FREE. WEEKLY. VOLUME 75—ISSUE 05—OCT. 8, 2020

LIBRARY SECURITY COMES THE UPS AND DOWNS OF RWB DANCES AT A DISTANCE—P3 DOWN—P11 DIAGNOSES—P15

HARM REDUCTION IN THE TIME OF COVID

UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG AND DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER ON THE COVER Arts and culture editor Beth Schellenberg looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Winnipeg's ongoing overdose crisis. Read more on page 7. STRIFE OF BRIAN

THOMAS PASHKO @THOMASPASHKO MANAGING EDITOR

This week’s cover feature, by arts and culture editor Beth Schellenberg, ex- amines how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated Manitoba’s overdose crisis. But longtime readers of The Uniter will recognize that this crisis didn’t start with COVID. Since Brian Pallister’s election in 2016, The Uniter has been examining how the premier’s approach to health- care and drug policy has wreaked hav- oc on all Manitobans, especially those who use drugs. Whether it’s his opposition to safe-in- jection sites, his moralizing tone or his emphasis on policing over access to care, Pallister has taken every possible opportunity to further criminalize some of the most vulnerable Manitobans. It’s upsetting, but not surprising. It’s entirely in line with his overarching approach to governance, which almost always sub- stitutes compassion with cruelty. His and his government’s callous positions on COVID aid have severely affected Manitobans at risk of overdos- ing, leaving community organizations to pick up the slack. But his disastrous handling of the pandemic has only worsened the deep and long-running problems he’s created. It was in November 2019, months before the pandemic started, that Uniter comments editor Haley Pauls examined the difficulty in accessing lo- cal detox care. In April 2019, I penned an op-ed about how Pallister’s closures of clinics and emergency rooms coin- cided with not just an increase in over- doses, but also an outbreak of syphilis and a drastic decrease in the quality of prenatal and neonatal care. Has Pallister’s government been collecting data on which communities, demographics or neighbourhoods are impacted by cuts? In April 2019, the answer to that question was “no.” Eighteen months later, things have only gotten worse. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

ILLUSTRATION BY GABRIELLE FUNK

Columnist Hannah Magnusson writes about the benefits and pitfalls of mental illness diagnoses in this week'sLife on the Borderline. Read more on

@TheUniter @TheUniter facebook.com/ page 15. theuniter

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MANAGING EDITOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER WRITERS GENERAL INQUIRIES Submissions of articles, letters, graphics and photos are encouraged, however, all new contributors (with Thomas Pashko — [email protected] Callie Lugosi — [email protected] Abigail Byle [email protected] Matthew Flisfeder the exception of letters to the editor) must attend a BUSINESS MANAGER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Hannah Magnusson ADVERTISING 45-minute volunteer orientation workshop to ensure Olivia Norquay — [email protected] Keeley Braunstein-Black — [email protected] Jerrad Peters [email protected] that the volunteer understands all of the publication’s basic guidelines. CREATIVE DIRECTOR STAFF ILLUSTRATOR Talia Steele­ — [email protected] Gabrielle Funk — [email protected] In-person volunteer orientations are currently ROOM 0RM14 suspended due to COVID-19, but over-the-phone UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR FEATURES REPORTER and remote orientations can be arranged. Please 515 PORTAGE AVENUE Beth Schellenberg — [email protected] Keesha Harewood — [email protected] email [email protected] for more details. WINNIPEG, MANITOBA FEATURES EDITOR ARTS & CULTURE REPORTER R3B 2E9 Deadline for advertisements is noon Friday, six days Charlie Morin — [email protected] Naaman Sturrup — [email protected] TREATY ONE TERRITORY prior to publication. The Uniter reserves the right to HOMELAND OF THE MÉTIS NATION refuse to print material submitted by volunteers. The CITY EDITOR ARTS & CULTURE REPORTER Uniter will not print submissions that are homophobic, Alex Neufeldt — [email protected] Hannah Foulger — [email protected] MOUSELAND PRESS BOARD misogynistic, transphobic, ableist, racist or libellous. COMMENTS EDITOR CITY REPORTER OF DIRECTORS: Kristin Annable We also reserve the right to edit for length/style. Haley Pauls — [email protected] Cierra Bettens — [email protected] (chair), Anifat Olawoyin, Larissa Peck, Andrew Tod, and CAMPUS REPORTER COPY & STYLE EDITOR Jack Walker — For inquiries Danielle Doiron — [email protected] Callum Goulet-Kilgour — [email protected] email: [email protected] PHOTO EDITOR VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR Daniel Crump — [email protected] Vacant ARTS THE UNITER OCTOBER 8, 2020 3

BACK TO STUDIO Royal Winnipeg Ballet returns with smaller performance series

HANNAH FOULGER ARTS AND CULTURE REPORTER @FOULGERSCOVFEFE @SPEAKSTORY

The annual Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) creation but with some revivals of more production of The Nutcracker has been can- neo-classical genres,” Lewis says. “We will celled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. present smaller works where we respect The Nutcracker has been part of the RWB whatever the (public health) guidelines are season since 1999. In lieu of the beloved clas- in place at the time. In November, it will be sic, the RWB will present stripped-down per- movement-driven. It is not going to be about formance pieces in their Founder’s Studio. costumes, props. It is essentially a black-box RWB was forced to cancel several shows performance.” this year, including their spring and fall line- The benefit of a black-box studio, as op- up, which would have been at the Centennial posed to the proscenium stage at their reg- Concert Hall with the Winnipeg Symphony ular venue, the Centennial Concert Hall, is Orchestra, and a full production with the that the seating can be arranged to allow for spectacle of set, props and lighting design. different audience configurations. Due to “We took an incremental approach,” social distancing guidelines, the venue will RWB artistic director and CEO André only allow for 40 to 50 people for the per- PHOTO BY CALLIE LUGOSI Lewis says. “We decided to watch what was formances, depending on the composition happening.” Under normal circumstances, of bubbles, and the guidelines set forth by Royal Winnipeg Ballet's artistic director and CEO André Lewis they would have started their season in July the government at that time. with Ballet in the Park. The December performance will feature Associate artistic director Tara Birtwhis- suites with a holiday theme, including from finding ways to safely present their work “Creativity continues. The human spirit tle says, “Although our production of The The Nutcracker. Lewis says “The Nutcracker to the public during the pandemic, as their will continue no matter what,” Lewis says. Nutcracker has been cancelled, we’re happy will have a more classical base (than the No- budgets have tightened. “We have to find new, creative ways of doing to have dancers back in the studio, separat- vember performance). The suites will respect “We can’t offer the production, but we this. That is what makes the art form excit- ed in smaller groups, social distancing with the tradition of The Nutcracker.” can still offer dance,” Birtwhistle says. “The ing. We can do this. We have to do this.” masks, but they are still together doing what RWB, along with Shakespeare in the Ru- arts have always brought everybody togeth- they love to do.” ins, Martha Street Studio and other arts or- er. If it is going to be in smaller places, if it’s The studio series performances will be in The dancers will be back in the studio the ganizations, received stimulus funding from going to be with smaller audiences, then the third week of November and the third second week of October, preparing for the the Canada Council for the Arts. RWB also we’ll still do that. We’ll still bring dance, but week of December in the RWB Founder’s first performance in late November. These benefited from the federal government’s it will be in a different space.” Studio at 380 Graham Ave. The venue is performances will be around 90 minutes wage subsidy, but they still had to lay off The budgets may be smaller, performanc- wheelchair accessible. More information long, with no intermission. some of their staff. es may look different, but the dancers are on how to buy tickets and live stream the “November will be focused more on Many different arts organizations are still dancing. studio series is on the RWB website.

YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW Percy gives insight into complexities of farming and patent rights

NAAMAN STURRUP ARTS AND CULTURE REPORTER @NAAMANSTURRUP

Manitoba farms account for 12.3 per cent seems genuinely invested in helping the of Canada’s agricultural area. Canola is the Schmeisers, but over time, hidden motives main field crop in the province, making surface, and her integrity is questioned as Percy arguably one of the most fitting mov- she begins to put publicity and fundraising ies for Manitoba’s agricultural community. before the well-being of the Schmeisers. Percy, filmed in Canada, the United Johnson gives some insight into some of the States and India, is set to be released in the- main characters’ developments in the film. atres on Oct. 9. Directed by Clark Johnson, In situations like Salcau’s, “the question the film is set in Bruno, Sask. in 1997. always comes up, ‘does the end justify the Based on a true story, it stars Christo- means?’” he says. pher Walken as Percy Schmeiser, a small- “Whatever the cause and the (support- town Saskatchewan farmer who becomes ing) non-profit organization are, you have embroiled in a legal battle with the agri- to gather the money to be effective. Her cultural corporation Monsanto over the main challenge was that she ended up use of their genetically modified canola. connecting personally with the family, Their legal battle eventually makes its way which was a struggle. The big picture was SUPPLIED PHOTO to the Supreme Court of Canada. that they had to stop Monsanto and their Unbeknownst to Schmeiser, the ge- hoard of lawyers, and that was the task, Christopher Walken in a scene from Percy netically modified crops have done well and sometimes there is collateral damage. and integrated with his own crops. How- She says it in the film that even if Percy ever, after reaping the harvest that year, does not win, he is going to champion of anxiety and worry as he faces some of some of the world’s leading scholars on ag- Schmeiser receives an unexpected seed in their cause and help them move forward the world’s leading agricultural spokes- riculture,” Johnson says. the mail: a request from Monsanto to pay with our endeavours.” people. Facing the different emotions of “It was a little overwhelming, but that a technology fee for using their crops with- As the film progresses, Percy gained the crowd, he takes a step back, gathers his was that moment for him to rise to the oc- out a license. attention while fundraising for his cause, thoughts and approaches the mic to deliv- casion and to become the Percy Schmeiser As the story unfolds, Schmeiser risks which ultimately leads to him travelling er a message to reaffirm the audience to that took it to the Supreme Court of Can- his fortune and reputation to fight against and speaking at an agricultural conven- band together to fight against Monsanto. ada.” Monsanto. One of the most seemingly in- tion in India. During his speech, one of “In that moment, we wanted to remind nocent characters in the film is Rebecca the film’s most powerful moments hap- the audience that this guy had never set Percy opens Oct. 9 at Landmark Cinemas Salcau (Christina Ricci). Salcau is intro- pens: Percy, who is normally independent out to come to India to speak to this huge 8 Grant Park and Cineplex Odeon McGilli- duced as a loving environmentalist who and strong-willed, is brought to a moment group filled with energy and opinions, and vray Cinemas and VIP. ARTS DIAPHANIE FINDS SOMETHING BETTER ATLAAS lead singer undergoes transformational rebranding

HANNAH FOULGER ARTS AND CULTURE REPORTER @FOULGERSCOVFEFE @SPEAKSTORY

Heather Thomas, former lead singer of “It is not the new sound, but it is part of ATLAAS, has entered a new stage of her it,” Diaphanie says. She is inspired by Caro- music career. Thomas, who was also a line Polachek and Rina Sawayama, two mu- member of ukulele ’90s R&B covers duo sicians who demonstrate a broad appreciation Bunny, has re-emerged under the name of genres in single albums. Diaphanie with her new single and music “I don’t have to have a specific sound that I video “Something Better.” need to stick to. That was part of what made Diaphanie is a project two years in the ATLAAS stifling. I wanted to explore differ- making. Her original plan was to release ent things, and I didn’t feel it was the place to music in the spring and tour in the summer do that,” she says. and fall for the first time as Diaphanie. Then With Diaphanie, she wanted to em- COVID-19 hit and, like many artists, her brace her feminine side, saying, “I chose plans changed. (ATLAAS) because it’s gender-neutral and “I got really depressed and uninterested in doesn’t necessarily bring forth the feminine making music or being creative. I felt lonely, or the masculine. I did that as a way of hid-

(like) a lot of people did, so I ended up reach- ing myself. I’ve started this new project. I SUPPLIED PHOTO ing out to a couple of close friends who are wanted it to be 100 per cent me. I wanted it also artists and were also feeling unfulfilled to be focused on me as a person and less on Heather Thomas, former lead singer of ATLAAS, is starting a new music project under the moniker creatively and reevaluating art as a career,” an idea,” Diaphanie says. Diaphanie. Diaphanie says. “So I said ‘let’s play a game. The word she chose to describe her new Let’s make collaboration from afar.’” vibe was diaphanous, to which she added an Guitarist Matt Dirks sent her a guitar “ie” to make it sound more feminine. She “At a certain point, I was considering quit- the baseline for me is making music that I’m track, and she wrote a complete set of lyrics then found out that diaphanie is the art of ting music, because I was so exhausted, de- really proud of and not worrying about what before she tossed them out, to write, as Di- recreating stained glass on translucent paper. pleted and overwhelmed. I realized that I just is going to happen after that.” aphanie says, laughing, “something better” “It was perfect,” Diaphanie says. couldn’t keep doing it alone,” she says. for Dirks’ track. In August, they dropped the The shift in musical direction also comes In the months ahead, Diaphanie intends Diaphanie’s single “Something Better” is single and released the music video. with a shift in management. ATLAAS was a to release more new singles. streaming on Spotify and Apple Music and Directed by Samanta Katz, the whimsical self-managed project, but Diaphanie is man- “I’ve let go of the fear that if I make some- available for purchase on Bandcamp. Her video features Diaphanie collaborators Matt aged by Winnipeg actor Jessina Cheffins. thing different than what I made before, that next single, “Crossfaded,” will be available Dirks and Elessar Thiessen and their playful Giving away some of that responsibility has people won’t like it,” she says. “I’ve really loved on Oct. 23. folky song. They shot the film guerilla-style eased the stress of having a career in the arts people’s response to “Something Better,” but in three hours, in a field of warming huts. off Diaphanie’s shoulders.

THE SPOOKIEST HALLOWEEN YET Winnipeg tries to keep celebrations going

NAAMAN STURRUP ARTS AND CULTURE REPORTER @NAAMANSTURRUP

Although Halloween may look and be ex- Though the object of the hunt is sim- perienced differently this year, there are ple, the outcome is far more rewarding, as still indoor and outdoor activities planned it raises awareness for dyslexia, a learning around Winnipeg to keep the holiday disability that is estimated to affect one spirit alive. out of five Canadians. Hernando says although dyslexia has Knock-knocks turn to beep-beeps not garnered much attention in Manito- For trick-or-treating, one of the most ba in the past, there are now significant communal aspects of Halloween, to con- strides to help publicize it. tinue this year, there must be significant “Last year, we got the Minister of Ed- protocols in place to ensure safety. Friends ucation, Kelvin Goertzen, to proclaim of Dyslexia (FOD) aims to make use of October as Dyslexia Awareness Month, social distancing with their Cruisin’ the which is huge for the dyslexia communi- City Halloween Hunt by car on Oct. 17. ty,” she says. FOD vice-president Amber Bollen- “It is really good that we are having this SUPPLIED PHOTO bach-Hernando says that after the success of event in October, because we can really promote awareness as much as we can.” Killer Noob Escapes is one of many local businesses and organizations trying to provide options to last year’s hunt at the Canadian Museum for celebrate Halloween safely. Human Rights, it was a no-brainer to have It's even smaller? this event again, with some adjustments. “Last year, we decided that we were go- Creepy clowns and being buried alive may ing to do this again. Unfortunately, the not be for the faint of heart, but these aesthet- cape-room fanatics, and every time we Though this possibly makes KNE the pandemic has created a little difficulty,” ics are what makes Winnipeg’s newest escape travel, we go out to do escape rooms in cleanest escape room in Winnipeg, it is she says. room, Killer Noob Escapes (KNE), special. other cities,” she says. still a difficult time for businesses. How- “To make this safe and fun for every- Founder Lisa Bernstein says they are integral “We visited one in Las Vegas, and the ever, Bernstein remains adamant that this body and an event that everyone can par- to Winnipeg’s Halloween experience. aesthetics were super cool, almost like is necessary to help preserve a sense of cel- ticipate in, we thought, ‘why not in our “This is a perfect fit for us, where we try walking into a movie set. So after that, ebratory normalcy in Winnipeg. cars, looking around Winnipeg and seeing to capture the spirit of Halloween and give we began talking about what we would do “That is why we wanted to have our what the city has to offer?’” Winnipeg something fun they can do with differently (and) what it would be like if grand opening in October, because (we FOD has created several clues around their groups in their bubbles,” she says. we can bring something like that to Win- wanted to create a) safe way to celebrate Winnipeg, which will be outlined in a As KNE recently opened on Oct. 3, nipeg. So we decided, ‘why don't we?’” Halloween,” she says. map distributed on the night of the hunt. Bernstein reflects on the business’ cre- Mandatory masks, cleaning all high- When a team finds a checkpoint, there ation with her partner Chris McMillan ly touched surfaces and props between Tickets for Cruisin’ the City can be pur- will be volunteers, mostly from the KC and what they are doing to adjust to new bookings, using UV germicidal lamps and chased on Eventbrite, and rooms at Kill- Dyslexic Learning Centre, in their cars health guidelines. reducing group sizes are measures now in er Noob Escapes can be reserved at with bags of candy as rewards. “(Chris and I) have always been es- place at KNE. killernoobescapes.com. CRITIPEG HEROES RISE: THE PRODIGY Available on Steam and choiceofgames.com

KEESHA HAREWOOD FEATURES REPORTER @KEESHAHAREWOOD

In the vast collection of Zachary Ser- In this game, the player’s choices not gi’s interactive novels/text-based games, only impact the outcome of the story, but Heroes Rise: The Prodigy is a badass, they shape the kind of hero they are to the campy, quirky, queer, drama-filled romp world. The player builds their persona for where the player is an up-and-coming the world to scrutinize, and the payoff for superhero who tries to save their city and their choices can, at times, be punishing cultivate their fame. or exhilarating. Either way, the outcome is Released in 2012, this game is the first meaningful and earned. installment of the Heroes Rise trilogy and This is due to Sergi’s skill and writing plays a significant role in the ever-growing ability. He’s able to balance action-packed world of the Sergiverse. drama with hilarity and silliness, while The most notable aspect of this game also ensuring the outcomes are appropri- are the abundant queer characters. While ate for the decisions made. a player can customize their character to Sergi’s characters have depth, are cleverly be queer and have that be reflected in the written and have a knack for challenging world of the story (for instance, in the the player. At times, the player is forced way their friends and family talk to them to reconsider their preconceived notions about their personal life and the romance- or opinions regarding difficult (at times, able characters that the player has the polarizing) topics. No stance is framed as option to court during the game), there right or wrong, but they always garner a SUPPLIED PHOTO are many side characters who adopt labels response from the people of the world. on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum in a multi- Between fighting evil forces and helping tude of ways. civilians, Sergi guides the player through And the best part? They’re the heroes! emotional moments with the side charac- fascinating the first time around, during adventure. Most importantly, it’s a fun That said, depending on one’s choices ters. Depending on what the player decides, the second playthrough (provided if dif- time! And with the game being free to throughout the story, some of those char- these moments could be heated or heartful. ferent choices are made), they reveal dif- play (with two-hour breaks between chap- acters might turn on the player. Others Antagonistic or endearing. Sometimes, ferent aspects of themselves that make ters), there’s opportunity to at least try it might be their allies. However, the versa- they can be everything all at once. them even more well-rounded. out and see if it’s worth it to play ’til the tility in their behaviour is the direct result This makes the replay value of the game Ultimately, Heroes Rise: The Prodigy is end and beyond. of the player’s choices. especially high. While the characters are a great beginning to a three-part super

CKUW TOP 30 ARTS BRIEFS BETH SCHELLENBERG ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR @BETHGAZELLENBERG September 8, 2020

TW = This Week // LW = Last Week // ! = Local content // * = Canadian Content TW LW C Artist Album Label Theory at home Free Sunday at the 1 ! Silver Clouds Silver Clouds Disintegration MAWA’s monthly Theory and Beer event WAG will be held online this month at 6:30 p.m. on 2 ! Slow Leaves Shelf Life Birthday Cake Thursday, Oct 8. Guided by Allison Stevens, Free Sunday is back at the Winnipeg Art 3 Matmos The Consuming Flame: Thrill Jockey an experimental film maker and mixed-me- Gallery (300 Memorial Blvd.) from 11 a.m. to Open Exercises In Group Form dia artist from Winnipeg, this session will 5 p.m. on Oct. 11. Masks are mandatory, and there is plenty of space to socially distance. 4 * Tough Age Which Way Am I? Mint explore the idea of art for art’s sake. Email Adriana at [email protected] to gain ac- There are some family friendly activities be- 5 ! Sean Burns It Takes Luck To Get The Best Of Me Self-Released cess to the Zoom link and the reading that tween 2 and 4 p.m., and the theme is “Cel- 6 Built To Spill Plays The Songs Of Daniel Johnston Ernest Jenning will be discussed. ebrate the International Year of Indigenous languages.” 7 * Zoon Bleached Wavves Paper Bag

8 Various Artists Metal Postcard 2020 Metal Postcard Lockdown Samples

9 Black Marble I Must Be Living Twice Sacred Bones 10 * Laurence-Anne Accident Bonsound Reel Pride Storying Violence 11 Godcaster Long Haired Locusts Ramp Local This year, Reel Pride Festival is, like so many A panel discussion with authors Gina Star- 12 Trevor Powers Capricorn Fat Possum other events, going online. Programming runs blanket (University of Calgary) and Dallas from Oct. 13 to 18 and features 24 different Hunt (University of British Columbia) called 13 Jobs Endless Birthdays Ramp Local films, the Canadian Short Film Competition “Storying Violence During the Stanley Tri- 14 * Pharis And Jason Romero Bet On Love Lula and Festival Art Show. Passes and screening al” is being re-broadcast by the 2020 Thin 15 * Freak Heat Waves Zap The Planet Telephone Explosion schedules can be found at reelpride.tixit.ca/on- Air Winnipeg International Writers Festival. line/default.asp. The discussion will be broadcast on Zoom 16 * Braids Shadow Offering Secret City on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 11:30 a.m. The 17 Narrow Head 12th House Rock Run For Cover Zoom link can be found at facebook.com/ 18 * Tommy And The Commies Hurtin' 4 Certain Ep Slovenly events/807251376717189/.

19 Protomartyr Ultimate Success Today Domino

20 Wicca Phase Springs Eternal This Moment I Miss Run For Cover

21 * New Fries The Idea Of Us Telephone Explosion 22 * Wares Survival Miint Winnipeg Film Group 23 Woods Strange To Explain Woodsist Workshop 24 ! Billy Simard Secret Ki-Keek Quan Luong is hosting a camera and lighting 25 ! Pip Skid & Rob Crooks It's Ok Marathon Of Dope workshop at the Black Lodge (304-100 Ar- 26 Washed Out Purple Noon Partisan thur St.) on Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 27 Video Age Pleasure Line Winspear 11. The workshop is designed for beginners and intermediate filmmakers and will teach 28 ! Mouthfeel Mouthfeel Self-Released basic camera knowledge, low-budget light- 29 Vinyl Williams Azure Requiem Pour Un Twister ing options and how to film with natural light. 30 Baseball Game Baseball Game House Arrest To register, go to winnipegfilmgroup.com. THE UNITER IS SEEKING WRITERS

You don't need experience, just a desire to tell stories! Volunteers can write a maximum of one story a week. There are no minimum requirement of stories for volunteers to produce. Volunteers can write as little or often as they would like. See your work in newsprint, online and distributed around the city while you enhance your skills.

For more information, email [email protected]. Words by Beth Schellenberg Arts and Culture Editor @bethgazellenberg

FEATURE Photos by Daniel Crump Photo Editor @ dannyboycrump

Illustrations by Talia Steele Creative Director @ st_talula

Harm reduction in the time of COVID

While news of the COVID-19 pandemic has flooded our the Health Sciences Centre’s emergency department. That $3.5 “I have to clarify that, actually, the government is doing feeds, and rightly so, an opioid crisis of devastating propor- million sounds like a lot of money, especially when announced nothing ... There is talk about HSC, but when you put a unit in tions has been quietly ravaging communities in Winnipeg and with ample fanfare, but compared to the kind of cash quietly HSC and hire new security guards and nurses, it is seen by the across the province. spent by the City and Province on other projects (such as the community as a security issue. It has nothing to do with care,” Travel restrictions and general upheaval have disrupted expansion of Kenaston Boulevard to service ill-advised new Kolb says. the drug supply and made room for an influx of fentanyl and suburbs, which ran the City and Province over $50 million), it The $3.5 million will be spent, as Kolb says, largely on security carfentanil that has resulted in the highest number of overdoses seems like a pittance. measures to deal with meth-related incidents, despite a dire need on record in our city. According to Arlene Kolb, founder of Overdose Awareness for safe supplies, injection sites and long-term programming. On Sept. 3, the provincial government announced that they Manitoba, this initiative will have very little impact on the drug were allocating $3.5 million to improve addiction support at crisis in its current manifestation.

Feature continues on next page. 8 THE UNITER OCTOBER 8, 2020 FEATURE WHEN PANDEMICS COLLIDE

The provincial government allocated millions of dollars to increase security around addictions care at Health Sciences Centre, a move that experts say does nothing to address addictions.

In a provincial press release, PC Justice practice several times during the summer. Minister Cliff Cullen explains that the new Dustin Novak, a pharmacy assistant at beds and security staff at HSC will help by Brothers Pharmacy (625 Selkirk Ave.) who “speeding up offload times and allow(ing) provides naloxone training to community police officers to more quickly return to members and organizations, explains that a patrolling city streets and ensuring they are nasal application of the compound is much safe for all Winnipeggers. easier to use, which is crucial in a crisis. “This investment reflects our govern- “It takes seconds instead of minutes,” ment’s efforts to public safety and improv- Novak says. ing mental health and addictions services Conversely, injectable naloxone requires in Winnipeg and across the province, par- using a syringe and breaking a glass ticularly for those suffering from meth-as- ampoule, all while trying to give CPR and sociated psychosis.” call an ambulance. Novak says while the Marion Willis, executive director at pricing of nasal kits is higher than inject- Morberg House, says in a CTV article that able ones, “I would assume that some of the it is precisely the lack of a supply of meth other costs that are going into not having in Winnipeg, due in large part to travel a nasal narcan program would be relieved, restrictions, that has led to a rash of opi- such as ambulance rides and potential oid-related overdoses, making this decision deaths.” to amp up meth-related security out of step Kolb believes a lack of easy access to nal- with the current situation. oxone is largely due to the stigma that sur- While increased funding at HSC will rounds drug use. allow for a greater police presence on the “We have a premier who has no inter- street (despite petitions to defund Winni- est in educating himself about addictions. peg police garnering over 150,000 signa- It is a moral issue of right and wrong (for tures), it fails to address the real needs of him), and this trickles down. The way our people who use drugs. healthcare system is run, our (provincial) The introduction of fentanyl and carfen- government just says ‘no, don’t do it.’ There tanil has poisoned Winnipeg’s drug supply is a lack of education with our Minister of and resulted in over 550 cases of naloxone Health, the people who need to know these (also known by the brand name Narcan) things,” she says. being administered by the Winnipeg Fire Long-term care and rehabilitation for and Paramedic Service between January people who use drugs is basically nonexis- and June this year. These numbers would tent in Manitoba, according to Kolb, which and school programs,” Novak says. open-door policy when it comes to sobriety. be much higher if administration of nalox- she believes is central to the problem. Cole explains that “at WE24, we are all Lou Gandier and Helga Jakobson, who one by community members and organiza- “A bed is not a home. We have to ques- harm reduction all the time.” are ArtsJunktion co-directors, have noticed tions could be accounted for. tion what is enough,” she says. “It is a mindset. It’s how you approach a sharp downturn in the mental health and “The drug supply right now is cut with Novak explains that detox programs caring for someone, which is individualistic wellness of the community they serve. They terrible things. When you work in this field provide a helpful initial step, but would ... Folks can come in (to WE24) in any state have also heard positive things from people for a while, you can identify different reac- be far more effective if followed by lon- they are in. They can be high or coming in their neighbourhood about how other tions, whereas now it’s unpredictable. Folks ger-term supports. down,” they say. grassroots organizations and the supports who are used to using a certain kind and “Detox programs are great, but it would WE24 is unique in this aspect, as many they provide are crucial. amount of drug now overdose. It’s a big be so much more help if they had programs programs and shelters require sobriety from “People need to be welcomed into a com- issue. Overdoses have gone way up,” David that could go to long-term, new living sit- participants. ArtsJunktion, a community munity with whatever capacity they have. F. Cole, operations director of the West uations. I see potential for so much more organization that provides a safe and inclu- Resources from within community-driven End 24-Hour Safe Space (WE24), says. if they were to offer three-month or six- sive space for people to explore their cre- organizations where folks are able to show The staff at WE24 received training to month or even two-year programs where ativity using pay-what-you-can, take-what- up as they are are incredibly important. administer naloxone through Street Connec- people can get away from the lifestyle that you-need recycled materials, also has an The increase in awareness of spaces like tions. Cole says this training has been put to led to addiction and have access to work FEATURE WHEN PANDEMICS COLLIDE

Lou Gandier (left) and Helga Jakobson (right) at ArtsJunktion in Winnipeg’s Exchange District

WE24, as well as resources for (naloxone) Conservative provincial government here ment, and in a CTV interview said “there This option of a safe supply comes at through orgs like Central Neighbourhoods in Manitoba. are as many dangers as positives out of hav- the recommendation of Dr. Theresa Tam, and Street Connections, are creating a more Justice Minister Cullen referred to an ing a so-called safe injection site. It draws Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, but, well-informed harm-reduction approach,” NDP report outlining a harm-reduction drug dealers. It draws crime.” given Pallister’s reticence to move beyond Gandier and Jakobson say. approach to the crisis of addiction and over- In addition to safe-injection sites, which abstinence-based treatment models, it Harm-reduction principles, while readily dose as “half-baked and dangerous,” going overwhelmingly lower overdose mortality, seems unlikely that Manitoba Health will embraced by many healthcare professionals, on to say “Wab Kinew wants to tell kids it is now possible for provinces to import pursue this potentially life-saving option. community organizations and the govern- it's okay to do meth and other illicit drugs.” prescription-grade heroin (diacetylmor- Pallister, who has infamously spent one- ments of other provinces, unsurprisingly do Premier Brian Pallister has repeatedly phine) as a treatment for adults with opi- fifth of his time as premier on vacation in not appear to resonate with the Progressive emphasized abstinence and law enforce- oid dependency. the tropics, often peddles austerity and has 10 THE UNITER OCTOBER 8, 2020 FEATURE WHEN PANDEMICS COLLIDE

The Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre where WE24 is located. WE24 is a 24-hour safe space in Winnipeg’s West End neighbourhood.

Street Connections offers support for people seeking Signs and mementos adorn the Manitoba Overdose Awareness Memorial Garden in Stephen Juba Park. counselling and housing, and also offers naloxone kits and safe supplies. WE24 is a safe gutted Manitoba’s healthcare and social racism, poverty and trauma, rather than environment for youth aged 13 services throughout his tenure, despite as a morally righteous “war on drugs,” it is receiving $400 million from the federal gov- nearly unbelievable that drug use and addic- to 26, and Main Street Project ernment in 2017 to fund health, including tion are still criminalized, and that those provides non-judgmental care mental health and addictions services. who are dying are treated with stigma rather In a letter sent to the provincial and than empathy. for adults. territorial ministers, Canada’s Minister of As with so many aspects of our society, If you are looking to learn how Health, Honorable Patty Hajdu writes: “It is the pandemic has starkly revealed the deep vital that we recognize substance-use disor- cracks that have always existed in our social to administer naloxone, der is a health and social issue, and that we systems. Brothers Pharmacy offers treat people who use drugs with compassion “It puts a magnifier on what is lacking, and give them the support that they need.” but we already knew those things were lack- training on a rolling basis, In the letter, she also refers to the overdose ing,” Cole says. so give them a call. They crisis as “one of the most significant public Now we are being forced to reckon health crises in recent Canadian history.” with these failures and decide as a culture also have naloxone kits. Between 2016 and 2019 alone, over 15,000 if we want to do right by those who have people lost their lives to presumed opioid-re- been historically left behind due to age-old lated causes in Canada. conservative notions of moralism and vic- When viewed as a public health crisis tim-blaming. that exists at the crossroads of colonialism, THE UNITER OCTOBER 8, 2020 11 CITY

BOOKS WITHOUT BARRIERS Millennium Library reopens without security screening

CIERRA BETTENS CITY REPORTER @FICTIONALCIERRA @CIERRABETTENS

Frequenters of the Millennium Library advocated for the removal of the security may notice an absence upon their arrival. barriers, Selman says the suspension is pre- As part of the third phase of reopening ceded by over a year-and-a-half’s work of libraries, Millennium Library has now community organizing and resistance. opened its doors without security screening Selman, who also works as a scholarly measures in place at the entrance. communications copyright librarian at the The “airport-style” measures, intro- University of Winnipeg, saw the security duced in early 2019, were criticized by measures as going against the professional community organizations for being inva- ethics of the library community. She says sive, exclusive and counterintuitive to the the invasiveness of having to go through a PHOTO BY DANIEL CRUMP library’s community-centric purpose. search can potentially be a retraumatizing In email correspondence, Joelle experience for marginalized library patrons. On Feb. 25, 2020, people gathered at the Millennium Library to protest its "airport-style" security Schmidt, a communications officer for the “They disproportionately affect anyone measures, one year to the day after they were first implemented. City of Winnipeg, says the decision to sus- who has had negative experiences with law pend the library security measures has not enforcement,” Selman says. She says this been finalized, and the library is currently includes racialized communities, refugees, in the process of conducting a community sex workers, trans people and even parents All’s Facebook page encourages people to “There are much bigger conversations consultation to determine the next steps. who don’t feel comfortable normalizing the volunteer at the library or consider run- we need to be having as a city,” she says. The City of Winnipeg did not comment security measures to their children. ning to be on the Winnipeg Public Library “The library is a community service, but on whether the current suspension of the Given that the measures have not been Board to have their say. Selman adds that it’s certainly not a replacement for funding security measures were due to concerns finalized by the City of Winnipeg, it re- local news reporting and public awareness healthcare, harm reduction and all the ser- over COVID-19 transmission. mains uncertain as to whether or not they of these issues is also a crucial part of ele- vices that people need to have downtown.” Putting the reasoning behind the sus- will return in the future. For the commu- vating the cause. “We need to think about public space pension of the program aside, Brianne Sel- nity groups who rallied against these mea- However, Selman stresses that support- downtown,” she says. “The downtown man, a member of Millenium for All, sees sures, the fight may not entirely be over. ing and advocating for the downtown com- needs to have public space where people it as a positive for the downtown commu- To prevent a reintroduction of these munity must not stop at removing security can be without being harassed or bothered nity. As one of the key organizations that measures in the future, Millennium for barriers. Public services, as well as public by security. That’s what we need to keep spaces, must also be improved. fighting for.”

NCTR HOSTS ONLINE PANEL ON RECONCILIATION Virtual dialogue held on reconciliation and 94 Calls to Action

ABIGAIL BYLE VOLUNTEER @ABBYINITIO

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pan- 2015) and was a 2019 recipient of the Or- demic, the National Centre for Truth and der of Canada. Reconciliation (NCTR) continues to offer Panellists spoke on their individual ex- education events, with the Allyship in Rec- periences and expertise and also answered onciliation virtual event held on Oct. 7. questions from audience members who Kaila Johnston, acting supervisor of registered to attend the event. Topics in- education, outreach and public program cluded the need to acknowledge the im- for NCTR and one of the organizers of pact of colonization, ways to decolonize the event, says it came together through programs and policies, the importance of a partnership between NCTR and Health preserving Indigenous culture and tradi- Canada, in an effort to “develop a learn- tion and practical suggestions on how to ing event for public servants.” become a stronger ally. “One of the most frequent questions “Although a good portion of the pub- we’re asked at the centre is ‘what can we lic is able to see that they have a part in do?’” Johnston says. supporting reconciliation, they often don’t In response, they created a series of know where to start,” Johnston says. learning dialogues and sessions. This dis- “Reconciliation at its root is about our cussion on being an ally in reconciliation relationships with one another,” Lamou- was hosted by Kevin Lamoureux, an in- reux says. So having these dialogues and structor at the University of Winnipeg being open and willing is crucial to the and a well-known speaker on colonization reconciliation process. SUPPLIED PHOTO and reconciliation in Canada, with a pan- “Reconciliation is about not feeling el of renowned guests discussing the 94 guilty for something we didn’t do, but Kevin Lamoureux, a University of Winnipeg instructor and panellist at the Allyship in Reconciliation Calls to Action identified by the Truth rather taking responsibility for the future,” virtual conference and Reconciliation Commission. Lamoureux says. Allies educating them- The panellists included Sherri Chisan, selves and beginning these conversations president of University nuhelot’įne thai- is a crucial step. Lamoureux points out NCTR offers presentations and work- want to be allies in reconciliation should yots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills that Grand Chief Littlechild, one of the shops around the history of residential think about their relationships with them- (UnBQ); Harlan Pruden, educator for Truth and Reconciliation commissioners, schools, the Truth and Reconciliation selves and with Canada. the British Columbia’s Centre for Dis- said that 72 of the 94 Calls to Action are Commission and the 94 Calls to Action “Reconciliation is a gift that has been ease Control’s Chee Mamuk program and about education and awareness. for anyone who wants to become more given to us by survivors so that we can all managing editor of the Two Spirit Journal; Johnston says a great place to begin is to involved and active in social justice and collectively be part of leaving behind a and Edna Elias, educator and former pol- get informed, and she suggests that people reconciliation. better Canada,” Lamoureux says. itician from Qurluqtuq, who served as the watch, listen and read credible news sourc- Lamoureux suggests that people who fourth commissioner of Nunavut (2010 to es to stay up to date on current issues. CITY GETTING HOME SAFE(R) Transit alternatives during COVID-19

CIERRA BETTENS CITY REPORTER @FICTIONALCIERRA @CIERRABETTENS

In the time of COVID-19, some may fers a low-commitment, non-member- feel uncomfortable riding public transit. ship-based option for occasional users. Though Winnipeg Transit states that they Cynthia Carr, an epidemiologist at EPI have been taking extra measures to ensure Research, says using a car-sharing service public health safety, including frequent could reduce the exposure risk by decreas- sanitization and mandating face masks ing the number of passengers in an en- on all buses, riders may still be concerned closed space. about potential exposure risks. “A car-sharing service could potentially For riders who do not own vehicles, cy- cut down on the number of people you’re cling and car-sharing are a few of the alter- exposed to,” she says. natives to public transit they can explore. However, Carr says if the vehicle is being Philip Mikulec is the operations man- used to carpool multiple passengers, there ager at Peg City Car Co-op, a car-sharing could be a greater risk of transmission. She company with numerous membership op- says keeping car windows open and know- tions. With dozens of co-op vehicles locat- ing how large each passenger’s contact bub- ed all around central Winnipeg, car-share ble is can be a form of harm reduction. users can book a Peg City car when they “We have to trust that we’re doing the need it, paying an hourly rate that differs right thing,” Carr says. based on membership choice. Despite the existence of these options, Mikulec says Peg City Car Co-op is not there still remains a gap in who these al- a competitor with Winnipeg Transit, but ternative transit methods are available to. SUPPLIED PHOTO an ally. Rather than act as a replacement Considering that Winnipeg Transit ser- for riding public transit, their car-sharing vices people with disabilities, seniors and Winter cycling is one of the many alternatives to buses that Winnipeggers are exploring following program aims to supplement it. young people who may not be able to drive multiple COVID-19 exposures on Winnipeg Transit. “We want to augment and support dif- or cycle, riding a bike or using a car-share ferent transportation options,” he says, may not be an option for some bus riders. “to use our cars as a specific tool for times For public transit users, transportation be organized through Health Links under by wearing a mask, washing their hands when other transportation options aren’t to COVID-19 testing sites also remains an circumstances where no other means of frequently and physically distancing them- super feasible in a city like Winnipeg.” issue. Riders are told not to ride Winnipeg safe transportation is available. selves from other riders as much as possible. Those who wish to use the car-shar- Transit if they are symptomatic. Accord- For those who continue to ride Winni- “Public transit is doing their best at ing service temporarily or to avoid riding ing to a statement made to the CBC by peg Transit, Carr adds that public transit harm reduction,” she says. “It’s up to us to public transit during peak hours may be the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, riders can protect themselves and others follow the rules and do our due diligence.” interested in the casual plan, which of- special transportation to testing sites may

PANDEMIC MAY INCREASE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Awareness month highlights increased risks and challenges

ABIGAIL BYLE VOLUNTEER @ABBYINITIO

November is Domestic Violence Awareness Nixon’s research will study the impact on Month, and the risk of violence has only in- survivors and service providers to learn from creased with the ongoing stress and restric- their experiences and to be prepared for fu- tions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accord- ture waves of this pandemic, and even future ing to the Canadian Women’s Foundation, pandemics. Her research will involve inter- a Canadian woman is killed by an intimate viewing service providers and mothers across partner every six days. the province who have been in shelters and In addition to the added risks to victims, second-stage shelters, as well as in different there are additional challenges for service areas of programming and need. providers helping victims and survivors, Marcie Wood, the executive director at and Winnipeg is no exception. Experts say Willow Place, says they are the largest shelter that domestic and family violence is often providing domestic violence services in Win- heightened by the stress, social isolation nipeg, and that “usually people that are using and restrictions of the COVD-19 pandem- our shelter space have exhausted all other re- ic, not to mention its impact on supports, sources, and it’s their last bit of hope to come services and shelters. to, to be safe.” Dr. Kendra Nixon, director of RESOLVE, Willow Place is a 24-7 facility, with just received a grant for her research project services like counselling, harm-reduction SUPPLIED PHOTO studying the impact of COVID-19, and also programs, a healthy living program and pandemics generally, on domestic violence an on-site schoolteacher supported by the Dr. Kendra Nixon, director of RESOLVE service providers and survivors. RESOLVE Winnipeg School Division. describes itself as a “prairie-based research Willow Place operates from a trauma-in- network that co-ordinates and supports re- formed, strength-based perspective, “trying pandemic, shelters are open and offering safer people.” Wood encourages people to reach search aimed at ending violence, especially to meet people where they are at, to provide spaces for victims of violence. Nixon says that out and ask questions to learn more about violence involving girls and women” and has services according to what their wants are, during a pandemic, safety planning looks dif- what it is and who it impacts, because it could offices at the Universities of Manitoba, Regi- when they want them,” Wood says. ferent, and being able to reach out to victims be the person sitting next to you. na and Calgary. Due to the pandemic, the shelter is lim- and survivors is vital. As Nixon says, victims Nixon says there is anecdotal evidence that ited to only 17 residents, with only one per- of violence may have thought, or been told by To access Willow Place services or the domestic violence may be increasing, because son or family per room, compared to their perpetrators, that shelters are closed. emergency shelter, phone the 24-hour victims are at home more often and may not usual capacity of 38 spaces. Wood says they Wood says domestic violence “exists every- crisis line, 204-615-0311 or 1-877-977- have respite from the perpetrators of violence have worked hard to implement procedures where, in every race and social class. It’s not 0007. For information on shelters in Win- due to pandemic restrictions, as well as the to make the shelter space as safe as possible something that people talk a lot about. People nipeg, visit domesticshelters.org/help/mb/ stress and financial pressures created by the for everybody. think it happens in certain spaces to certain winnipeg or maws.mb.ca/. pandemic itself. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 CAMPUS THE UNITER OCTOBER 8, 2020 13

PHOTO BY KEELEY BRAUNSTEIN-BLACK

Bronwyn Dobchuk-Land, an assistant professor of criminal justice at the U of W, has encountered challenges to conducting research during the pandemic.

physics and “the Canadian leader of a ma- According to the U of W website, her COVID-19 DISRUPTS jor experiment searching for the neutron’s current research includes “an analysis of electric dipole moment, which is being community-police partnerships in the conducted at TRIUMF (Canada’s Na- context of the Winnipeg Service’s Smart RESEARCH tional Laboratory for Particle and Nuclear Policing Initiative.” Physics)” in Vancouver. “The type of research that I do strives Two professors share their perspectives “Usually, I would go to Vancouver to be community-based, so it’s often inter- about once a month, but now I haven’t view-based and rooted in public education gone at all,” Martin says. workshops and engagement with activist CALLUM GOULET-KILGOUR CAMPUS REPORTER @CGOULETKILGOUR “We have been allowed to restart movements,” Dobchuk-Land says. (in-person) research, as long as we’re able “Some of the interview research that I As most Canadian universities have shifted particle accelerator facility in Japan this to physically distance,” he says, referring have been doing before just had to stop.” to online instruction, much of the media past summer. to his lab at the U of W campus. Dobchuk-Land says she’s still in the focus has been on how instructors and stu- “It’s mostly been negative,” he says, Bronwyn Dobchuk-Land, an assistant process of trying to get her research back dents have adapted to online classrooms. though Martin notes that the pandemic has professor of criminal justice, has also en- on track. Research, a fundamental aspect of uni- made his teams of colleagues quite robust. countered challenges facing researchers. “We’re going to see the effects of a big gap versities, has also been rapidly affected by “Team members who would not nor- “The act of writing up research results in the productivity of scholars,” she says. the pandemic. Professors and researchers mally meet with each other are getting to- takes a particular kind of focus and en- “On the other hand, these times have at the University of Winnipeg (U of W) gether on these digital platforms globally, ergy, and I found it really difficult in the revealed all sorts of important informa- face numerous challenges. much more regularly than we normally context of uncertainty and anxiety around tion about social structures and the social Among them is Dr. Jeff Martin, a pro- would have,” he says. my elderly parents, my kid and my family world, people, institutions, systems and fessor of physics, who says COVID-19 has According to the U of W website, Mar- abroad,” she says. social change. hugely disrupted his research, including tin is a Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) “Because I research policing, the pan- “There’s a richness in the material we preventing him from taking a trip to a in fundamental symmetries in subatomic demic context has been a wild one,” Dob- have to work with, but, of course, that ma- chuk-Land says. terial is mostly human suffering.”

CITY BRIEFS

ALEX NEUFELDT CITY EDITOR

Gearing up for New infill guide- Love After the Imagining a Webinar Indigenous the byelection lines Q-and-A End book launch better recovery Wednesdays governance and The deadline for UWSA byelec- The City of Winnipeg re- Love After the End: An Antholo- The Canadian Centre for Policy For students having a difficult co-operative tion nominations is Oct. 8, and leased new infill guidelines on gy of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Alternatives and the Canadian time settling in to virtual uni- after reading week, the byelec- Sept. 18 and will host virtual Love will have a virtual launch Community Economic Devel- versity life, University of Win- models tion campaign week will begin. infill guideline events on Oct. party on Oct. 8. McNally Robin- opment Network held a virtual nipeg Student Services will On Oct. 15, the Canadian Because COVID-19 has pushed 7, 8, 14 and 15. The events son is hosting the launch of the panel discussion titled A Re- host Webinar Wednesdays to Centre for Policy Alternatives campaigning online, students will cover the changes made anthology, which was edited silient Recovery for Manitoba’s provide support and informa- and the Manitoba Research should be prepared to see new to the infill guidelines and aim by Joshua Whitehead, who is Economy on Oct. 7. The event tion. The webinars will cover Alliance will host Indigenizing campaign tactics and engage- to engage the public and re- a University of Winnipeg alum. featured discussion about eq- a wide range of topics, includ- the Co-operative Model. The ment approaches and be ready spond to questions about the The event will also feature con- uitable economic recovery in ing technical assistance, find- event celebrates the launch of to vote from Oct. 26 to 28. Best state and impacts of infill in tributors Nathan Adler, Kai Mi- the context of COVID-19 and ing community, working with a report by the same name and of luck to all the candidates! Winnipeg. nosh Pyle and David Alexander featured Louise Simbandumwe, Accessibility Services to get will include panel discussion. Robertson. Jessica Dumas, Jesse Hajer and accommodations, managing Mark Intertas, Crystal Labora- Doug Ramsey. shifting workloads through the ro, Kathy Mallett, Mary Nirlun- semester, meditation and ex- gayuk and Jim Thunder will take ploring career options. part in the event. SUPPLIED PHOTO

and philosophical thinking. in the world, and they have different “No idea is too absurd, or often what needs that they might not articulate people call, ‘deep,’” he says. “I don’t really on their own right away, and you can’t JACK OF ALL TRADES like that word very much.” expect them to, and you’ve gotta be very Despite the distaste for the word (or the empathetic.” stigma attached to it), Moi likes deep ideas, Shawn Moi, Instructor, Department of Rhetoric, especially if they’re outrageous or weird. If you could have any superpower, what Funnily, Moi will deliberately ask his would it be? Writing and Communications, U of W students questions to really make them “Time travel.” think. Questions like: “what is a thing?” KEESHA HAREWOOD FEATURES REPORTER @KEESHAHAREWOOD that he asked his students just this year. What do you like to do in your free “I guess I like getting carried away in time? class,” he says. “I like to bring that about “I bought an electric surfboard this sum- For Shawn Moi, becoming an instructor “I’m a public school teacher as well,” Moi in an audience of people, and that’s when I mer, and I’m out on that for hours every for the University of Winnipeg’s (U of W) says. “I’ve taught in a number of schools feel really successful and good about what day now.” Rhetoric, Writing and Communications in town here. Last job I had was at Sisler I’m doing. People start wondering about department was not something he planned High School teaching English literature, so questions that have not occurred to them or What was one of the best answers a from the start. Shakespeare, poetry and novels.” reconsidering concepts that seem simple at student gave you when answering a “My first degree was in English,” he says. With expertise in multiple fields, Moi first, (but) turn out to be nebulous – mys- philosophical question? terious, really.” “I have five in total. I went to university for enjoys exploring the overlap between two “When I ask them what a world is, some- a long time.” (if not more) areas of study. times they’ll tell me it’s the earth plus the — In fact, Moi was a student for 16 years. “In a broad stroke, I love the intersection human spirit. I thought that was a pretty In addition to his English degree, he earned of literature and ideas,” Moi says. “Well, What is something you’ve learned from clever answer.” his doctorate in philosophy, as well as an mostly philosophy and literature.” education degree at the U of W. As a result, Specifically, Moi appreciates the free- your students? Moi is an incredibly versatile educator. dom that comes with interpreting a poem “People come from all different places

FREE COMPUTERS PROVIDED TO STUDENTS The UWSA partners with Computers for Schools

CALLUM GOULET-KILGOUR CAMPUS REPORTER @CGOULETKILGOUR

With the shift to online learning for a race with your shoelaces tied together,” post-secondary institutions, having access he says. “All students should have access to a computer and an internet connec- and the means to excel in their education, tion is necessary for students. Through a regardless of barriers they may be facing.” partnership with Computers for Schools Numerous studies have found that sig- Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg nificant inequities exist in terms of com- Students’ Association (UWSA) is provid- puter and internet access. The pandem- ing computer equipment to 50 students. ic-induced shift to online learning has Justin Menard is the executive director only exacerbated this problem. of Computers for Schools Manitoba. Dagen Perrot, UWSA urban inner-city “Understanding both the technology campus director, is very concerned about needs of students and that some may not this problem and applauds the associa- have means to obtain devices, we felt it tion’s partnership with Computers for natural to approach various groups who Schools Manitoba. SUPPLIED PHOTO have reach within post-secondary institu- “By offering someone a decent comput- tions,” he says in an email to The Uniter. er, it’s one piece of a much more complex Computers for Schools Manitoba partnered with the UWSA to provide 50 U of W students with “With student associations having such puzzle,” he says. computer equipment. a far reach into the student (population), “Anything we can do to make it easier it makes it very easy to ensure students for students to participate and to carve out know of our program,” Menard says. a space in their home is important.” Those receiving the computers applied He notes, however, that quality internet Menard stresses that, during the ongo- “If individuals or businesses have any through an online form. They will each access is also important but much harder ing COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for surplus or unwanted devices, they are receive a computer, monitor, mouse, key- to address. computers has been at an “all-time high.” urged to visit us online or contact our of- board and all required cables. “There’s a push internationally to rec- “I wouldn’t say the pandemic has fice, so we can continue to bridge the dig- Menard says one of his organization’s ognize internet (access) as a human right brought on (any) revelations ... it has mag- ital divide,” Menard says. goals is to “combat the digital divide many and something that needs to be just of- nified and brought to the forefront what we (students) experience.” fered to people,” Perrot says, adding that already knew: many simply don’t have ac- Computers for Schools Manitoba’s “For those who don’t have the ability to he has been encouraging the UWSA to cess for various reasons, be (they) financial, website is c4smb.ca. access technology, it can be like running advocate for these issues. geographical or something else,” he says. COLUMN LIFE ON THE BORDERLINE Are you there, diagnosis? It’s me, Hannah.

HANNAH MAGNUSSON COLUMNIST @HANNAHCANWRITE

Shortly after giving birth to my first and demic), not all symptoms of mental illness only child, I was diagnosed with postpar- warrant a formal diagnosis. Similar to when tum depression. It was the wrong diagnosis. we get a cold and we don’t necessarily go to I’ve had mental illness for the entirety of the doctor, some mental illness symptoms my adult life and likely most of my teenage can be treated at home. life, as well. Diagnoses came and went, but The key to home treatment, however, is one label was always the same: atypical. honesty. If a cold persists for too long, or Major depressive disorder with atypical concerning symptoms arise, we know it’s symptoms, general anxiety disorder with time to go to a doctor. If our symptoms of atypical symptoms and complex post-trau- mental illness worsen, it’s equally import- matic stress disorder with, you guessed it, ant to seek medical help. atypical symptoms. Those were only the How do we know that it is time to get formal diagnoses. Doctors tried a lot of help? The Centre for Addictions and Men- different labels for my unexplainable symp- tal Health, Canada’s largest mental health toms. Although they were later removed, teaching hospital, says that if your symp- this left a lasting mark on my medical file. toms start to affect your life, it’s time to see I have a complicated relationship with a professional. This could mean seeing the the idea of diagnoses. On the one hand, a effects of your symptoms on your relation- proper diagnosis paired with appropriate, ships, your work or education or other as- multifaceted treatment and follow-up can pects of your own well-being. save lives. On the other hand, rushed di- The first step should always be assess- ILLUSTRATION BY GABRIELLE FUNK agnoses with hastily written prescriptions ment. To be sure that your care is aligned and no supplementary treatment can lead with your needs, make sure that your to worsening symptoms, isolation, stigma symptoms are heard and your concerns ad- me as a typical case. Hannah Magnusson is a master’s student and a higher chance that illness will recur dressed before leaving your appointment. I’m not here to say that after proper diag- in the arts department at Athabasca Uni- in the future. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your nosis, my life has been sunshine and roses. versity. Her research focuses on the in- At the end of the day, a diagnosis is a la- intuition and ask more questions or seek a It certainly hasn’t been, especially in the tersection of storytelling and advocacy, bel, and labels have a funny way of defin- second opinion. midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. What studying how fostering empathy between ing people. This is why it’s dangerous to be As for me, after months of assessment my life has been is manageable, leaving my different perspectives can build a bridge overly prescriptive when discussing some- and continual self-advocacy, I finally got a brain with room to enjoy life with my two- to understanding and action. She lives thing as nuanced as mental health. diagnosis that fit and led to treatment that year-old, and I truly can’t think of a better on Treaty 1 territory on the shore of Lake The thing is, especially in times of high worked. I have borderline personality dis- outcome than that. Winnipeg. stress (for example, living through a pan- order, the first diagnosis that ever classified

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Netflix’s docudramaThe Social Dilemma misses the mark on the cultural impacts of social media, says Jerrad Peters.

bile, which completely altered the makeup er.” Their interaction – a “like” or “retweet” of cities and the way we communicate. Vir- – is the feedback loop. Further conversation tual proximity is no less real than physical can ensue. The process repeats itself. proximity, although anxiety over what is This isn’t unique to social media. Protag- and isn’t real occupies significant attention oras and the other Greek sophists were prac- in the film. ticing the persuasive arts as early as the 5th THE ANTISOCIAL This is no doubt due to the information century BCE. But even they didn’t invent interference that affected the 2016 United the desires and appeals to popularity they States presidential election, the Brexit vote used to serve their purposes. It would take DILEMMA and numerous polls since. “Fake news,” a particular hubris to assert to have done so, don’t forget, was first used to describe the but it’s an accomplishment the interviewees What Netflix's new docudrama gets wrong troll-farmed material and outlandish con- of The Social Dilemma claim. spiracy theories that permeated Facebook In stereotypical tech-presentation style, about social media feeds four years ago. The right wing later they put on headsets and pace onstage adopted the term, further confusing users while lecturing about behavioural exploita- JERRAD PETERS VOLUNTEER @JERRADPETERS and buttressing “lame-stream media” scoff- tion and the nature of truth. But there’s no ers who were (and are) on the lookout for dramatic curtain-raising to reveal that ulti- alternatives to the truths that merely reflect mate, underlying question to the problem. Near the beginning of Netflix docudrama symbolism and culture. cultural and societal trends they dislike. The film’s strongest segment is at the The Social Dilemma, former high-level em- We shouldn’t take theory lessons from Kellyanne Conway’s infamous “alter- end, when the cast is asked about how best ployees of Google, Facebook, Twitter and email designers or the inventor of the “like” native facts” terminology not only makes to monitor or regulate big tech, especial- Pinterest are asked to identify the single un- button, no matter how well-meaning. The perfect sense in this context – although it ly regarding election advertising and data derlying problem with big tech. techies masquerading as professors in The was obviously nonsense – but also sheds collecting. Aside from the inevitable uto- To a man – and most of the interviewees/ Social Dilemma are well-meaning. They’re light on what a lot of people want to see pian soliloquies, there are some pragmatic co-stars are white men – the onetime exec- earnest, if not naïve, in their desire to create on their screens. suggestions. Data could be taxed as a pro- utives and engineers are stunned silent. It’s a friendlier social media landscape. Social media algorithms aren’t mysteri- hibitive measure, like a carbon tax. They surprising, given that they have plenty to say But they’re still selling something: the ous, scheming voices instructing us to do proffer that governments could ban certain about subjects from psychology to sociology idea that social media as it exists is bad this or that. They aren’t telling us anything data harvests altogether, like they ban the to communications science. But in that mo- and unfriendly. It’s the “be-wary-of-big- new or introducing brand-new behaviours harvest and trade of human organs. ment, they offer nothing. tech” sub-genre of big tech – a pop catego- or ideas from scratch. Capitalism renders the latter scenar- If the viewer hasn’t jumped off the couch ry that actually serves to launder the tech The cast of The Social Dilemma gives io highly unlikely. There isn’t currently a and screamed the answer at the television, giants of Silicon Valley via the notion that itself away by mashing their “attention is moral imperative to treat social media as a they’ve perhaps at least guffawed while there can be an industry ideal as it exists the product” premise, which is correct, human rights item. While a data tax seems Claude Shannon and Stuart Hall turn over under capitalism. with the idea that “disinformation is the sensible and possible, taxation is rarely a in their graves. Market economics figures prominently business model.” winning political strategy. This subject is crying out for academic in the film. The cast are under no illusions Of course it’s not. Is disinformation Besides, what the occasional alarmism input, desperate for the expertise of cultural about the sea change that took place when widely shared on social media? Certainly. of half-hearted committee hearings and studies, eager to be seen through a lens of Facebook and Twitter went public. They But it’s not shared in a vacuum. films like The Social Dilemma ignore is that media theory that would at least clarify a point out that “our attention is the prod- It’s here that the Shannon-Weaver mod- people mostly enjoy what big tech is giving cloudy and multi-layered topic. uct” and that social media is “a market that el of communication is particularly useful. them. They like looking at themselves, and “The bastard form of mass culture trades in human futures,” exchanging pro- Each message or piece of information has a they’ve enjoyed it ever since the 15th cen- is humiliated repetition ... always new files built by user data for aggressively tar- sender and a receiver. For the message to get tury invention of the convex mirror that, books, new programs, new films, news geted advertising. from one to the other, there must be trans- itself, accelerated human mediation during items, but always the same meaning,” Ro- The film’s lack of depth is exposed in mission, a channel for transmission and an the Renaissance. land Barthes said. blanket statements about wireless appli- ultimate reception, after which there is a And this is that single, underlying prob- “What would Roland Barthes say?” cations “changing what you do, how you feedback loop. lem – if it’s a problem at all – with Google, tends to be a useful question in matters think, who you are,” as if such changes ha- Social media is merely the “channel” in Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and all the rest. of media. While we can’t ask the late pi- ven’t accompanied human evolution from this model. It isn’t the “sender,” as it doesn’t, The problem is us. oneering French social theorist to help us the start. without human input, create the message. make sense of Facebook, he already pro- Handheld technology has accelerated It’s not doing the transmitting, unless we’re Jerrad Peters lives, thinks and writes in vided its DNA map some decades ago: this process, but so did the development of sending information to ourselves. The Winnipeg. hermeneutics, proairetics, semantics, writing, the printing press and the automo- “channel” brings the message to the “receiv- COMMENTS THE UNITER OCTOBER 8, 2020 17

ILLUSTRATION BY GABRIELLE FUNK

ic, but also by times of economic, environ- trine. We must demand a return to major mental and social uncertainty. However, investments in public services. We must the recent discussions about UBI have re- fight for free university education, free pub- minded me about many of the concerns I lic transportation, free universal childcare, UNIVERSAL BASIC had previously when reading Srnicek and fully funded pharmacare and free high Williams’ proposal for full automation. speed internet. Spending cuts dominate government We can impose stricter regulations on INCOME IS NOT THE policy in light of the reigning neoliberal or- finance, and we can roll back tax laws thodoxy that prioritizes markets over peo- that unfairly favour the wealthy. We can ple. The market fundamentalism of neolib- also join the fight to raise the minimum ANSWER eralism, a political and economic approach wage to (at least) $15 an hour, struggles for that favours deregulation and privatization which are noteworthy, since wages haven’t at the expense of public services, means even kept up with inflation. To my knowl- A leftist case for social investment that government policies have turned the edge, there are no proposals to keep UBI market into the primary space for access- amounts pegged to inflation. MATTHEW FLISFEDER VOLUNTEER @MATTFLISFEDER ing needs through personal spending and We need to be more creative and imag- consumption. Attached to neoliberal gover- ine more progressive ways to subsidize and nance is a policy of balancing government lower real costs of living, putting the onus Is a guaranteed liveable universal basic in- social problems we currently face, such as budgets and austerity, which sounds good back on governments and the wealthy. We come (UBI) the right solution for current rising costs of living and greater austerity. on paper, but rarely helps us out in practice. need to alleviate the stresses of individual economic woes? Or does it make more Social investment might be a better solu- Neoliberals often use the metaphor of households having to manage previously sense to re-invest back into public institu- tion than a UBI. the individual household managing in- subsidized costs, while at the same time go- tions and social services? UBI is an idea that I first took seriously comes and budgets to support their posi- ing to school, taking care of our families, In August, Winnipeg Centre MP Leah after reading Nick Srnicek and Alex Wil- tions, claiming that we shouldn’t spend making health decisions and working mul- Gazan proposed extending the CERB liams’ 2015 book, Inventing the Future: above revenues. But governments aren’t in- tiple jobs to make ends meet. (Canada Emergency Response Benefit) into Postcapitalism and a World Without Work. dividual households. They are responsible Our situation here in Canada is better a permanent UBI. Motion-46 proposes in- The authors defend the implementation of for ensuring equitable access to needs and compared to our neighbours to the south. troducing an unconditional, guaranteed a fully automated society, alongside a UBI are accountable to society as a whole. But why don’t we compare ourselves to the liveable income to all Canadians above the to alleviate potential drop crises in market Austerity has resulted in divestment best-possible, rather than the worst-possible age of 18, paid on a regular basis, supple- demands as automation comes to replace from education, healthcare, city budgets scenario? menting benefits already received from cur- human labour. and costs allocated to daily needs like Without lowering real costs of living, a rent and future government public services. Their proposal seems somewhat un- transportation. At the same time, the inter- UBI risks becoming nothing more than a The motion has been received positively by realistic and problematic, as they imag- national deregulation of finance has been mere prop to markets and a way to service many, including students. ine a technological solution to economic one factor in rising costs of housing. All of individual and household debts. A recent article in The Uniter states, “For problems. It also disregards decades of di- these costs, which in previous generations There is an earnestness in the supporters post-secondary students, many of whom vestment from public institutions and so- were covered collectively through progres- of Motion-46. However, before we make have had to deal with precarious work con- cial services. However, the context of the sive taxation and investments into public hasty decisions about this proposal, we ditions, coupled with having to adapt to COVID-19 pandemic has given many peo- institutions and social services, have now need to have serious conversations about abrupt changes in how classes are delivered, ple a reason to seriously consider the imple- been offloaded onto individuals and indi- the bigger picture and the need to increase a basic income could prove to be benefi- mentation of a UBI. vidual households, and is a major factor for social spending. cial.” But is UBI really the solution? The CERB helped to relieve stresses rising costs of living. The student movement must be a major In the context of increasing government from incomes lost during the pandemic Taking all of this into consideration, player in this fight and demand an end to cuts, can we even be sure that UBI will keep and provided an added incentive for people UBI, while appearing progressive, will only cuts, as well as reinvestments in education us afloat against rising inflation? How can to comply with needed quarantines. But help to merely prop up markets and service and all other valuable public and social ser- we be sure that it won’t be used as an excuse we should be wary about turning it into a debts we shouldn’t have in the first place. vices, which subsidize real costs of living. for more cuts to education and healthcare? Band-Aid solution for our larger economic We are now paying out of pocket for many This is an endeavour that builds on the The Government of Manitoba even float- problems. of our resources and needs that should be ethics of social justice and a demand for the ed a 30 per cent cut to public universities Gazan and other MPs supporting the provided by our governments. democratic governance of our economy. during the COVID-19 pandemic. idea of the UBI are to be commended. Although Motion-46 registers the need UBI only makes sense when we don’t have Considered in the context of govern- They have clearly shown that their interests to maintain the existence of current public to worry about cuts to social spending. ment cuts to spending, UBI raises several are with the people, supporting our needs services, it makes no mention of costs and red flags. It may in fact contribute to exac- for a healthy and sustainable life. budgets. Matthew Flisfeder is an associate profes- erbating some of the larger economic and We live in precarious times, brought Instead of fighting for a UBI, we must sor of rhetoric and communications at the about not only by the COVID-19 pandem- demand a reversal of the neoliberal doc- University of Winnipeg. DIVERSIONS

On Thursday, October 8, the moon continues its transit of curious Gemini until it HOROSCOPES enters protective Cancer at 11:45 AM. There could be feelings of discontent in relationships or an uncomfortable choice regarding personal relationships, money, The moon enters Gemini on Oct. 6 or possessions.

SOURCE: ASTROLOGY.COM

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER

You could feel like you’re firing on all cylinders On October 10, relationship-oriented Venus, You’ll want to shake things up on the home You’ll want to bring a shiny, innovative approach on the job on October 5 when the emotional your ruling planet, in your fifth house of ro- front—perhaps trying on new techniques for to your interactions with others on October moon in your second house of income forms mance forms a harmonizing trine to revolution- better balancing your work and home lives— 10 when romantic Venus in your third house a harmonizing trine to lucky Jupiter, transfor- ary Uranus in your sign, and you’ll be itching to on October 10 when romantic Venus in your of communication forms a positive trine to mative Pluto, and taskmaster Saturn—all in experience something truly pleasurable and fourth house of home life forms a harmonizing game-changer Uranus in your eleventh house of your tenth house of career. Putting yourself out of the ordinary in your closest relation- trine to revolutionary Uranus in your twelfth networking. If you’ve been thinking about head- out there and pitching a passion project could ships or through a creative outlet. Your appe- house of spirituality. Adding a new practice, like ing up a brainstorm with colleagues or propos- prove fruitful, as could sticking to tried-and- tite for flirtation and fun might even catch you weaving a regular meditation into your morn- ing a new volunteer project with friends, this true fix-it plans for any concerns that pop up off-guard. Satiating your need by getting out of ing routine, could prove enlightening and help- could be an exciting time to do just that. As long now. Tune into your intuition, and you’ll know your comfort zone (think taking an impromptu ful. As long as you’re enjoying something out of as you’re straying from your usual mundane how to best proceed. road trip or working with a new artistic medi- the ordinary, you’re sure to feel satisfied. routine, you’ll feel thrilled and fired up. um) could prove emotionally gratifying. And on October 10, social Venus in your sixth And on October 11, the confident sun in your And on October 11, the confident sun in your house of daily routine forms a harmonizing And on October 11, the confident sun in your fifth house of romance forms a tense square to fourth house of home life forms a tense square trine to game-changer Uranus in your second sixth house of daily routine forms a tense square fortunate Jupiter in your eighth house of emo- to lucky Jupiter in your seventh house of partner- house of income, and you might be inspired to to lucky Jupiter in your ninth house of adventure tional bonds, and you might be tempted to play ship, and you might be empowered to dive into try your hand at a new moneymaking plan. An and higher learning, taking your curiosity and hooky and focus more on pleasure than caring a family project with all your energy. The issue eye-opening experience could prove thrilling, perception of your day-to-day bandwidth to the for everyday responsibilities. A measured ap- is that you might be overestimating how much but just look before you leap. next level. Be sure not to take on more than you proach serves you best. time or get-up-and-go you truly have to spare. can realistically handle or you might risk burnout. Make sure you take it one step at a time.

LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO

Hitting it off with colleagues comes natural- It’s easier for you to express what’s in your You’ll be in your feelings in a positive, harmo- You’ll feel like your most rational thoughts ly on October 7 when the emotional moon heart and your head to friends on October 9, ny-bolstering way on October 7 when the are in sync with your heart’s desires on Oc- in your eleventh house of networking forms the emotional moon in your eleventh house emotional moon in your ninth house of higher tober 9 when the emotional moon in your a positive trine to the confident sun in your of networking forms a harmonizing trine to learning forms a happy trine to the confident ninth house of adventure forms a harmoniz- third house of communication. This could information-gathering Mercury, your ruling sun in your sign. Getting in touch with your ing trine to communicator Mercury in your be a brilliant day to collaborate on a group planet, in your third house of communication. intuition comes naturally and can fuel your sign. This could be an ideal time to plan an project. This moment could help you get even more personal and professional goals. You’ll do upcoming trip or have an overdue philosoph- in sync. well to zero in on skills you’d like to hone-in ical conversation with a loved one. Then, you could find yourself itching to be order to boost your profile. Then, you might feel like you want to shake up spontaneous and switch things up on the The same old routine, perhaps on date night And on October 11, the confident sun in your the way you’re relating to and working with job on October 10 when money-conscious or when spending time catching up with sign forms a tense square to lucky Jupiter in others on the job on October 10 when social Venus in your second house of income forms friends, likely won’t feel nearly as appealing your fourth house of home life, and you might Venus in your eleventh house of networking a harmonizing trine to game-changer Ura- as usual on October 10 when romantic Ve- overcommit yourself when it comes to tasks forms a positive trine to revolutionary Uranus nus in your tenth house of career. This could nus in your sign forms a positive trine to revo- for and social fun with loved ones. Although in your seventh house of partnership. Pitch- mean letting go of a commitment that hasn’t lutionary Uranus in your ninth house of higher your heart feels so full and generous right ing a creative new project that requires all been serving you financially or intellectually, learning and adventure. You’ll want to have now, it’s really quite possible that less could hands on deck, or sitting down with a close or diving into a new project that feels unex- an eye-opening experience (think cooking be more. colleague to hash out an exciting plan you’ll pected but potentially rewarding. Just make an exotic recipe or enjoying a thrilling hiking execute one-on-one could feel like exactly sure you’ve crossed all your Ts and dotted trail). Make your desires known, and you’re what you need to satiate this current urge for your Is before going for it. sure to have a memorable time. excitement.

SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES

Working alongside friends or colleagues can Expressing your most creative ideas to col- On October 9, when the emotional moon You might be frustrated if it feels like the world prove exhilarating on October 7 when the leagues and friends can come even more in your sixth house of daily routine forms a is against a certain, heartfelt game plan you intuitive moon in your seventh house of part- naturally on October 9 when the emotional harmonizing trine to communicator Mer- had in mind for spending time with loved ones nership forms a harmonizing trine to the confi- moon in your seventh house of partnership cury in your tenth house of career, you’ll be or a partner on October 6 when the emotional dent sun in your eleventh house of networking. forms a positive trine to communicator Mer- able to tune into your intuition just as easily moon in your fourth house of home life forms It’s easier than usual for everyone to get on the cury in your eleventh house of networking. In as your rational thoughts when it comes to a tense square to romantic Venus in your sev- same page, and together, you can formulate turn, their feedback and collaboration could plotting out a game plan for reaching your enth house of partnership. It’s totally natural a plan that helps you execute and cross the propel you to the next level. Trust that your current professional goals. Giving equal to feel disappointed, but also know that this finish line on a crucial group project. head and your heart are in sync—which is weight to your gut and your head can help moment will pass. sure to set you up for success. you land on and pursue the next right move. Then, on October 10, money-conscious Ve- On October 9, the intuitive moon in your fifth nus in your tenth house of career forms a har- And the same day, go-getter Mars in your And on October 10, romantic Venus in your house of romance forms a sweet trine to monizing trine to revolutionary Uranus in your fourth house of home life squares off against eighth house of emotional bonds and sexual communicator Mercury in your ninth house sixth house of daily routine, and you might transformative Pluto in your sign, potentially intimacy forms a cozy trine to game-chang- of adventure, making for a beautiful moment find yourself craving new responsibilities or a setting up a power struggle with a loved one. er Uranus in your fourth house of home life, in which you’ll absolutely trust that you know different creative outlet on the job. Exploring Taking a step back to reflect on and better and you might be inspired to surprise your what you want to say to someone special. this desire now could lead you to exciting new understand your motivations could prove partner or someone special with a sweet, Speak from the heart, and you’ll be exactly horizons and opportunities. Just make sure useful and give you a leg up when it comes to out-of-the-blue date night or gesture. Trust- where you’re meant to be. you’re being true to yourself, and the rest will navigating through this challenging moment. ing your gut could lead to an exceptionally follow. pleasurable time. DIVERSIONS THE UNITER OCTOBER 8, 2020 19

ILLUSTRATION AND RECIPE BY TALIA STEELE @ST_TALULA FLUFFY “SPOOKY” PANCAKES

What makes these pancakes spooky 1 cup flour of choice (GF blend works) 1. In medium bowl, add flour, sugar, bak- 5. Pour 1/4 to 1/2 cup of batter onto a is eating them in “spooky season,” 1 tbsp maple syrup ing powder, salt and mix with a spoon. nonstick pan or griddle over medium heat. 1 tbsp baking powder of course! Put the batter in 2. Mix liquids in a liquid measuring cup. 6. When the tops begin to bubble, flip 1/2 tsp salt each pancake and cook until golden Halloween-y cookie cutters 3. Pour liquid mixture into dry mixture. 1 cup milk of choice (I use oat) (after about 3 minutes). if you have them. 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar Whisk. 7. Serve warm with maple syrup and a 1 tsp vanilla 4. Let batter rest for 5 minutes. dash of cinnamon, if you'd like. Enjoy! GET PUBLISHED!

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