ISSUE 132006/12/07 VOLUME 61 INSIDE 02 News 07 Comments 09 Diversions 11 Features 13 Arts & Culture uniter.ca 17 Listings » 21 Sports N THE WEB O [email protected] » E-MAIL E 12 U SS I L. 61 L.61 vo 2006 07, DEC SMEAR CAMPAIGN OR CORRUPTION? 04 NATIONAL STUDENT UNION STRUGGLES TO CLEAR ITS NAME DENT WEEKLY U VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REMEMBERED 11 WOmyn’s Centre COMMEMORATES DEC. 6 WITH BLOOD ART INNIPEG ST INNIPEG W F LOCAL ART FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR O 14 ACEARTINC’s WINTER WARMER HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE ERSITY V MAKING THE GRADE NI U 21 WESMEN INTERIM REVIEW HE T ♼ December 7, 2006 The Uniter contact: [email protected] 02 NEWS UNITER STAFF NEWS EDITOR: RICHARD LIEBRECHT SENIOR REPORTER: DEREK LESCHASIN NEWS EDITOR: WHITNEY LIGHT E-MAIL: [email protected] E-MAIL: [email protected] E-MAIL: [email protected] MANAGING EDITOR News Jo Snyder » [email protected] BUSINess MANAGER James D. Patterson » [email protected] NEWS ASSIGNMENT EDITOR [email protected] U of W Student wins Richard Liebrecht » News PRODUCTION EDITOR Whitney Light » [email protected] prestigious scholarship COMMENTS EDITOR Ben Wood » [email protected] JENETTE MARTENS ing for the Rhodes scholarship. She had a variety of pride. She had recently become a yoga teacher and VOLUNTEER STAFF reasons not to. For one, she didn’t want to move to found that the experience changed her perspective DIVERSIONS EDITOR England. At the urging of her grandparents and pro- on her achievements. It was an activity done simply Matt Cohen » [email protected] fessors, however, she investigated the program and for the joy of it. “I’m most proud of my achievement ne of three Rhodes scholarships avail- realized its advantages. of not thinking so much about my achievements,” ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR able to Prairie students recently went to To apply, she collected six reference letters and she joked. Mike Lewis » [email protected] Othe University of Winnipeg’s Alana Lejoie- wrote a 900 word paper on her interests. She also re- Lejoie-O’Malley’s achievements do not end O’Malley. Next fall she will travel to Oxford University ceived a letter of recommendation from the presi- with SUNSET and yoga. Prior to the award, she had LISTINGS COORDINATOR dent of the University, Lloyd Axworthy, and submit- completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the U of Nick Weigeldt » [email protected] to study physics and philosophy. “I was excited, but it was still kind of like, ‘Gee, ted a résumé. After attending several events with W and only had a few more electives to finish before SPORTS EDITOR how come me and not somebody else?’” said Lejoie- other applicants, as well as taking part in interviews, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science. She at- Mike Pyl » [email protected] O’Malley. Lejoie-O’Malley was told she had won. tended the U of W collegiate, where she won many To be a Rhodes scholar, one must show literary A major factor in Lejoie-O’Malley’s success awards and scholarships. She was also heavily in- COPY & STYLE EDITOR and scholastic achievement, energy to develop one’s was her work with SUNSET (Sustainable University volved in extracurricular activities. Lejoie-O’Malley Brendan Johns » [email protected] talents, devotion to duty, desire to protect the weak, Now, Sustainable Earth Tomorrow) at the University speaks both English and French fluently, and has unselfishness, moral force of character, and the abil- of Winnipeg. SUNSET works to make the University worked as a tutor, researcher and teaching assistant. PHOTO EDITOR ity to lead and take an interest in one’s fellow beings. more socially and economically responsible. “I think Asked if she would recommend that others Natasha Peterson » [email protected] The scholarship is seen as one of the most prestigious (my work with SUNSET) is basically why I’m going, apply for the Rhodes scholarship, Alana cautioned in the world. Past recipients include leaders from sev- but there are so many other people who have done students to remember that even though it is presti- SENIOR REPORTER Derek Leschasin » [email protected] eral countries, for example, Bill Clinton, the former amazing work in that area and aren’t getting any rec- gious, it is still just a scholarship to study at a univer- president of the United States. The cost of studying at ognition,” said Lejoie-O’Malley. sity. Students should research Oxford and decide for STAFF RepORTER Oxford is completely covered for two years, including Surprisingly, though Lejoie-O’Malley enjoyed themselves if it has the programs that they want to Kenton Smith » [email protected] travel and living expenses. her work on environmental issues, her many achieve- study, she said. For Lejoie-O’Malley, Oxford isn’t the Initially Lejoie-O’Malley didn’t consider apply- ments in that field were not her greatest source of end of the road — she has a lot of studying ahead. BEAT RepORTER Ksenia Prints » [email protected] BEAT RepORTER Michelle Dobrovolny » [email protected] Family will remain in “benevolent PRODUCTION MANAGER & GRAPHICS EDITOR Sarah Sangster » [email protected] prison,” says Minister THIS WEEK ’ S CONTRIBUTORS est, are Canadian-born citizens. Hassan Raza, the family’s father, fears what awaits the western- Michael Banias, Sam McLean, Jenette Martens, Cameron Maclean, Renee Lilley, Kelly Ross, Brooke Dmytriw, KSENIA PRINTS ized children in a country they have never known. Aaron Epp, Erin McIntyre, Matt Urban, Daniel Falloon, BEAT REPORTER “Maybe my problems can be solved… But my Micheal Silicz , Josh Boulding daughter, she has a future here,” he says. “[The appeal] was turned down, no reason our months ago the Raza family ar- given,” says Rev. barb janes of the CFRUC, angered The Uniter is the official student newspaper of the University of Winnipeg and is published by Mouseland Press Inc. rived at the Crescent Fort Rouge United by the decision. The Razas themselves are “very Mouseland Press Inc. is a membership based organization Church (CFRUC) looking for sanctu- upset” and disappointed, and state that return- in which students and community members are invited F to participate. For more information on how to become a ary from deportation. On Nov. 26 the federal ing to Pakistan is not an option. They escaped the member go to www.uniter.ca, or call the office at 786-9790. The Uniter is a member of the Canadian University Press and Immigration Department denied their appeal country in 1998, victims of sectorial violence. Campus Plus Media Services. to leave sanctuary until the review of their refu- While in sanctuary, the family is unable SUBMISSION OF ARTICLES, LETTERS, GRAPHICS AND PHOTOS ARE WELCOME. Articles must be submitted in gee status applications. For now the family will to step beyond church boundaries. Volunteers text (.rtf) or Microsoft Word (.doc) format to [email protected], remain at CFRUC. attend to their needs and the children are home- or the relevant section editor. Deadline for submissions is 6:00 p.m. Thursday, one week before publication. The appeal was based on an alleged failure to schooled, separated from any peer contact. “Being Deadline for advertisements is noon Friday, six days prior to publication. The Uniter reserves the right to refuse to print account for the well being of the family’s children. in sanctuary, like this family, is basically like (being submitted material. The Uniter will not print submissions The six children, ages one to thirteen, were not all in) a benevolent prison,” said Rev. janes in a previ- that are homophobic, misogynistic, racist, or libellous. We also reserve the right to edit for length and/or style. born in Pakistan, and most do not speak Urdu, the ous Uniter interview. regional language. Sima and Massim, the young- The family now faces two options: await a NATASHA PETERSON CONTACT US » General Inquiries: 204.786.9790 The Raza family children, living in sanctuary at Crescent Advertising: 204.786.9779 Fort Rouge United Church, are homeschooled. Editors: 204.786.9497 Fax: 204.783.7080 Email: [email protected] LOCATION » decision on their humanitarian and compassion- Room ORM14 ate application; or hope for a compassionate inter- University of Winnipeg 515 Portage Avenue vention by Monte Solberg, minister of citizenship Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9 and immigration. “We continue to lobby Monte Solberg. We have the postcard campaign, and we continue to look for any other options available,” COVER IMAGE says Rev. janes. The postcard campaign is a coun- try-wide effort through the United Church’s web- site. People can purchase and send postcards to minister Solberg, urging him to take action on the ART CITY CHRISTMAS! family’s situation. (Photo: Natasha Peterson) “We’ve reassured [the Razas] that we’re not giving up on them, we’re continuing to work as hard as we can to let them stay in Canada,” says Rev. janes. But the process could take several more months — it doesn’t look like happy holidays are in store for the Razas. contact: [email protected] The Uniter December 7, 2006 NEWS 03 240 certified organic producers in Manitoba. EU barriers to GMOs lose strength They represent only about one percent of the total agricultural production of the province, CANADIAN PRODUceRS SPecULATE TRADE CHANGes but agricultural producers are working hard to increase that number. Many organic producers are concerned about their industry’s chances CAMERON MACLEAN that this amounted to an unjustified barrier to market that was cut off to our producers.” of survival in a market which is increasingly VOLUNTEER STAFF trade, and violated international agreements The WTO ruling should come as especially dominated by GMOs, where modified genes that require such procedures to be completed good news to canola producers in Manitoba.