THE HYDRO-IMPACTED - A CALL TO ACTION FOR NORTHERN MANITOBA'S INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES - The Uniter
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FREE. WEEKLY. VOLUME 75—ISSUE 17—FEBRUARY 4, 2021
20 YEARS OF JUICE—P3 KEEPING UNHOUSED WINNIPEGGERS WARM—P9 & 13 CLIMATE CARE ON CAMPUS—P10
THE HYDRO-IMPACTED
A CALL TO ACTION FOR NORTHERN MANITOBA’S INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
U N I V E R S I T Y O F W I N N I P E G A N D D O W N T O W N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R
ON THE COVER Local filmmaker Sonya Ballantyne knows firsthand how destructive Manitoba Hydro has been for northern Indigenous communities. Read more on page 6.
PAST AND
PRESENT
THOMAS PASHKO
THOMASPASHKO
MANAGING EDITOR
Six years ago, when Maclean’s magazine
ran a cover story proclaiming Winnipeg
“Canada’s most racist city,” local reactions
were intense and mixed. Mayor Brian
Bowman made a public statement of sol-
idarity, while local radio DJ Dave Wheeler
chastised the writer of the Maclean’s sto-
ry, Nancy Macdonald, on the air, claiming
that Winnipeg’s crisis of violence toward
Indigenous women wasn’t racist because
Indigenous Canadians were “damaging
their own race.”
Almost exactly one year later, Maclean’s
published a new article by Macdonald
calling Winnipeg “a capital of reconcilia-
tion.” Winnipeg has made major strides
in addressing racism. The initial Maclean’s
article served as a wake-up call for many
local organizers, and, in 2018, Wheeler
was fired from his longtime radio gig for
his long history of on- and off-air bigotry.
But this past week is an important
reminder that we can make big strides
while still having an even bigger problem.
In this week’s cover feature, features
reporter Keesha Harewood examines the
long-term damage that Manitoba Hydro
has done to Indigenous communities in
northern Manitoba. The history of Hydro’s
damage to these communities goes back
many decades and continues today.
This is just one example of local sys-
temic racism to rear its ugly head in the
last seven days. On Jan. 28, it was an-
nounced that the police officer who shot
and killed Eishia Hudson, an unarmed
Indigenous teenager, would not face
charges. On Feb. 3, the Winnipeg Fire
Paramedic Service (WFPS) held a press
conference to address a report that fire-
fighters deliberately delayed assistance to
an Indigenous woman with a stab wound
to the neck because the paramedic assist-
ing her had attempted to blow the whistle
on racism within the WFPS ranks.
We can make progress, but the work
is never done. Systemic racism still exists
within Winnipeg’s local institutions. The
hydroelectric dams keeping our lights
on still operate at the expense of First
Nations peoples. And, despite a very brief
absence, you can still hear Dave Wheel-
er on local radio from 6 to 10 a.m. every
weekday. SUPPLIED PHOTO
The members of Winnipeg alt-rock band Julien’s Daughter met through an unusual forum: Kijiji ads. Read more on page 3.
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ARTS
PLENTY OF GOOD
TO GO AROUND
Good + Plenty promotes diversity in the arts
and music scene
CHARLIE MORIN FEATURES EDITOR CHRLSMORIN
In early 2020, Lana Winterhalt and Chris- The educational component will include
tian Higham launched Good + Plenty WPG offering workshops to the community and
to address the lack of diversity in Winnipeg’s creating resources to share with venues out-
art and music scene. Good + Plenty is a pro- lining how to make their spaces and shows
motional company for artists and musicians more inclusive.
who are “women, non-binary, LGBTQ2S+, One existing resource is a growing directo-
living with a disability, BIPOC, and be- ry, compiling both performers and people who
yond,” according to their website. are trained in sound, lights and tech, currently
Winterhalt says the music scene in Win- available on the Good + Plenty website.
nipeg often showcases not only the same per- Olivia Onuk is an event organizer in-
formers, but also sound and light technicians. volved with Good + Plenty.
“What could we do to change that, or to “Many of my events were birthed from
make the Winnipeg music scene more re- the need to see more people who looked like
flective of Winnipeg?” Winterhalt says. me in the arts and music scene in Winnipeg
She says Good + Plenty aims to focus on sharing their talents comfortably, going far
creating diverse and accessible shows. and being well-promoted,” Onuk says in an
“We want to be really creative with the ven- email statement. “I knew that if I was really
ues we’re picking and how we’re putting an tired of not seeing something, I was going to
event together, that it really amplifies every- have to make it happen.”
one’s art together and can continue to weave Onuk is a co-founder of The Black Label
the community together,” Winterhalt says. WPG, which aims to “highlight, promote
The company will involve younger mem- and celebrate Black-owned businesses, pro-
bers of the community through all-ages fessionals and creatives in Manitoba,” ac- SUPPLIED PHOTO
events and also tries to focus on older musi- cording to a post on their Facebook page.
cians and artists. The project has been stalled due to funding
Event organizer Olivia Onuk works with Good + Plenty WPG, which attempts to address the lack of
Live events planned for March 2020 fell and COVID-related reasons, but Onuk is diversity in Winnipeg’s art and music scenes.
through due to the COVID-19 pandemic. hopeful it will soon resume and notes they
Instead, Good + Plenty has taken the time are open to partnerships.
to focus on their action plan and policies. “The plan is a platform where people can exist, and they know we do good work, but Check out the directory at goodandplenty-
Winterhalt says they plan to conduct re- learn more about BIPOC artists in Winni- we’re not top-of-mind,” Onuk says. “Where wpg.com. Black Owned Business Manito-
search by talking to people in the industry peg, view their work, attend events, work- ... diverse ideas and varied perspectives are ba, a directory of Black-owned businesses
and host round-table informational events shops, classes, groups or talks led by them welcomed, everyone feels valued, and every- across the province, can we found at black-
to talk to communities and better under- and hire their services,” Onuk says. one grows.” ownedmb.com.
stand the issues they face. “People know we’re here, they know we
20-YEAR MILESTONE
FOR JUICE JOURNAL
Despite a lack of live events, the literary journal
remains high-quality
CHARLIE MORIN FEATURES EDITOR CHRLSMORIN
Juice Journal, the literary journal for and by ter its success in 2019.
University of Winnipeg students, just released “It gives people an opportunity to connect
its 20th volume – albeit, without an actual outside of just an open mic,” she says. “I believe
launch event to celebrate this achievement. that food is the best way to connect.”
There’s a lot to celebrate. Over the years, “Of course, what is missing is that in-person
Juice has provided a community for emerging contact that really does so much to create com-
writers and published the early works of local munity for the writers on campus,” Catherine
authors, including Joshua Whitehead and Hunter, a creative writing professor who has
Katherena Vermette. been an important part of Juice since its incep-
Anne Caprice B. Claros is an editor for Juice tion, says.
20 and has been involved with the journal She adds that one of the biggest bene-
since 2016. She says they received over 100 fits of creative writing courses is meeting
submissions for this year’s journal, which is other writers.
similar to previous years – despite the chal- Hunter supervises the production of the
lenge of producing the journal remotely. journal and helps with training. The previous
“The biggest part of (the challenge) was en- year’s editor trains the new editors, and stu-
suring that we produced a journal that stayed dents working on the journal have access to an
true to our promise of quality on top of ... advisory board.
(making) sure everybody’s represented (and “If students need to ask questions about
making) sure new voices are heard,” Claros distribution or layout and design, or edi- SUPPLIED PHOTO
says, noting the journal includes works from a torial questions, they can rely on these ex-
variety of people studying outside the English perts,” Hunter says. The cover of the 20th edition of Juice Journal
department. This year, the remote production of the
One main difference with this year’s pro- journal was a challenge.
duction of Juice is the absence of the open mic. “Managing all of that when you’re not at
“Open mics are definitely crucial ... they school was not as easy as I thought, because portunity to still stay true to our promise of Order a copy of Juice 20 for $5 by emailing
provide an opportunity for people unfa- you can’t reach out to everyone you want,” quality, and I think that is quite evident in the uwinnipeg.juice@gmail.com. Include your
miliar with the journal to get to know the Claros says. “You can send as many emails as pieces that we chose for this year,” Claros says. name and phone number, as well as the
journal, and then for those already familiar you want, but if you’re not connecting with “Every issue is different,” Hunter says. “I number of copies and your preference for
with the journal to reconnect with their anyone, you’re basically not getting anywhere.” think the quality of the writing has always pickup or shipping (include your address
peers,” Claros says. Rather than gathering to discuss submis- been really strong from the beginning.” if choosing shipping). Follow @uw_juice-
Claros was disappointed the second an- sions, the team used Google Forms to give journal on Instagram for more information
nual Word Lunch, an event blending open their feedback and make decisions remotely. and updates.
mic and potluck, was cancelled this year af- “Google (Forms) really afforded us an op-
ARTS
SUPPLIED PHOTO
Winnipeg alt-rock band Julien’s Daughter
KIJIJI ADS AND
Static That Carries Over on Jan. 15, a cul- “(We have) a real basement-rock sound,”
mination of six singles that range from she says.
BASEMENT ROCK
the dynamic and aptly named starter “You can make music that does not need
“Coffee” to the “Wellington” and “Foxy to be super polished but is still enjoyable.
Roxy” distorted duo. Staying true to their There can be mistakes in the recordings, and
SESSIONS
roots, the band has placed “fans wanted” though you can be insecure about them, you
ads on Kijiji to help garner attention for can still appreciate it. It does not have to be a
their debut release. pure recording.”
The EP’s name came about during a re- Murphy notes that when the COVID-19
cording session with UMFM production pandemic hit last year, it initially felt like the
co-ordinator David Dobbs when the band band’s momentum would be ruined. Things,
Julien’s Daughter setting a different tone in connected “Wellington” and “Foxy Roxy”
together with some guitar feedback. Howev-
however, turned out quite differently.
“Without the pandemic, I do not think
Winnipeg’s alt-rock scene er, Osuntade says the band’s name came from we would be as successful as we were in
a more unlikely yet familiar place. certain areas,” she says.
NAAMAN STURRUP ARTS AND CULTURE REPORTER NAAMANSTURRUP
“We met up with a guy who was supposed “We would have recorded this EP alone,
to be a drummer,” he says. and we would not have been in contact
“We initially thought he was at an age with our current producer Adam Fuhr, so
Kijiji.ca is used for many things. Known as “So I started these Kijiji ads to meet closer to ours, but we had mixed him up a lot of things would have been different.
a place for buying and selling cars, prop- people with no specific guidelines. I with another person Emma was talking However, I am happy ... things turned out
erty and the occasional overpriced puppy, met (Chelliot Osuntade) on BandMix (a with through Kijiji. He ended up being in the way they did.”
the popular website is also used for job and classified advertisement website for mu- his late ’30s with kids. Though in the end She says the band is steadily working
talent scouting, and this is where Julien’s sicians), and from there we experiment- it did not work out, when he left, someone on new content and continuing to develop
Daughter vocalist Emma Murphy began to ed with different band lineups of people mentioned, ‘man I wish Julien’s daughter their sound.
chase her dream. through Kijiji. We had five or six people played the drums.’ And from there, we de-
“When I was leaving high school, I want- we were in contact with, and it finally fell cided to keep that name.” The Static That Carries Over is available
ed to put a band together, but I didn’t really into the four people we have now.” For Murphy, the name provides some in- at juliensdaughter.bandcamp.com and on
know anybody in the scene,” she says. The band released their debut EP The sight how the band and other artists can stay major streaming platforms.
true to their roots.
ADVERTISE
WITH US!
Great reach, great rates!
For online advertising rates and more information,
contact Olivia Norquay at businessmgr@uniter.ca.
CRITIPEG
SUPPLIED PHOTO
LETTERKENNY
rylines following Hicks, Skids and Hockey show is filmed), with scenic shots not typically
Players is a fourth perspective showing Gail seen on the show: a side angle of the barn, a quiet
(Lisa Codrington), Rosie (Clark Backo) and railroad crossing, an urban street basking in the
Bonnie McMurray (Kamilla Kowal). The lat- glow of a unoccupied convenience store, a snowy
ter two fit with the Hick description, although residential road at night, an industrial area.
“Sleepover,” streaming on Crave Gail, for reasons aside from being the town
barmaid, really can’t be categorized.
Letterkenny’s camerawork is known for its
use of wide shots, although this has evolved to
What is this breakaway group? It seems they include more character close-ups over the years.
are set apart from the main Hicks – Wayne The episode typically begins with one of a hand-
(Jared Keeso), Katy (Michelle Mylett) and ful of the same scenic shots, including the sun
CHARLIE MORIN FEATURES EDITOR CHRLSMORIN Daryl (Nathan Dales), with the conspicuous rising over the barn. Taking the time to show
absence of Squirrely Dan (K. Trevor Wilson) – these shots during the actual episode slows
Released to Crave Dec. 25, 2020 (as per Let- ing in the fictional town of Letterkenny in so they can both freely engage in the aforemen- down the pacing to reflect the comfortable lull
terkenny tradition on Christmas Day), it will rural Ontario as they deal with day-to-day tioned “girl talk” from the episode description. of hibernation, a sleepover among friends.
problems and interact with one another. As That’s the first true deviation from the Let- It’s a comforting episode to watch, although
come as no surprise to fans that Letterkenny’s
the seasons have progressed, other groups terkenny formula. Although the episode begins somewhat lacking the show’s usual wit. As well
latest season follows the standard formula: rap-
have gotten more screen time – not only as with the usual rapid-fire banter, the tone after as giving the actors a rest from their usual rap-
id-fire wordplay, brawls and one-liner truisms.
useful to the plot for the Hicks, Skids and the intro sequence fits with the quiet feel of a id-fire wordplay, the whole episode feels like
That is, save for one episode. “Sleepover”
Hockey Players, but with their own prob- mid-winter sleepover with good friends. The a break from the usual story. There is no plot
follows the Hicks, Skids and Hockey Players
lems and storylines, as well. dialogue is deceptively normal compared to advancement, no real conflict, no chorin’.
as they engage in sleepover activities: movies,
This is where the “Sleepover” episode the usual pop-culture riffing, characters roast- Even the Hockey Players take a break from
games and girl talk.
begins to deviate from the show’s standard ing each other and clever wordplay. their Tinder activity. The whole episode feels,
For those unfamiliar with the show, Let-
formula. Alongside the usual parallel sto- The episode includes a 30-second montage as Reilly (Dylan Playfair) puts it, like a “well-
terkenny follows these three main groups liv-
of a mid-winter nighttime Sudbury (where the earned night off, bro.”
ARTS BRIEFS
HANNAH FOULGER ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR FOULGERSCOVFEFE SPEAKSTORY
THE UNITER IS MB Arts Network’s
online performances
Shred Kelly plays the
Winnipeg Folk Festival,
SEEKING COMIC From Feb. 21 to March 31, MB Arts Network virtually
CONTRIBUTORS
is hosting performances every Sunday and
Wednesday at 7 p.m on their Facebook page. The British Columbia’s Shred Kelly makes their
shows feature Manitoba musicians and perform- Winnipeg “stop” on Feb. 13. Shred Kelly’s virtu-
ers, including Leaf Rapids, Kendra Kay, Woody al tour is hosted by eight music festivals across
Holler, Desiree Dorion, Sebastian Gaskin, Double Canada, including the Winnipeg Folk Festival.
the Trouble, Kelly Bado, the Ivan Flett Memori- A quarter of the proceeds will be donated to
al Dancers and the Street Circus. On March 28, Protect Our Winters Canada. The show will
include a 40-min set, a comedy short and a
The Uniter is looking for
Stephanie Morin-Robert will perform her Fringe
Festival hit Blindside. There will also be perfor- campfire song from different iconic performers.
mances from nine emerging artists and alumni of Tickets for their Winnipeg show at 7 p.m. on
local emerging artists to
Manitoba Arts Network’s mentorship program, Feb. 16 can be purchased on Eventbrite.
including Cohen Sieg, Jane Cory & Kyle Burghout,
Lana Winterhalt and The Prairie Joggers.
create comics on a
volunteer basis. Raine Hamilton at the
West End Cultural Centre
Roaring 2020s at Home
hosted by MEMETIC
Winnipeg singer-songwriter and chamber folk Live from the Pyramid Cabaret, MEMETIC
artist Raine Hamilton will perform live from the presents seven hours of swing-inspired house,
See your work in West End Cultural Centre on Feb. 5 with trio
collaborators Quintin Bart on double bass and
tech and breaks. Performers include DJs Lotek,
Manalogue, Komus and Nathan Zahn, and
newsprint, online and
Natanielle Felicitas on cello. The performance will visuals by Pixel Pusher and Jabez Wray. The
feature songs from her upcoming album Brave event will be hosted live on Twitch and is a
Land, as well as some old favourites. This new al- fundraiser for the Pyramid Cabaret. Details
distributed around the city bum will be released slowly over the year through
a series of singles. Like many of her past concerts,
about where to stream and tickets to come.
The show starts on Feb 13 at 7 p.m. Find out
while you enhance skills.
this performance will include ASL interpretation. more on their Facebook event page.
The concert is at 8 p.m, and tickets are available at
eventbrite.ca/o/west-end-cultural-centre.
Winnipeg Jazz Theory at Home
Orchestra quintets MAWA presents Theory at Home, an infor-
Contact Talia at Joel Green will perform at the third installment of
mal critical discussion series online featuring
guest facilitators. Praba Pilar is a queer diasporic
creative@uniter.ca
Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra’s concert series on Feb. Colombian artist creating performance art, digital/
8 at 7:30 p.m. Broadcast from the Royal MTC Tom electronic installations, experimental public talks
for more information!
Hendry Digital Studio, these free performances and workshops in museums, universities, festi-
are scheduled every second Monday for the dura- vals, galleries and streets around the world. This
tion of the series. For the livestream link, go to the week, they will read Tiare Ribeaux’s Cyanovisions
Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra website between 7:30 – Photosynthetic Speculations. Email programs@
and 8:30 p.m. the day of the concert. mawa.ca to receive the reading and Zoom link to
the meeting.
Words by Keesha Harewood Features Reporter keeshaharewood
FEATURE
Photos by Daniel Crump Photo Editor dannyboycrump
THE HYDRO-IMPACTED
A CALL TO ACTION FOR NORTHERN MANITOBA’S INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
Sonya Ballantyne is a Winnipeg-based filmmaker from the Misipawistik Cree Nation whose family has been impacted by Manitoba Hydro.
For decades, northern Manitoba’s Indigenous communities have suffered greatly from the Indigenous communities to uphold a degree of respect for the people and the surrounding
malpractices of Manitoba Hydro. land. Hydro has failed to honour the original agreements many times over.
Beginning in the early 1960s, Manitoba Hydro constructed dams to supply power The impact of their actions is staggering.
throughout the province. Initially, the Crown corporation made promises to the affected
Feature continues on next page.
FEATURE THE HYDRO-IMPACTED
SUPPLIED PHOTO
Wa Ni Ska Tan is an organization advocating for Hydro-impacted communities.
The impact: environment, confined solely to impacted communities.
culture and economy “There’s a ripple effect throughout not just
the community, but the province,” Dysart says.
“Well, there’s a whole slew of damages,” “Last time I checked, they (Manitoba
Leslie W. Dysart, the CEO of Community Hydro) were close to $24 billion into debt.
Association of South Indian Lake. (CASIL), All Manitobans have to be aware. They’re
says over the phone. the ones who’re gonna pay off this debt.”
The damages stemmed from Hydro’s In addition to the economic and envi-
Churchill River Diversion (CRD) program, ronmental turmoil, there is social and cul-
which began operating in 1976. The pro- tural damage.
gram allowed Hydro to raise water levels of Writer and filmmaker Sonya Ballantyne
Southern Indian Lake to divert water from is especially in tune to the cultural traumas
the Churchill River into the Nelson River. that have arisen from Manitoba Hydro’s
Despite restrictions from the CRD interim operations.
licence issued in 1973, Hydro managed to In her captivating documentary Nosi-
acquire permission to keep operating CRD sim, Ballantyne tells the story of her grand-
with less constraints through the Aug- mother and the turmoil she endured after
mented Flow Program (AFP). the construction of a Manitoba Hydro dam
“There’s severe erosion due to the large near her home.
amount of water fluctuations on our lake. “My grandma told me about it when I
You actually see trees that are falling into the was young,” she says, “that she was from a
water on an annual basis,” Dysart says. place that didn’t have any lights.”
Having grown up in South Indian Lake, Ballantyne grew up near Grand Rap-
Dysart witnessed firsthand the environmen- ids, Man. on the Misipawistik Cree Nation
tal decay of his community. reserve. During childhood, she spent most of
Specifically, he notes the community was her time in Misipawistik and Chemawawin,
once home to the largest whitefish fishery in where her grandmother was from.
North America. Due to Manitoba Hydro’s According to Ballantyne, Chemawawin
carelessness within the last two decades, the was significantly impacted by the dam in
fish population collapsed, and the South
Indian Lake economy followed.
This, however, is only one example of the
losses elicited by Manitoba Hydro’s projects.
Dr. Ramona Neckoway, associate pro-
fessor at University College of the North “My parents, my grandparents,
and director for the Centre for Aboriginal
Languages & Culture, has researched other they lived on the land ... they
instances where Manitoba Hydro’s neg- moved between camps and
ligence yielded devastating results on the
environment of affected communities. communities, and they were
Neckoway notes how hazardous it’s mobile, and they were active,
become to swim in or drink the water. and now we’re kind of stuck in
“They rerouted entire river systems, so
they’ve excavated large parts of land to force the communities, and we’re
water through,” she says. settled into these boundar-
“In 2021, we shouldn’t be concerned
about turning on the tap to drink the water ies that have been created by
or be concerned about our children swim- colonial sectors. It’s had great
ming in the lake. These are all fears I have,”
Neckoway says. impact and consequences on
Shoreline erosion and unnavigable waters a whole bunch of levels.” “My grandma told me about it when I was young, that she was from a place that didn’t have any lights.”
are just some of the environmental prob- - filmmaker Sonya Ballantyne
lems Hydro-impacted communities are able
to identify.
Dysart says other environmental issues,
such as how the climate crisis relates to the
dams, have not been studied at length. Yet Grand Rapids, because it was the only com- shoot up from the ground, because the roots great impact and consequences on a whole
Manitoba Hydro forges ahead with projects munity that was displaced. would be destroyed,” Ballantyne says. bunch of levels.”
like its newest undertaking – the Keeyask “I remember researching it,” Ballantyne “I just remember how haunted that place Without swift and effective intervention,
Generating Station – without any concern says. “People there were told that if they seemed to be.” these wounds will only deepen. However, there
for the damage done, or any real oversight moved to the new place, they would get Prior to Manitoba Hydro’s intervention, are people currently mobilizing for change.
by the provincial government. electricity. They would get access to the many of the northern Indigenous commu-
“Manitoba Hydro is very much aware and main road. They would have new houses
has been informed through the decades,” and all this other stuff.”
nities were self-sufficient and thriving. Wa Ni Ska Tan
Neckoway, who also grew up in a
Dysart says. He explains how the provincial Manitoba Hydro has never followed Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie is the community
Hydro-impacted community, holds stories
government contributes to the problem. through on these promises. Without receiving co-ordinator for Wa Ni Ska Tan: An Alli-
of her family from a time before the dam.
“They are the regulators of Manitoba any sort of payment in return, the loss of the ance of Hydro-Impacted Communities.
“My parents, my grandparents, they
Hydro. It’s a Crown corporation. They original Chemawawin is all the more bleak. Wa Ni Ska Tan is a group of dedicated
lived on the land,” she says. “They moved
issue the licences for these mega projects “I remember people telling us about how activists and researchers who aid Hydro-im-
between camps and communities, and they
that Manitoba Hydro undertakes. Their the floodwater meant that the cemeteries pacted communities in northern Manitoba
were mobile, and they were active, and now
approval processes are so lax, and there’s lit- were flooded there, and that you had to and Canada.
we’re kind of stuck in the communities, and
tle oversight,” Dysart says. be careful when you go near there, because As the community co-ordinator, Lavoie
we’re settled into these boundaries that have
The effect of Hydro’s lack of regulation isn’t trees that were flooded would sometimes does campaign work, event organizing and
been created by colonial sectors. It’s had
Feature continues on next page.
FEATURE THE HYDRO-IMPACTED
SUPPLIED PHOTO
This image from Sonya Ballantyne’s film Nosisim shows the construction of the Grand Rapids Generating Station during the 1960s.
SUPPLIED PHOTO
Sonya Ballantyne walks in front of the Grand Rapids Generating Station in a scene from Nosisim.
public engagement. Their job, at its core, is to sign off every year to permit them to go out- Ska Tan are commendable, and the resilience downstream when this dumping of water
send a message to those who are uninformed side of their licence agreement, but they don’t of the impacted communities is remarkable, occurs,” Dysart says.
in southern Manitoba and inspire them into consult properly,” Lavoie says. Manitobans – especially those in the south – “You can still generate power without
action. Dysart notes that South Indian Lake is have a moral obligation to help. destroying us.”
Currently, Wa Ni Ska Tan is working with among the communities that have yet to be “There’s a responsibility for us to address There are easy options to help in a signifi-
groups like the Manitoba Energy Justice Col- consulted. the injustices that happened within Hydro cant way from home.
lision (MEJC) that have a campaign around “It’s hugely devastating to the environ- and to prioritize the safety and health and To start, MEJC has a letter-writing cam-
putting in place a Manitoba Hydro shadow ment, to the people, to the wildlife, to the well-being of Indigenous communities in our paign on their website at mbenergyjustice.
board. The board’s function would be to fish. The regulators – Manitoba – want every- province when we’re addressing the energy org. Personal letters are preferable, but the site
monitor Manitoba Hydro’s activities. body to ignore that and just say ‘well, Hydro economy here in Manitoba,” Lavoie says. offers a template that lets people input their
In addition to the shadow board and wants it, (so) they should get it,’” he says. “And they have responsibility to apply information and click “send” in seconds.
many other initiatives that operate on local, “It’s race-based decisions for race-based pressure to the provincial government, to Even simpler, there’s a change.org petition
national and international levels, Wa Ni Ska benefits, and we’re on the downside of have more affordable energy but also (to seeking 25,000 signatures. Signing it would
Tan, alongside many others, has a particular that,” Dysart says. respect) Indigenous rights.” go a long way in sending a critical message to
issue on its radar. After a project is built, the conservation The aim is not to stop using the dams alto- the provincial government.
“One major thing that we have been focus- and climate minister reviews the terms and gether, but to operate them responsibly so The most meaningful way to help, how-
ing on over the years is the Churchill River conditions relating to the interim licence and Indigenous communities aren’t sacrificed for ever, is to actively learn about the issues sur-
Diversion (CRD),” Lavoie says. “They’re in can issue the final license if satisfied, which unnecessary quantities of power. rounding Hydro-impacted communities.
a struggle with the provincial government must be renewed after 50 years. Ultimately, If Manitoba Hydro is granted the licence, The topic is daunting and dense but must be
to address the licencing for the Augmented the decision of whether or not projects such South Indian Lake’s ecosystem will be subjected understood from an Indigenous perspective
Flow Program so they can raise water levels as the Churchill River Diversion continue is to further damage, flooding and devastation. for real, sustainable change to be achieved.
outside of their licence that they have with up to the current minister, Sarah Guillemard. “Imagine small moose, every small being There are many Indigenous people who are
the First Nations.” just being flooded and swimming in circles vocal about this topic. Find them, and listen.
“This is a constant thing, where Hydro Do the right thing and help until they die and drown. We’ve had reports
basically asks the provincial government to Although the efforts of groups like Wa Ni ... of eggs of ducks and geese just floating
CITY THE UNITER FEBRUARY 4, 2021
9
KEEPING
WINNIPEGGERS
WARM, AND MORE
Warming Centre aims to fill gaps in services
CIERRA BETTENS CITY REPORTER FICTIONALCIERRA CIERRABETTENS
Winnipeg has entered its annual cold snap, and the SNA, says many usually rely on shelter in
the concerns around public safety in freezing other establishments throughout the year.
temperatures have become even more pressing It’s “not just social-service agencies closing
in the time of COVID-19. their doors, but also libraries, Tim Hortons,
The Warming Centre, a partnership be- all these places that we know unsheltered folks
tween the Spence Neighbourhood Associa- depend on,” Howes-Barr says. She adds that a
tion (SNA) and the West Central Women’s number of families who access the SNA’s ser-
Resource Centre (WCWRC) was created vices relied on school breakfast programs and
to offer a safe space to warm up and fill gaps are now struggling to fill the gap.
in community services. Located in a former Howes-Barr says the Warming Centre
gymnasium at the Magnus Eliason Recreation offers much more than a space to warm up,
SUPPLIED PHOTO
Centre, the space provides warmth, hot meals receive a hot meal and get access to resources
and winter gear for those in need, as well as a amid Winnipeg’s frigid winter season. It can The Warming Centre in the disused Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre gymnasium will help
variety of outreach services. also provide a sense of community between Winnipeggers experiencing houselessness keep warm this winter.
Lorie English, the executive director of staff and visitors.
the WCWRC, says the partnership was “While everyone has experienced men-
also a response to the fact that the majority tal-health challenges around isolating in the pan-
of daytime and overnight shelters had re- demic, I think when you live in poverty, those ternative isolation units has greatly prevented from staff are what truly make the space warm.
duced their capacity significantly because of challenges are sort of exacerbated,” Howes-Barr increased community transmission. “They’re making it warm in the truest sense
COVID-19 protocols. says. “That need for community connection and “We are the literal frontline. We are where of the word,” Howes-Barr says.
“The most alarming piece of data that we that need to be supported is so critical.” people come first. We are the people they come
heard in our sector calls was that 80 per cent of English and Howes-Barr say their frontline back to,” English says. “I think our contribu- The Warming Centre is located at 430 Lang-
the daytime drop-in spaces had been closed,” staff has played a crucial role in public safety tion to curbing the spread of COVID-19 has side St. Winter gear and hygiene products
English says. “The reduction of services was and curbing the spread of COVID-19. While been significant.” can be donated by calling 204-333-9681
catastrophic to people who were unsheltered.” Howes-Barr says there is no way to empirically While the Warming Centre offers a place to arrange a drop-off time. Monetary dona-
It’s not just designated shelter spaces that determine how many cases the organization for community members to escape the cold, tions can be made to the SNA or the WCWRC.
have impacted people experiencing houseless- has helped prevent, she says transporting peo- Howes-Barr says the connections and support
ness. Lin Howes-Barr, the executive director of ple showing symptoms to testing sites and al-
JOHN MEDINA (SUPPLIED)
Festival du Voyageur has gone above and beyond to bring the in-person Festival experience online.
FESTIVAL DU
fléchée, one can pick up a traditional Fran- musician were heavily shaped and inspired by
co-Manitoban meal kit from Promenade being exposed to the talent that the festival
VOYAGEUR GOES
Café and Wine. To take it a step further, festi- brought to the stage. Since her teenage years,
val attendees can pre-order a Caribou cocktail she has performed in a number of different
served in a Festival-style ice glass from Patent bands and formations.
VIRTUAL
5 Distillery. “I think it really contributed to me feeling
And perhaps the most meticulous detail: like I had permission to dream about doing
Brand says the festival’s boutique will sell an that,” Turenne says.
essential oil mimicking the woodsy aroma Aside from the musical acts that headline
found on the traditional festival grounds. the festival, Brand says Festival du Voyageur
“We really tried to mimic as much as pos- also acts as an avenue to combine education
Programming includes workshops and eight sible what people see in the park,” Brand says.
This year’s musical lineup brings a num-
and celebration. What makes the experience
unique is its presentation of information on
days of free online concerts ber of new and familiar performers, including Franco-Manitoban and Métis cultures in a
Andrina Turenne, a musician with home- way that’s fun and inviting, Brand says.
town roots in St. Boniface. Turenne attend- “When it’s framed in this way as a big
CIERRA BETTENS CITY REPORTER FICTIONALCIERRA CIERRABETTENS
ed the festival from a young age and says the celebration and a party, essentially, people
annual event holds a special place in her heart are way more open to learning,” Brand says,
This year’s Festival du Voyageur may look a the spirit of Festival to the living room. as a Franco-Manitoban and Métis musician. “to create those bridges and celebrate at the
bit different. Instead of gathering under tents “It’s the first Festival for many Manitobans “My dad was the general director for the same time. To me, that’s the importance of
in Whittier Park, the festival can be experi- that they’re not spending eight days in the first 10 years and founded what most of Fes- Festival du Voyageur.”
enced from the comfort of home. park,” Lor Brand, the festival’s marketing and tival is built on,” she says. “I remember when
Running from Feb. 12 to 21, the festival’s communications co-ordinator says. I was a kid, Festival du Voyageur was, like, To learn more about Festival du Voya-
programming includes eight days of free vir- Brand lists a number ways to emulate the bigger than Christmas, bigger than any of the geur’s virtual programming, visit heho.ca/
tual concerts, dozens of online workshops sensations of Festival du Voyageur at home. holidays. I just couldn’t wait.” en/2021-virtual-programming.
and different partnerships aimed at bringing Before gearing up for festivities in a ceinture Turenne says her formative years as a young
CAMPUS
WINNIPEG-BASED
CLIMATEWEST
LAUNCHED LAST
MONTH
Non-profit focuses on Prairie provinces
CALLUM GOULET-KILGOUR CAMPUS REPORTER CGOULETKILGOUR
On Jan. 19, ClimateWest, a Winni- in the areas of data and science commu-
peg-based non-profit, launched with the nication through its flagship project, the
mandate to “deliver credible, useful, and Prairie Climate Atlas.
timely climate information, data, and “The opportunity came forward to
tools tailored to the Prairie region in work together in a more formalized and
support of positive adaptation to climate ambitious (way) under the banner of Cli-
change,” according to its website. mateWest,” Hilderman says.
ClimateWest is a partnership between “We get to rely on the great work that
the International Institute for Sustainable has come before us, the experiences, the
Development, the Prairie Climate Centre knowledge and the insights that (the part-
(based at the University of Winnipeg) and ners) bring to the table,” she says, adding
the Prairie Adaptation Research Collab- that it has allowed them to accelerate their PHOTO BY DANIEL CRUMP
orative (based at the University of Regi- operations from the start.
na). Environment and Climate Change Though studies have found that inhab- Jane Hilderman is the executive director of ClimateWest, a non-profit providing climate information
and data to the Prairie region.
Canada, the Government of Alberta, the itants of the Prairie provinces are less con-
Government of Manitoba and the Gov- cerned about climate change than other
ernment of Saskatchewan are providing Canadians, it will have a large impact on
financial support. all aspects of life. Extreme weather events a resource to them,” Hilderman says. of W interim president and vice-chancellor,
Jane Hilderman, the executive director and droughts will be more likely, which “We can be highly responsive to what says “ClimateWest is an innovative partner-
of ClimateWest, says the organization will will particularly impact the agricultural the needs are on the ground, but, more ship supported by and bridging the Prairie
fill an important gap. sector – a key part of the Prairie economy. broadly, we’re trying to raise the bar on provinces and federal government, which
“There wasn’t anything on the Prairies Part of ClimateWest’s mandate is to how we can be more climate-ready as a re- will ensure that our region has high-quality
that had the regional mandate to deliver support clients, such as rural communities gion,” she says. climate services to address the challenges
climate information and data,” she says. and small businesses, that might not have “We’ll be developing training opportu- while creating opportunities and prosperity
The aforementioned organizations, the resources to, for instance, hire employ- nities, thinking about audiences that may- in an era of climate change.”
however, have laid the groundwork for ees to work on climate policy. be haven’t had the same chance to invest in
ClimateWest. The University of Winni- “We can support a team that is trying to climate-risk thinking yet,” Hilderman says. For more information on ClimateWest,
peg’s (U of W) Prairie Climate Centre figure out what it means to consider climate In a press release, Dr. James Currie, U visit climatewest.ca.
has produced important work, especially risk in an operational business plan and be
QUEER THEORY AND
A LOVE OF READING
Heather Milne, associate professor, Department
of English, U of W
KEESHA HAREWOOD FEATURES REPORTER KEESHAHAREWOOD
Heather Milne became an associate pro- What is something that you’ve learned
fessor at the University of Winnipeg after from your students?
completing a bachelor’s degree, master of
arts and PhD in English. One thing that I really learn from my
“I’ve always had a love of reading ... (my students, particularly in my queer-themed
studies) seemed to be a way that I could put classes, is just how a younger generation is
my love of reading to good use,” Milne says. really thinking about gender differently and
As a “queer-identified person,” Milne opening up all kinds of spaces to inhabit
focuses on queer theory often, although non-binary genders.”
she points out that it was not the topic of
her dissertation. What’s the best thing about your work?
“I’ve been involved in gender studies “I get paid to read! I love to read. It’s amaz-
and thinking about questions around gen- ing. And also, I love teaching. I love just the
der and sexuality in my work,” she says.
energy of a classroom. I will be really happy
Milne currently teaches a class called
to get back into the physical space of the
Queer Literature, Culture, and Theory.
When she first took on the course, it was classroom because ... there’s something
titled “Twentieth Century Lesbian and about the magic of the classroom that I’m
Gay Literature,” but she changed the title really yearning for right now.”
after a couple years.
“I didn’t want to limit it to 20th centu- If you could have any superpower, what
ry, and I didn’t want to limit it to gay and would it be?
lesbian,” Milne says. “Because, of course, “Just this morning, I went for a cross-coun-
there are other kinds of queer identities to try ski on the river, and I began to get tired, PHOTO BY KEELEY BRAUNSTEIN-BLACK
talk about!” and I found myself wishing that I could
— have endless endurance.”CAMPUS THE UNITER FEBRUARY 4, 2021
11
PHOTO BY KEELEY BRAUNSTEIN-BLACK
Members of the ToyBox team (left to right): project co-ordinator Meagan Nenka, pilot team lead Madison Kehler, project lead Dr. Sheri-Lynn Skwarchuk and technology advisor Dr. Ken Reimer
DIGITAL EDUCATION Though this started off as a project
with the goal of helping parents, it has
This program is geared toward class-
room teachers. The package includes de-
DURING A PANDEMIC
evolved into something that can also be tailed lesson plans, a slideshow of artwork,
used by other caregivers, early-childhood a document explaining the artwork with
educators and teachers, Skwarchuk says. descriptions, an essay by the exhibit cura-
There are two primary ways to participate. tors and more.
“People can either participate in the “We’re talking about artists that are
U of W groups present innovative solutions study and be a ToyBox tester, or they can
just receive the strategies,” she says.
First Nations, Inuit and Metis, collaborat-
ing with artists living in what is currently
Recently, ToyBox received provincial called Canada, who came to this land and
CALLUM GOULET-KILGOUR CAMPUS REPORTER CGOULETKILGOUR
funding to undergo a second round of testing. are not part of the settler-colonial history,”
“We’re aiming for 800 families, and we Gibson says.
want to keep having as many people sign There are targeted lesson plans for early
Since last March, one of the biggest side “educational tool, which is designed to up as possible,” Skwarchuk says. years (Grades 1 to 4) and middle to senior
effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has improve children’s numeracy, literacy and Another innovative project stemming years (Grades 4 to 12).
been its impact on education and chil- wellness,” according to a press release. from the U of W comes from Gallery Both Skwarchuk and Gibson strongly
dren. Students have had to deal with on- Skwarchuk says the project started in 1C03, the university’s art gallery. Their re- urge interested parents, teachers and other
line learning, hybrid arrangements and, 2018 when there was “an innovation call to cently launched digital education program parties to reach out.
often, a decrease in the scope of the ma- improve math and literacy in our province.” is based on the Sovereign Intimacies exhibi-
terial taught. “People were very worried about the low tion, which was displayed from September For more information on the ToyBox
Many organizations have emerged, scores that were coming out of Manitoba,” to December 2020. project or to sign up, email toybox@uwin-
however, with projects aimed at support- she says. Jennifer Gibson, director of Gallery nipeg.ca.
ing students, teachers and parents. Two Essentially, ToyBox emails weekly lit- 1C03, says this is the first time they have
such ventures have originated from the eracy, numeracy and wellness activities to For more information on Gallery 1C03’s
developed a digital education program. digital education program or obtain the
University of Winnipeg (U of W). families. Skwarchuk says the target age is “We spent the fall term working it out,
ToyBox, a project created by U of W two to eight years old. materials, visit uwinnipeg.ca/art-gallery/
and we were super pleased to be able to education-outreach.html.
professor Sheri-Lynn Skwarchuk, is an “Everything is evidence-based,” she says. launch it (in early 2021),” she says.
CITY BRIEFS
ALEX NEUFELDT CITY EDITOR
The queens Collegiate pod Virtually welcom- Pathway to UWSA Reading from
return now online ing potential Graduate Studies election bylaw Zalika Reid-Benta
Read by Queens, a drag queen A six-part podcast series students deadline restructuring On Feb. 10, Zalika Reid-Benta
and king-hosted storybook about the University of Winni- will give a virtual reading in the
On Feb. 10, the University of The application window for On Jan. 29, the UWSA an-
reading series from Sunshine peg Collegiate called Hallowed third 2021 event of the English
Winnipeg will host a virtual the 2021 Pathway to Graduate nounced it had been reviewing
House and the Winnipeg Public Halls is now available online. department’s Black Writing in
open house for future students. Studies program, which pro- and restructuring its election by-
Library, will return for the first The podcast, created by col- Canada series. Reid-Benta is a
The event will feature represen- vides opportunities for Indige- laws to avoid the racist harass-
time since the COVID-19 pan- legiate alum Isaac Wurmaan, Toronto-based writer whose de-
tatives from university faculties nous students in STEM at the ment of election candidates that
demic began in a virtual event covers the school’s history, but short story collection Frying
and information about available University of Winnipeg, closes happened during the 2020 gen-
on Feb 20. current programs, reputation Plantain has won the 23rd annu-
programs, as well as information on Feb 5. The program, set to eral election. The changes will in-
and notable alumni. al Danuta Gleed Literary Award
about university applications run from May 3 to 28, is free of clude a postponed 2021 general and the 2020 Kobo Emerging
and supports available to stu- charge, with on-campus living election, changes to the role of Writer Prize and has been nom-
dents. Registration is available accommodation available to the chief elections commissioner inated, longlisted and shortlist-
on the university website. successful applicants and no and additional electoral reform ed for many other awards. Re-
minimum GPA requirement. proposals that will be released in id-Benta also received the 2019
the coming weeks. Byblacks People’s Choice Award
for Best Author.COLUMN
LIFE ON THE
BORDERLINE
The fault in our self-care
HANNAH MAGNUSSON COLUMNIST HANNAHCANWRITE
The cure for depression is not essential oils, a declining over the last few years. When
healthy gut or radical self-love. people feel less happy, they are increasingly
The comparison between physical and looking to health and wellness products to
mental illness is becoming tired, but it bears make themselves feel better.
repeating. You wouldn’t tell someone with a But why is everyone suddenly convinced
severed limb to love themselves until it spon- that health and wellness are key to happi-
taneously reappeared or to surround them- ness? Perhaps a better question would be:
selves with blood crystals and stolen sage. why do people suddenly think it’s their own
We cannot purchase or “good vibe” our way fault that they are unhappy?
out of mental illness when the world is col- To answer this question, we need to look
lapsing around us. at our cultural heritage in Canada: white su-
For starters, our bodies don’t recognize premacy. It’s not just for neo-Nazis. After all,
capitalism as a sign of safety. Our bodies rec- this country is built on the foundation of set-
ognize basic, ancient physical cues that pre- tler colonialism, on the backs of Indigenous
date bubble baths and athleisure by a long peoples who are now dangerously marginal-
margin. Physical activity (exercise or gentle ized by this same culture.
movement), belly breaths, belly laughs and White-supremacy culture tells us that if
safe physical contact all signal to our body we can’t afford to be well, we don’t deserve
that a threat has passed. to be well. If we can’t afford to do yoga re-
The dopamine (feel-good chemical in our treats, fad diets and cleanses, it’s our own
brains) rush when we purchase something is fault that we are sick and sad. If our job
the same as the rush we get when we run, doesn’t cover therapy or give us time off to
breathe deeply or get a long hug, which go to appointments, we’re not trying hard
tricks us into a false sense of feeling better. enough to get better.
The difference is that while physical safe- Never mind those of us who can’t afford
ty cues also release longer-lasting feel-good shelter, food or basic personal-hygiene prod-
chemicals, the dopamine-only rush from ucts. The myth of pulling ourselves up by ILLUSTRATION BY GABRIELLE FUNK
shopping ends when we receive the product, our bootstraps is not only physically impos-
leaving us with less money and feeling as low sible, but wildly out of touch with the reali-
as we did before. ties of living below the middle class.
This is where the self-care story turns We need accountability, not positive af-
rather cruel. As the costs of living skyrocket, firmations. Accessible healthcare, not organ- Hannah Magnusson is a master’s student to understanding and action. She lives
women’s rights remain hotly contested, parts ic food. Safe, affordable homes, not fitness in the arts department at Athabasca Uni- on Treaty 1 territory on the shore of Lake
of the world literally catch fire, and society regimes. Wellness “gurus” can sell us all versity. Her research focuses on the in- Winnipeg.
insists on placing the value of humans on a the tips to playing the game they want, but tersection of storytelling and advocacy,
sliding, colour-coded scale, it’s not surpris- we’ll never win when the game is hopelessly studying how fostering empathy between
ing that global happiness levels have been rigged against us from the start. different perspectives can build a bridge
WEBINAR WEDNESDAYS refund is applicable. Courses are dropped with Student Central, and/or Academic &
through WebAdvisor using the “Student Career Services using myVisit!
In weekly sessions, Student Services staff
Planning/Registration” link. Student Central has drop-in Zoom sessions
will continue to share valuable strategies
and tips to help you succeed at UWinnipeg. where students can ask questions “in per-
BURSARIES FOR GRADUATE &
The next session is on Wed., Feb. 10. Please PROFESSIONAL STUDIES EXPENSES son” with a SC staff member.
see: uwinnipeg.ca/student-services/webi-
nar-wednesdays.html. Graduate and Professional Studies Expenses
Bursary is available for students in their final The Zoom waiting room is enabled. One
GRADES year of an undergraduate degree program in student will be admitted at a time. Students
the 2020-21 academic year that are applying wait for their turn and need to present their
Grades for Fall Term classes are now posted for Graduate or Professional Studies which UWinnipeg student card (or other photo
on WebAdvisor. begin in 2021-22. The application is open until ID) to talk about their account, the same as
Due to the COVID-19 public health emer- funds have been exhausted. actual in-person interactions at SC.
gency, University of Winnipeg students may To add yourself to the queue, please use the
choose how their grades will affect their STUDENT AID myVisit app (by Q-nomy) available for Apple
grade point average (GPA) calculation for or Android phones. Turn off the location
The Canada Student Aid program is offering
the Fall 2020 term. For details, please see permission in the app. The SMS notification
more loans and non-repayable forms of aid
Final Grade Options. The deadline to submit when it is your turn shortly will provide the
(grants) this year. If you have ever thought
a request is Fri., Feb. 12. Zoom info. Student can add themselves to
about applying, this would be the year to do
so. You can still receive student aid for the the queue 10:00 am - 4:30 pm from Mon-
READING WEEK
September 2020 to April 2021 study period day-Friday.
Winter Term Reading Week is Feb. 14 – 20. even as long as you apply before the end of Thirty-minute Zoom appointments with Ac-
No classes all week. The University will be February. Go to: uwinnipeg.ca/awards/gov- ademic and Career Advisors can be booked
closed on Louis Riel Day, Feb. 15. ernment-student-aid/index.html. through the myVisit app or via www.myVisit.
com as well.
FALL/WINTER TERM COURSES – MYVISIT APP
FINAL WITHDRAWAL DATE Need to see a Student Central representa-
The final day to withdraw from a Fall/Winter tive or an Academic or Career Advisor? You
Term (U2020FW) class is Tues., Feb. 23. No can now queue for Zoom drop-in sessionsYou can also read
