The Easterner: Volume 102, Issue 15

Pork lovers only Volume 102, Issue 15

www.TheEasterner.org

Feb. 6, 2019

M.R. Piggy’s BBQ Cafe makes its Cheney debut offering an array of barbecue dishes. Originally, owners Mitchell Zand and Roger Droivold wanted to open a sandwich cart but after seeing a Craigslist ad for the Cheney Brewing Co., the two are hopeful for the future of their business.

Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

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Preserving tradition through competition Unlike a typical rodeo, the Indian relay races offer Native Americans an opportunity to continue traditions and preserve family pride. Engineering student Scott Abrahamson grew up in a family of horse racers and has even created a team with his uncle. As a team they compete in a range of rodeos in the Pacific Northwest and Midwest. They have traveled as far as Florida to race in the event, regularly taking first place.

Page 15 Courtesy of Scott Abrahamson

Guest column

News

Cheney ranked the 11th safest city in Washington

Your campus community: Powered by people

The National Council for Home Safety and Security recently ranked Cheney as the 11th safest city, out of the 72 that qualified. According to the NCHSS, Cheney had only 29 violent crimes and 215 property crimes in 2018. Among this list was Spokane, which was one of the lowest ranked in the state.

EWU President Mary Cullinan gives credit to an "army of folks" that help make "our campuses beautiful, accessible, safe and useful places to study, work and live."

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@The Easterner

@The_Easterner

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2 - The Easterner Editor in Chief Michael Brock 509.359.6737 easterner.editor@ewu.edu

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Clubs and Orgs Fair in pictures

Managing Editor Jeremy Burnham easterner.mngeditor@ewu.edu Multimedia Director Richard N. Clark IV easterner.multimedia@gmail.com Chief Copy Editor Amanda Haworth easternercopy@gmail.com

Richard N. Clark IV for The Easterner

News Editor Dylan Harris easterner.news@gmail.com Sports Editor Taylor Newquist easterner.sports@gmail.com Arts & Features Editor Erik Rotness easterner.aef@gmail.com Web Editor Colleen Ford

Students gather at the annual winter Clubs and Orgs Fair on Feb. 5. Over 20 campus clubs and organizations tabled at the event in the PUB.

Social Media Editor Matthew Pennell

Richard N. Clark IV for The Easterner

Reporters Kendall Koch Drew Lawson Kaisa Siipola Nicolas Zerbe Photographers Mckenzie Ford Bailey Monteith Director of Student Newspaper Carleigh Hill Faculty Adviser Jamie Neely

High school students write on a document while touring the Clubs and Orgs Fair. The networking event was held in the Nysether Community Room in the PUB.

Richard N. Clark IV for The Easterner

Copy Editor Sam Jackson

The display for the Zeta Alpha chapter of Gamma Phi Beta at the Clubs and Orgs Fair. The chapter was founded at EWU in 1993.

About The Easterner Mission We, as independent student journalists at The Easterner, inform our EWU audience of the governance, activities and views of our community.

We provide a voice and a learning environment for students to engage, connect and make informed decisions.

Circulation The Easterner publishes a weekly print version as well as web content during the week at http://www. theeasterner.org. The Easterner is distributed throughout the Cheney campus and business district as well as Riverpoint and various Spokane businesses. If you would like the Easterner to be distributed at your business call the Advertising Department at 509-359-7010.

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Corrections The Easterner never knowingly publishes inaccuracies. If any error is found, The Easterner is obligated to correct the error as soon as possible, regardless of the source of the error.

The Easterner does not remove any editorial content from theeasterner. org. However, if there is a factual inaccuracy in a story, the editors will run a correction or an update as needed.

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Former EWU police officer suing university over alleged discrimination

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Former EWU police officer Maria Fell is suing the university claiming she was discriminated against based on her gender and status as a new mother.

The lawsuit, filed Oct. 29, 2018, in the Spokane County Superior Court, is alleging the university’s police department did not provide her an appropriate place to breastfeed, required her to complete superfluous training and treated her differently than other officers.

Fell, who is represented by attorney Kammi Mencke Smith, joined the EWU Police Department in July 2016 and left for maternity leave in fall of the following year, according to the lawsuit.

After returning on Feb. 7, 2018, Fell’s lawsuit alleges the EWU Police Department took “adverse employment actions” against her by placing parameters on her breaks, denying her a space to “express her breast milk” and required her to complete three additional months of training.

The lawsuit claims that this

Nicolas Zerbe for The Easterner

NICOLAS ZERBE Reporter

The Red Barn, located on Washington Street, is home to the EWU Police Department. The university is being sued because of the police department's alleged discrimination toward former officer Maria Fell. violates the Fair Labor Standards Act, which states that nursing mothers “shall be provided reasonable break time to express milk for the first year after the birth of their child” and “shall be provided a place which may be used to express their breast milk.”

Fell alleges that she was denied her request for accommodation and was told that if she were to go home to “express breast milk” that she was to drive her personal vehicle and her commute would be part of her break.

She would also need to remove her police gear while on the break.

According to Fell, other officers who took their breaks at home did not have the same stipulations.

These officers were not told to remove their gear while on breaks and their commute time was not part of the break.

Fell was also required to complete an additional three months of on-the-job training upon her return, something that other officers who had taken

time off were not asked to do, the lawsuit claims.

Fell quit the police department on March 2, 2018, citing an inability to “continue supplying her child with breast milk based upon the parameters provided.”

Both the university and police department declined to comment on an active investigation.

The university itself has several options for breastfeeding mothers on campus.

Aside from offices and conference rooms that faculty and

students may utilize, there are multiple lactation rooms on its grounds.

“The benefit of those rooms is they have the sink in them, they have comfortable seating, they’re set up for that activity to happen there,” said Director of Wellness and Recreation Programs, Tricia Hughes.

These rooms can be found in Patterson Hall, Showalter Hall and the newly renovated PUB, among others, according to Hughes. •

NICOLAS ZERBE Reporter Condoms, Advil and emergency contraceptives—oh my.

A new vending machine containing condoms, emergency contraceptives and Advil has made its way to the PUB. EWU’s Generation Action Club, a Planned Parenthood affiliate, campaigned for the machine which now hangs on the wall of the gender-neutral bathroom on the PUB’s first floor and is ready for use.

In the initial proposal for the machine, members of Generation Action hoped to see it carry health and wellness supplies such as tampons, condoms, dental dams, lubricant, ibuprofen and emergency contraceptives, according to Generation Action’s President McKenzie Small.

In a survey conducted by the club, the most requested items for the machine were emergency contraceptives, condoms and

tampons.

Though the machine doesn’t carry everything originally proposed, it’s currently stocked with a limited selection of condoms, emergency contraceptives and Advil, priced competitively with retail stores.

The machine will be continually reviewed to make sure that its items are meeting students' needs.

“When we were campaigning for this, we wanted it at-cost,” said Small. “So not $50 at Safeway, not the $30 at Bi-Mart, really accessible to students— and cost, you know, $25.”

The university plans to keep the pricing affordable for students, currently listing Trojan condoms at $3.99, Advil at $4.49 and AfterPill Emergency Contraceptive at just $25.

“The intent is to price products so that the cost is as low as possible for students while remaining cost-neutral

to the university,” said Director of Wellness and Recreation Programs, Tricia Hughes.

Sales from the machine, which is maintained by EWU Dining Services, will go toward a monthly service fee which helps cover the processing cost of credit cards as well as manage the machine's inventory.

EWU is one of about two dozen universities in the U.S. to have a contraceptive vending machine, Hughes says, with Stanford, Dartmouth and Yale being among the few.

Having easy access to contraceptives is an important thing, according to Psychology and Human Sexuality professor Jillene Seiver.

“Having something available that can be bought without any kind of face to face contact will be an advantage,” said Seiver. “Being able to go buy it where they don’t have to look anyone in the eye could help a lot of people.” •

www.TheEasterner.org

Nicolas Zerbe for The Easterner

New vending machine in the PUB offers variety of health and wellness products

New vending machine located in the PUB. It currently contains condoms, Advil and emergency contraceptives.

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President's Dialogue on Diversity event focuses on white privilege KENDALL KOCH Reporter A fully packed room with students from all walks of life attended the President’s Dialogue on Diversity to hear EWU graduate Dr. Claudine Richardson speak about white fragility.

“In this presentation, we are not looking to decide if white privilege exists, it’s a real thing, instead we are going to discover whether or not you as a dominant cultured member here today, as white members, to figure out what components are you using to hide your white privilege,” Richardson said.

The President’s Dialogue on Diversity is a series of talks or events where EWU President Mary Cullinan invites speakers to share their experience with students and faculty.

“I am truly honored to be here at Eastern Washington University,” Richardson said in her presentation. “I continue to see the dream of various presidents (present) and past to keep providing these opportunities to educate students.”

Richardson began the presentation by having attendees say the word “white” multiple times.

“The reason why I had you say the word multiple times is because if you are a white person, you have grown extremely comfortable without being called out,” Richardson said. “Historically in this country you have been the norm, and the norm has not had to identify themselves, you have walked with the privilege of having the ability to use fictitious ideas and concepts to justify your behavior and mannerisms.”

Richardson further explained this concept, saying that those who identify as white get to talk about color knowing that it makes them look good.

“If you are a person of color you already know what it is like to be minoritized in this country; all we are doing is calling out white fragility,” Richardson said. “There are ground rules—if you are uncomfortable with this conversation, learn to stick with it.”

Richardson defined white fragility as the lack of stamina to deal with issues of privilege pertaining to white groups and denial of benefits for white people.

Richardson had attendees discuss the topic with presentation facilitators at their tables.

Richardson also discussed how children at a young age are taught to not speak about color and how it impacts them later in life.

“Basically, to be comfortable living a life

Kendall Koch for The Easterner

Presentation

Dr. Claudine Richardson, whose pronouns are they, them and their, beginning their presentation on white fragility. This is just one of the events included in the President's Dialogue on Diversity. where you don’t see difference and therefore you don’t have to discuss inequality, you don’t have to talk about social injustices,” Richardson said.

Faculty reaction Kimberlee Davis, the director of diversity for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, was one of the many people in attendance and commented on Cheney and its demographics.

“It is essential for us to openly discuss the barriers that impede frank dialogue about racism in its many forms,” Davis said. “We are a university community residing in a predominantly white region, we need to be aware that our own behaviors and reactions in discussions on race often silence those who might otherwise acknowledge their personal experiences with racism.”

Student reaction Two graduate students who attended the event, Chelsea Price and Andrew Hudson, wanted to know more about the information given. Price, who is pursuing a master’s in history, said she

enjoyed the presentation and thought it was a good step forward for the university.

“I think it’s great, I think that we need to create more avenues for faculty, students and community members to have open conversations about race and white fragility,” Price said.

Hudson is pursuing a degree in social work also commented on the presentation.

“I think it’s a great platform and by

someone who is an alumnus here, having tables with faculty and students at different levels here is so cool to watch and experience,” Hudson said. “I know for me, as a black male, talking about this can be tiresome, but hopefully it isn’t always tiresome and everyone can grow from that.” •

Westside Church of Christ A Place for New Beginnings 13520 W 6th Ave Airway Heights Sunday Bible Class - 9:30 am Worship Service - 10:30 am College Age Class

Contacts: Jonathan Carpenter Youth Minister (EWU Grad) jonathan.carpenter93@gmail.com

www.TheEasterner.org

Patrick Newbill Minister

psnewbill@yahoo.com 509-951-9316

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News

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Dylan Harris for The Easterner

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Cheney ranks as the 11th safest city in the state of Washington Cheney Police Department station located on G Street. Cheney ranked as the 11th safest city in the state of Washington.

KENDALL KOCH Reporter Residents of Cheney classify it as a sleepy little town on the east side of Washington, home to a little more than 12,000 residents and students. As a whole the town is considered safe and the numbers show it to be.

Recently, the National Council for Home Safety and Security released rankings for the safest cities in the nation. Cheney was ranked the 11th safest city in Washington state out of 72 cities that qualified. According to NCHSS, Cheney only had 29 violent crimes and 215 property crimes in 2018.

John Hensley, the Cheney police chief, said that a key to successful crime prevention is communication.

“Cheney’s patrol officer and police volunteers spend a great deal of their discretionary patrol time talking to residents and merchants about how best to protect their property from both theft and vandalism,” said Hensley.

Not only is communication important to the police department here, but also being visible in the community.

“Cheney police vehicles have very recognizable markings to provide a sense of comfort to the community and a warning to

Dylan Harris for The Easterner

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One of the Cheney Police Department's vehicles. Cheney police patrol everything but the EWU campus in Cheney. those that would consider illegal or rowdy behavior to go anywhere else,” said Hensley.

Cheney not only has the city police, but it has EWU Police Department which patrols EWU’s campus.

“Community oriented police, which encompasses creating relationships, building

trust and providing the highest level of service to keep our residents safe,” said Sergeant Hill of EWU Police. “Each officer is assigned to a resident hall and buildings on campus as a contract. This program is designed to keep communication open between the police, faculty, staff and students.”

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The city of Spokane ranked 71st, secondto-last in the state, ahead of only University Place. Spokane had 1,360 violent crimes and 15,697 property crimes in 2018.

Spokane also ranked as the third least safe city in the entire nation, likely due to its high property crime rate.

Carter Rowe, an EWU sophomore and a resident of Cheney, said that the city he grew up in was always safe.

“Most of Cheney is safe enough to walk around without worrying too much on what’s going on around you,” Rowe said.

“My parents let me walk to and from school as a small kid, that freedom was awesome, and the fact that Cheney is still safe enough for that is awesome.”

According to Tom Jenkins, the Cheney fire chief, the fire department here in Cheney is ready and more than prepared for anything.

“Our Cheney firefighters are the only ones west of the city of Spokane who are ALS equipped and ready to provide the highest level of medical care available outside an emergency room,” Jenkins said in an email. “Safety and happiness go handin-hand when we compare the safest places to live.” •

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A Panda Express employee in the PUB rings up a customer's order. Panda Express is located on the first floor of the PUB.

Richard N. Clark IV for The Easterner

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Panda Express a sizzling success Since opening in January, Panda Express has become a popular dining choice on campus; it is averaging about 1,000 customers and $9,500 per day MARCO VARGAS Contributor Since the PUB opened this winter after the completion of its remodel, EWU took its dining service to a new level.

Panda Express is growing well and has been quite popular for EWU students on campus, according to Panda Express manager Max Simon. The university chose Panda Express from a list of other potential franchises to bring to the PUB. “To my understanding, the dining services team were looking at other franchises to bring in, and the way that Panda worked and the payment method for their royalties was very attractive for how the Eastern Washington University dining services budget was set up,” Simon said. “So, they went with Panda.

Plus, it’s very popular on other college campuses.”

Simon said that Panda Express’ popularity is another cause of how the restaurant’s arrival at the PUB came to be. EWU did demographic research with other college campuses and saw that the restaurant was very popular on those campuses.

“A lot of students wanted it in regard to what selection they could choose between

“We're busy and things are looking good and students are happy with it. We employ a lot of students and the community is happy that it's (at EWU), which is closer than in Airway Heights.”

- MAX SIMON Panda Express manager

other franchises,” Simon said. “Panda was always ranked a little bit higher than any other.”

Since the PUB officially reopened, Panda Express has been averaging about 1,000 students per day. The restaurant has also been averaging about $9,500-$9,800 per day as well, according to Simon.

According to Simon, Panda Express has received a lot of positive feedback from students. Students’ satisfactions have come with the quality of fresh food and how fast the service is. Students spoke

about the line being a little long, but said that the food is worth the wait.

“We’re busy and things are looking good and students are happy with it,” said Simon. “We employ a lot of students and the community is happy that it’s (at EWU), which is closer than in Airway Heights. So, a lot of the Cheney community comes to eat and the faculty staff that are employed for (EWU) come, too. People were waiting for a while for (Panda Express) to open. I think they are happy that it’s finally here.”

With the new addition of Panda Express

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on the EWU campus, students can now take advantage of the popular dining option waiting for them, especially for those who have not eaten there or ordered from there before.

“We help them along,” Simon said.

“That’s part of our customer service.

And allowing that customer service to be friendly and making sure students working in Panda make good operations for the (EWU) dining services.”

Simon said that business is operating very well at Panda Express, but that it also has room for improvement.

“Some of the students asked if there is more of a choice in the menu with regards to vegetarian, and Panda is not set up that way," Simon said. "Unfortunately, we don’t have that option for them. We do offer things that are vegetarian. I think if we were to improve, that would be more of a company change than the university dining change. We are working in constant with Panda at (EWU), but we are representing the brand Panda. So, we need to be respectful to the brand.” •

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Looking Back

Easterner Asks

How do you feel about sustainability?

"I believe it is important.

We are currently not doing as much as we could. We could use reusable bags here at the market and the store.”

BOT vote kills 'savage' mascot

"I care about it but I don’t overly express it. I use plastic bags and stuff.

I think about it. I think there should be more recycle friendly stuff around that would be a big help here.”

- Malaika Nettey, Freshman "I try to stay as minimalist as I can. I think installations in buildings can be modified to help improve it here."

- Kyle Collins, Freshman "I think we should all build a good community and being able to communicate is very helpful when trying to be environmentally friendly.”

- Kimberly Regis, Freshman "I know from working here on campus one thing we can improve upon is the use of straws. I think everyone is looking more at the bigger picture and we need to focus on small regions then expand out.

- Kaden Iverson, Sophomore "I’m sometimes sustainable, but not always because I’m not perfect. I guess more recycling at the dorms would help a lot here."

- Alejandra Contreras, Freshman

AS SEEN IN THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE IN 1973: The process of making decisions took place last Friday at a lengthy Board of Trustees meeting between Morrison and Streeter Halls. Decisions were made to abolish the Savage mascot, and to grant permission to apply for a liquor license In the PUB.

DYLAN HARRIS News Editor Of the many well-known changes that have taken place over EWU’s long history, the changing of the school’s mascot was one of the most notable.

Eastern Washington University was once known as Eastern Washington State College. The school changed official names in 1977. Just

four years earlier, the school changed its mascot from the Savages to the Eagles.

Over the summer of 1973, the Board of Trustees at EWSC voted to change the mascot. The majority of board members, after speaking with members of various Native American tribes, ultimately decided that the mascot was demeaning to Native Americans.

“The name carries a very negative connotation,” Board of Trustees member Jerome Page told The Easterner in 1973. “There is nothing in it that suggests something positive.”

EWSC students actually voted to keep the mascot as Savages, but their vote did not matter in the end. The mascot switched to Eagles at the beginning of the next quarter.

Mascots and mascot names have been a topic of debate for many years.

The ongoing controversy regarding the NFL’s Washington Redskins has taken a backseat in the media recently, but will likely garner attention again as long as the name remains the same. •

Calendar Living with PTSD

Mod Pizza fundraiser

Frontera

doctor of psychology and author, has offered to come speak to the EWU campus about her harrowing journey through PTSD.

10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Where: 707 W. Main Ave, Spokane What: The women's club soccer team is fundraising at Mod Pizza in order to raise money for future game fees, referee fees, coaching fees, travel fees and new uniforms.

9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: The Gallery of Art, Cheney Art Building What: An exhibition of prints from 27 artists. Admission is free.

When: Feb 7, noon-1 p.m.

Where: PUB 317 What: Dr. Barbara Weber,

When: Sunday, Feb 10

www.TheEasterner.org

Easterner, Vol. 23, No. 13, January 25, 1973

- Paul Fulham, Senior

When: Through Feb. 28, M-F

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“There are some specific things to print that are not going to be relevant anymore. We have to move forward with the new century.”

- JORDAN DUNN Design Editor

Northwest Boulevard turns online only JEREMY BURNHAM Managing Editor An EWU student publication is saying goodbye to its main product: its print edition. And no, the publication is not The Easterner.

Northwest Boulevard has been an outlet for the artistic voices of EWU students since 1994. The student-led journal briefly stopped publishing in the late 1990s before returning in 2001, and it has published annually since. Starting with the 2019 edition, the journal will publish solely online.

“We want to reach a wider audience and become a more serious publication,” Northwest Boulevard President and Managing Editor Sofia DeSimone said.

“Right now, we only have Eastern students reading the magazine. It’s a very small circle of people that actually has access to it. We want more people to have access to our magazine so that it’s a bigger achievement for students to get published.”

The publication purchased the domain www.northwestboulevard.com, and the site recently went live. DeSimone, a senior, said she hopes that going online will make Northwest Boulevard more visible on campus.

The undergrad journal publishes art, fiction, nonfiction and poetry. All publication decisions are made by a student editorial board, which is led by DeSimone.

Published students are able to put the

work in their portfolios. The publication publication),” Johnson said. “Increasingly also organizes readings where students today, though, the jobs in publishing are going read their published work to an audience. to need students to know how to do online The journal has helped launch the content design and management.” careers of some writers. For example, Thom The move will be a big change for Johnson, Caraway was published in the journal and who was instrumental in the revival of the went on to publish his own collection of publication in 2001. poems, “A Visitor’s Guide to North Dakota.”

“I came here in 1999 as a young, new He is now a poetry professor at Whitworth professor,” Johnson said. “I was eager to do University. things to help the creative writing community.

The decision to move to online publishing I was told at the time that Northwest was made by the students, but it also has Boulevard had been neglected and let go, and the full support of Dr. Jonathan Johnson, that if I wanted to be useful to the community, Northwest Boulevard’s faculty adviser and bringing it back would be a good way to go.”

EWU poetry professor. Johnson says the So, the publication was relaunched. Like the benefits include allowing the editors to first version, it remained completely under the focus more on the publication. control of undergrad students. Now, almost “It takes some fundraising burden away two decades later, the content and editorial from them because, naturally, print costs,” format has mostly stayed the same. Going Johnson said. “So they were spending a lot online is not going to change this. of time fundraising. This takes some of Art, fiction, nonfiction and poetry will still that out.” be published, and a team of undergrad-student Jordan Dunn, the journal’s design editor, editors will still be calling the shots. Besides and a senior, says publishing online will DeSimone and Dunn, there are genre editors help students develop skills useful in on the staff. They choose the submissions they today’s publishing industry. want to publish and send them to DeSimone “Learning how to use InDesign and for final approval.

Adobe Illustrator will be very marketable Further information on Northwest skills in (the publishing) field,” Dunn said. Boulevard can be found on the publication’s “There are some specific things to print new website. Dunn says the site is still that are not going to be relevant anymore. being developed and new sections will We have to move forward with the new be added in the coming weeks. The site century.” currently has submission information for Johnson agrees. students wanting to submit their work.

“Twenty years ago, it was useful for Visit www.northwestboulevard.com for students to know how to (produce a print more.•

The 2018 edition of Northwest Boulevard will be the last print issue for the publication. The staff members at the journal decided to move forward with an online only edition to increase readership. | Cover art by Thomas Smith. Photo by Erik Rotness for The Easterner

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Features

Arianna D. Spanic Kaine performs at the annual drag show at EWU in 2016. The show was themed "Queens in Wonderland." | The Easterner Archives

Queens host grocery bingo SAM JACKSON Copy Editor She used to take her boombox and a handful of dresses across the street from her childhood home and dance to the Pussycat Dolls all summer long. Now, Spokane drag queen Arianna D. Spanic Kaine, is fulfilling her passion of entertainment and co-hosting Drag Queen Grocery Bingo on Feb. 7 at EWU. The 26-year-old has been doing drag for almost 10 years. Originally from Moses Lake, Spanic Kaine began drag when she moved to San Antonio, Texas, during high school. As a singer and a dancer, she loves the art of drag and performs in Spokane regularly. This will be her fifth year doing a drag event at EWU, and she feels honored for the opportunity to host. Spanic Kaine will be co-hosting alongside Spokane drag queen Le Saveona.

Some define drag queens as males that dress up in makeup and costumes, channeling themselves as females and performing as entertainers. As a transgender woman, Spanic Kaine says that drag has taught her more about how to be a lady. Her motto is, ‘That anyone can be a girl, but it takes huge balls to be a lady.’

“I’ve been told a few times that I’m not a drag queen because I’m transgender and I think that is bull,” said Kaine. “I do just enough (performing in drag) as all the other drag queens do and probably more, hence why I’m hosting (at EWU).”

Though there are many different interpretations on characterizing queens, a drag queen to Spanic Kaine is someone “with a lot of makeup putting on a VMA performance” and practically a celebrity to the LGBTQ+ community. She believes every drag queen has room for improvement and should act like role models. Therefore, she thinks they should use their celebrity platform and offer hope to others.

“Hope is my main key,” Spanic Kaine said. “I’m giving hope to everybody to be themselves, not just our gay community.”

EWU senior and Eagle Entertainment Special Event Coordinator, Holly Shoemaker, helped put on this event. Shoemaker says grocery bingo was coined from the Multicultural Center’s event earlier this year, but with permission to

use the idea Eagle Entertainment decided to incorporate drag queens. Eagle Entertainment invited the drag queens to host this event in an effort to “provide hype” for the upcoming EWU Annual Drag Show on March 1, according to Shoemaker.

Spanic Kaine has been a part of four annual drag shows on campus so far. She recalls riding around on EWU’s Get Tü Class golf cart in full drag and heels and passing out fliers to attend the show in 2018. Spanic Kaine will also be hosting this year’s annual drag show.

Spanic Kaine intends to bring four Spokane queens with her for the Drag Queen Grocery Bingo. She’s looking forward to giving students the chance to win groceries and have fun at the same time.

“We love to get into the community and we love to do anything we can to get anyone to join in,” said Spanic Kaine. “People get to see drag queens, and if someone is out there, because there is always that one person or two or three, that needs that eye opener to be comfortable with themselves, we’re there.”

With a budget of $300 to $500 for groceries, Eagle Entertainment will provide bingo winnings of food that students in residential halls can prepare, according to Shoemaker. Also at the event, ASEWU will enter every attendee in a raffle for a chance to win two $25 Amazon gift cards, and one $50 Amazon gift card.

“I think it’s definitely something different and new,” Shoemaker said. “It also helps us meet our diversity quota for the year. We have to do so many diversity events and this is a super popular one. People are really excited for it. I’ve never been to the (annual) drag show but I’ve learned so much helping plan it, along with communicating with the drag queens for grocery bingo. It’s been a really great experience.”

Drag Queen Grocery Bingo is on Thursday, Feb. 7, from 7-9 p.m. in the PUB Nysether Community Room. The event is hosted

by Eagle Entertainment and sponsored

by ASEWU. Spanic Kaine is a part of JR’s Showstoppers drag troupe in Spokane. She performs at JR’s Bar and Grill doing drag every Friday and Saturday and hosts karaoke there every Monday and Thursday.•

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New year.

New website.

Same great news!

To continue following our coverage of the EWU community, please visit:

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Features

New barbecue restaurant in Cheney opens for business

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KAISA SIIPOLA Reporter As local favorite Rokkos Teriyaki & BBQ closes its doors, a new restaurant rises up to give Cheney residents the barbecue goodness they crave.

M.R. Piggy’s BBQ Cafe, which made its debut on Jan. 8, is located on 809 1st. St. in Cheney and offers smoked barbecue dishes.

Originally, owners Mitchell Zand and Roger Droivold wanted to open a sandwich cart but after finding an advertisement on Craigslist for the Cheney Brewing Co. on 809 1st. St. they made bigger plans.

Seeing Cheney expand gave Zand and Droivold confidence in their business.

“With Amazon, the air force base and the airport expanding, that gave us hope for the future of Cheney,” Zand said.

Zand drew inspiration from his family when crafting the menu for M.R. Piggy’s.

Zand’s father smokes meats, his mother developed a rub and wine-based smoke marinade, and his brother owns eight barbecue restaurants called “Adam’s Rib” in Western Oregon according to Zand.

M.R. Piggy’s menu focuses on lunch and dinner due to the lack of business for breakfast. M.R. Piggy’s offers homemade pastries, pies and gluten-free options, like

their barbecue pork and chicken sandwich with a gluten-free bun.

Zand and Droivold intend to add Friday specials down the road like a brisket or burnt ends. The pair want to add a breakfast menu for weekends and are looking into joining Eagle Flex at EWU. The vintage photos decorating M.R. Piggy’s main dining adds to the appeal of the restaurant. Zand says people will stop in to scan the photos for their relatives.

M.R. Piggy’s BBQ Cafe is open Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It offers a 10 percent discount to students, seniors and those in the military.

To learn more about M.R. Piggy’s BBQ Cafe you can visit their Facebook page or their website www.mrpiggysbbqcafe.com/ home.html.•

M.R. Piggy's parking sign (left) gives patrons an idea of their dining options, though the restaurant offers more than swine centered service. M.R. Piggy's also offers chicken (above), pastries, and gluten-free options to appeal to a wider range of visitors.

Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

Time bumbles closer to beekeeping conference at EWU KAISA SIIPOLA Reporter There are some fun-filled, buzzing events to bee aware of this weekend at EWU. The Pacific Northwest Beekeeping Conference is from Feb. 8 through Feb. 10 at EWU. On Feb. 8 is a “HappBee Hour” event with Sarah Red-Laird (aka the Bee Girl) the founder and executive director of the Bee Girl Organization, from noon to 2 p.m. There will be lunch and meet-and-greet with the Bee Girl and a pollinator fair about ways to get involved with pollinator protection in the region.

On Feb. 9 will be two concurrent tracks of talks from scientists and hobbyists and a keynote presentation by Bee Girl, at 11 a.m. in the Hargreaves Reading Room.

Lastly, on Feb. 10 the Bee Girl, EWU Biology, and Mobius are having a “Train the Trainer” workshop with the Bee Girl from 10:30 a.m. to noon and a Kids and Bees Program with the Bee Program from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Mobius Science Center.

The events are organized by Assistant Professor of biology Jennifer Walke and biology operations manager Jenifer Pfeifer.

The events are being supported with funding from ASEWU and the Start Something Big Grant that Walke and Pfeifer received from the EWU Foundation, along with assistance from ASEWU and EWU Sustainability Club.

“We have partnered with Mobius Science Center to bring the Kids and Bees event to families and educators in our community,” Pfeifer said. “There are graduate and undergraduate students as well as staff from the biology department who have been involved in the preparations, and others who will be volunteering during these events.”

The PNW Beekeeping conference started with a local beekeeping club called the West Plains Beekeepers Association which is presenting the conference.

The intention of the conference is to increase education on bees to students and get beekeepers from the region together to talk about the best practices in beekeeping and some of the latest research that is coming out regarding the health of bees.

Walke has been assisting the West Plains Beekeepers Association with promoting that mission and organizing the conference.

“We are hoping to get people excited about bees and maybe get some new beekeepers out of these events,” Walke said.

Walke is very excited about the conference and thinks it’ll be fun for EWU students to have the opportunity to get together with the Bee Girl and learn how her work and education are inspiring communities to care about bees and all of the food they pollinate.

The Office of Sustainability is helping promote the conference, emphasizing the Bee Girl event.

Office of Sustainability Coordinator Erik Budsberg thinks that the conference is a cool community-based program and a great opportunity for people who might not normally stick around on campus.

The concept of sustainability can be applied when looking at honey bees and how they play a really important role in food production and our food systems at the conference.

“One in every three bites of food you take has been the result of a honeybee or pollinator,” Budsberg said. “So it’s important to bring awareness to doing things that don’t

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harm our pollinators, but protect them or can help them survive and thrive, because in the end that really comes back to us from a food system for humans and other plants and animals to really thrive.”

Walke will be sharing her new research results on beneficial bacteria for humans that is inside the guts of bees at the conference on Feb. 9.

“The conference and the other events around the conference is really important to me because I do research involving honey bees and I want to share that research and ... why it’s important with the broader community,” Walke said.

Pfeifer hopes that many students take advantage of the opportunities the bee conference and the associated outreach event provide.

Students that are interested in attending the Happy Bee Hour with the Bee Girl on Feb. 8 from noon to 2 p.m. in PUB 317/319 should email BioOfficeStudent@ewu.edu.

Anyone that is interested in learning more about the Bee Girl can visit www.beegirl. org•

12 - The Easterner

Opinion

V102 I15 - 2.6.19

Guest Column

Your campus community: Powered by people

EWU President Mary Cullinan asks students to appreciate the campus employees and supporters behind the scenes who keep the university running

MARY CULLINAN Guest Columnist Mary Cullinan is the EWU president.

Guest columns do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Easterner, its staff members or Eastern Washington University.

In your life as a student, I’m sure you’re focused on your classes, on midterms and finals, on all the commitments of your busy existence. You work with faculty members; you communicate with resident hall staff if you live on campus; you interact with other students everyday.

But today, I ask that you consider all the campus employees and supporters whom you rarely see—or maybe don’t even know about. An army of folks helps to make our campuses beautiful, accessible, safe and useful places to study, work and live.

On EWU campuses in Cheney and Spokane, faculty and staff inspire, teach, advise, coach and mentor more than 11,000 students.

EWU staff cook and serve thousands of meals everyday. EWU teams keep the campus safe and beautiful, manage budgets, support and introduce new technologies, handle trash and recycling, put on hundreds of campus events and contribute significantly to the intellectual, cultural, social and athletic life of the campuses.

This winter, we’re able to enjoy the renovated PUB—one of the most beautiful and useful student unions in the country.

Hundreds of students and staff as well as architects and other professionals helped to bring our gorgeous building to life.

Next door to the PUB is the construction site for our new Interdisciplinary Science Center. EWU students as well as faculty, staff and community supporters helped to make sure that building was included in our state’s budget last year. And again, faculty, staff, students, architects, engineers and construction workers have been essential to making that important new building a reality.

During the current legislative session in Olympia, ASEWU leaders such as Dante Tyler, Austin Quinn and Angélica GarcíaMacías work with EWU executive leadership, faculty, staff and our government relations team to ensure that EWU receives the state resources for the education and services that students need and deserve.

Every winter, we should appreciate deeply the many EWU staff who keep our campuses operating year-round. Even if we cancel classes on an extreme weather day, staff work 24/7 to plow and shovel, check heating systems, ensure roofs aren’t leaking, confirm high-tech systems are functional and keep hallways and classroom floors dry and safe.

And often, in winter, the folks clearing the parking lots and walkways of snow and ice

are working hard in freezing conditions.

When you come to events such as Commencement and Homecoming, large numbers of EWU employees have been working for weeks to make your experience positive and comfortable.

Do you attend home basketball games?

Before every game, people work in Reese Court from early morning to get ready for you: concessions, janitors, ticket takers, camera technicians, athletics staff and student band members.

Our campuses are complex communities with infrastructure and staffing much like a city’s. Without the army of folks who are invisible to us much of the time, our beautiful, efficient and highly functional campuses in Cheney and Spokane wouldn’t be able to operate.

As we look toward spring, putting away the snow plows and getting out the lawn mowing equipment, let’s remember to thank the people who do so much for EWU. They are a crucial part of our campus experiences and our success as a university.

And each of you reading this is vitally important as well. I appreciate everything you do to support the quality of life and the vitality of this outstanding university.

THANK YOU. •

“Without the army of folks who are invisible to us much of the time, our beautiful, efficient and highly functional campuses in Cheney and Spokane wouldn't be able to operate.”

Letter to the Editor Submission Guidelines 1. Letters should be 300 words or less and typed, or legibly handwritten.

2. Send to our Editor in Chief Michael Brock at easterner.editor@ ewu.edu.

3. Include your full name, signature, telephone number and email address for verification.

4. We reserve the right not to publish letters; furthermore, all letters are subject to editing for adherence to Associated Press style.

5. Letters must be received no later than Monday at 10 a.m. to be considered for publication.

6. If your letter is in response to a specific article, please list the title and date of the article.

7. We encourage the EWU community to submit letters and opinion pieces that conform to the requirements listed.

8. Opinion articles and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Easterner, its staff members or Eastern Washington University.

- MARY CULLINAN EWU president

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2.6.19 - V102 I15

Sports

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Healing sprains, breaks and tears

13

Patrick, along with the other paid athletic trainers, are also influential in helping athletes rehab from more serious injuries.

EWU student athletes suffer through injuries every season, and it’s part of the job of the athletic training staff to make sure they recover and are able to make it back to the field.

“Our main goal is to prevent injuries,” head athletic trainer Brian Norton said.

“Being an athlete, injuries are going to happen. So once an injury happens, we’re skilled in diagnosing the injury.”

Norton is the assistant athletic director for sports medicine and an NCAA Healthcare Administrator for football. He is the main athletic trainer for the EWU football team. There are seven other official athletic trainers at EWU, all of whom try to keep the players of the university's 12 teams healthy and in the best possible shape.

Around the clock

Returning to form When injuries do occur, the trainers begin by diagnosing the ailment. Depending on the severity of the injury, they decide if they can do treatment themselves or if a team doctor has to get involved.

“Things that are mild, like an ankle sprain, we deal with in house,” Norton said. “Then we’ll start rehabilitation to get them back.

Something (like) a torn ligament in the knee, torn ligament in the shoulder, bone fracture, things like that we refer to our docs.”

In 2017, EWU running back Sam McPherson’s season ended early when he broke a joint in his left ankle and broke his left fibula. He returned in 2018 to rush for 1510 yards and 13 touchdowns, helping lead the Eagles to their second ever appearance in the FCS Championship game. McPherson said that the training staff was instrumental in helping him return to full strength.

“They did so much … they’re the reason I came back this season,” McPherson said. “I would be in there rehabbing two hours a day … they’d be really supportive and kept me motivated.”

Student trainers Graduate school with study in subjects such as anatomy and kinesiology is essential to reaching the level required to become certified in working with injured athletes.

EWU senior McKenna Patrick is studying athletic training and works in the training room with various teams.

“I was with women’s basketball last year and football this year,” Patrick said.

“Basically I’m in charge of my athletes and their day-to-day treatment, whether that’s injury prevention or injury treatment. If they get hurt, they come in for the evaluation and go from there.”

The trainers said that working with athletes and helping them overcome or prevent injuries can be rewarding, but also has tough aspects. Norton described how much work his job entails in order to ensure his and the athletes' success.

“The toughest part is being away from family,” Norton said. “It’s very long hours. During the football year it’s pretty much 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

It’s really demanding, and you have to find ways to reignite your fire and your passion toward working.”

According to Associate Athletic Trainer Lauren Sitton, conversations surrounding injuries that have occurred is difficult.

Sitton focuses on working with the women’s soccer and men’s tennis players. She’s also worked with the volleyball and women’s tennis teams in the past.

“Having to tell coaches when an athlete is injured is (hard),” Sitton said. “Having to have those tough conversations with athletes that do get injured, saying ‘you’re not going to be able to play again this season.’”

Sitton also described the challenge of working with athletes and helping them improve their mental health, while also emphasizing its importance.

“They are dealing with different things than a regular student,” Sitton said. “Having to help kind of guide them through that. I care not just about their physical health, but their mental health.”

Rewarding in the end While being an athletic trainer brings challenges, the trainers brought up how rewarding the job is, especially when an athlete is able to return from a severe or season-ending injury and contribute to their sport.

“Working with the (athletes) every day to push through and do whatever it takes to get back is probably my favorite aspect,” Sitton said.

Norton referenced McPherson’s injury and successful return when discussing the joy he gets from his work.

“In 2017, he had a really bad injury the last game of the year,” Norton said. “Just seeing him at that low point and helping him after he got the surgery to get back to playing. Then (to) see the season he had this year. That’s the rewarding thing for me, watching him excel and knowing I had a part in getting him back on the field.”•

Assistant Athletic Trainer Ryan Moreau walks back to the sideline after checking players during a men's basketball game on Feb. 4. Moreau is in his third year at EWU and is a certified athletic trainer who works with men's basketball and golf.

Average annual collegiate sports injuries Average annual estimate of colligiate sports injuries

Track and field 30,298 Football 47,199 Women's tennis 3,941 Men's tennis 3,522 Women's basketball 10,858

Men's basketball 16,607

Soccer 15,113 Cross Country 10,141

Volleyball 8,961

Taylor Newquist for The Easterner

DREW LAWSON Reporter

Bailey Monteith for The Easterner

Athletic trainers get players back in action

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study gauging injuries in college athletics from 2009 to 2014. There are an estimated 210,674 annual injuries across college sports with 146,640 coming from sports with programs at EWU.

www.TheEasterner.org

Junior Megan Ohland watches her shot during fall practice. Ohland is six over par after the fall season.

Sports

V102 I15 - 2.6.19

Courtesy of EWU Athletics

14 - The Easterner

Junior Ashley Ohland takes a swing Senior Kirsten Ishikawa watches her shot Freshman Jaelin Ishikawa follows through during fall practice. Ohland is eight over during fall practice. Ishikawa is three over a swing during fall practice. Ishikawa is par after the fall season. par after the fall season. tied with her sister at three over par.

Pair of sisters makes four for golf team Of the seven women that make up the EWU golf team, over half the players have a teammate they have known for the majority of their lives.

There are two pairs of sisters on the team. Juniors Ashley and Megan Ohland are twins, while freshman Jaelin Ishikawa joined her senior sister Kirsten this year.

EWU head coach Brenda Howe said that it is awesome to have more than half of the team related to each other.

“This is a once in a lifetime group of girls because they’re all very close,” Howe said.

The Ohland sisters grew up in Gilbert, Arizona, and discovered golf at age 12 while visiting a driving range with their father. “(We) had no idea what (golf ) was,” Ashley Ohland said. “We had fun, met other girls on the course, and from there we started playing.”

When it came time for the Ohlands to choose a university, they valued a college town experience with options for exploring outside of it. “(EWU) was kind of it,” Megan Ohland said. “You have Spokane (nearby) so you get the city. Everyone was super welcoming when we came and visited.”

They wanted to get away from home, while not being on the East Coast.

“We can hop on a plane and two hours get home,” Ashley Ohland said. “But can’t drive home for the weekend. So that’s perfect.”

The Ishikawas started golfing at age six in Makawao, Hawaii, reaching competition level by age eight. Kirsten Ishikawa, the elder by three years, started first. Jaelin Ishikawa said that eventually her parents figured she might as well start playing too.

“They finally decided instead of having me sit around I might as well do something too,” Jaelin Ishikawa said.

Kirsten Ishikawa was brought to EWU by her friend, former EWU golfer Kimberlie Miyamoto. Miyamoto introduced Kirsten

Courtesy of EWU Athletics

DREW LAWSON Reporter

The 2018-2019 EWU golf team poses at the Battle at Old Works tournament on Sept. 9. As a team the Eagles placed first overall in the tournament and again finished first the following weekend at The Challenge at the Coeur d'Alene Resort.

"It's nice knowing that someone on the team is always going to be there for you."

- JAELIN ISHIKAWA Freshman golfer

Ishikawa to the school, and she really enjoyed her visit. Having an established friendship helped sway Kirsten Ishikawa toward becoming an Eagle.

“It was nice knowing that I would know someone,” Kirsten Ishikawa said. “Being further away from home.”

Jaelin Ishikawa grew up planning to attend a different school than her sister, but decided on EWU after seeing the team atmosphere at her official visit.

Like the Ohlands, Jaelin Ishikawa was drawn by the college town aesthetic with Spokane nearby.

“I had been going to the same school as (Kirsten) my whole life,” Jaelin Ishikawa said. “But when it came time to decide

and I came up for my visit, I really liked the team dynamic.”

Howe pointed out the similarities and differences she’s seen in the two sets of sisters while they’ve all been at EWU. “The (Ohland) twins are very competitive,” Howe said. “For my sake I always like to pair them with each other because they are so competitive with each other. (Kirsten Ishikawa) is a little more laid back. She’s very even keeled, no peaks and valleys. (Jaelin Ishikawa) has a bit more feistiness to her.”

For the Ohlands, having a sister on the team means having a constant support system, even if they do get competitive with each other.

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“I really love it because I’ll always have a friend and a supporter,” Megan Ohland said.

“We’re very competitive, so that’s kind of fun. It’s always nice to have someone there if you have a bad day, or even a good day.”

Ashley Ohland added that while the twins are each other's number one fans they’re also their number one competitors.

Kirsten Ishikawa discussed the level of comfort that comes with having a sister on the team.

“You know that you always have someone there with you,” Kirsten Ishikawa said.

“It brings a more friendly vibe … there’s times where you have to be more serious when we’re competing, but if we’re playing against each other we can still joke around and make it more laughable so we’re not tense and freaking out.”

Jaelin Ishikawa reiterated the importance of feeling comfortable, especially being a freshman away from home for the first time.

"It’s nice knowing that there’s someone on the team always there for you,” Jaelin Ishikawa said. “It’s a different level when (you’ve) grown up with someone playing the same sport.”

The EWU golf team has played in three tournaments in the 2018-2019 season.

Through those tournaments, EWU won twice. The Ishikawas are tied for third on the team at five over par. Megan Ohland is six over par, while Ashley Ohland is eight over par.

Sophomore Alexa Clark leads the team at two over par and junior Madalyn Ardueser is second at three over par.

“I think (the team) is doing great,” Ashley Ohland said. “We had two backto-back wins to start off the season, and I think we can look very competitive in the Big Sky Conference.”

The 2019 spring season starts in the Ohland’s home state of Arizona at the Grand Canyon Invitational on Feb. 23.

There are five tournaments before the Big Sky Championship in April.•

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Left to right: Blake Marchland, Mathew Pakootas, Scott Abrahamson, Jason Palmer, Beaudeen Adolph and Jonathan Abrahamson pose together at a rodeo. Their team will compete at rodeos across the country this year.

"I felt like I had to carry it on."

TAYLOR NEWQUIST Sports Editor When most people hear the word rodeo, an image of modern day cowboys glued to bucking bulls and stallions is the first thing that comes to mind. For teams of Native Americans competing in Indian relay races, the rodeo is an opportunity to continue traditions and preserve family pride.

The Indian relay race consists of teams made up of riders and horse handlers.

The riders go for three laps around a track before leaping onto the back of another horse for another three laps.

Handlers guide the horses during the transitioning period.

Every rider rides the horses bareback, following traditions among native peoples. Team’s sport colors that have been passed down to represent their families for generations.

EWU engineering student Scott

Courtesy of Scott Abrahamson

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The Easterner -

EWU student Scott Abrahamson competes in Indian relays and Omak Suicide Race

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Scott Abrahamson sits with his horse at the top of the hill. Abrahamson competes in the Omak Suicide Race which has riders go down a 225 foot hill with a 62 percent incline.

- SCOTT ABRAHAMSON, On starting to ride again after his father passed away Abrahamson grew up around “horse people” on the Colville Indian Reservation.

His grandfather and father both raced horses and had him riding at an early age.

Abrahamson said he had stopped riding for a long time, until his dad passed away when he was in middle school.

“I felt like I had to carry it on,” Abrahamson said. “That persuaded me to start riding again and it took off from there.”

Abrahamson’s uncle, Jonathan Abrahamson, took him in and they created a racing team. As a team they travel across the country competing in a range of rodeos in the Pacific Northwest and Midwest.

They have traveled as far as Florida to race in the event, regularly taking first place.

The Abrahamson’s won a little over $12,000 during a race at the Emerald Downs Racetrack and Casino in Auburn, last year. The winnings they receive go into their horses, for training and housing costs, as well as purchasing new ones.

“We’re not doing it for money,” Scott Abrahamson said. “We’re hoping to break even throughout the whole year. It's kind of for fun and it's what we do.”

One part of the Indian relay races that separate them from other rodeo events is riding the horses bareback. Scott Abrahamson said that people come up to him at the rodeos and wonder how he is able to ride a horse that way.

“We have been doing it all of our lives,” Scott Abrahamson said. “That’s just part of who we are.”

There is a rite of passage aspect that comes with riding horses and competing in the races. Successful riders are often looked up to by the younger children in the community.

“Native Americans are known for being horse people,” Scott Abrahamson said. “It made me want to come back to racing.

It’s not all about winning, my little cousin looks up to all these racers and I like to set an example for him.”

Jonathan Abrahamson said that Scott Abrahamson is the perfect role model for his 11-year-old son. He said that plenty of people around Omak are good riders, but that Scott Abrahamson being in college is the thing he's most proud of. “(Scott) is everything to him,” Jonathan Abrahamson said about his son looking up to Scott Abrahamson. “He’s a good student and really respectable. A lot of us are good riders, but not all of us got the high GPA he has had while in school.”

The Abrahamson’s sport the colors purple and white that have been passed down since Scott Abrahamson’s great-great grandfather. Jonathan Abrahamson said that they dress in traditional regalia and before each race they burn sage and smudge it on themselves and their horses and say a prayer to keep them safe during the race.

“There’s a lot of pride that goes into it,” Scott Abrahamson said. “Coming up nobody really knew us, and now we’re a team to be reckoned with.”

Abrahamson also competes in the Omak Stampede Suicide Race, that takes place on top of a hill that is 225 feet long and has a 62 percent slope. Riders race straight down the hill and cross the Okanogan River.

Some animal rights groups have criticized the event because 23 horses have died in the event over the last 25 years, but only one horse has died since 2005 and the event has been a staple in the community since 1935.

Abrahamson said there is extensive safety precautions that go into making sure the horses are in capable shape to complete the course.

“Everyone thinks it's a crazy deal,” Jonathan Abrahamson said. “But it’s normal to us because we grow up around it. When

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Courtesy of Scott Abrahamson

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Riding for the culture 2.6.19 - V102 I15

Scott Abrahamson rides in an Indian relay race. Racers ride three laps on their horse before leaping to another horse for another three laps in the relay, while riding bareback. you win that race you’re looked up to.”

Riley Prescott has competed with and against Scott Abrahamson in Indian relays, and also participates in the Omak Stampede. He said since he was little he told his mom that he would be coming down that hill one day and she would always laugh it off. He didn't let that stop him. Prescott and his brothers have all competed in the Suicide Race.

“It was a big rush,” Prescott said of the first time he did the stampede. “It all happened in the blink of an eye.”

Prescott said that as the years have passed it has become easier to navigate the traffic on the hill. He said that when he races against Scott Abrahamson in relays one of them usually wins and it comes down to whoever messes up first.

Scott Abrahamson has won the Suicide Race each of the last four years. His uncle and father won the race when they were young.

The 2019 Suicide Race will be on Aug. 9. The Abrahamsons will be competing at rodeos across the country throughout the summer and into the fall.•

16 - The Easterner

Sports

V102 I15 - 2.6.19

Shooters gonna shoot Over the last five games Jacob Davison has dazzled defenders and scored in style

Bailey Monteith for The Easterner

"I feel like I can hit any shot at any time."

- JACOB DAVISON Sophomore guard

@The Easterner

Electric is the best word to describe Jacob Davison on the court.

The sophomore guard demands the attention of defenders with a combination of quick ball-handling skills, relentless finishing at the rim and a pinpoint 3-point shot.

Since the Eagles’ Jan. 19 win over Montana State, Davison has been on fire. In five games he is averaging 26 points with 56 percent shooting from the field and 47 percent from 3-point range.

In EWU’s last game against Northern Arizona on Feb. 4, Davison scored 14 of the Eagles’ first 16 points and finished with a career-high 41 points— the seventh highest total in EWU history.

“It was an unbelievable feeling,” Davison said. “That’s my all-time careerhigh and it was just a surreal feeling. I can’t even describe it.”

Davison grew up in Long Beach, California, where he attended Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School. As a senior he averaged 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists. At the time, his high school coach George Zedan said he was impressed with how much Davison grew as a person and a player, going from playing two years on the junior varsity team to earning a Division I scholarship.

“I believe when I first met Jacob, he was about 5-foot-7,” Zedan said in an Aug. 29, 2017 interview with the Whittier Daily News. “He’s grown to 6-foot-5. He’s holding other kids accountable whereas his first two years at the school he was very quiet and didn’t have much to say.”

Now in his third year at EWU, Davison commands the offense and isn’t shy about wanting the ball in his hands.

“I feel like I can hit any shot at any time,” Davison said. “My confidence is through the roof … I 100 percent would want the ball at the end of the clock.”

When asked about where he sees the team when he gets to his senior year, Davison echoed that same confidence.

“We have a lot of young guys and they have a lot of potential,” Davison said. “I feel like we could be the best in the Big Sky my senior year.”

EWU head coach Shantay Legans said that Davison has the chance to be an All-

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Bailey Monteith for The Easterner

TAYLOR NEWQUIST Sports Editor

Davison at the top of the 3-point line against Northern Arizona on Feb. 4. Davison scored a careerhigh 41 points in the Eagles' 8264 win over the Lumberjacks.

Big Sky player before the 2018-19 season started. As a redshirt freshman Davison scored 13.6 points per game in the BSC tournament. He shot 41.5 percent from 3-point range during the season.

“He greatly improved over the course of the year and ended up one of the best players on our team,” Legans said. “His athleticism, matched with his scoring ability, is really going to make him a player to be reckoned with his sophomore season.”

Now with Davison over halfway through his sophomore season, Legan’s prediction seems spot on.

If Davison continues his current run of form, he will likely surpass senior forward Mason Peatling as the team's leading scorer. As of Feb. 4, Peatling is averaging 15.9 points and Davison is notching 14.5. Peatling missed EWU’s last two games with lingering foot problems from the start of the season and will likely see reduced minutes if he plays in any upcoming games.

At the halfway point in the conference schedule EWU is ranked No. 4 with a 6-4 record. The Eagles lead MSU by a half game, and Southern Utah and Northern Arizona by a game and a half.

If EWU holds a top-five ranking until the conference tournament on March 13-16, the Eagles will receive a first round bye. EWU’s next two games will be on the road against Montana on Feb. 7, and MSU on Feb. 9.•

@EasternerSports