60 the staff editor-in-chief john loeppky editor@carillonregina.com
the carillon The University of Regina Students’ Newspaper Since 1962 May 18 - July 26, 2017 | Volume 60, Issue 1 | carillonregina.com
executive director jae won hur business@carillonregina.com
cover
production manager ella mikkola production@carillonregina.com
Who would like to have a taste of this cougar? Oh I think we all know who is cutting the tenderloin out of this cat.
advertising manager brendan hill advertising@carillonregina.com technical editor frank nordstrom carillontechnical@carillonregina.com
The cover for the first issue of the this volume was designed by our new and shiny graphics editor, Jaecy Bells. Look at that creative work of art!
multimedia editor jael bartnik mutimedia@carillonregina.com copy editor michelle jones copyeditor@carillonregina.com news editor kristian ferguson news@carillonregina.com
You can find more about cuts and protesting against them in our news section on page 6. That’s what happens during the summer, you have to cut the grass, the government cuts your program, and you give up and go for a tan. Don’t forget the lotion.
a&c editor mason silva aandc@carillonregina.com sports editor josh gonzalez sports@carillonregina.com op-ed editor annie trussler op-ed@carillonregina.com graphics editor jaecy bells graphics@carillonregina.com distribution manager john kapp distribution@carillonregina.com staff writer
ethan butterfield
staff writer
ethan williams
a&c writer sports writer
taylor balfour danielle kostiuk konstantin kharitonov contributors
nick giokas, connor macneil, siobhán neary additional material by: the staff
news
news writer
URSU in focus
the paper
Letters should be no more than 350 words, and may be edited for space, clarity, accuracy, and vulgarity. The Carillon is a wholly autonomous organization with no afilliation with the University of Regina Students’ Union. Opinions expressed in the pages of the Carillon are expressly those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Carillon Newspaper Inc. Opinions expressed in advertisements appearing in the Carillon are those of the advertisers, and not necessarily of The Carillon Newspaper Inc. or its staff. The Carillon is published no less than 11 times each semester during the fall and winter semesters and periodically throughout the summer. The Carillon is published by the Carillon Newspaper Inc., a non-profit organization. the manifesto In keeping with our reckless, devil-maycare image, our office has absolutely no concrete information on the Carillon’s formative years readily available. What follows is the story that’s been passed down from editor to editor for over forty years. In the late 1950s, the University of Regina planned the construction of several new buildings on the campus grounds. One of these proposed buildlings was a beltower on the academic green. If you look out on the academic green today, the first thing you’ll notice is that it has absolutely nothing resembling a belltower. The University never got a belltower, but what it did get was the Carillon, a newspaper that serves as a symbolic bell tower on campus, a loud and clear voice belonging to each and every student.
illegitimi non carborundum
a&c
Correspondence can be mailed, emailed, or dropped off in person. Please include your name, address, and telephone number on all letters to the editor. Only the author’s name, title/position (if applicable) and city will be published. Names may be withheld upon request at the discretion of the Carillon.
We are yet to be informed of the last regime’s final miscalculations.
in other news
Sorry, we spent most of our time finding potheads to take pictures of for the op-ed section and writing about the complete ineptness of engineering ethics to be funny. It’s not like you people read this bit anyway.
SMACing down the cuts P. 6
Page 8
Does it look like a carnival in Regina? Believe it or not, that is exactly what it is, and it is happening soon! Danielle Kostiuk has put together a forecast for this year’s Cathedral Village Arts Festival, only for you!
Who cares about sports?
sports
The Carillon welcomes contributions.
Under the lights. P. 7
Page 11
Our ex-sports editor John Loeppky leaves his bitter sweet goodbyes to the sports section as he steps into the big shoes of the editor in-chief position. Be warned!
Drug tests hint at bigger issues. P. 12
Burn that bong
op-ed
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errata
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While URSU is getting ready for the next semester, they are still dealing with the disqualification of candidate Maria Aman. Now, the organization is transitioning each of its new executive in the wake of the scandal.
The Village people
THE CARILLON BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jae Won Hur, John Loeppky, TBA
photos
cover................................... jaecy bells news................................ella mikkola a&c.............................. CVAF Festival sports..............................martin reich op-ed...................................jaecy bells
Page 18
The day of legal marijuana is getting closer. Mark down to your calendars for July 2018. More about this burning topic on page 18.
Activism needs a local focus P. 16
news
Editor: kristian ferguson news@carillonregina.com @carillon_news the carillon | May 18 - July 26, 2017, 2017
URSU execs comfortable in new roles URSU’s new executives transitioning well ethan williams staff writer While the majority of students are now on summer vacation, or have significantly reduced class schedules, the University of Regina Students Union [URSU] is hard at work with daily business. The two newest executives, VP Finance Derrick Gagnon and VP External Affairs Harris Khan, are learning the ropes and getting to know their roles. URSU President Jermain McKenzie spoke about how the transition has been going. “They’ve been transitioning well. They had the opportunity to work with the outgoing executive for their respective positions. These roles require you to hit the road running and they all have been doing great so far.” McKenzie also noted some of the things the executives are working on. “This is the time of year when we do most of our planning for the upcoming year. The new executives have also been tasked to come up with new ideas for programming and ways in which we can continue to improve our engagement with the student body.” He also noted that there are plans for a retreat for the executives so that they can get to know
each other and their roles better. On top of this, the annual budget is a priority for the student council, especially with recent economic hardships for the university. “We are committed to doing our best to assist as many students as possible given the current economic climate for students. So, we are looking closely at every budget line to see how we can shift resources to those areas that will give students the most direct benefits.” These benefits, according to McKenzie, include the Student Care health and dental plans. Additionally, all regular university services will still be provided during the spring and summer. McKenzie says both new and returning executives are working on this. “They have been working with clubs and students as they seek out our assistance.” With Welcome Week being a large event in the fall, URSU has been looking toward this, and is also looking to hire a Welcome Week coordinator. McKenzie says that there is an executive that looks over this as well. “We have yet to hire a Welcome Week coordinator, but the VP of External Affairs, Harris Khan, is the lead for the event and he has already been busy with plans.” While it has been a hit in the
Ella Mikkola It’s time for another URSU update
past, McKenzie says he hopes there will be a change of focus in the event. “We really want to make the event more inclusive and try to not have it centred around alcohol consumption.” McKenzie hopes there can be something for all types of students to help them feel welcome and in-
cluded in university life. Overall, the executives will be working together to ensure these and other events run smoothly, and to ensure that students are well represented for the next year. This is something that McKenzie hopes can happen. “Last year was fairly successful, but we still have a lot of work
Campus Dentist doing well Students make use of the new dental services taylor balfour news writer Recently, a dentist office has opened up on the University of Regina campus, giving students access to affordable and efficient dental care. University of Regina Students’ Union (URSU) executive Derrick Gagnon, vice president of operations and finance, says that “It has definitely been a success.” “Over this past year there has been significantly more claims of student dental work. In previous years, standard increases in claims has been around 100 claims. In the most recent year, 16/17, dental claims increased by over 300 claims,” states Gagnon. According to URSU’s website, they have “partnered with Studentcare in order to provide students with extended health and dental coverage.” Luckily, most students qualify for the program and, therefore, can be covered. URSU assures that students on the U of R campus as well as First Nations University of Canada campus who take nine or more
Fall semester credit hours “should be automatically covered.” Luckily, such a plan seems to have been working. “The CD [Campus Dentist] is put on campus as a convenience to students, as a union that cares for our students we care for the students well-being,” Gagnon explains. “Having a dentist on campus helps eliminate the transportation barrier for students to access dental care.” The office, located on the second floor of the Dr. William Riddell Centre, has provided a location for steady business, allowing for more success. “Our CD benefits non-resident students, again, being convenient by scheduling their appointments before, after, or in between classes,” Gagnon continues. “More students are accessing the dental office because of the convenient location so we are proud that this service is improving the student experience.” On the Campus Dentist website, they claim, “Your experience will be captivating,” as well as a list of services that they offer such as checkups and cleaning, fillings, and wisdom teeth removal,
amongst others. They also assure that insurance plans other than just Studentcare plans are accepted. They also proudly mention that their founding dentist Dr. Dean Gaber “stars in television series Rags to Red Carpet.” They include a link to an episode on their website. They also don’t shy away from speaking about the style of their station, describing it as “ultra-chic modern interiors” with “fashionable staff” and “advanced digital technology.” Their office hours are also listed, closing times ranging from 4-7 p.m., and opening times from 9-11 a.m. If one is interested in getting an appointment, they can do it both online at campusdentist.ca or by phone at (306) 352-1060. To register online, there are a total of 11 questions that must be answered beforehand. Questions about Studentcare coverage can be addressed to URSU at studentcare.ca or by visiting the front desk in the Riddell Centre.
Jaecy Bells Get those teeth cleaned!
to do in order to get the majority of students to view URSU as truly important and worthwhile to their success.”
May 18 - July 26, 2017
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Documents released detail appeal hearing URSU decision stands in recent report ethan williams staff writer It has now been over two months since Maria Aman was disqualified from the 2017 URSU Election because of a breach of election rules. Now, the Carillon has obtained a copy of the report detailing Aman’s appeal to URSU, and their response to the appeal. To recap, Aman was disqualified on March 16. It was not immediately clear why this occurred; however Aman herself confirmed that it was based off of an incident that had occurred shortly before, when she questioned the discrepancies in poll closing times for the elections. Originally, the polls were to close at 5 p.m. on March 16, but the hours were extended to 11:59 p.m. Additionally, soon after Aman’s disqualification, the CRO, Ceilidh Beckman, recused herself from the situation as she stated there was a bias involved between herself and Aman. The exact bias has never been disclosed. However, we now know a little bit more as to why Aman was dropped from the ballot, and the justification as to why this happened from URSU. According to the document, many appeal submissions were made by Aman during her appeal hearing on April 11. The report begins with Aman claiming that she was disqualified without being interviewed or having facts about the situation investigated before the decision to disqualify her was made. The reply from URSU notes that the Elections Committee began investigating the allegations of misconduct immediately, as the results of the investigation could have had an impact on election results. It also mentions that the Elections Committee met with the CRO to obtain information from her regarding her reasoning to disqualify Aman. Aman also says that the allegation that she “disrespected the decision and office of the Chief Returning Officer” is false and that she was simply expressing concern and frustration at the confusion regarding the poll closing times. In its response, URSU said that it interprets “respect” in terms of Section 3.4.5 of the Election and Referendum Bylaw, which reads “respect the decisions made by the CRO.” They went on to say, “It was the opinion of the Elections Committee that she did not abide by the decision of the CRO.” The response continues by saying that an email was sent by the CRO to the Registrar on February 17 to note the change in the poll closing time from 5 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Candidates at an All Candidates Meeting held on the same day, nearly half-an-hour after the email was sent to the Registrar, were informed of this change, and it was stated that Aman was in attendance at this meeting. One of the main arguments made in the report from URSU was that Aman was in violation of the Election and Referendum Bylaw in two separate sections. The first was Section 3.4.5.
Brett Nielsen URSU Update.
This was the same section in which URSU used to interpret respect toward decisions made by the CRO. The section states, “Candidates shall respect the decisions made by the Chief Returning Officer,” and “Keep elections positive in understanding that negative actions by candidates could reflect negatively on the URSU.” Aman was also, according to URSU, in violation of Section 3.1.18, specifically “An offence is committed when a person: attempts to alter…a secure method of vot-
was that the CRO was not available to take on the investigation because she had herself recused due to bias. The report goes on to say that, “In the absence of the CRO, the CRO’s responsibilities must fall upon the Board of Directors and/ or the Executive Committee. The Bylaw does not allow or suggest any alternative.” Also disclosed in the report is an email that was sent by Aman to other candidates running in the election. This email was sent approximately an hour after URSU General Manager Carl Flis sent an
Most of the responses Aman received included agreement on confusion of the closing time, as well as expression of unhappiness in the type of behaviour Aman was displaying, which was deemed by some as unprofessional. None of the responses given seem to indicate that students were in favour of changing the times themselves. URSU does admit that there was some confusion and communication issues surrounding the times of poll opening and closing. It mentions that none of its advertising in-
“Now, the Carillon has obtained a copy of the report detailing Aman’s appeal to URSU, and their response to the appeal” -Ethan Williams
ing.” However, Aman argues that the proper process of investigating the allegation against her was not followed. Aman cited the same Bylaw, which, in part, states that the CRO is responsible for handling the investigation, ruling, and punishment. Aman complains that she received an email from the Chair of URSU that a small group from the Board of Directors took ahold of the situation. URSU’s response to this claim
email to the candidates explaining the change in poll closing time. Aman detailed her frustration in the email by telling students it was their choice as to what time the polls should close. The two options she said they had were to close the polls at 5 p.m. or keep them open until midnight. The email goes on to say, “the CRO would have to be the one to notify Registrar’s Office to confirm what we have decided.” The report says that the CRO was not included in the email thread but was addressed to Flis.
cluded the exact times, but defended themselves by saying it was only logical for the ads to be interpreted as voting starting at midnight on March 13 and ending at 11:59 p.m. on March 16. In addition, the Elections Committee admits there were issues that could have led to confusion, including a “How to Vote” email that indicated that voting would close at 5p.m. on March 16. The error was reportedly overlooked by VP Student Affairs Shawn Wiskar, who was sent the
email by URSU Communications. In an appendix attached to the report, URSU references other disqualification policies used by other universities in Canada to justify their ruling. According to the policy of the Okanagan Campus of UBC, a candidate has incurred a major offence if the candidate was likely to “Materially compromise the integrity of the election,” or “Interfere, or attempt to interfere with the administration of the election.” Laurentian University Student’s General Association notes that “Election Obstruction” results in disqualification, which was what URSU believed happened with Aman in this case. Both Aman and URSU President Jermaine McKenzie stated to the Carillon that they had no further comment on the matter at this time. However, Aman had hired a lawyer shortly after she was disqualified to try and win the appeal and in response to URSU requiring Aman to sign a non-disclosure agreement in order to be told the reasoning for her disqualification. McKenzie noted in a previous Carillon article that he had considered reorganizing the CRO’s role to include a committee to oversee the election process. URSU, in the meantime, ends the report by stating that they uphold their decision to have Aman disqualified.
May 18 - July 26, 2017
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Engineering and cheating: a problem? Is cheating in the engineering faculty an issue? kristian ferguson news editor With recent scandals related to engineering professor Shahid Azam in regards to plagiarizing his master student’s work, there has been a renewed discussion about the nature of cheating within the faculty as a whole. The Carillon was able to interview an engineering student who has been given anonymity in order to protect his identity. In response to if they felt that there was a cheating issue, they simply stated, “Yes.” “It was our final exam and I was minding my own business when I began to notice three men in the next column of desks over began whispering and making gestures to each other,” stated the student. “I didn’t really think to much of it until I noticed that they began to pass their exams between each other. I looked around and didn’t see the professor of the class or any teacher assistants or any authority watching over the exam at this time. So I did nothing assuming that someone else saw this happen and that they would report the incident. Eventually the professor returned and I handed in my exam not mentioning the incident. I spoke with my peers after the exam and a few of them did in fact see the men
cheating but they also did nothing.” This does not appear to be a one-off issue, however. The Regina Engineering Student Society [RESS] stated in their minutes dated March 1, 2017, “To catch cheating in exams there may be more of a push to have exams in camera monitored rooms so there is proof.” By press time, the Carillon was unable to find minutes from other student associations within a similar timeframe that were facing similar issues. In regard to the prevalence of cheating, the engineering student said, “I think this issue is more prevalent than it aught to be.” “It is drilled into our heads from day one into engineering that we are suppose (sic) to have this strong moral principal that guides us. So this includes things like no cheating, no plagiarism and so on. This is because one day the things that we build may have impact on the public at large,” stated the student. In regard to Shahid Azam, the student had a more positive outlook. “To find out that one of the faculty members has been found guilty is surprising. This, however, I would like to believe is an isolated incident that in no way reflects the staff as a whole.” The student was clear that although this may have been an isolated incident, it held very large ramifications.
“It is, however, a way more severe offence because the staff are professional engineers who have essentially taken an oath to not do something like this.” When asked about how often people tend to cheat multiple times, the student expressed that they were unsure of what the metrics might be but that it is “kept very quiet between the offending student and only select members of the faculty.” This does fall in line with the vast majority of university practices, however. Citing privacy concerns, matters of cheating and plagiarism are often times kept between the offending student and the faculty. The student was quick to mention that any cheating issues were not going unnoticed, however. “The RESS is the closest thing to a program that engineers have to combat cheating. I know they are trying to make strides in the prevention of cheating and plagiarism,” confided the student. There was concern expressed that the RESS seemed to be the only body making an obvious effort to combat cheating. “It should not be up to a program or some initiative for students to stop cheating, it is up to both the students and staff to prevent it,” continued the student. “It is up to students to report it if they see it, it is up to the markers of assignments to report it if they find it, it is up to the professor to
Jaecy Bells Mmm, beer.
take action on it if they hear about it. If anyone of these people fail to act than cheating will continue to be a problem.” Whether this is a widespread issue or an isolated one is not wholly clear. While the RESS does seem to be aware of the issue, this could be just a spike in recent years and not something that was too common in years prior. The concern over cheating in the engineering faculty in com-
parison to other faculties is mostly due to the potential effect it could have on the populace, as stated by the student. It is also upsetting due to engineering students having to take ethics courses, something that is not necessary across Canada, but deemed necessary at the University of Regina, similar to business students in order to prevent these kinds of situations in their future as professionals.
May 18 - July 26, 2017
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SMAC Continues to Stand Strong In protest of Sask. Party cuts, students organize taylor balfour news writer Students Mobilizing Against Cuts, better known as SMAC, has been taking the University of Regina campus by storm. The group’s intent since its founding has been to make it known how government cuts have, and will continue to, affect the lives of students. During the first week of May, SMAC representatives started Five Days Against Cuts, an opportunity to make student voices and concerns heard. The week, going from Monday, May 1 to Friday, May 5, had an organized plan published to SMAC’s Facebook page. “Five Days Against Cuts hopes to highlight the discrepancies within this budget,” the post claims. “This budget affects all Saskatchewan residents, which is why SMAC decided to focus each day on one sector.” When asked about SMAC’s success from it’s beginning until now, Kelsey Morrison a SMAC representative, says it’s been steadily increasing. “SMAC’s first event was on March 30, 2017 in which we held a march and rally to protest the cuts to [post-secondary education]. We were very impressed with the amount of support we had as over 100 students joined us along with faculty and other community members.” “We also held SMAC 101 in April in which we held discussions on the 2017-18 budget and its impacts,” Morrison continues. “Our Five Days Against Cuts campaign ran from May 1-5 and we were very impressed with the amount of support we had not only from students but from unions and other community members as well.” The protests, in order, focused on provincial cuts to libraries, how pre-k to grade 12 students are affected, and STC cuts. Their final day was in regards to the prisoner work strike, as well as encouraging others to attend the Give Kye a Voice rally, which focused on mental health in the province in memory of Kye, a 16-year-old male who took his life after a battle with mental illness. “Since SMAC’s founding, our members have felt strongly about the purpose of SMAC as being to protect and fight for justice for each individual,” Morrison explained. “In saying this, we formed Five Days Against Cuts as a means to protest specific budget cuts in sectors like post-secondary education, K-12 education, social services, privatization, STC and the corporate tax reduction.” “Each action was specific to a certain budget cut,” she continued. “However, to kick off Five Days Against Cuts, SMAC set up camp on the Legislative build-
Ella Mikkola Students fighting the fight in front of the Legislative Building
ing front lawn in which we held a press conference outlining our purpose and our demands.” One of the ways in which SMAC protested was by fining members of the legislature by placing parking tickets on their cars as a way of highlighting the effect that tuition increases have on students.
province are struggling to make ends meet, this government has brought in profits of $1.8 million in interest on student loans in 2014-15 alone.” “Ultimately, the goal of Five Days Against Cuts was to show the government that we are willing to go as far as needed for them to reverse this austerity budget. Whether individuals are students,
province, claiming that public finance and public health is a “matter of life and death.” SMAC captioned the article: “2017-2018 budget explicitly indicated that it does not value the people of Saskatchewan. The only people the Sask party budget values is the rich! SHAME!” “It is important for students to be aware of the fact that Uni-
“University of Regina students already pay the third highest tuition in Canada.” -Kelsey Morrison
“The action is complemented by a visual art chalking demonstration. This demonstration will highlight the timeline of tuition fee increases over the last decade,” A press release detailing the protest explains, released on the morning of May 2, before the protest had taken place. “The rising cost of tuition fees has forced 40 per cent of all full-time post-secondary students (or 12,000 students) to take out a loan to pay for the upfront cost of their education,” the release continues. “While students across the
parents, low-income, small business owners or any community member, this budget negatively affects you,” Morrison explains. “Not only does this budget specifically target Saskatchewan’s most vulnerable, it gives more to the rich which is unacceptable. The goal of our campaign was to raise awareness and to build stronger community partnerships with other people impacted by this budget.” On May 11, SMAC’s Facebook page shared a published letter from Regina’s Leader-Post in regards to “health equity” in the
versity of Regina students already pay the third highest tuition in Canada,” Morrison states. “Furthermore, our tuition has continued to increase every single year which Vianne Timmons has stated in a recent press release. The university’s budget was released and students are looking at a 2.5 per cent increase in tuition fees. This is unacceptable.” The provincial budget, released back in March of this year, cut $7 million from the University of Regina’s funding. This resulted in not only a cut to scholarships for students, but also a rise in tu-
ition costs. “Students already face financial burdens as the cost of living continues to increase,” Morrison furthers. “Some students are working three jobs and receiving student loans to get through school.” If students wish to get more involved with SMAC and assist in the cause, Morrison says there is always room. “We are always looking for more SMAC’ians,” she explains. “People can find us on facebook or can send us an email at smacsask@gmail.com. We are currently looking for more representatives to join our team in areas like communication, media and outreach. If this is something you think you are interested in please reach out we would love to have you!” SMC’S goal, since its inception, has been to make a difference. If their voices continue to be heard, more changes can be made. “This furthers stress and students are not able to be as successful in their studies as they could be,” Morrison concludes. “It is important for students to become aware of this unjust system and to demand an alternative.”
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Editor: mason silva aandc@carillonregina.com @carillon_arts the carillon | May 18 - July 26, 2017
Show hopes to engage diverse audiences Discussing Globe Theatre’s production of The Little Mermaid ethan williams staff writer Globe Theatre’s 2016/2017 season may be wrapping up in the next month or so, but the theatre hopes to go out with a bang with their production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. The popular 1989 movie has had much critical success over the years, and now it’s coming to the Globe’s main stage later this month. Sonia Stanger is the Box Office Manager for the Globe Theatre, and says that the idea to do the show came about because it was one the theatre had been wanting to do for a while now. “One of the things we always like to have in our season is something super family friendly, super fun, and spectacularly theatrical, and I think this is one that we’ve wanted to do for a long time because it has some pretty exciting possibilities for our theatre-in-theround.” Stanger says this sort of theatre set-up always poses a bit of a challenge for productions at the venue for various reasons, one of which includes the backstage area of the stage. “There isn’t a backstage area that you would see in a regular theatre, and you have four exits and entrances for our actors. As well, there is seating on all four sides, so you can’t hide anything because you have spectators on all sides of the stage. Our production team has to get really creative in terms of what they can do with that space.” When asked what makes The Little Mermaid a great season finale for the Globe, Stanger cited many things that would make audiences marvel over it. “First of all, it’s huge. We have eighteen actors, which is possibly more than we’ve ever had before. As well, it’s really just a really beautiful, fun, and exciting show. It appeals to those of us who were young when the movie first came out in 1989, and it appeals to those of us who maybe had kids when it first came out. It’s a really fun and high-energy production.” Not only does the production feature elements that are fit for all age groups, but it also serves as an inclusive show that fits the needs of many different groups. Stanger says that the theatre launched different accessibility initiatives over the last couple of years, and will include them in a performance of this show, including an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted show for D/deaf and hard-ofhearing patrons, and a “relaxed performance,” which includes less visual and aural effects to accommodate those with an autism spectrum disorder. Stanger says this show will be much different
from that of a regular production so that people who bring patrons with disabilities can feel comfortable bringing them. “There are many things (that have been adjusted), for example the full blackout in a show, which can be quite upsetting for those who have sensitivities, and the loud noises. We want to make a space where people who have dis-
abilities feel safe and welcome, for example audience members who make vocalizations with no control. There’s a relaxed attitude, and the audience can even get up and leave the space as necessary. We’ll have what we call the quiet room in case someone needs a moment away from noise and crowds and stimulation.” Stanger says that this partic-
Courtesy of Globe Theatre. See credits on poster Here’s the poster for one of Disney’s biggest hits
ular performance is also ideal for people who are wary about bringing small children to the theatre, and also mentioned that a live audio description will be provided for people who suffer from vision loss. Tickets for The Little Mermaid are still available by contacting the Globe Theatre box office at (306) 525-6400, or by going
online to globetheatrelive.com. Tickets are also still available for the relaxed performance, which runs for one night, Saturday, June 24.
May 18 - July 26, 2017
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Arts in the village A forecast of the 2017 Cathedral Village Arts Festival danielle kostiuk a&c writer The annual Cathedral Village Arts Festival Street Fair is happening Saturday, May 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event is a fantastic opportunity to support local businesses and artisans. One can wander down 13th Avenue from Albert Street to Elphinstone Street and purchase handmade goods, delicious food, and listen to various musicians. This is a free, all-ages, family-friendly event that has been taking over the Cathedral Village area for over twenty-five years here in Regina. This year, the festival’s theme is “Our Streets Are Stories.” This festival, and in particular, the street fair, bring together many creative people, fostering community. Visual art, theatre, dance, music, film, and many other creative practices collaborate to create this successful event. The atmosphere is really inviting, and there is a broad range of people from all walks of life coming together within the community. This festival encapsulates the strong arts and creative community found here in the heart of Regina. There will be over 300 artisans and performers at the street fair this year, as well as many University of Regina students and alumni selling their creative works. There truly is something here for everyone at the fair. Products range from jewellery, fine art, and cigar-box guitars, to handmade soap. Make sure to walk down the whole street to see all the booths. When the time is right,
Courtesy of the Cathedral Village Arts Festival Attendees enjoy the 2016 CVAF .
stop by the beer gardens and enjoy that well deserved cold one. If the beer garden is not your thing, head down the street to buy some freshly squeezed, ice cold lemonade. Music is another large part of the street fair. Buskers can be found at every corner throughout the day. There are many styles of music to be enjoyed. Also, there
a.m. Dancers, musicians, and other creatives march down the street producing quite the spectacle. This year the parade will also have two special guests – a bride and groom. The parade really showcases the festival’s atmosphere that takes over the Regina area. The street fair is well looked
forward to by many people, and really is a lot of fun to participate in (even if it is just shopping.) One last piece of advice: remember to bring cash to avoid those ATM lines. So, get out and get cultured! For full festival details and schedules ,visit cvaf.ca.
Alex Janvier Showcase
44th Annual Bazaart
Gateway Festival 2017
Date: May 20 – Sept. 10 Location: Mackenzie Art Gallery Summary: Five decades of Alex Janvier’s art is presented in the over one hundred piece feature at the Mackenzie Art Gallery. Janvier is considered a pioneer of contemporary Aboriginal art and he has received many awards and distinctions, including the Order of Canada. Info: mackenzieartgallery.ca
Date: June 17 Location: Mackenzie Art Gallery Summary: The largest outdoor Arts and Crafts event in Saskatchewan, Bazaart features creations by 120 Canadian artisans. Bazaart is one of the gallery’s largest fundraisers, and one can enjoy food from local vendors, as well as explore the gallery’s summer collections. Info: mackenzieartgallery.ca
Date: July 21 – 23 Location: Bengough, Saskatchewan Summary: The 13th Annual Gateway Festival features a wide variety of Saskatchewan’s musical artists. Performers for the 2017 festival include Tom Cochrane, The Sadies, Library Voices, and many, many more. Info: gatewayfestival.com
are other performances happening at Funville in Holy Rosary Park. On top of all of the great handmade goods, remember to enjoy and indulge in the food. There will be many food trucks, fresh baked donuts, cotton candy, and ice cream from Dessart Sweets. The well anticipated annual parade kicks off around 11:00
What to check out in Regina over the next few weeks mason silva a&c editor Cathedral Village Arts Festival Date: May 22 – 27, 2017 Location: Along 13th Avenue Summary: The festival features not only a street fair with a wide range of booths, but also a variety of performances by local artists. See Danielle Kostiuk’s article about the event just up the page. Info: cvaf.ca
The Little Mermaid Date: May 24 – June 25 Location: Globe Theatre Summary: Globe Theatre performs their rendition of the Disney classic The Little Mermaid. A relaxed performance featuring reduced visual and aural effects is being held on June 24, for which there are still tickets available. Info: globetheatrelive.com
May 18 - July 26, 2017
carillonregina.com | The Carillon | 9
a&c
Heating up over the summer A look into the University of Regina’s wood kiln
Danielle Kostiuk If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kiln.
danielle kostiuk a&c writer Ever wondered what that brick structure is near the south side of the Academic Green? Well, it is a wood kiln used by the ceramic students in the visual arts department. A kiln is used to fire ceramic artworks. The heat chemically and physically transforms the porous clay into an archival, hard material. At the University of Regina, there are seven electric kilns, three gas kilns, one soda kiln, one raku kiln, and one wood kiln. The students at the University of Regina are very fortunate to have access to a wood kiln. This kiln was designed and built for the University of Regina by Ad-
approximately three times this spring and summer. So, if you see ten-foot flames shooting from the chimney, do not be alarmed. I repeat, do not be alarmed. This is normal. The wood kiln reaches temperatures up to 2,419 degrees Fahrenheit. Students spend hours upon hours splitting wood in preparation for each firing. The kiln is then prepped and loaded. Small pieces of wood are continually thrown into the opening of the kiln to stoke it. Students have to constantly stoke and supervise the kiln for the whole duration of the firing, which can be up to 50 hours per firing. Once the kiln is finished firing, it takes approximately a week for the kiln to cool and the door to be opened. The firing process is very
ic artists use electric or gas fueled kilns. Using a kiln fueled by wood is a more traditional approach to firing ceramics. Because the preparation and firing schedule is so intensive, firing a wood kiln relies on community. Ceramics is more than a medium, it is a community of creatives working together and staying connected. So, what is so special about a wood kiln? A wood kiln provides a specific atmosphere inside the kiln, which can create a specific glazed surface that is rich in color and texture on the ceramic objects. Atmospheric firings are very desirable to ceramicists because they are very organic and unpredictable. The results are stunning and truly one-of-a-kind. There are three types of atmospheric
The ash contains minerals and chemicals that react with the minerals inside the clay body that the art object is made of. The ash melts in the scorching temperatures creating a glaze on the surface of the pots. A glaze gives a glassy surface colour that decorates or waterproofs an object. Clay demands specific processes and measures be taken. The result of the firing is never guaranteed; furthermore, owing to the unpredictability of atmospheric firing, a detachment between artist and art object is required. The firing process is risky because the results can be so varied. On the other hand, the atmosphere allows for serendipity to influence the final form, adding uniqueness and individuality to each piece.
“the atmosphere allows for serendipity to influence the final form, adding uniqueness and individuality to each piece.” -Danielle Kostiuk
junct Professor Martin Tagseth in 2013, with the help of a class of students. Tagseth is represented by Assiniboia Gallery here in Regina. The wood kiln will be fired
labour intensive. Artists have to be fully engaged with the entire making process when firing a wood kiln. If an artist leaves, the kiln will not fire unlike an electric kiln. Many contemporary ceram-
firings: salt, soda, and wood. The wood, or the fuel source, affects the atmosphere inside the kiln. The wood is burnt and the ash then flows through the kiln, landing on the ceramic pieces.
The end results showcase the process and journey of each piece. It is usually evident in the surface of the object that the object was wood-fired. The flame and ash leaves a very dynamic
narrative on the surface of each vessel with each fiery lick and roll. The placement of a piece inside the kiln can also greatly affect the surface outcome. A vessel might be lightly coated in ash in the back corner of the kiln, whereas an object in the front of the kiln could be thickly coated in ash. An accumulation of ash can create interesting drips of glaze. Inside the kiln there is a section called the throat. Objects placed in the throat of the kiln get blasted with ash. Over the spring and summer months, people are able to rent studio space in the visual arts department, which gains them access to the department’s facilities. This includes the ability to participate in a wood firing if desired. The University of Regina Ceramic Student Society collectively makes wares to sell at the three fundraisers the club organizes in a year: chilli bowl sale, Christmas sale, and Valentine’s Day sale. The fundraisers are held to support student travel to national and international ceramic conferences. The club sells handmade pottery in the Riddell Centre during these fundraisers. For more information or questions about the wood kiln firings, find the University of Regina Ceramic Student Society on Facebook.
May 18 - July 26, 2017
carillonregina.com | The Carillon |10
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A tale of the tunes A review of May 6 show at the Exchange mason silva a&c editor Seed Music: 4 stars out of 5 Performance: 4 stars out of 5 Overall: 8 stars out of 10 Opening up for three of Saskatchewan’s biggest bands is no small feat, but Seed did so confidently. After a year and a half of performances across the Queen City, Seed has finally begun to chip away their spot as one of the leaders of the local scene. As the group continues to gain more experience on stage, they also gain confidence in their performance. Frontman Kieran Smith and guitarist Tom Duffy have plenty of experience playing together, and this familiarity shows in their intricate guitar lines. The band has adopted tones from many different facets of music, presenting wavy surf tones intertwined with heavy hitting emo inspiration. The group’s distinct heaviness is aided by drummer Ross Bart and bassist Matt Burns, who put on an excellent performance. Seed also utilizes an interesting vocal section, as Kieran Smith and Ross Bart split vocal duty. Playing the drums and singing at the same time is no easy feat, and Ross deserves tons of respect for his artistic abilities. There is nowhere to go but up for Seed, and they have made it clear that they are here to stay. Watch out for these guys over the summer as they continue to play with popular Regina groups. The Garrys Music: 4.5 stars out of 5 Performance: 4 stars out of 5 Overall: 8.5 stars out of 10 These psychedelic outlaws came all the way from Saskatoonland to melt your faces and steal your hearts. The Garrys are handsdown one of the most unique groups that I have ever seen perform, and they are a delight to watch. First, it must be mentioned that the group is comprised of the three Maier sisters: Erica (guitar), Julie (bass), and Lenore (drums). While The Garrys present a sound that is appealing regardless of gender, the group represents a demographic that is severely underrepresented in the Saskatchewan music scene. As well, the
Courtesay of Seed and Surf Dads, edited by Ella Mikkola All these bands worth of so many stars.
group advocates for increased opportunities for female musicians, and one cannot underestimate the impact that this has on younger generations. While surf music continues to gain popularity in local music scenes, The Garrys have carved out a niche that makes them both appealing and unique. I struggled to come up with the words to describe their sound, but their Facebook page has done so wonderfully, stating, “Blood harmony surf garage on moooorphine.” Many groups attempt to force vocals into every section of their songs, ultimately sacrificing the quality of their music. However, The Garrys simply utilize vocals as a way of accenting their music, and do so in such a way that compliments their wavy, laid back style. Surf Dads Music: 4.5 stars out of 5 Performance: 4.5 stars out of 5 Overall: 9 stars out of 10 Though time will pass, and band lineups will change, a few things will remain consistent. Surf Dads
make it their goal to rock your socks off with every performance, and Saturday was no exception. The group is comprised of drumming sensation Chris Dimas and frontman Gage McGuire. As well, bassist Nolan Grad and Seed guitarist Kieran Smith join them for live performances. Surf Dads have gained notoriety not only for their excellence in writing music, but also for their dedication, and skill at their respective instruments. The more that I watch Chris Dimas perform, the more I gain a true admiration of his artistic abilities. Not only can he play extremely well, but his playing perfectly compliments the song, and highlights the other members playing. Rarely do you find a musician of his skill and dedication, and his contributions have helped them become the most respected young group in the city. However, this is not to downplay the contributions of Gage McGuire, who has displayed that he can write quality music, and lots of it. It is clear that the group’s rigorous performance schedule has
paid off, as the group provided quality entertainment despite slight technical issues with their sound equipment. As if the action-packed set wasn’t enough, Surf Dad members Kieran Smith and Nolan Grad jumped off the stage and joined the mosh pit for the group’s last song. Library Voices Music: 4.5 stars out of 5 Performance: 4.5 stars out of 5 Overall: 9 stars out of 10 Library Voices have dominated the local music scene since forming nearly a decade ago. However, the group made it very clear on Saturday night that they still have a lot left in the tank. The group’s hour-long set was certainly the most polished set of the evening, and helped to tie together the variety of genres displayed over the course of the evening. The group consists of seven members, and this allows Library Voices to present their dynamic sound that utilizes electronics, and instruments like the saxophone and keyboard. Frontmen Brennan Ross and Carl Johnson
helped lead the action-packed set, which was accented by drummer Michael Thievin and keyboardist Amanda Scandrett. Electronics man Michael Dawson was a hidden gem of the night, and I personally feel that many groups in Regina could enhance their performance through the use of electronic sound. The group is rounded out by saxophonist Paul Gutheil, whose playing is a breath of fresh air in a music scene ruled by drums and guitar. Library Voices played a variety of tunes, both new and old, and capped off the set by inviting Surf Dads members Kieran and Chris up on stage to sing a song. Library Voices provide a distinct alternative sound that is unique to the Queen City and this has certainly helped the group establish themselves as legends in Regina. However, Library Voices made it clear that they are not about to set out on their farewell tour, and the group still has much to give.
sports
Editor: josh gonzales sports@carillonregina.com @carillon_sports the carillon | May 18 - July 26, 2017
Honouring the past
Who will join Janine Polischuk in the U of R Hall of Fame? konstantin kharitonov sports writer This past month, the University of Regina Cougars have admitted another great athlete into the school’s hall of fame. Janine Polischuk, originally from Regina, became the first female track and field athlete to be inducted into the hall. Polischuk was very accomplished in her time as a Cougar. She competed in long jump, high jump, triple jump, hurdles, and pentathlon. Her achievements include a grand total of four gold medals, three silver medals, and one bronze medal at the 2007, 2008, and 2009 CIS national championships. On top of that, Polischuk also captured eight gold medals, three silver medals, and two bronze medals in Canada West competition. For her accomplishments on the track, she was named CIS Track and Field Athlete of the Year, Canada West Athlete of the Year, and U of R Female Athlete of the Year in back-to-back years. She was also named the CIS Championship MVP and Cana-
da West Championship MVP in 2008. Wow. It’s mind-blowing how much she was able to accomplish in just three years at the U of R. That is a level of greatness, that is virtually unheard of at the university, and she may well truly be the greatest athlete ever to be a Cougar or Ram. Again, she did this all in just three years of competition. It’s safe to say that Polischuk was a generational athlete during her time with the team. Her elite level talent is only rarely seen, making her time at the U of R that much more special. It’s also safe to say that such a talent may not be seen again for quite some time. Now that it has been nearly 10 years since the last time Polischuk has been on the field competing for the school, let’s look at which athletes might join her in the hall. The first name that comes to mind is Ali Bernard. The wrestler was a female U of R athlete for three straight years, from 2005 to 2007. Her abilities vaulted her all the way to the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, where she represented
Arthur Ward Toni Ross making a hall of fame-worthy save.
the United States. Two more recent cases would have to be swimmer Noah Choboter and ice hockey goalie Toni Ross, both winners of the U of R athlete of the year award. Choboter is a decorated medalist, bringing home two goal medals at the CIS tournament in 2016, and fol-
lowed that up with a bronze medal performance in the 2017 championship. Toni Ross has been a starter for the Cougars since 2012 and has an impressive 0.922 career save percentage and a 2.19 goals against average throughout her university career, and set new school highs.
With these athletes producing at such a high level, it is fair to say the university program is still in good hands. They are definitely on their way to greatness and might even reach the level that Polischuk was at during her marvelous campaign wearing the green and gold.
Newsflash: sports don’t matter Time to pack this section in john loeppky editor-in-chief The reason I left the sports editor position to become editor-in-chief – aside from my own world domination-related leanings and megalomaniac tendencies – was because no one on this campus cares about sports. Why should I? Why should they? Why should Reggie the mascot? Why should our supreme overlord, Vianne Timmons? They shouldn’t. The only sport that matters, contrary to popular opinion, is basketball. The NBA. Everything else is secondary. We have teams who win games, sure, but we care more about the fact that Jon Ryan graduated from this institution than we do that the women’s basketball team are an annual threat to make it to the national tournament, and Ryan was a punter. Name our most famous volleyball athlete. I’ll wait...still waiting...oh, right, you don’t even know, probably because we don’t have one. The Rams’ slight wins and heavy losses will always be important to the vocal minority that think the Queen City’s
green and gold matter but, other than that, the athletic department could invest in blow up dolls to increase their game day attendance and I wouldn’t even be surprised. Here’s why you shouldn’t care: Cougar athletes get preferential treatment. They get to sit in cold tubs with aching legs and extended deadlines for their physics homework while you slum it out, under the covers, cuddled up with your dog, procrastinating with Netflix. How unfair! You need another reason? University of Regina athletes aren’t smart. It’s not like any of our athletes are Academic All-Canadians, or that they don’t go on to become engineers, doctors, and all kinds of stereotypically important professionals. No athlete from the U of R has ever done anything of note other than dribble a ball occasionally. It’s not like athletes learn teamwork, work ethic, collaboration, commitment, how to use their bodies and minds in sync, or anything else from some silly games. If you want a good atmosphere, don’t bother going to Cougar sports events. It’s not like homecoming was pretty much sold out last year or that Mosaic was rocking during the opening
Martin Reisch via Unsplash Existential crisis on a football field.
game for the stadium. Better to just sit at home and troll TSN.ca. I wonder why we even have a sports section at all. Having been at its helm for two years, I think that it could easily be replaced
with blank pages, or we could cut it completely and save the money it take to print. So, Josh, you better have this section in good shape or you might find yourself unemployed, or we could outsource you
to the Sheaf – the University of Saskatchewan’s student paper – I hear they need a southern Saskatchewan correspondent.
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Football’s issues are not limited to the Rams Michael Stefanovic’s alleged failed doping test is part of a bigger problem ethan butterfield staff writer Racist comments, drug test failings, and Favre-esque dick pics are things that we have come to expect from the world of professional football. The toughas-nails sport just keeps getting tougher inside and outside the locker room for many players. Therefore, adjustments have to be made. One has to change their style to show that they can continue to compete with the best of the best by whatever means necessary. Has that way of thinking enterered into the minds of university players though? Is there a systemic problem in the world of football? Yes, to the first question. Unfortunately, these problems are not unknown to university players. To be blunt, it seems pretty evident that what hundreds of university football players, and not just the Rams, go through is part of a much larger problem set, one that includes the pressure of trying to be a top tier athlete, combined with the sense of bravado that comes with it. Oh, but there’s no problem with the game of football, right? Sure, one could argue that it’s just the heat of competition that gets to players and that, sometimes, they can respond with unjust or racist dialogue. There’s no harm meant by it, correct? It’s just a game after all. Well, the game itself comes down to the score at the end. The issues that follow, however, are so much more than that. Too often, great players feel superiority over other teams, as well as their own teammates. There’s a feeling that one can get away with anything. Others may say that the bravado itself is just the nature of healthy
Caitlin Taylor Exhibit B: Rams
Caitlin Taylor Exhibit A: A Ram
competition, but when things gets out of hand, that’s when issues start to arise. Physical enhancements are one of the biggest reoccurring issues. There are points when a player is not a top dog but they need to be, when they need to look good for the scouting agent, and times where players have to stop falling behind. Performance enhancing drugs and human growth hormones are an easy solution for many players looking for a pick-me-up in their game. It’s not just at the professional level. University and high school athletes are also guilty, with the main idea being that winning out weighs all. That same need to win is also killing players. Good natural athletes are being over-
shadowed by drugs that cripple the mind and body. It is a horror story in itself. Moving away from drug use, we arrive at derogatory comments. Now, let me be clear, chirping in football is always going to be a thing. Two teams that trade verbal blows with each other when tensions are high is just part of the game. Where this goes too far is when the chirping comes off the field, especially in the great land of social media where a verbal threat is issued safely behind a screen. Perhaps I preach too much but, the fact is, comments regarding race and ability are far too common. There’s nothing against having an ego, but when that ego grows to a point when race comes into the mix, some-
thing has clearly gone amiss. So, are there any possible solutions to the presented problems? Honestly, I believe it depends on the level of football. High schools and universities can, at the very least, try to incorporate different systems that take away from the number of incidents that happen during a given season. The professional level, on the other hand, has ever changing issues that seems to be getting more and more difficult to solve. The systems that get put into place are quickly worked around and legal dilemmas are waved off with a slap on the wrist (take Michael Vick’s career for example). Finally, returning to the second question that’s been analyzed, is there a systemic problem
in football? I think it’s hard to argue that there is not an ongoing issue at every level in football. From legal issues to hard drugs , football is far from a perfect game. It really is a shame because I, myself, am a big fan. Every time the season starts, I always get excited to see how it pans out. But that’s where a big part of the problem lays, in the idea that football is so big and entertaining that we’ve gotten used to the negative occurrences, allowing other athletes to assume that what is happening on top is okay to do at any level. This is obviously not the case. Change may not be impossible, but when trying to change a juggernaut sport like football, odds are it is going to take a long time before any progress is made.
May 18 - July 26, 2017
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Let’s get rid of dumb sports stereotypes A challenge to U of R athletes: let’s get your side of the story josh gonzales sports editor In early February, Howard Beck wrote a piece about NBA rookie Thon Maker. It blew my mind. Not because Thon was some kind of athletic marvel who was tearing up the league as a rookie (he was averaging less than 10 minutes per game at the time). No, what really struck me was the narrative. There were stories related to Maker’s journey as a Sudanese refugee, his confidence, and the way he conducted himself. Not just in the gym, but through life. The sport he played was almost irrelevant. What really mattered, and what was actually interesting, was the behind-the-scenes look at someone who is building an amazing existence. This is an article meant for a specific audience. It is meant for University of Regina students who are, or who have been, U of R athletes. Please, help me get rid of dumb sports stereotypes. Let me be clear: not every athlete should become a writer. On top of that, not every writer should write about sports. But, if you are reading this (which, if you aren’t, please teach me your Jedi mind tricks), my guess is you are not currently giving yourself enough credit. Even if you do not currently feel like a writer, you likely have, or know of someone who has, a story that could change people’s perception of student-athletes, and that can only lead to good things. In this issue of the Carillon, one of our staff writers wrote an article about systemic problems in football, motivated by Rams’ linebacker Michael Stefanovic’s alleged failed doping test. It’s an important issue to tackle, for sure. Having said that, like most stories of this nature, it plays into a stereotype. I’m well aware that only having this perspective of the story feeds into the negative view many people have of football, one that I am not keen to proliferate. Like Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons, I want to break the wheel and change people’s perceptions of what it means to be a student-athlete. However, unlike the actually-hot Emilia Clarke, I do not have an army of Unsullied, dragons, and little birds to help me. Yes, we are going to cover the usual stories. If your team sucks we are still going to write about how bad your team is playing. If you do something dumb we will not ignore it. But even in a lost season there’s no denying you worked hard to get where you are. Like Thon Maker, you could be spending most of your time on the sideline, but I need you to step up and tell me more about the lit-
Ella Mikkola What a fierce cat.
tle marvels behind-the-scenes. In fact, as a writer, I am desperate to hear these stories. I have a weird background for a sports editor. I am doing my master’s in psychology and most of my free time is spent making music or taking photographs. To be honest, I feel like a bit of a fraud. Since I have been out of high school, I rarely touch a basketball. Most of my sportsing nowadays is confined to recreational ultimate frisbee. I know that most sports writers have limited experience playing the sports they write about, but it still feels slightly disingenuous. There’s a reason The Player’s Tribune exists. People want to hear directly from the athletes themselves. We do our best to provide
a balanced perspective as observers but having a student-run school newspaper also provides you, the student-athlete, with a unique opportunity to have your voice heard. Posting on Facebook is cool, but those heavily curated feeds don’t eliminate people’s prejudices. Instaposts will get you passing double taps, but they won’t change people’s #hearts. More and more athletes are gravitating toward podcasting, but the written word is still a powerful tool (and not everyone has a suitable voice for radio). It can help people understand that you have depth, that your fast twitch muscles extend past your fingers to your brain. Yes, of course, there are lessthan-smart athletes, but there’s
no truth in saying there are more dumb athletes than there are dumb people in general. In fact, academic studies suggest the opposite is true. I wish having data was enough to change people’s perceptions, but unfortunately the stereotype persists. Most people latch onto story and emotions, not graphs and figures. When they hear about an athlete doing something stupid they generalize this to athletes as a group. It’s unfair, but true. John’s piece in this issue about why sports don’t matter is sarcastic, but it’s only funny because we recognize that’s how some people really feel. The only way to change this is to make sure people also see the positive narratives, and that has to start with yours.
“Your winning plays last seconds, but the stories people tell around those moments last much longer.” -Josh Gonzales
Think we are giving you a shitty deal on a story? Let me know why! Do you have a teammate who hasn’t been recognized for their amazing work off of the court? Tell me more! Want to talk about how your athletic experience has been shaped, or is shaping , your academic work? I think I may have just fallen in love with you (just kidding, probably). Your winning plays last seconds, but the stories people tell around those moments last much longer. I can’t say I’ll remember how many points Thon Maker scored against the Raptors in the first round of the playoffs, but I can guarantee you I will remember he was confident enough to say he would be a future MVP and that most veterans believed him. So, one last time, I encourage you to write about your side of the story for the Carillon. If you have or know of a story that needs to be written about, but really don’t feel comfortable writing about it, contact me. We will work something out. At the end of the day, these stories need to be told no matter who is lucky enough to write about them. Let’s get started.
May 18 - July 26, 2017
sports
Domestics versus Imports
carillonregina.com | The Carillon | 14
When should the Cougars and Rams invest in our province’s talent?
konstantin kharitonov sports writer Domestic versus import. Now there is a topic that is not in any 4way related to anything that is happening in our society politically. No sir, not one bit. Thankfully, this is not a debate that many are getting ever so gosh darn tired about. So, let’s talk about an issue each sports organisation, whether it be the best professional teams in the world or teams at the university level, almost certainly loses sleep over. How many import players should there be on the team? For the sake of clarity, an import player is any player that would not be considered domestic to the area, whether that player is a Canadian university student from another region or province, a transfer student from a different U Sports or CCAA institution, or a player that is not a current Canadian citizen and thus studying abroad. According to both the U Sports and CCAA recruitment guidelines, there is a hard limit with how many non-Canadian citizens are permitted to compete with a team. For both male and female basketball teams, the limit for such players is three, with volleyball and soccer allowing a maximum of two non-citizen players. For hockey and football, there is no official declaration on whether non-citizen players are allowed on the team. However, as of May 14, 2017, there are no non-citizen players on either of the U of R’s hockey teams, while there are three out of country players on the Rams. When it comes to transfer students, the respective associations are quite similarly strict. For a student to transfer to a different institution, except for special circumstances, the student must wait
Caitlin Taylor Look at that local talent walking.
until the following year to compete for their new team. Quite a lot of rules for anyone thinking about a different team, huh? While yes, it is a very strict process, it’s all about securing talent within a province or region.
Each university team has a miniscule window for success. Wasting resources is not on a team’s agenda. However, there is nothing stopping a player from enrolling in a university, completely eliminating the need to wait a year to become
sum of invested money. There is just not enough cash to get any player that is not exceptional. The crux of the situation, then, is if import players are that much better than the ones available domestically. For those exceptional
“It can be a nightmare for rural schools in Canada to attract talent in any sport. Sure, places like southern Ontario thrive with the sheer number of potential players to choose from. But a place like Regina? Yeah, it’s a bit of a stretch to assume that a city in a province with slightly more than one million people will consistently produce high-level talent.” -Konstantin Kharitonov
It can be a nightmare for rural schools in Canada to attract talent in any sport. Sure, places like southern Ontario thrive with the sheer number of potential players to choose from. But a place like Regina? Yeah, it’s a bit of a stretch to assume that a city in a province with slightly more than one million people will consistently produce high-level talent. As such, when talented players eventually come around, there is a bigger incentive to stay at home. Sure, the players surrounding them will not be the greatest, thus making it harder to find success, but it’s equally hard convincing other schools to spend a year of eligibility on a player’s potential down the road. At the university level, there are only five years of eligibility. Throwing one away is a huge disadvantage to a recruiting team.
eligible to compete for the team. All of a sudden, the problem of not being from a specific region of Canada goes away and everything is nice and dandy. That is, of course, assuming the athlete is willing to move away from home, sometimes across the entire country (stupid logistics). It’s the trade-off for getting a fresh new opportunity. There is also the added challenge of actually convincing a team to take on an athlete from another area of the country. Usually a university, at least the richer universities, sends scouts to find talent elsewhere, and usually they offer full scholarships to those talented enough to come over. However, such situations are rare, since the resources to send the scouts over can cost so much, and offering scholarships to an out of province students racks up a large
enough, it may not be a huge problem. For others, it’s not certain that the effort is worth the cost. With tuition being a large investment, especially in certain areas of the country, it’s hardly a convincing argument to leave home (especially with those additional living expenses). Those players looking for an opportunity at a new school without the possibility of an athletic scholarship are looking at a very costly experience. Add in the logistical issues mentioned before and the rules limiting transfer students, and having a large amount of import players is next to impossible. All the previous information assumes that player comes from out of province, which at least makes them Canadian citizens that are able to move freely from province to province. International students, on the other hand, face even more
challenges with much higher tuition rates, visa challenges, and even greater logistics disadvantages. And yet, there is so much talent out there and not every local university is able to take everybody on at once. If the resources are there, why not go for that exceptional athlete out there? Sure, not each university is able to throw around that kind of money every season, but when the time comes, why not? Once the opportunity arises, it’s best to take advantage. The optimal plan of action is to find out which years to go for it and which years are going to be about rebuilding. Once there is even the slightest chance of a decent run, when there are enough highly skilled athletes coming in domestically,
teams should be right at that international limit and trying to attract as much out of province talent as possible. Yes, that means there will be some awful teams before and after this window, but the chance for multiple championships in a short period of time is a much better use of resources than just making the playoffs all the time. Importing players is expensive and it takes a great deal of resources on the player’s side to come over. And yet, when the time is right, it is worth every penny.
op-ed
Editor: annie trussler op-ed@carillonregina.com @carillon_oped the carillon | May 18 - July 26, 2017
Why care about Trumpcare?
Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia and edited by Jaecy Bells
The American Health Care Act, “Trumpcare,” “Republicare,” the spiritual manifestation of every dumpster fire that has ever burned across human history, or whatever you want to call it, is quite possibly one of the most confusingly terrible bills to be passed through the House of Representatives in this millennium. The GOP likes to refer to their party as the “Party of Ideas,” yet this bill shows that they don’t have any. In raw terms, AHCA will force, by conservative estimates, over 20 million people off of their healthcare coverage. This is because it will also not only permit states to allow insurance companies to charge higher premiums for having pre-existing conditions, it will make pregnancy and sexual assault pre-existing conditions, as well (this was the status quo before Obamacare). To go even further, the tax break/premium rate hike trade-off in the bill is so poorly handled that the only “winners” in terms of the difference in insurance prices are the wealthy. In plain English, the bill is awful. When one reads the AHCA, it becomes painfully obvious that the GOP legislators had vague ideas of what they wanted to accomplish with the Repeal and Replacement of Obamacare, but did an abysmal job of it. In terms of the tax break/premium rate hike trade-off it is clear that the GOP wanted insurance companies to lower the average market price for premiums by charging higher prices for certain people; those people (usually the elderly) would then get tax breaks to make it a neutral trade-off between the new system and Obamacare.
However, in almost every case, when you run the numbers, the tax break is far, far less than the projected premium rate hike, meaning the change is a net negative. Furthermore, the major issue with Obamacare was the lack of movement of people between the individual and group markets for health insurance. Does AHCA
have a child a much larger financial burden, and it penalizes going forward with criminal justice against a sexual predator because being pregnant or being a victim of sexual assault are now considered pre-existing conditions. Now, even if we ignore how morally repugnant this decision is, the GOP has one main goal they want
“There is no logical reason to go back to the preObamacare status quo for pre-existing conditions aside from screwing over women.” -Nick Giokas
fix that? No. Under AHCA you can fall out of insurance coverage when you move between insurance markets, meaning the starting price will be higher thereby making markets that much more static and premium rate increases that much more likely. In plain terms, AHCA doesn’t accomplish what the GOP wants it to. However, what does it accomplish? Well, it will absolutely make the decision to
out of health care reform: lower insurance premiums. Another of Obamacare’s issues is that not enough healthy people were entering the insurance markets, and with AHCA it disincentives healthy people even further. There is no logical reason to go back to the pre-Obamacare status quo for pre-existing conditions aside from screwing over women. In conclusion, the AHCA completely
guts federal funding for healthcare through Medicare and Medicaid, meaning that the number and quality of hospitals, doctors, and anything else will also drop. This is done because the GOP wants to lower taxes. However, when one takes into account the negative economic effects of cutting health-care spending alongside the proposed tax cuts, the inevitable result is a ballooning deficit that is the opposite of what the GOP supposedly wants. Once again, even if we were to ignore the immorality of effectively taking 20 million people off of health care coverage, while we also ignore the immorality of essentially targeting women who choose to have a child or are victims of sexual assault … yes, even if we ignore all that, passing the AHCA still doesn’t accomplish what the GOP wants it to. If there’s a lesson here, it has to be that government policy, especially health care, is incredibly hard to parse out. It is an absolute necessity that people focus not on vague populist rhetoric, but on the hard results of their proposed policies. Policymakers and voters need to be vigorous when they ask “What do I want to accomplish and does this get me there?” So, even though this debacle is an American issue, we ought to take the parable to heart.
nick giokas contributor
May 18 - July 26, 2017
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op-ed
Activism should be local first Everyone I talk to is terrified of the healthcare bill that is, by political extension, the work of Mr. Donald Trump. While I agree that we should take note of the challenges being presented by our neighbors, I’ve found that our rush to denounce healthcare cuts for the red white and blue has insulated us from fighting against cuts in our province, not even our country. These examples are anecdotal evidence, but I’ve seen an uptick of my friends who are posting on websites like GoFundMe to encourage others to help them pick up their healthcare tab. Where’s the outrage when disability funding for those with next to nothing is cut once again? Why should someone have to ask complete strangers to help them cover homecare costs or the price of transportation? Now, this is not to say that you can’t be angry with both. You can. I am. But, we’ve decided to go to one extreme over another. Here’s the thing: there’s a lot to be angry about. I know it can get exhausting, but I don’t think we focus enough in our daily conversations – and forget the mainstream media – about the problems faced on our soil. It’s a lot easier to fight for something that you have much less control over. A sense of control means ownership; it means taking on much bigger challenges than lobbying an overseas authority. Across the world, we still institutionalize disabled people, we still go for the cheaper healthcare solution over the best one for the patient, we still have drugs that cost far more than they should, and we still have insurance systems that do not function as blissfully as we (sometimes) think they do. Our mental health supports are suffering from a lack of access; many Canadian cities have a homelessness problem (the concept of homelessness, not the people, of course), and all of these issues, both on a micro and macro level, have an effect on the people of Regina. These very issues are why movements like
Derek Steen via Flickr
Students Marching Against Cuts (SMAC) are so important. This is why protestors standing outside of the STC Depot are important. It’s why making art as a call-to-action is important. We need to remember that change begins at home. Change starts with our smaller conversations, our inclusionary practices, our protests, and our work. There is no substitute for hard work. I think that’s why I’m frustrated with some people, exhausted as they may be, substituting these hard-to-have conversations with signing change.org petitions and
posturing, thinking that it creates the same amount of influence. As someone who lives with a disability, I can tell you that there is no substitute for hard work regarding advocating for yourself and/or others. Now, I am empathetic to the fact that every person who fights for social justice needs a break every once in a while, but it’s better to take a break than to muddy the waters of your activism. Stay involved, but step away a little bit. Read a book, write some poems, or maybe create a podcast. I haven’t been able to attend very many protest-like events because of my re-
cent energy levels – believe it or not, being a creative professional saps away energy rather quickly – but I can still make change through art. It is all about finding your venue, finding your stride, focusing locally, and making a difference, a difference that has little to do (at least on a day-to-day micro level) with the political firestorm south of the border.
john loeppky editor in-chief
Depression sucks, obviously As someone with severe depression, I can attest to fleeting moments of clarity when it comes to my illness. These truths are sometimes miniscule, easily discarded, but there are a handful of truths that arise and stay with me through months, even years. One of these truths arose when I was sitting alone in a Kentucky coffee shop, working my way through reviews for my online class; this was no ordinary bout of depression, this was “hit me like a steam engine, square against my chest,” depression. I sat, vacantly staring into the pouring rain, hands clasped firmly around my now lukewarm tea, and felt bad … like, really bad. I felt so bad that my brain was forced to track my medication intake, how much sleep I have been getting, what I have been eating, but I arrived at the same conclusion I always do: sometimes depression can’t be defeated. Sometimes, in Louisville, Kentucky, with caffeine in hand, you will feel that same despair you felt at the beginning of your diagnosis. It passed, quicker than usual, and I was back to routine Annie things by the time I picked my girlfriend up from class. However, this would become one of those truths I think about in every silence, every minute of downtime: sometimes, there is nothing you can do. This has nothing to do with helplessness; it has to do with strategy. It is vital to remember that there is no fail-safe, guaranteed route back to mental stability. You will falter, you will fall, and yes, cursed as the word is, we will fail our goals set. I am 20, almost 21, and days facing the sun can be much harder than not leaving bed all day. Even with the use of modern medicine, counselling, interactions with friends and family, I am not 100 per cent protected. I never will be. This article is not intended to scare anyone, or discourage anyone away from professional help (please seek it; it
Jaecy Bells
changed my life), but rather the opposite. It is a plea for those suffering from any degree of mental illness to set up a safety net. You must reach out to those close to you, set up a close relationship with both your doctor and therapist, and make lists of strategies. Unfortunately, there is simply no guarantee that mental illness can or will be eradicated any time soon, but we play its twisted little
game. We can play it intelligently. We can have fallbacks before we ever fall in the first place. Take this time to make a mental catalogue of your resources: friends, medications, favourite foods, safe places, hospital locations, and so on. I have my doubts that any of us will ever truly overcome the things we suffer with, and while that’s far from okay, it isn’t a
cause for despair. It is a cause for strategizing, planning, and rationalizing – help exists for a reason. Seek what you can.
annie trussler op-ed editor
May 18 - July 26, 2017
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op-ed
Right side of history
On May 7, the French public went to the polls for the final round of what many French citizens would describe as the most significant election of their lifetime. On one side stood the former Rothschild’s banker and finance minister Emmanuel Macron with his liberal En Marche party, on the other stood the notorious Marine Le Pen and her father’s farright National Front. The two couldn’t have presented a clearer choice for French voters. Macron ardently supported France’s continued membership in the European Union, liberalizing France’s highly centralized economy, free trade, and presents an open-door immigration policy. Le Pen promised to hold a referendum on France’s European Union membership, increase government influence in the French economy, to remove France from all existing free trade agreements, and to put a moratorium on all legal immigration to France. There was un-ignorable fear on both sides of the election. Supporters of Le Pen feared that France’s continued membership in the European Union and Muslim immigration would destroy the French national identity. There is a concern among supporters of the National Front that the national elite in Paris will sell out the average French citizen to benefit themselves. By now, this story should sound awfully familiar to anyone who followed Brexit or the American election. The fear among supporters of Macron was that a nationalistic Le Pen would destroy the foundations of the secular French liberal democracy, and destroy France’s economy by cutting them off from their vital European trading partners. The French public overwhelmingly preferred Macron’s vision for France. 66 per cent of the public voted for Macron, to 34
Lorie Shaull
per cent for Le Pen. Thankfully in the French electoral system, whomever gets majority gets to be president, which is apparently a revolutionary idea in some other democracies. There were worries that Le Pen may stage a Trump-style comeback if fortune called her number. A terrorist attack at the Champs Elysées a few days before the first round of voting was thought to buoy Le Pen’s election chances. However, unlike Trump, Le Pen needed to overcome a 30 per cent gap in the opinion polls. The opposition to Le Pen and her xenophobic, nationalistic policies was so forceful that the consensus was that any candidate who could make it to the second round of voting would win in a landslide. When the conservative Francois Fillon led the polls early in 2017, he was predicted to beat Le Pen by 25 per cent points if he got to the second round of voting. However, an expense scandal derailed his campaign as it was discovered he had paid 900,000 euros in government money to his own family for administrative jobs they never actually performed. This oversight paved the way for the upstart Macron to take
the lead, and he never looked back. Macron was anonymous in French politics as little as a year ago when he started En Marche. He was an outsider who had never been elected to political office. The fact that no candidate from either of the established political parties, the left wing Socialist party and the right-wing Republicans, shows how deep French antipathy toward the French political establishment runs. The incumbent President Francois Hollande did not even stand for re-election, his popularity numbers being below 10 per cent for much of the last year, his defeat would have been almost certain. The French people desperately desire change. Just like Trump, Le Pen excelled in the rural departments (similar to states), which have come upon harsh economic times. Their population aging and in decline, and their economies ravaged by deindustrialization. In Le Pen, they saw a leader willing to fight for their interest against the Parisian and European elite. Macron excelled with a far different group of voters, city dwelling young professionals and French entrepreneurs who believe
that globalization and liberalization is the way forward. France is plagued with high unemployment, with youth unemployment hovering around 24 per cent at the time of the election. Much of this has ben blamed on France’s inflexible labour laws and generous government employment. Macron vowed to give companies more leeway in contract negotiation and to slash public sector employment. Macron is a revolutionary in France’s slow-moving political system, but his message is not a new one. His socially liberal yet economically conservative platform is like that of former prime minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair and former American President Bill Clinton. Just as Clinton and Blair disappointed the left-wing voters who propelled them to success, there is a fear amongst France’s large left-wing electorate that Macron’s policies will mostly benefit the established elite and enforce the status quo. Many on the far left characterized this election as a choice between “pests or cholera.” This comparison is the exact type of talk the world does not need right now. A divided left is the greatest weapon for those who want to roll back decades of social progress. The fight against xenophobic authoritarians like Le Pen and Trump is the most important political struggle of our generation. If we want to have the future we desire, some of us might need to accept temporary compromises. Right now, Macron’s victory stands as a shining beacon to those who oppose the wave of far-right populism spreading that dominated 2016.
connor macneil contributor
A care worker’s memoir
Pedia Trust, Google Images
Over the past seven years, I have been blessed to be able to work with children, youth, adolescents, and adults who have autism. I say blessed because merely being surrounded by such a diverse group of people has enriched my life beyond my wildest expectations. Working in this area has taught me patience, tolerance, love, silliness, empathy, a lens for personalization, and above all an ability to look beyond the medical “disability” approach and look toward a universal strength-based approach where we recognize individual abilities. It has been up to me to watch my clients very carefully to determine what their own strengths and challenges might be, because every person living with autism is unique. I love the saying, “When you meet one person with autism, you have indeed only met one person with autism.” In the past, we have often viewed people along the autism spectrum as having a “disability,” or as someone that needed to conform to an already established program. What I have learned is that each individual has their own personality and way of learning. It is up to me, as their worker or even friend, to observe their diverse abilities and to determine how to work with their strengths (i.e., what they can do, what they are passionate about). In the process, each continues to teach me about autism and how adaptable you need to be. The people that I have had the privilege of working with have taught me patience, because I have been able to watch them grow at their own rate, in their own time. What I have noticed is that if we try to control learning, then the healthy relationships between the worker and student is hindered. Many of my clients have experienced some aspect of anxiety, where the necessity of being able to read primarily nonverbal cues to reduce their stress has taught me how to look at the entire
environment to determine effective learning strategies. These learning techniques and strategies will instrumentally differ from person to person. We can no longer afford to teach individuals with autism through prescribed programs, but rather we must become behavioral detectives and constantly look for signs and signals from our clients that work best for their specific needs. These signs and signals may not necessarily come through familiar words, but are displayed through a variety of nonverbal signals (a change in facial expression, body language, intonation, vocal pitch/volume, etc.). This phenomenon is magnified with people along the autism spectrum, and it is up to the teaching staff to look for preventative ways in all environments to reduce anxiety so that all can learn effectively. As mentioned previously, I am truly blessed for these past seven years. My clients have taught me more about myself than anything in my life so far. I too am continuing to learn new strategies that help individuals reach their specific goals – working in autism is constantly a learning process. I am honored and humbled to work with diverse populations, and I know that each client deserves the utmost respect and dignity from me. Working with individuals with autism has indeed made me a better person.
siobhán neary contributor
May 18 - July 26, 2017
op-ed
Marijuana makes moves in Sask. With the new (almost) legalization of marijuana that will be coming forth in July 2018, it seems that the use of marijuana will no longer be illegal to citizens in Canada. Considering there are many back and forth statements that individuals could make in regard to whether this will actually come across as either ‘pro’ or ‘con’, but I think it’s safe to say for the time being, legalization will be a welcome acceptance by many. Moving away from ethical viewpoints about its usage, how will marijuana perform in Saskatchewan economically? In terms of providing a stable cash flow, marijuana should have the ability to do a “two birds with one stone” situation. When eventually released, depending on how the pricing works, as of right now being $9.12 per gram, according to the CBC Business site, we may start to see a flux in the crime rate and economic standing all in one. Of course, just because something is available, doesn’t mean it’s cheap. The research being done, though, has produced some interesting results, acknowledging that, ‘as time goes on, the cheaper it may be’. This all without the knowledge of taxes included into pricing, however. Overall, drug access and pricing issues shouldn’t be factors with its release, but this is all based on theory. Until put into practice, we won’t know for sure. Speaking of putting into practice, how would a marijuana legalization work in Saskatchewan specifically? With the good soil and growth rates that Sask. land has, it would seem that the answer is it would work quite effectively, for the most part.
carillonregina.com | The Carillon | 18
Jaecy Bells
According to numerous agricultural reports, the planting of pot in the fertile soil resulted in good, responsive, growth. So on top of the economic advantages, it seems that the outdoor market itself would get a large boost from marijuana presence, which is a good to hear but it brings up the questions of whether the year itself is going to be a good growing year in general. The last thing worth mentioning is the actual likelihood that the government will go through with the legalization. Frankly, this is hard to predict because of the re-
cent news that the liberal government has been involved with, in terms of shutting down small businesses that sold cannabis. It seems the government is all for bringing pot to Canada overall, but it there is a very strong chance that the date may be delayed for more political and, as mentioned above, ethical reasons. All in all, the arrival of marijuana in Saskatchewan is, for the most part, a good endgame result. The means by which the government is actually going about bringing it, is very poorly handled in the discussion of showing their support for users. It
will come down to citizens in general for whether or not this will end up as a plus. With economic, rural, and approval based positives, the legislation should, for all intents and purposes, be a win for Saskatchewan and the Liberal government.
ethan butterfield staff writer
Humour Daddy issues This Mother’s Day, I thought about much more than my mom and all the wonderful things she does on a daily basis. This Mother’s Day, instead, I thought about how if the word mommy left my mouth for any reason, I would invite the confused stares of my peers. I don’t blame them since I would do the same – but why? How has that word been soiled? It started with the word and concept of “daddy.” It did, and we all know it. It began when that otherwise chill word was construed to now refer to middle-aged men, then to other people’s fathers, then to anyone who is remotely attractive. For example, a pubescent Riverdale fan might say, “Cole Sprouse is daddy.” He isn’t, by the way. He’s like if a green bean came to life, but you see my point. I am not innocent of all this, I assure you. I have recently referred to an excellent mark as daddy. We have all entered this plane of Dadaist surrealism that we can never hope to escape from, and it has to be someone’s fault. I want somebody found and held accountable. We, as a human collective, now snicker at children calling their fathers “daddy.” Like, why? Think about it fundamentally: that’s what kids call their dads. We have simply been Pavlov’d into associating that word with jokes. So, I return to my main point: the emergence of daddy led to the appearance of mommy. For example: “Ugh, yes, Meryl
Streep is my mommy.” It means something entirely different, doesn’t it? Mommy is a wise, often somewhat older woman who fills a position of mentorship in your life. Or, if you’re one of those kinky diaper people, she’s the one who whips you. I mean, to each their own, I guess. Live and let spank. This piece has a purpose. I move to normalize daddy. Hugh Jackman and your father can both be daddy. Language is malleable. Please free me from this curse.
Do you have opinions? What about good jokes to share? Contribute to the op-ed section by emailing Annie Trussler at op-ed carillonregina.com !
Gage Skidmore
annie trussler chief humourist
Graphics
Photos by Karlee Rabby
Editor: jaecy bells graphics@carillonregina.com the carillon | May 18 - July 26, 2017
May 18 - July 26, 2017
Photos by Jaecy Bells
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