead of European Indian cooking, and leaving traces of the

white porcelain), Martinez would leave spice behind was a happy accident for illustration by Gabrielle funk handprints on her canvas, on her table Bhangu, who appreciates the yellow-or- and on random walls around the Uni- ange residue in an institutional setting. versity of Manitoba to claim space and As a Brown diasporic woman, Bhangu’s “He described the perfect institution as space is reoriented, when Artists, Cura- speak to colonialism and hierarchy. research interests are practiced in the way having four doors, meaning it is an open, tors and Art Facilitators of Colour claim The trace of a red-brown imprint jux- she moves through community. Applying inclusive, generous and kind space. Seva and make space, their impact is empow- taposes the perceived purity of white her Sikh Indian family values to the public is while you’re seated on long mats and ering and reverberating. porcelain. In a clean, white institution, it art community paves way for more authen- someone comes around to give you food.” Resilience and co-liberation is the makes visible the tensions experienced by tic connection and nonconventional, mul- The way Bhangu’s values and practices welcoming embrace of a willful hand, a Students of Colour and the legacy of colo- tidirectional modes of learning. became echoed in the conversation struck slippery trace saturated with colour, an nialism and oppression that continues. To alter ergonomics, Bhangu placed a me. By understanding herself as both guest offering of food to plates. I hold Martinez’s gesture as a subtle act rug in the space to encourage floor seat- and host and destabilizing the relations in of reclamation and resistance in an art ing, in addition to the chairs. Facilitating the room, Bhangu embodied and enabled Christina Hajjar is a first-generation Leba- world that often feels elitist, inaccessible small group discussions enabled her to non-hierarchical community-building. nese-Canadian pisces dyke ghanouj with a splash and uncritical for People of Colour. refill plates, visit with people, guide con- This sincerity, generosity and thought- of tender-loving rose water and a spritz of exis- Countering this, what does the ideal versations and thread themes together. fulness is necessary for People of Colour tential lemon, served on ice, baby. Catch her art, artist-run centre look like? Bhangu says that one participant spoke of to thrive in an individualistic, competi- writing and organizing at christinahajjar.com or This is a question curator and scholar Seva, the Sikh and Punjabi practice of mak- tive, ableist, neoliberal art world. @garbagebagprincess. Noor Bhangu asked of her participants ing sure others are well-fed and comfortable Although events and conversations during a series of events she organized at in your space, as the ideal artist-run centre. are ephemeral, surfaces are washed, and

into question the common belief that “hydration is the mark of a well-adjusted, successful person,” along with the flood Targeting ads of tweets on Jan. 1 that proclaimed users’ goals to drink more water in 2020. It’s a new year. Stay you. However, I haven’t seen much media coverage this year about a similar social-me- danielle doiron @daniellemdoiron dia flood. In the first few days of January, I was home sick and midway through a YouTube marathon of Parks and Recreation copy and style editor clips when I spotted an ad for BodyFast, an intermittent fasting app. I see them when I scroll through When the same ad popped up later Instagram or press “play” on another that day, I took a screenshot and decided YouTube video. I hear them during to do so every time I saw any promotion podcast commercial breaks and then, for dietary supplements, workout plans or occasionally, again, echoing in the back of any other products seemingly designed to my mind when I skip a workout or help people become “healthy” and achieve reach for another handful of chips. many of the most commonly made New Many of us have become so accustomed Year’s resolutions. to what I’ve decided to call resolutions-re- I stopped two days later, because images lated advertising that we may not notice it of Dry January challenges, Weight Watch- supplied photo at all. However, that’s especially difficult ers systems and that notorious Peloton bike around this time of year, when many peo- were taking up too much space on my ple choose to make New Year’s resolutions. phone. As a marketer, I can tell you the in a society where many of us rely on our ments, I’ve found myself caught up in the It’s not the practice of goal-setting that obvious: it makes sense to promote these phones and social media accounts to com- idea of “getting fit” before a wedding I plan bothers me, however. I like to plan things products at a time of year when people are municate. These videos, stills and graphics to attend this spring. Speaking of which, out, and I regularly set targets for myself searching for ways to meet their goals. are pervasive and, in many cases, toxic. I have no doubt that I’ll see an influx of in both my professional and personal life – But these ads can also promote feel- These ads serve to sell specific goods, ads a few months from now, as promoters but there seems to be an added pressure to ings of shame, inadequacy and failure. but they also convey other messages. do everything in their power to convince do so at the beginning of a new year. They establish “ideal” body types, habits They tell people that they shouldn’t be folks like me that it’s crucial to prepare for I don’t like to use sweeping terms like and timelines within which people should content with their bodies, minds and “swimsuit season” and “wedding season.” “the media,” especially when I’m talking achieve New Year’s resolutions. lifestyles. Everyone should always strive The entire advertising world won’t sud- about problematic behaviour. After all, I’ve lived with eating disorders for more for more, whether that’s measured in denly wake up tomorrow and realize that I work in that generalized field. In this than a decade and ended up in the emer- terms of financial success, deadlift per- both the sheer volume and content of these case, though, I’ll admit that “the media” gency room on two separate occasions sonal bests or inches off a waistline. promotions can be harmful. Even if they can often turn New Year’s celebrations last year after I took intermittent fasting At the start of this decade, I made did, I doubt anything would change. So for into a chore. too far and fell back on dangerous eating myself a promise. I wouldn’t set a New now, I’m doing my best to ignore these ads, Around the end of December, it’s diffi- behaviours. Seeing those BodyFast ads Year’s resolution, no matter how many ads be comfortable with who I am and get back cult to even log into Facebook without see- reminded me both of those visits and the tempted me to do so. Instead, I’m trying to watching Leslie Knope highlights. ing news articles detailing advice for how to fact that I’m not currently dieting. Every to do something that may actually benefit choose and then actually keep resolutions. time I saw that little green icon, I was my health, well-being and sense of self- Danielle Doiron is a writer, editor and mar- I clicked on one such article from tempted to fall back into what I know are worth. I’m avoiding diets, exercise fads and keter based in Winnipeg. She can’t eat wheat The New York Times titled “Everyone’s unhealthy patterns. water-tracking apps to give myself a break. right now, so if you have any killer gluten-free Resolution Is to Drink More Water in It’s hard if not impossible to escape It’s only January, and this hasn’t been recipes, send ‘em over. 2020.” To my surprise, this story called resolutions-related advertising, especially easy. Amid the onslaught of advertise- COMMENTS Diversions The Uniter // january 23, 2020 15

Across 1. Gestured greeting 23. Mai __ 36. Cartoon gal's dance 57. Bush or LBJ costume? 5. As far as 24. Make __: market 58. Serious ceremonies successfully 39. '90s attorney 9. Rock of comedy 59. Vassal 25. Toodle-oo from a general 14. Afghanistan neighbor 61. Movie dog's faux pas? family member? 42. Pointer and clicker 15. Get ready to operate 63. Underground conduit 27. Cash, in law 43. Filmdom's Babe, e.g. 16. Like many wetlands 64. Eclipse, in olden days 29. Get back in business 46. Gridiron complement 17. Assent from a Caron 65. Choice word character? 30. Old Atl. crosser 49. Web search tool 66. Dangerous curves 19. About face, e.g. 31. It may shimmer in the 51. Le Pew's goose? desert 67. Old dough in Naples 20. Not as good 55. Hops driers 35. Mob monitors 68. Poor grades 21. Garden crawlers 56. "Gross!" Down 1. Braves' homes 11. Bureaucratic excess 34. Tommy's dad in 45. Painters' plasterlike 2. Tuneful ditties 12. Conceived of "Rugrats" preparations 3. Alley sleeper 13. Damascus natives 36. Something to fall in 47. Fragrant compounds 4. Maroon, in a way 18. "Later" 37. Take advantage of 48. Raleigh-to-Richmond dir. 5. Letters on a brown shirt 22. Narrow-bodied river fish 38. Many opera heroes 50. Put on pounds 6. Light bender 26. Vegan staple 39. Drive back, as an enemy 52. Go on and on about 7. Edison contemporary 28. Mineo of "Rebel Without 40. Poems of passing 53. Watts or Judd 8. Poppy narcotic a Cause" 41. Sons of sisters 54. Keyboard key 9. La __, Wisconsin 32. Bottom line 43. Old Spanish coin 60. "Really!" 10. Part of HMS 33. Bar intro? 44. Acute 62. Top number

Solution to issue 74-13 sudoku write Next orientation Jan. 29, 5 to for us! 6 p.m.

The Uniter is seeking writers.

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See uniter.ca/volunteer for a full schedule of orientations. The next orientation is Jan 29. 5 to 6 p.m. in ORM 14 in the Bulman Centre at the University of Winnipeg.