Carillon (Volume 62, Issue 2)

the carillon

62

the staff editor-in-chief

editor@carillonregina.com

The University of Regina Students’ Newspaper Since 1962 July 25 - September 5, 2019 | Volume 62, Issue 2 | carillonregina.com

john loeppky

executive director jacob nelson business@carillonregina.com

cover

production manager jeremy davis production@carillonregina.com advertising manager advertising@carillonregina.com

This week, we cover the MMIWG report, the UofR hosting wildfire evacuees from ontario and so much more.

ty cote

technical editor frank nordstrom carillontechnical@carillonregina.com multimedia Graphics editors Kate Thiessen

Sarah Carrier

Haley Klassen multimedia@carillonregina.com graphics@carillonregina.com copy editor hannah senicar copyeditor@carillonregina.com news editor news@carillonregina.com

sara birrell

a&c editor ethan butterfield aandc@carillonregina.com sports editor tyler meadows sports@carillonregina.com taylor balfour

distro manager

jon stricker distribution@carillonregina.com staff writer

elisabeth sahlmueller

staff writer

marty grande - sherbert

news writer

ben schneider

a&c writer

news

op-ed editor op-ed@carillonregina.com

photos

cover............................. jeremy davis page 2......................... haley klassen news............................. jeremy davis a&c........................................... disney sports............................ arthur ward op-ed........................... voyagevixen2

errata

last issue we misspelled accessibility as accessibilitiy on the cover. whoops!

holly worby

sports writer

brian palaschuk

multimedia assitant

contributors

Students leading

kate thiessen

Students take the lead on GSAs

Page 4

the paper

The Carillon welcomes contributions.

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.

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.

Page 8

Once again our very own Ethan Butterfield sits down with a high profile band.

sport

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.

Sum 41

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227 Riddell Center University of Regina - 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, Canada S4S 0A2 www.carillonregina.com Ph: (306) 586 8867 Printed by Star Press Inc, Wainwright, AB

a&c

THE CARILLON BOARD OF DIRECTORS Erickka Patmore, Lindsay Holitzki, Maddie Ouelette, Dustin Smith. John Loeppky, Jacob Nelson, and Ethan Butterfield

Cue famous Queen song

Page 15

The raptor have finally done the seemingly impossible but, can they do it again?

the manifesto

op-ed

In keeping with our reckless, devil-may-care 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.

The People’s Friend; the Tyrant’s Foe

Country blunder

Page 17

Country thunder faces some heat over its handling of criticism.

in other news

We’d like welcolme our new/returning staff member Haley Klassen to the team

news

3 Editor: sara birrell news@carillonregina.com the carillon | July 25 - September 5, 2019

U of R students have role to play in implementing Calls for Justice MMIWG report calls on Canadians to take action

Jeremy

Students can answer calls to justice

sara birrell news editor On June 3, 2019, after nearly three years of interviews, testimony, investigations, and data collection, the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released their final report to the public. Their findings, that the murders and disappearances of thousands of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people were nothing short of a genocide, sparked a flurry of furious debate . But while Canada’s (mostly white, largely male) politicians and pundit class quibbled over whether the ongoing killings and disappearances qualified as a “genocide” (according to the definition given by Raphael Lemkin, the man who coined the term, provided in a 46 page supplementary report: it does) the report also offered up 291 unique calls for justice, tangible acts that governments, institutions, and, critically, ordinary Canadians, can do to help end the violence.

In the province with the highest rates of domestic violence in the country , where there are ongoing searches for multiple missing Indigenous women, it is especially urgent that the people of Regina, and the students at the U of R, take an active role in the pursuit of

justice for Indigenous women and girls and answer the eight calls for justice issued to individuals. Kallie Wood, the Executive Lead at the University of Regina’s Office of Indigenization said that if students “feel connected to the future of this country and…feel responsible for the future of this country, then [they] need to care about reconciliation.”

Of the eight recommendations given to ordinary Canadians, four are calls to take an active role in learning and strengthening ones’ knowledge about Indigenous people in general, and local First Nations specifically. “Part of your responsibility is knowing,” said Misty Longman, Manager of the Aboriginal Students’ Centre. She added that this is not a daunting task.

“There’s a lot of easy ways for [U of R] students to learn about Treaty 4 territory and where they come from.”

“They have access to the elder on campus, all students have access to the kokum in the ASC… There’s a big misconception that we’re just here for Aboriginal students or Indigenous students. That’s not true. We are here for all students on campus,” she said.

“It’s really important for all students on campus to know that any cultural events that take place, they’re automatically invited to.”

This includes a pipe cere-

mony that is held at the beginning of every semester, as well as the opportunity to make tobacco ties to offer elders when seeking knowledge and guidance.

She said that while many non-Indigenous students taking responsibility for heeding these calls to action may feel ashamed or embarrassed about how little they know about the land they live on and the people they live among, they need to remember that Indigenous students are grappling with some of the same struggles. “[In our territory] we’ve lost so much language, so many protocols, that we often are struggling.

We’re carrying our shame of not knowing, our identity issues of being legally defined, what does that legal definition mean, how do we look, how do we identify, what are our teachings in our territory, from our people, how are we supposed to act? And we’re navigating that. We’re carrying the shame of that.”

“You get to learn it and make mistakes. We lost it and have to rebuild it and that’s even harder.” She said that when following the calls to action, non-Indigenous students need to be mindful of not burdening their Indigenous classmates and peers.

“We don’t want to exhaust Indigenous people by having them individually educate

all of us.” But at the same time, “don’t carry the shame and the scolding around with you… we’re making the same mistakes.”

She said students need to recognize that this process will not be easy. “Especially in our territory we need to understand as an ally, as a non-Indigenous person who wants to be engaged, who wants to work on their path of reconciliation, first and foremost, it’s not going to be comfortable.”

The calls for justice do not end with learning. Canadians must also step up to become advocates. Longman said that Recommendation 15.8 – “Help hold all governments accountable to act on the Calls for Justice,” – means in part that “we have the responsibility to ensure that what was agreed upon [in the treaties] is taking place. Advocating for these agreements to be enforced and maintained.”

This also means familiarizing themselves with the report and contacting their representatives and pressuring them to ensure that the provincial and federal governments heed the report’s calls to action and move towards meaningful, measurable, positive change in the living conditions of Indigenous women and girls.

According to the report, “[t]he most important aspect to changing the relationships between Indigenous women

and the people or institutions with the ability to help protect them is challenging “the way it is.’” Longman agrees. “A really good way to start decolonizing is to break down what we always have done and just try and do things differently…. A lot of systems don’t work, but we keep doing them anyway.”

As students and the public move towards challenging systems and implementing calls to action in their own lives, Longman said it’s critical to continuously check in to ensure that their intentions and actions are authentic. “We have to be mindful of just checking off the list and thinking, okay, we did that, we’re reconciling, we’re acknowledging.”

Wood agrees. “There must be intentional deep-rooted understanding and acknowledgment. Awareness of the past, acknowledgment of the harm inflicted; atonement for causes; and action and dialogue to change behavior in the next generations.”

“Build relationships with our Indigenous leaders and communities,” said Wood.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions.”

And always remember the price that was paid to bring us to this point and this place. “It wasn’t free,” Longman said.

“None of this came free.”

“A really good way to start decolonizing is to break down what we always have done and just try and do things differently…A lot of systems don’t work, but we keep doing them anyway.” -Misty Longman

July 25 - September 5, 2019

carillonregina.com | The Carillon | 4

news

Connaught students amplify Importance of GSAs While politicians bicker, students take the lead on GSAs

ben schneider news writer GSAs, Gender and Sexuality Alliances (also known as Gay-Straight Alliance or Queer-Straight Alliance) are groups formed within schools that aim to act as a safe space for students where they can socialize and exist without having to worry about their being accepted. While these groups offer support for youth whose gender and/ or sexual identity is diverse or in question, GSAs are open to all and do not seek to other anyone.

At Connaught Community School, several students expressed the need for a Junior GSA this past school year. Connaught’s pre-existing GSA was restricted to these students because of their age, but safe spaces to talk about identity are a necessity for all students.

Risa Payant is a parent to two children who attend Connaught.

Her eldest, Gaia, was in grade four this past year and was a catalyst in the formation of the Junior GSA, along with several of their peers.

Payant feels strongly that her children feel free to express themselves beyond a construct of gender.

“Conversations around gender and sexual diversity have always been really forefront in our home for lots of reasons, partially because of my own identity and also just because of my circle of

jglsongs via flickr

friends.”

“It’s frustrating to hear people say that a conversation on gender and sexual diversity isn’t appropriate for kids under a certain age.

Issues of identity are at play from the day that kids are born, both in terms of how we navigate our own identity and what identities people place on us. To say that a discussion of gender and sexuality is not a part of how we socialize children is crazy.”

When Gaia was in grade 3, Payant began to notice her child’s rejection of gender assumptions or norms.

“For Gaia, I think, it’s really been more of an exploration around their own discomfort within that binary, not because they feel super uncomfortable identifying as a girl, but just generally they feel really uncomfortable with gendered language. That started to come out in school when they were in grade 3 and I remember them coming home and saying that they’d question teachers who would address the classroom like, ‘Okay girls and boys, go hang up your things’ and Gaia, who’s incredibly shy, would put up their hand and be like, ‘Hey actually you can’t say that—don’t say that if you don’t actually know how we identity.”

Payant also recalled an instance during a school holiday concert that same year,

“There was a song that referenced ‘all the girls and boys’ and [Gaia] asked if they could change it to ‘all the children’ or something more inclusive and the teachers wouldn’t let them so [Gaia] just sort of staged a protest at the holiday show by refusing to sing the song. I think that was our first inkling that this was maybe something that obviously Gaia was thinking about and that was important to them.”

The push for Gaia to join the school’s GSA came as a result of their friendship with a transgender classmate and their wanting to support her. However, this request was denied on account of the students’ age. Thankfully, two interns at the school recognized that there was a need for a space where younger students could socialize and talk, whether that be about issues surrounding gender and sexual diversity or simply common interests, and a Junior GSA was formed.

The students would meet to talk, play games and socialize, but the environment in which they were gathered allowed for vulnerability and heartfelt connections to be shared with students accepting one another free of prejudice.

Payant said that the majority of Gaia’s class participated in the group and is very grateful for the young interns who took initiative and volunteered their time to offer

Students celebrate Pride

this support for their students.

Payant was overwhelmed by how rewarding of an experience this was for Gaia; however, though she is proud of Gaia’s upward climb that led to them having a space where they can feel uninhibited, she is one among many who believe that there is much more to be done within the education system to protect these vulnerable populations of students.

Presently in Alberta, the newly elected UCP government lead

by Jason Kenney has introduced Bill 8, which has been dubbed Bill H8, threatening the value of GSAs. Under the previous NDP government, Bill 24 was passed, prohibiting educational staff to inform parents if students joined or were involved in their school’s GSA, the reason for which being the safety of students. As well, the formation of GSAs was compulsory for administration upon student request. Students who face or witness homophobia or transphobia in their homes are the vulnerable population that benefit most from the support of GSAs. It is also common knowledge that youth who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ are at greater risk for suicide. Under this new legislation, students must appeal to the school board should their request to start a GSA be declined. Additionally, the protection of students’ anonymity from parents has been repealed.

In Saskatchewan, Opposition Leader Ryan Meili has called for legislation that protects students’ rights to form or participate in GSAs. Saskatchewan Minister of Education, Gord Wyant, argued that the existing policy requiring students to report the denial of a request to form a GSA is sufficient and has stated that his office is yet to receive a testimonial of this nature. To date, Saskatchewan remains one of the sole provinces that lacks such legislation.

This past June, which is internationally recognized as Pride month for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, a Pride flag was stolen and burned at Stoughton Central School in Southeastern Saskatchewan two days after the flag-raising was held.

Payant explained that GSAs may offer clarity for students who are questioning their gender or sexual identity or else better understand those whose experience is more diverse than our own.

“There has to be a foil somewhere for [children] to understand that [gender and sexual identity] is one piece of a huge puzzle of how their life might turn out.”

“It’s frustrating to hear people say that a conversation on gender and sexual diversity isn’t appropriate for kids under a certain age. Issues of identity are at play from the day that kids are born, both in terms of how we navigate our own identity and what identities people place on us.”

– Risa Payant

July 25 - September 5, 2019

carillonregina.com | The Carillon | 5

news

Newest U of R Canada Research Chair Offers Insight to Sask. Climate Change Policy Dr. Margot Hurlbert discusses her research

pixabay

ben schneider news writer In June of 2019, Dr. Margot Hurlbert was announced as the University of Regina’s newest Canada Research Chair in Climate Change, Energy and Sustainability Policy. Presently, Hurlbert is a coordinating lead author on the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC), the prestigious group of scientists advising the United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change. Hurlbert notes specifically that it was her focus around vulnerability and adaptation to climate change that helped her to be nominated to this position.

In appointing Dr. Hurlbert as a Canada Research Chair, the federal government has displayed a commitment to understanding and addressing climate change – a notion that has still yet to gain traction in Saskatchewan, creating an interesting backdrop for Hurlbert’s research.

In May of 2019, the Saskatchewan government took the federal government to court, asserting

Paying for pollution that the federally imposed carbon tax is unconstitutional. The court’s ruling, however, stated that this policy is indeed legal under the constitution. Unhappy with this decision, Saskatchewan has appealed and the Supreme Court of Canada will hear this case in December of this year.

Several other “blue” provinces have backed Saskatchewan in this crusade against the carbon tax, contributing to a growing rhetoric around issues of national unity.

So what is it that has a large population of Saskatchewan people so opposed to this method of carbon pricing? Dr. Hurlbert stated that the simple use of the word “tax”, has a powerful effect on individuals’ perception of carbon pricing, regardless of Saskatchewan’s history with fuel taxes.

“We have actually had fuel taxes in Saskatchewan for quite some time, so why would we be opposing [the carbon tax]?”

The Fuel Tax, an example of an

excise tax or tax for inelastic goods such as cigarettes or alcohol, was introduced federally in 1975 and has been active in Saskatchewan since 1928.

Looking at carbon-pricing more generally, specifically in the form of taxation, Dr. Hurlbert said, “With carbon pricing, you can also do other things. You can rebate the taxes to agricultural producers, but generally, depending how a province was implementing it, it could cover more areas than a cap and trade.

It really comes down to how a government calibrates the policy instrument that it chooses. What we’re finding in the policy world is there’s no one policy instrument that is the magic key to combatting climate change and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions – it’s actually a mix of several policy instruments”.

The Prairie Resilience plan is a climate change strategy that the Saskatchewan government released in December of

2017 detailing Saskatchewan’s commitment to adapting to the climatic, economic and policy impacts of climate change. The plan has failed to reach federal standards and expectations of carbon-pricing, though Saskatchewan Environment Minister, Dustin Duncan has said, “This plan is broader and bolder than a single policy such as carbon tax, and will achieve better and more meaningful outcomes over the long term.”

Dr. Hurlbert sees potential in the plan and admires its diversity in policy.

“If we look at Saskatchewan’s policy portfolio globally, there’s many things that the federal government accepts and there’s many things in the Resilience plan that are really good initiatives.” Hurlbert gives the example of the agricultural industry and the innovation that has been needed in order to adapt to drying climates as well as agricultural worker’s ability to sequester more

carbon into the soil and states that we need to start talking about how the progress of these individuals can be rewarded.

“It’s pretty easy to say that the federal government and the provincial government are miles apart, but when we start talking about the discussions going around in the Resilience plan I see a lot of opportunity there.”

“What we’re finding in the policy world is there’s no one policy instrument that is the magic key to combatting climate change and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.”

–Dr. Margot Hurlbert

July 25 - September 5, 2019

carillonregina.com | The Carillon | 6

news

Housing Services hosts evacuees U of R steps up to host people fleeing Ontario wildfires

john loeppky editor-in-chief The University of Regina has been hosting evacuees from the Pikangikum First Nation in northern Ontario since their community was ravaged by the threat of a fire. In a July 6 release, local Liberal MP and Minister of Public Safety said that a request had been received for federal support in terms of the evacuation of those affected.

“I received a request this morning from the Province of Ontario regarding the serious threat of wildfires and heavy smoke across the region of Northwestern Ontario, putting multiple First Nations communities at risk.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, the Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and I, have accepted their formal request for federal assistance to provide immediate evacuation resources to the affected communities. This request from the province includes the deployment of Canadian Armed Forces personnel and transportation support required for the evacuation of members from the community

Jeremy

Evacuees in residence

of Pikangikum First Nation to a designated host community.”

Those host communities include multiple locations in Saskatchewan, including Regina as well as Thunder Bay, Ontario; and Cochrane, Ontario.

The first mention by university administration to the entire student body of the fly-in community members was in a July 19 email from Dave Button, Vice President (Administration). The email’s sole focus was on security concerns related to the presences of the evacuees and made few mentions of those affected or their concerns.

“As many of you are aware, the University of Regina, in support of the Canadian Red Cross, has agreed to host approximately 420 evacuees from Northern Ontario who have been forced to leave their homes due to the threat of forest fires. Many of the evacuees are families with small children who are now housed in the Paskāw, Wakpá, and Kīšik Towers as well as College West.

“Due to the increased volume of visitors on campus, and to address some concerns over safety, the University has taken

a number of steps to ensure the campus community remains safe.

Campus Security has contracted external security to assist. Additionally, Emergency Social Services, the Red Cross, and Regina Police Service are working to manage incidents as they arise.

Additional custodial staff as well as volunteers are also on hand to assist with cleaning outdoor and general areas on campus.”

‘If members of the campus community have concerns or witness an incident, please contact Campus Security at 306-5854999.”

“The University is pleased to be able to assist in a time of such need. Many units have been working extremely hard to accommodate our unexpected guests and make activities and some facilities available to our guests.”

“Thank you for your patience as the University works to ensure services on campus are not disrupted. We know that members of our campus community are doing everything in their power to engage with our visitors and make them feel welcome during what is obviously a difficult time.”

These events included culturally appropriate gatherings at First Nations University of Canada. Volunteers from the Ministry of Social Services were also available to support.

As reported by CBC on July 15, a number of arrests were made with allegations of violence made against a number of evacuees. This is not the only concern facing those who have been evacuated. In Ontario, one evacuee, Kelsey Strang, recently died after being struck by a car.

A second email was sent to the campus community on July 19, again from high-level administration, thanking campus for their support of the evacuees.

“The University of Regina continues to host evacuees from Northern Ontario who were forced to leave their homes over a week ago, due to wildfires threatening their community.”

“The fire situation improved significantly over the past week, allowing approximately 120 evacuees to return home on Tuesday and Wednesday. Assuming weather and fire conditions remain favourable, and flights become

available, we are anticipating the majority of evacuees will make their way home this weekend.

We will likely still have a number of guests with us come Monday however, and we ask for your continued patience and understanding as we keep working to make them feel as comfortable and as welcome as possible.”

“The University is proud of how our faculty, staff and students have stepped-up to support members of the Pikangikum First Nation during this difficult time. We also appreciate the efforts of our partner agencies, and look forward to continuing our ongoing relationship with the Red Cross.”

No representatives for Campus Security, First Nations’ University of Canada, or Housing Services were available to comment for this story.

“The University is proud of how our faculty, staff and students have stepped-up to support members of the Pikangikum First Nation during this difficult time.” -- Campus-wide email

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Editor: ethan butterfield aandc@carillonregina.com the carillon | July 25 - September 5, 2019

Under the sea (of racism).

People upset at mythical creatures not being white

holly worby a&c writer [I’d like to open this article by stating that I am white, and I am writing about racism – something I’ve never personally experienced – so take my words with a grain of salt as I’m writing from observation, not experience.]

If you’ve been on social media at all over the past few weeks, I’m sure you’ve seen the uproar surrounding Disney’s selection of R&B singer and actress Halle Bailey to play Ariel in their new live action version of The Little Mermaid. Forget triple threats: Bailey really seems to have it all.

She’s well put together, has the voice of an angel, and somehow embodies “adorable” and “so gorgeous it’s intimidating” all at once. So why the uproar? Halle Bailey of Atlanta, Georgia, is a black woman.

Now to most folks, myself included, this poses no problem. Ariel’s race isn’t mentioned anywhere throughout the story, so it’s hard to argue that it’s integral to the plot. There’s no doubt that Bailey has the talent needed for the role she was elated to receive, stating on her Twitter that this is a “dream come true” for her.

The film’s director Rob Marshall has full faith in her, and on July 3 released a statement saying that “After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance – plus a glorious singing voice – all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role.”

The majority of the uproar is surrounding the fact that Halle Bailey does not match the public’s physical expectations for Ariel – she’s not white, nor does she sport the fire engine red hair signature to Disney’s Ariel of 30 years ago.

The individuals complaining (mostly white ladies – shocker) are of the opinion that Disney should stay true to their original story, right down to the character’s physical appearances. Another argument I’ve read is that the story of the little mermaid originated in Denmark, so to be true to the fairy tale Disney should pick Danish-looking characters, “like they did the first time.” The objectors gained such traction on social media that #notmyariel was trending on twitter the same day the casting decision became public.

Let’s just take a second to think about that first comment. The people angry about having a

courtesy of disney

black woman cast to play Ariel are upset because they believe Disney should “stay true” to their original film. As the title of the film suggests, this movie is about a mermaid; now maybe I’ve been living under a rock, but I can’t remember having heard about the discovery of living mermaids willing to be cast in live action Disney films. In fact, I don’t believe there’s been the discovery of living mermaids at all. It almost seems as if this is all some thinly veiled excuse for a bunch of spoiled closet racists to storm social media (cough cough) [ A & C Editor’s Note: You might be onto something there].

The second argument at face value has a little more weight to it.

The Little Mermaid originates

in Denmark, so some of those complaining state they’d like the characters to be believably Danish in appearance, “as in the original.” It’s been a while since I’ve seen the original so I’m going to ask you to be patient with me once more, but I don’t believe Greek gods are Danish? Yet King Triton, a staple of the film, is Poseidon’s son according to Greek mythology. I don’t remember hearing any uproar about that when the original came out, and you can bet there’d be outrage if his character was altered or excluded. Sebastian, the anthropomorphic crab, also breaks this rule as he heralds from Jamaica – pretty far from Denmark last I checked - yet there was no authenticity-based arguments then.

Playing Ariel without a pilot’s license (puns, am I right?)

It almost seems as if people are fine with men, and even animals, having separate and unique characters yet will throw a hissy-fit when female characters dare stray from their lane.

While scouring through comment sections (would not recommend unless you want to get riled right up at the aforementioned spoiled racists) there was an overwhelming amount of comments calling out this racist and sexist attitude. Some were more matterof-fact, stating that mermaids can have varying skin tones. Some were sarcastic, commenting that Ariel’s race is about as integral to the story as Prince Eric’s. Some were eye-opening, pointing out that Bailey will be playing the second black Disney princess in the

70 years Disney has been coming out with their princess movies, and those with the nerve to demand yet another white princess are really showing their self-centred privilege through this thinly-veiled racism. One comment by a @msmorganjarrett on Twitter really stuck out to me, and I’d like to leave you with this glimmer of hope: “As a white-skinned redhead, I have very strong feelings about #TheLittleMermaid.

Ariel changed my ginger world. The mean “jokes” ended. I became envied for my hair. And you know what? I want little black girls to experience that same feeling with new Ariel.”

“…I can’t remember having heard about the discovery of living mermaids willing to be cast in live action Disney films.

In fact, I don’t believe there’s been the discovery of living mermaids at all. It almost seems as if this is all some thinly veiled excuse for a bunch of spoiled closet racists to storm social media.” – Holly Worby

July 25 - September 5, 2019

Sum 41 heading for Saskatoon.

carillonregina.com | The Carillon |

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Well-known Canadian group on tour for new album.

Rocking and Rolling

ethan butterfield a&c editor Hello everyone, I’m back once again with another band interview and this one’s a real treat. From the creators of hits like “Fat Lip” and “Into Deep”, as well as a new album, Order in Decline, which is available for purchase, I was very fortunate to get in contact with Canadian rock group, Sum 41.

Below you’ll find the interview with bassist Jason “Cone” McCaslin and his thoughts on touring and the band’s sound: So, Sum 41 is heading to Saskatoon to perform at the Saskatoon Exhibition, how does that feel for the band?

Yeah, it’s going to be great.

It’s been awhile since we’ve been there, so it’s bought time that we did a show [laughter]. I feel like we should be doing a little more in Canada, and we’re trying to work on getting out to Canada a lot more.

Nice, and how’s the lead up to the new album, Or-

der in Decline, been for the band?

Oh yeah, it’s releasing on the 19th [at the time of the interview], and we started back up touring at the end of March, and we’ve been just going since March to promote the new album and then once the album comes out we’re going to start a full fledged world tour to promote it. So yeah, we’ll be touring for a while.

And how’s the promotion been for the new single, “Out for Blood”, how’s the response been for that?

It’s been great, it’s always hard to pick a first single. You know, you make like ten new songs for an album and you kind of have to go throw them and pick which song you like the best. The consensus was “Out for Blood” or either “45” (which is another song) was going to be the first single and then we just narrowed it down to out for “Out for Blood”.

‘Cause we thought; “well it kind of had everything going for it that the rest of the album does, so it’s a job representation of how the album is.” It’s got everything, it’s

got a guitar solo, it’s got a couple of kick drums, it’s fast and melodic, so we just decided to with “Out for Blood” and, so far, a lot of our fans really like it. First couple of times we ever played “Out for Blood” live was in Europe and it felt like an old song already. For some reason, people already knew the words and everything in the back. It was cool to see.

So, I know the group started out as pop-punk and it feels like Sum 41 has moved more towards hard rock, how has that change been for you?

Yeah, I think it’s just been what we’re into and growing. Like, when the first album was released in 2001, we were 21 years old, so when we were recording that album, we were 19 and 20 years old. So that was just our sound at the time, and we had just come out of high school as well. Then, as you get better as musicians, I mean we’ve always loved metal music and we’re just starting to… well, not starting, we’ve been doing heavy music since, basically, Chuck from the 2000’s. It’s just

incorporating different influences that we listen to in our music. You know, we all grew up listening to metal, we all grew up listening to punk, so we don’t really shy away from trying to incorporate all of our influences into our record.

And I think it’s just a natural evolution towards getting heavier and a little bit more aggressive and that’s kind of what we’re into. And it’s really fun to play live.

It’s great to hear those influences evolve and grow along with you guys, now, heading away from that, when the band looks back at songs like “Into Deep” and the like, do you ever get tired of performing them, or do you still enjoy rocking them on stage?

Yeah, we all still love playing those songs ‘cause the crowd loves them, right? Those are like the first songs that people ever heard from us, so I think if the crowd hated them, like if they rolled their eyes and went; “Oh, this old, shitty song” after we played them it’d be different. But that doesn’t happen, like when we play “Fat

Lip” or “Into Deep”, all the old songs, those are still some of the biggest reactions we get... And those songs, just over the years for some reason, maybe it’s the way we play them, have gotten heavier on their own [laughter]. I don’t know if it’s because we have three guitar players or whatever it is, they don’t feel out of place. Next to our new song, “Out for Blood”, like that song is heavier and more aggressive, but you play “Into Deep” next to it and it wouldn’t feel out of place.

So last question I wanted to ask was, other than the tour and the new album releasing, what does the future hold for the band?

Uh, I think that’s about it.

We’re planning a fall tour in the U.S. and then we’re talking about a Canadian-based tour in the near future. We try to do what we do for every record; we try to get through the whole world in a year or two and then we work on a new record [laughter].

“I feel like we should be doing a little more in Canada, and we’re trying to work on getting out to Canada a lot more.” – Jason “Cone” McCaslin.

carillonregina.com | The Carillon | 9

July 25 - September 5, 2019

A Spectre is Haunting Stranger Things Season 3: A Propaganda Study.

This newest season is Russian along.

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marty grande-sherbert staff writer For many, waiting for Stranger Things’ third season premiere on Netflix was unbearable. Although I’m personally just a viewer, I enjoyed the first two seasons myself, being a general fan of supernatural thrillers. I also have friends who more than enjoyed them; I happen to know that our old oped editor, Andy Trussler, stayed up all night marathoning the season as soon as it came out.

That’s not all too surprising, though, when you’re loyal to a show. It’s just what you do. But when I decided to check out season three and developed my own interest in it, I wasn’t engaged as a fan of the show but as a fan of political or ideological horror – terms that I think apply to all horror to some extent, but which are obvious in some pieces more than others. I started to realize that the new developments in the plot and style of ST3 took a bit of a surprising turn, but most other parts of the show remained the same.

That along with a similar shift in other media made me think that the writers, or executives at Netflix, made some decisions about the third season that were more politically and business-minded than they were purely artistic.

It isn’t necessarily a bad thing for a series to move in a new

direction, of course. Sometimes that’s what saves the show and brings it new life after the initial charm wears off. But with Stranger Things, I didn’t feel like the original fans of the show were going to benefit from the new parts of season three. What was added was something I found kind of goofy – the “evil Russian” spy movie trope, played almost totally straight.

Now, this paragraph contains the spoilers, but it’s kind of impossible for me to write this article without the context, so maybe run back and watch the season before continuing if that’s an important thing for you. In summary, as the mystery unfolds in ST3, we find that the most imminent danger to the town of Hawkins is not necessarily the monsters from another dimension or even the American government officials who are trying to create human superweapons (this was the original vibe of the first two seasons). Now, it seems the more pressing concern is something of an international spy operation: a Soviet attempt to use the supernatural connections of the town as an espionage tool during the Cold War. The threat is now external and foreign, not internal and based in American national interest. “Russian baddies” has been used lots of times post-Cold War era – Marvel still does it, of course – and a lot of the time it’s just done as a kind of tongue-

in-cheek reference to when the Cold War propaganda machine in America wanted to foster hatred of the enemy. This seems even more likely to be the case in ST3, which is actually set in such a time period. But although there are a lot of silly moments, and the evil of the Russians certainly is cartoonish, there was not a lot of evidence that some of the content of the seasons was totally in jest.

One aspect of that propaganda machine was actually still intact in ST3: fearful anticommunism.

“Russians” and “commies” are used as equivalent terms throughout ST3, and there is no Russian character introduced who isn’t fundamentally associated with the Soviets and their military interests. The favourite new character Alexei, a scientist who is initially kidnapped but gradually becomes a Slurpee-loving, carnival-going ally, notably becomes more sympathetic by experiencing the fruits of consumer capitalism; implicitly this is in contrast to what Soviet society must have been like for him back home. As another political side plot, Erica, an elementary schoolaged character, actually has an entire monologue in the script where she praises capitalism and later comments that a Soviet base is poorly made because “when you don’t pay people, they cut corners.” It isn’t that I don’t think Erica is smart enough to know about economics at her age, I do

– I just think that because she’s so smart it would make more sense if her politics weren’t horribly informed.

I feel a bit emotionally manipulated by born-again capitalist Alexei and the use of the only black girl in the show as an ideological mouthpiece when she is worth so much more. But maybe you think I’m looking too deeply into it with those examples; that’s fine. I have more things to point to. How about the absolutely relentless product placement throughout this season? I have to wonder how much money the team got from Coca-Cola, Slurpee, Eggo, etc....

Brand names are practically a plot point, and even actually improve the lives of the characters like in Eleven and Alexei’s cases. It’s obvious here that a lot of the writing choices in ST3 are very much financially motivated, which makes it more likely that the United States government itself could have convinced the show to shift its portrayal of US military and police forces. (If you think I sound crazy saying that, google how many Hollywood movies were sponsored by the US military).

Lastly and most interesting, ST3’s star monster, the “Mind Flayer,” is beautifully evocative of what Reagan-era Americans despised about communists. The creature is a giant mass of sludge, sludge that comes

Rocking and Rolling

from exploded bodies of the people it possesses and kills. Before their deaths, these people are united by a hive mind; they lose their individual memories and identities; they hunt the protagonists cooperatively and can all be collectively harmed with harm to an individual. In other words, the monster – the communist idea – has infiltrated Americans’ minds and hearts and is turning them into one horrible mass that will destroy the paradise of carefree consumerism these peaceful families live in. To drive the point in, this monster is finally defeated inside a literal shopping mall, with Fourth of July fireworks as the weapon. It’s artful how hard they hit it over the head.

ST3 was a frankly fascinating piece of propaganda to view and consider, and I’m not really attempting to make a political statement by discussing it as such.

Say what you like about the merits of various economic systems or about the USSR. The point isn’t that propaganda is right or wrong, good or bad, but that it is inevitably woven into popular culture in a lot of different ways. Horror is one of the places where it comes out most, because when we prey on fundamental fears in media, we can get people to squirm easily by finding things they find repulsive physically and ideologically.

“ST3 was a frankly fascinating piece of propaganda to view and consider…”

– Marty Grande-Sherbert.

July 25 - September 5, 2019

carillonregina.com | The Carillon |10

a&c

When lightning strikes book review

Does lightning strike twice in this series? elisabeth sahlmueller staff writer Creatively and comically told through a first-person perspective, in the style of a personal official government statement, When Lightning Strikes, the first book in Meg Cabot’s 1-800-where-r -you series, is a thrilling and captivating young adult novel. When Lightning Strikes tells the story of sixteen-year-old Jess Mastriani, whose life in a small southern Indiana town becomes much more exciting and complicated after being struck by lightning. Although fortunate to have survived without any serious physical injuries, Jess gains the ability to locate missing people, a skill she quickly learns is both a blessing and a curse.

Jess’ problems all start after Jeff Daley, a football player at her high school, horribly insults her best friend, Ruth Abrahamowitz, by implying that she is fat. Although Jess, being a great friend, punches him out and secures herself an extra week of detention, Ruth is still severely upset by the whole situation. Instead of driving home as she usually does, Ruth decides to walk home in order to get in shape. Despite Jess’ belief that walking home is a bad idea, given the dark storm clouds in the sky, she reluctantly agrees to walk the two miles home from school with her since she has no other way to get home.

Just as Jess had figured, a storm hits shortly after the two have begun their walk, forcing them to take cover under the only shelter available, the metal bleachers

holly worby a&c writer Like many other Saskatchewan locals, my eyes were opened to the drag scene thanks to the show “RuPaul’s Drag Race”. Yes, I watch for the shade (contempt/ disgust), the reads (savage and hilarious insults), and the tea (gossip), but also for the sheer talent the queens exhibit and the inspirational stories that surface throughout the show. There is a wide-spread misconception that drag queens are very surface-level and “fake”, but if you really take the time to watch the show, you’ll see how genuine and authentic the majority of contestants are.

One of my favourite queens of all time is Yekaterina Petrovna Zamolodchikova – popularly known as Katya – who appeared on season 7 of RPDR and who I was able to see perform at TCU Place in Saskatoon.

Katya is a drag persona of Brian McCook, who went to the Massachusetts College of Art and Design to study video and performance art (surmised to be where he first developed an interest in drag culture). Katya is a Russian transvestite bisexual hooker with herpes (and you thought your job title was a mouthful), and she puts on a show that will leave you in awe. A fishy (female-passing) queen to the highest degree, Katya’s CV is fascinating. She

around their high school’s football field. Unfortunately, these bleachers don’t provide enough protection against the storm for Jess, who gets hit by a beam of lightning and tossed five feet away. Even though Ruth is completely freaked out by what has just happened, Jess is not worried because she feels fine, only slightly “tingly” and “energized.”

Later that night, Jess’ worry increases when she discovers a starshaped scar on her chest near her collarbone, but she shrugs it off and heads to bed hoping that when she wakes up the next morning, her scar will be gone because how else will she wear her “scoop-neck t-shirt” in order to impress her crush, older bad boy Rob Wilkins, the next afternoon in detention? However, despite the troubling appearance of her starshaped scar, Jess soon realizes that it is, in reality, the very least of her worries.

The next morning Jess wakes up knowing the exact geographical location of Sean Patrick O’Hanahan and Olivia Marie D’Amato, two missing children whose photos are displayed on the local milk cartons. While Jess tries to convince herself that this knowledge is just a result of “crazy dreams”, she can’t stop thinking about Sean, which is why she finds herself, at the end of the day, turning down Ruth’s ride home and heading to Paoli, Indiana where she finds Sean exactly where she knew she would.

Convinced that Sean is in serious danger, based on his strange reaction to being discovered, Jess gets in contact with the National Organization of Missing Children (NOOMC) by calling the 1-800-where-r-you number

Queens rule

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An electric series

printed on the back of the milk carton giving them the location details of where both Sean and Olivia are.

Unfortunately for Jess, waking up with the geographical knowledge of missing children is not a onetime incident, as a similar pattern occurs each morning for the next couple of days. By the end of the week, Jess has successfully helped the NOOMC locate six missing children, information which unsurprisingly does not go unnoticed. Originally, Jess had believed she had been sharing her information anonymously with the National Organization of Missing Children, however because of the caller ID on the NOOMC’s phones, the FBI has knowledge of all their phone conversations, including the information that Jess has provided from her very first call to the NOOCM. As a result, the FBI are able to trace where she is calling from and track her down in person, which is exactly what happens one morning before school when she is confronted by two FBI agents, Davies and

Johnson who believe that Jess’ skills should not be wasted and attempt to persuade Jess to lend her skills to the FBI to help them find missing and wanted state criminals.

At first Jess declines the offer to help the FBI, wanting to continue with her regular average lifehanging out with Ruth, teasing her two brothers, Mike and Douglas and trying not to think too much about Rob Wilkins. However, despite Jess’s belief that she can forget about this entire situation, doing so is no longer a possibility.

Once news of Jess’ extraordinary skill is leaked into the media she becomes a major local celebrity, constantly hounded by both the media, who want exclusive information about what happened, as well as by other individuals, who want her help locating their missing loved ones. Although all this extra media attention severely bothers Jess, because it greatly threatens her older brother, Douglas’ mental health, she eventually agrees to help the FBI with the assumption that the press will follow

her and leave her family alone, especially her brother.

While Jess’ plan does work, she experiences another problem while helping the FBI at their military base, when she learns the truth about Sean’s situation. Feeling horrible that her attempt to help Sean actually made his situation worse, Jess becomes determined to do whatever it takes to find Sean again, but this time, “do it right.”

However, when Jess discovers that a quick and easy fix to Sean’s situation is difficult to accomplish with dozens of federal FBI agents right behind her at every turn, she turns to her crush, Wilkins and his friends for some major help which results in serious chaos and multiple state law violations. In the end, Jess not only learns that finding and reporting missing people is much more complex than it should be, but is also forced to consider if her life would be better if she didn’t have this skill anymore and how that could be possibly be accomplished – at least in theory.

Looking at performers, terms, and the show. started in local clubs and now appears in a YouTube series with fellow season seven contestant Trixie Mattel, acting in films with other drag queens (looking at you Bianca), and touring internationally.

McCook has pushed through many addictions in his life and is vocal both in and out of drag when describing his struggles past and present; the honesty is like a breath of fresh air. For example, the show I saw in July had been postponed due to a psychotic break McCook experienced following a methamphetamine relapse. Always a genuine individual, McCook released more than one apology for having to postpone while in rehab and was met by endless support from fans worldwide. At face value Katya is a body queen and a comedy queen, but she manages to embody both humility and confidence so well that she stays relatable and approachable which is an absolute feat when you’ve accomplished and overcome as much as she has.

While on stage Katya is absolutely captivating – the dedication and passion for the work she does is immediately evident. The stage design crew did an incredible job of accenting the performance with the lighting and effects, yet Katya effortlessly kept the crowd’s attention. The show opened with

her lip-syncing to many radio-hits (all translated into Russian, of course), with a hysterically-photoshopped video montage playing in the background, and not one, but two seamless costume reveals.

There were several videos shown throughout the performance with big names such as Alaska and Trixie Mattel (shown out of drag) that transitioned Katya seamlessly into the next scene.

McCook has another, lesser-known drag persona named Trish, a dumpster-dwelling Boston hairdresser. Trish appears on Katya’s YouTube channel in a series titled “Irregardlessly Trish”, and also made an appearance during Katya’s show. Trish called up an unsuspecting audience member and performed a lap dance that could only be described as intentionally startling. While Katya is more a beauty queen with a dark side, Trish is a tell-it-like-itis, dry-humour type with 80s block eye shadow, winged eyeliner out to her eyebrows, and earrings so large you could use one as a choker. McCook used Trish to convey more comedy and camp whereas Katya gave off a showgirl vibe; the consistent contrast (and flawless transition) between personas is a clear testament to McCook’s training and discipline as an entertainer and performing artist.

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Editor: tyler meadows sports@carillonregina.com the carillon | July 25 - September 5, 2019

Cougars Head to Monteal for Canadian Track and Field Championships Track team continues to build momentum brian palaschuk sports writer For most Olympic sports, the off-season is just as important as the varsity one. Track and field is no exception. A large contingent of Cougar athletes are headed to Montreal from July 25 to July 28 to compete against Canada’s best at the Canadian Track and Field Championships. The meet will feature some of the biggest names in Canadian Track, including Olympic silver medalist Andre De Grasse. The meet also serves as qualification for Track and Field World Championships, Para World Championships, and presents the opportunity to be crowned Canadian Track and Field Champion.

Notable Cougar athletes who are competing include 1500m U Sports bronze medalist and presidents award winner Greg Hetterly who will race his specialty event, the 800m.

Greg has had a terrific year in his fourth season as a Cougar. He began his year by winning Canada West in the indoor 1500m, an event where he also set the school record. He then carried that momentum setting another personal best of 1:50.92 in the 800m at the PFT Classic in Portland, Oregon. If Hetterly is seeded seventeenth behind Canadian

record holder Brandon McBride, and if he can continue his momentum this year, he could come out with a top-ten finish.

Also contesting the 800m is incoming Cougar rookie Ron Maclean who will race in the U20 category. Maclean is the defending under-18 cross-country Canadian champion and will look to make some noise on the track in the shorter events. Maclean is seeded eleventh in the U20 category with his fresh personal best of 1:53.08 from the Canada West challenge meet. Despite being on the younger side of the age category, a best time for Maclean could move him into the top ten as well.

Other Cougars to watch out for include Hetterly’s 4×800m U Sports bronze medal teammates Ret Brailsford, Alexander McBride and Brayden Mytopher who will be contesting the 800m and 1500m races. Canada West gold medalist Shane Patmore will contest the 400m.

On the women’s side, the Cougars are led by U Sports rookie of the year, Joely Welburn.

Welburn has been on a tear this year, setting school records in the high jump and 4×400m en route to Canada West gold and U Sports bronze in her specialty, high jump, where she holds a personal best of 1.73m.

At the Canadian Track and Field Championships Wel

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“Ain’t no bar high enough.”

burn will be contesting the high jump alongside the long jump and 100m hurdles. In the long jump and high jump, she is seeded tenth and thirteenth respectively, but she is entering with a jump of 1.66m in high jump, well off her personal best.

Joining her in the high jump is U of R teammate and Canada West bronze medalist Amou Madol. Madol’s best jump of 1.7m seeds her in a tie for fifth place in the U20 category. A big

jump could land her on the podi um.

Another top seed on the women’s side is incoming second-year distance runner Kaylee Tymo. She is seeded third in the women’s U20 5000m and will look to pick up a medal there as well.

Also representing the Cougars are Skylar Smith, Kaila Neigum, Alyson Edwards, and Ericka Stockhorst.

For track and field, the season never ends, and big im

provements here will drive the rapidly climbing Cougars to an other successful varsity season.

The men’s team will look to improve on their sixth-place finish at Canada West championships and their sixteenth-place finish at U Sports, while the Women’s team will try to crack the top-three in Canada West in 2019-2020.

Stay tuned for more Cougars track and field action in the new year.

July 25 - September 5, 2019

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Pitura Represents UofR at World University Games “Stick them with the pointy end” brian palaschuk sports writer Fiction and fantasy are the first thing that come to mind for most people when you talk about sword fighting, not fencing. Fencing is an extremely competitive sport with a long history. The modern version dates back to the eighteenth century and is featured in the pinnacle of sports competitions, the Olympics. Two practitioners of the sport, University of Regina students Philip Pitura and Julia Creusot travelled to Naples, Italy to represent Canada as well as the University of Regina at the World University Games.

In Italy, Pitura and Creusot both competed in the individual sabre event, the fastest paced of the three fencing disciplines.

Creusot was eliminated in the pool round; however, she gained valuable experience at her first international competition. Pitura fared better, clearing the pool round despite the extremely high level of competition. During the pool round he beat out the number-two seed Stefano Ivan Lucchetti of Argentina to advance.

In the bracket round Pitura fell to Korea’s Hangil Jeong, ending his tournament in the round of sixty-four, a finish Pitura is happy with.

“The top forty-nine people made it to the next round, and I was lucky enough to make it at forty-ninth. In the direct elimination round I came up against a very good fencer from Korea who I had a good match with, so I ended up making top 64, which is always really good, especially at this high a level.”

But how does someone from Regina get to become an elite fencer in the first place?

In a province where team sports like hockey, football and basketball are the dominant sports, fencing, like many other Olympic sports tends to fall by the wayside. For Pitura, this made choosing a sport difficult as a child.

“The story goes, I had tried every other sport, and nothing really stuck. I wasn’t any good at team sports, so my dad found a listing for fencing in the leisure guide and it stuck.”

Stuck it has. Pitura has gone on to reach the highest level of his sport; he currently sits at 358th in the FIE World Rankings. This success has come despite Pitura being an athlete who struggled in traditional sports. Pitura hopes

Marie-Lan Nguyen

Stabby Stabby

this is something that will inspire the next generation.

“A lot of people assume if you are not good at hockey you don’t have a future in sports in Regina – but that’s simply not true, fencing is another option to reach the highest competitive level.”

Pitura also believes that fencing’s non-traditional appeal is one of its strengths. A strength which he thinks can help grow the sport, particularly for those who wouldn’t typically participate in sports.

“Fencing really caters to the outsiders. It is just as physical as it is cerebral, so it is an option for those people who want to be active but don’t feel that they would fit in in a traditional sport. Having people like Julia and myself show that you can do this non-traditional sport and still get to the absolute highest level of competition, I think that’s a really good thing.”

Although Pitura has reached an elite level, fencing out of Saskatchewan is not always easy.

While Pitura’s club, the Regina Rapiers are the biggest club in Saskatchewan, they maintain only 35 regular members. This can make it a struggle to find training time and locations. They typically train out of Campus Regina Public, formerly Cochrane High School, but as Pitura has reached a higher level he has had to find innovative training solutions.

“We tend to fence wherever we can get a place, so during the summer we train out of places

like Level Ten, we’ve done training in the park before, as more of us get to a higher level we need more training time.”

Despite these challenges, Regina fencing is producing a lot of top-end athletes like Pitura and Creusot. This is a phenomenon Pitura jokingly sums up.

“We are getting people really good really fast.”

During these training sessions, Pitura works on footwork patterns, as well as specific fencing techniques with the swords.

On top of these sessions he does three gym sessions a week as well as hyper-technical private technique sessions. For Pitura, all of this preparation is important because of the reactionary nature of his sport.

“Training is a little bit different for everybody because fencing isn’t like most other sports. You are doing extremely skilled and technical movements, but the amount of possibilities is endless.

It doesn’t matter if you can perform the perfect lunge, if that’s all you can do you will get destroyed.”

This reactionary component gives fencing a strong mental aspect, even more so than most other sports. Pitura also spends a lot of time perfecting this part of his fencing.

“There’s a lot of finding what works against what and larger strategies like do I want to fight this guy fast or do I want to fight this guy slow, but you have to figure these things out in a very

short amount of time. People can change how they fence so quickly you need to learn within the match what the right choices are.”

On top of this high-speed decision making and analysis, fencing is an extremely individual sport, which, when it comes to the mental side of fencing, can be a double-edged sword.

“Because you are the only person out there you are the person who controls it all, you have to be mentally prepared to deal with that. I work with a mental trainer and we work on getting into the exact mindset to perform.”

This is a zone Pitura describes as a “middle ground.”

“That’s not a mindset where you are too hyped up or too subdued, your body and mind are ready to go but you are still calm enough to make a decision.”

Being able to make decisions quickly is especially important in Pitura’s discipline, sabre, where the action happens extremely quickly. Like all forms of fencing, sabre is scored to five points in pool rounds and fifteen points in elimination rounds; however, it is the only style that does not use the three-minute clock. This is because in sabre the movements usually take place in less than a second.

Although fencing is not a varsity sport, Pitura still represents the University of Regina at the World University Games and that means that he must be enrolled as a full-time student, facing all the same challenges of other varsity

athletes, especially as a computer science major.

“I balance it by cutting down on my student workload, and I’ve accepted I have to extend out my degree. Computer science isn’t exactly the major you’d expect an international athlete to be in, so I manage by getting my work done as much as possible, it’s a lot of homework in airports and hotel rooms.”

Pitura also thinks the mental aspect of fencing has helped him to succeed as both a student and in life.

“It’s about learning how to get a lot of work done in a short amount of time, which I think fencing has taught me how to do, perform at as high a level as possible in a short amount of time. I’ve also had to accept that because of my other pursuits I will not be an absolute top-level student, and that’s ok.”

Like athletes in other Olympic sports, Pitura is willing to make these sacrifices because he has his sights set on the ultimate goal, the Olympic games. But Pitura is not aiming for 2020.

“This season is more so a recovery and training season for me. I am using this season to get ready for the next quad. I want to be in top shape for 2024, which is absolutely in my sights.”

“Training is a little bit different for everybody because fencing isn’t like most other sports. You are doing extremely skilled and technical movements, but the amount of possibilities is endless. It doesn’t matter if you can perform the perfect lunge, if that’s all you can do you will get destroyed.”

- Philip Pitura

July 25 - September 5, 2019

carillonregina.com | The Carillon |

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FIFA Women’s World Cup: The Canadian Experience Heading in with high hopes, but Striking Disappointment elisabeth sahlmueller staff writer Every four years since its original launch in 1991, twenty-four national female soccer teams compete in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The women battle their way through group matches, a knockout phase, quarter and semi-finals and, finally, the final. All with the hope of winning the tournament.

Although many teams’ journeys end earlier than they would like, making it to the World Cup is an incredible achievement and exciting experience. As Canadian women’s soccer team head coach, Kenneth Heiner Moeller, stated (in a quote from the women’s national team’s website) “ It is so special to play in a FIFA Women’s World Cup. You don’t get this moment back.” Each tournament is full of astonishing records, disappointing defeats, surprising outcomes and memorable moments. The eighth Women’s World Cup, held this year in France, was no exception. Soccer fans from around the world quickly became captivated by all of the excitement, controversy and action of this month long sporting tournament.

Since their first World Cup appearance in 1995, the Canadian

women’s soccer team has significantly improved in skill and technique, obtaining multiple victories including being back-to-back bronze medalists in both the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics and two-time winners of the CONCACAF Championships in 1998 and 2010. As a result, the team has not only become a strong force to compete against, but has also earned an international fifth-place ranking, an impressive accomplishment which Christine Sinclair has stated (in an online CBC article) is “a remarkable achievement for Canada and this group of players.”

With this success and a tremendous amount of national support behind them, the Canadian women’s soccer team is headed into their seventh World Cup with high hopes for advancing past both the group matches and the round of 16 (knockout phase) in order to improve from their best tournament outcome in 2003, when they finished fourth.

Energy, experience and positivity fueled the team to a strong record-breaking beginning in the World Cup tournament.

On June 10, the Canadian women’s soccer team played its first game against the 46th ranked Cameroon, and fellow group E member in Montpellier

France. After an impressive goal by defender Kadeisha Buchanan near the end of the first half of gameplay, Canada pulled into an early lead. While Canada played the remainder of the game defensively strong, maintaining 74 per cent possession, the attacking side faltered, unable to push through Cameroon’s strong defense, demonstrated by the lack of any additional goals. Luckily, Canada’s single goal held out and was enough to give the Canadian women a 1-0 victory over Cameroon and their first win in this World Cup Tournament.

Five days later, on June 15, the Canadian women played their second game of the group match phase against the 19th ranked New Zealand squad in Grenoble, France. Similar to their first game, the team played strong, not only by dominating possession once again at 70 per cent, but also by scoring two goals in the second half.

Although Team Canada had at least 12 opportunities for goals within the first half – including headers from Buchanan, Sophie Schmidt and Captain Christine Sinclair – these attempts were all successfully blocked. Despite the match’s slow start excitement rose in the 48th minute when Canadian midfielder Jessie Fleming (as-

sisted by forward Nichelle Prince) launched the ball into the net to break the current deadlock. 31 minutes later, after some unfortunate misses, the Canadian women scored their second goal of the match when Prince kicked in Sinclair’s rebound shot. With only 11 minutes of gameplay, plus four minutes of stoppage time remaining, Team Canada maintained its lead resulting in a significant 2-0 victory over New Zealand. Not only does this mark the strongest start to a World Cup tournament the team has ever had with two straight wins, but it is also the team’s first time defeating a regional champion. As a result, the Canadian woman advanced past the group stage and earned themselves a guaranteed spot in the round of 16.

Unfortunately, despite the team’s impressive start, its success – along with the hope of advancing past the round of 16 – greatly diminished during its next two tournament matches.

On June 20 in Reims, France, the women’s team played its last game of the group match phase and experienced their first tournament setback after a tough game against the 8th-ranked Netherlands. Although the two teams have faced each other multiple times in the past, with Can-

ada always finishing on top, this previous experience did little to help the Canadian women during their World Cup match.

While coach Moeller credited his team (in an online Sportsnet article) for its “explosive start”, he stated that the women’s major fault was that they “lost the ball too often and too early” as demonstrated by a more evenly divided match possession percentage between the two sides.

As a result, the Netherlands controlled gameplay forcing the Canadians to scramble chasing after the ball.

Although Sinclair (assisted by midfielder, Ashley Lawrence) tied the game just six minutes after the Netherland’s first goal with an unstoppable crossbar shot, Sinclair’s goal didn’t hold out for long. The Netherlands pulled back into the lead just 15 minutes later when Lineth Beerensteyn scored. Despite a great effort and a few close attempts, the Canadian women were unable to score again resulting in their first tournament loss, as well as a second-place finish overall in their group.

Wikimedia commons

Canada featured at the world cup

July 25 - September 5, 2019

cont...

Though this loss was extremely disappointing for the team, especially after their record-breaking start, instead of dwelling on the upsetting defeat the team members focused on preparing for their next match against 9th ranked Sweden. According to coach Moeller, who stated during a post-game conference (to Sportsnet article) the game against the Netherlands was a good, “wake-up call” because it presented the team with important lessons they could learn and improve from moving forward in this World Cup tournament. A similar attitude was expressed by Lawrence (as per the Toronto Sun article), that her teammates and herself were putting an effort towards “improving on the little things because it is all about the minor details.”

Team Canada also likely felt confident facing Sweden as their next opponent, based on previous training and victories. As Moeller emphasized prior to the game (as reported by the Canadian Press article) there had been a focus within the women’s training to be “the most adaptable system in the world and more or less take the shape of water.” As a result, he felt confident that the women would be “ready to adapt” [to] whatever structure … [or] system” they faced.

Furthermore, the two teams had previously faced each

sports

other in two major sporting events at the 2012 Summer Olympics, where they tied 2-2. More recently, the teams played in the Algarve cup this past March where Canada beat Sweden 6-5 in an intense penalty shootout to finish in third place. Though Canada beat Sweden in these two previous occasions, in order for Canada to have similar success again the women would need to bring and leave everything they had on the field during the game. Unfortunately, while the women undoubtedly played their best in the match, it was not enough to defeat the strong and even more focused Swedish women’s team.

On June 24 in Parc Des Princes, in front of a crowd of over 38,000 people, the Canadian woman played Sweden in an extremely intense match. Just one minute into the match Canada had the chance to take an early lead with a penalty kick, when Swedish defender Desiree Van Lunteren tripped midfielder Janine Beckie. However, because this move actually occurred just outside of the penalty area, Canada only got a free kick which unfortunately didn’t produce a goal.

Throughout the first half both teams were unable to break through the other side’s defense, even with Canada’s higher possession percentage (61 to 39) resulting in a nil-nil tie at the halfway point. However, ten minutes

carillonregina.com | The Carillon |

into the second half, Sweden took the lead when striker, Kosovare Asllanni, broke away from Canada’s defense, a maneuver which significantly exposed ( according to an online CBC Sports article) the “lack of speed and awareness at the … Canadian backline.”

Attempting to help the defense, Canadian goalkeeper, Stephanie Labbe, came forward out of her net, an unfortunate mistake, which provided another Swedish striker, Stina Blackstenius, the opportunity to slip the ball straight past Labbe into the net.

This goal significantly changed the course of the game.

According to Schmidt (as recorded in an online Toronto Sun article) after Blackstenius’ goal “it was tough to get back because [the Swedish team’s] energy rose and their confidence increased … [and it became] an uphill battle for us.”

Roughly forty minutes later, Team Canada was given a chance to tie the match with a penalty kick Janine Beckie, stepped up to take the pressured filled shot.

While she had a strong and wellaimed shot, it was blocked by the Swedish goalkeeper, Helvig Lindahl who made what Sinclair has called (in an online Canadian Press article) a “world-class save.”

Although many people have questioned why Beckie took the penalty shot instead of Sinclair, it was a strategic choice. Sinclair offered

Beckie the penalty kick because her own penalty kick had been blocked by Lindahl during the Algarve Cup. With 21 minutes plus 8 minutes of stoppage time remaining, the Canadian woman frantically tried to catch up. Although these women maintained great defense, preventing the Swedes from scoring any further goals, they couldn’t find a solid opportunity to score, resulting in a heartbreaking 1-0 loss.

Such an early departure from the World Cup tournament is extremely disappointing and frustrating, because as Sinclair said (as reported by the Canadian Press) “we played so well and we definitely had the team to go deeper in this tournament.”

At the same time, the women are pleased with their overall performance. As Labbe expressed (as reported by the Canadian Press article), “you can’t fault the passion ... the grit and the heart that the girls left out there on the field. To the final moment, we are pushing for a chance.” A similar attitude is evidently expressed from Schmidt (quoted in an online Toronto Sun article), “we had a solid performance and left it all out there.” Unfortunately, while there was some moments in the last two matches, when the women came close to scoring, as Schmidt further explains, “close isn’t good enough” to achieve vic-

14

tory.

Moving forward there’s a hope that this group of women will stay together, but this may be the last World Cup for some of the team’s older players such as Schmidt, Desiree Scott, Alyssa Chapman and Sinclair. However, though Sinclair will be forty in the next World Cup in 2023, she is not yet ready to retire. Sinclair has stated that her appearance in a sixth World Cup depends on whether coach Moeller wants her around, but given his response (as reported by the Canadian Press article) that he is “trying to convince her. . . [to] stay a few more years,” it is likely that Sinclair will not only lead the Canadian women’s soccer team to a few more victories in the near future before retirement, beginning with the quickly approaching 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, but will also continue to chase after and surpass Abby Wombach’s current international record of most goals scored.

Despite an early heartbreaking World Cup elimination, this experience has presented the Canadian women’s soccer team with a few areas, such as offense, that they can work towards improving to ensure a longer and more successful performance in their next World Cup.

courtesy of IQRemix via Flickr

FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 - Edmonton

July 25 - September 5, 2019

carillonregina.com | The Carillon | 15

sports

We are the Champions!!!

The Larry O.B. is coming to Canada

Michael Tipton

And back to mediocrity we go

tyler meadows staff writer The Toronto Raptors are NBA champions. It is surreal to read and even say. Anyone who is a Raptors fan and has followed the team since their inaugural season in 1995 knows the tragedy and turmoil that has followed the team.

There are numerous former stars who played for the Raptors, and they all left eventually. Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, and Chris Bosh are stars who loved Canada and Toronto but sought greener pastures to win and seek more money and fame in the United States. The redemption story for Toronto begins in 2009 with the drafting of the eventual sacrificial lamb DeMar DeRozan.

In 2009, Toronto was a good team with a couple of playoff appearances in the previous two years, but facing the final year of superstar Chris Bosh’s contract and a very raw DeRozan ready to start his rookie campaign. Toronto would struggle for the next four years while also losing Bosh, changing coaches, and bringing in new General Manager Masai Ujiri in 2013. The hiring of Ujiri was extremely critical in the success of the franchise, He brought a massive culture change to the organization that included credibility and progressiveness unseen in the history of the franchise.

Early in the 2013 season, Ujiri made a critical trade that sent out Rudy Gay to the Sacramen-

to Kings and brought back four players that would help push the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2008, led by DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.

DeRozan and Lowry would lead various Raptor teams to the playoffs in five consecutive years, going as far as the Conference Finals, but they could never get over the hump and make it to the Finals. There was a massive obstacle named Lebron James who had made eight straight NBA Finals appearances to represent the Eastern Conference. The fans were divided. DeMar and Kyle were every kid’s hero – you never get two stars who love the city as much as they do and are willing to sign multiple contracts with the franchise, but no one is sure they can help the team win a championship. In the summer of 2018, Ujiri had finally had enough; he made the controversial decision to fire head coach Dwane Casey who had subsequently won the NBA Coach of the Year award for the 2017-2018 season with the Raptors. A few weeks later James decided to take his talents to the west coast and join the Los Angeles Lakers. Thus, the Raptors greatest obstacle was gone and the Raptors favoured themselves to make the Finals finally. Ujiri was unconvinced.

Kawhi Leonard, a former NBA Finals MVP, was unhappy. He played nine games in the 20172018 NBA season for the San Antonio Spurs, and he had injured his quad and was not recovering as well as he would have liked.

The medical staff insisted he was

healthy, but Leonard didn’t feel right. His teammates went to the media and criticized him for not playing and helping the team.

Leonard decided he would not return to play for the most decorated organization in the NBA in the last 20 years.

On July 18, 2018 the basketball world was in shock: on July 18, 2018, DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poetl were traded for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. Toronto had traded its best player for one of the best players in the game, but one who may not be healthy and has only one year left on his contract. The fans in Toronto were once again divided. Ujiri sent away the one star who loved and was willing to stay in Toronto for a mercenary basketball player on a one-year deal who was (in the minds of most at the time) assuredly gone after one year and may not be able to play.

Everyone would soon find out Ujiri made the right decision.

Load management was the new term coined by Alex McKechnie, Director of Sports Science for the Raptors. This described what they were doing in order to allow Leonard to play at the highest level when he would be needed the most – in the playoffs.

The regular season consisted of Leonard not playing on the second night of back-to-backs and various other days in order to reduce his workload and keep him healthy.

The playoffs began with the Raptors in the second seed. They faced the Orlando Magic. After losing the first game on a wild

finish, they won the next four games to move on to the second round: The Philadelphia 76ers.

Most people know how this series ends: in the seventh and deciding game, with the score tied, Kawhi Leonard catches the ball moves to his right reaches the baseline to pull-up for a fade away jump shot, bounce… bounce… bounce… bounce, Raptors win. Third round: “The Greek Freak” and the number one seed Milwaukee Bucks jump out to a two-game lead, but the Raptors team finally show up to help a slightly hobbled Leonard and win the next four games to beat the Bucks and move onto the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.

The Golden State Warriors, with five consecutive Finals appearances, are the favourites to win the title, despite Kevin Durant being out with a reported calf injury. Game One, Raptors win 118-109, Pascal Siakam shows why he is worthy of being the Most Improved Player of the year with 32 points, Leonard and Marc Gasol chip in with 23 and 20 respectively.

Game Two, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson are determined to take back home court advantage and lead the Warriors to a 109-104 win, but the Raptors play very poorly and still only lost by five. The Warriors are excited to go back home where they rarely lose.

Game Three, Klay Thompson is unable to play with a hamstring injury but it may not matter as the entire Raptors team is on fire and end up blowing out the Warriors

at home with a score of 123-109 which, to be frank, flatters Golden State’s effort.

Game Four, Klay returns from the hamstring injury and because of his stellar play Toronto goes down early, but uses a magnificent third quarter to help them take a 3-1 lead in the series winning the game 105-92.

Game Five, Kevin Durant returns and the Warriors are feeling confident, but twelve minutes into his return Durant goes down with a torn achilles and will never play for the Warriors again. Toronto is on the verge of victory when Curry and Thompson hit three consecutive three-pointers and Golden State wins 106-105.

Game 6 is probably the closest and best game of the series from start to finish. Each team is giving their best shot. Late in the fourth quarter, Danny Green attempts to block Thompson’s dunk and he falls to the floor, eventually comes back to shoot his free throws, and exits the game with a torn ACL. A few minutes later the Raptors are crowned Champions.

The ups and downs of 24 years washed away in one swoop, Ujiri can scream vindication for all the criticism he faced over the past year and the team that usually cries conspiracy can now sing “We are the Champions.”

“Ujiri sent away the one star who loved and was willing to stay in Toronto for a mercenary basketball player on a one-year deal who was (in the minds of most at the time) assuredly gone after one year” -- Tyler Medows

op-ed

16 Editor: op-ed@carillonregina.com the carillon | July 25 - September 5, 2019

Call it genocide “It is time to call it as it is”: these are words from a supplementary report on genocide, attached to the final report the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).

To some, the National Inquiry’s conclusion – an informal indictment of the state of Canada for acts of genocide against the Indigenous people of the land – was shocking and disturbing. To others, as the report points out – namely Indigenous activists and scholars – it was simply a conclusion that many have been asking Canada to recognize for years.

The report says that “genocidal acts,” which are explained and defined in detail at the report’s beginning, “permeate the thousands of testimonies heard by the National Inquiry in the course of its mandate” (page 17). These acts include what the report calls “continuous [Canadian] policies” of sterilization, the over-apprehension of children into colonial foster care, lack of police protection, biological warfare and starvation by colonial troops, and abuse at residential schools. This residential school abuse included medical experimentation, which unnecessarily exposed Indigenous children to disease and led to mortality rates at the schools that ran from 30 to 60 per cent.

Not only are these appalling cruelties a part of Canada’s history, but according to the aational inquiry they also continue today with their legacies in Canada’s police violence and under-service to Indigenous communities and their needs.

Perhaps predictably, then, the Canadian government and those who wish to see it as a benevolent, accepting force have voiced considerable pushback to this report. Multiple op-eds have been published arguing that a charge of genocide against Canada does not hold water given the greater severity of other genocides such as the Rwandan genocide and the Holocaust.

Andrew Scheer of Alberta’s conservative party publicly posited that MMIWG was “its own thing,” and shouldn’t be considered genocide as “the ramifications of [the term] are very profound.” Prime Minister Trudeau in his first response to the report would not use the word “genocide,” but then in a later address said that he “accepted the report” and that we should focus on “moving forward” rather than getting caught up in discussion of the weight of the G word.

Trudeau was wrong to think that Canada or white settlers have a place to say whether it’s time to move forward here, but he is right that arguing about whether this word was used correctly helps no one. In the first place, the national inquiry already consulted lawyers and experts on international law while writing the supplementary genocide report, and they drew their analysis from similarities to previous genocides (for example, the way sexual abuse during the Rwandan genocide played a serious role in disturbing the social health of Tutsi communities – and how staggering rates of

sexual assault are doing that now for Indigenous communities).

The charge of genocide appeals to international law and demands a cessation to Canada’s acts and omissions that threaten Indigenous people. It does this because appealing to Canada does not work–there have already been four national inquiries before this one (in 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2005), and Canada has still not shown sufficient active commitment.

It is also relevant to note that when the concept of genocide was first coined by Raphael Lemkin, he wanted to include a category of “social genocide” in addition to the physical and biological categories recognized today. This category met pushback from many colonial nations at the time, including Canada, likely because it was apparent that it would apply to what Indigenous people experienced at that time. Indigenous voices were not consulted while this term was legalized, and social genocide failed to make it into international law. While the national inquiry argues that international law still covers genocide as it pertains to Canada, the inquirers are already trying to negotiate with laws that actively excluded them for colonizers’ own interests.

The bottom line here is that the report clearly lays out why the term genocide is used, cites several important sources to support this, and is also supported by direct testimony from thousands of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ people.

On what basis do white columnists write their rebuttals to this as if charging a state with genocide is a power grab, instead of a desperate call for acknowledgement?

Why do we who benefit from colonialism and its violence put up our defences as soon as we hear the word genocide, or when in America the term “concentration camps” is used to describe the ICE detention centres where children have died due to the inhumane conditions? We have certain sensibilities to protect, maybe, or we are hesitant to be honest about what side of a wave of hatred we are standing on. This report contained truths and it is long past time to address them as truths – we plainly can’t rely on the state of Canada to actively and materially own up to its legacy.

We all have a responsibility to offer our support to those who face institutional violence, but as a Jewish person I feel particularly responsible for naming evil and being a dissident voice against it. In the United States, I feel hopeful to be watching a steady movement of American Jews who are passionately and fiercely speaking out against ICE and talking back to those who derail migrant advocates by tastelessly invoking the Holocaust.

The use of the term concentration camp,”much like the term Canadian genocide, is supported by scholars who specialize in what concentration camps are and don’t use the term lightly. This term is invoked not for shock value, but to truly and accurately describe the fascism that is tak-

voyagevixen2

The MMIWG report claims Canada is guilty of genocide

ing hold in North America.

Despite extensive offering of knowledge, though, many prefer to look away from the reality of ICE by claiming that calling a cage a cage somehow denies the existence of a crueler history. But the truth is, it really is that bad, and if we don’t personally feel that fear it is likely because of our ability to live separately from it.

If we want to really respond to the National Inquiry’s report, we can take a page from the strategy guides of those demonstrating in front of ICE detention centres, actively disrupting their operations, as well as those in Quebec who recently worked to prevent a migrant detention centre from being built in Laval.

We can offer our support directly to Indigenous activists and keep our eyes open

for where they need us, and we can start noticing that the image Canada presents for itself is in many ways a way to keep people from looking behind the curtain. “It is time to call it as it is,” and time to respond in proportion to reality, thinking about where our loyalties lie and how we can put our skills to urgent use.

marty grande-shebert staff writer

“But the truth is, it really is that bad, and if we don’t personally feel that fear it is likely because of our ability to live separately from it.” - Marty Grande-Sherbert

July 25 - September 5, 2019

Country Thunder: You had one job

carillonregina.com | The Carillon | 17

pixabay

Since becoming editor-in-chief, I have gained a new appreciation for those who sift through thousands of public relations emails and, in contrast, furthered my disdain for awful PR penmanship.

So, when Country Thunder sent me a press release I was remarkably unsurprised to find that their attempt at public relations was, shall we say, tone deficient. Here is the release, in full, though I’m sure they’d prefer it had been released by a right-wing media outlet uninterested in denouncing racism rather than by this left-leaning outfit.

Anything in square brackets is my, ahem, interpretation.

“In response to FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron’s comments earlier this week, Country Thunder Music Festivals are currently reviewing the complaint and comments which appeared in a media release.

[When we saw that folks were calling us racist we just knew we had to double down in this media release.]

As an organization, we strive to always be improving our festival experience, including onstage content, and we take these concerns seriously. [We strive to hide our racists well and get people drunk enough that they don’t remember what was actually said on stage.]

‘We certainly welcome open dialogue and communication,’ says Country Thunder Music Festivals’ General Manager, Kim Blevins. ‘This type of concern is not anything we take lightly.’ [We are open to any opinion as long as it’s ours.]

On behalf of our dozens of staff, contractors, performers and guests of aboriginal descent in Saskatchewan, it needs to be clearly understood that racism of any kind is not tolerated within the Country Thunder Music Festivals family. [Unless they’re hired to make racist jokes, in which case, have at it.]

As artists and entertainers for the past half-century, Williams & Ree have been performing in the Craven Valley since

1983. Terry Ree is of Sioux descent and considers Saskatchewan his second home.

Country Thunder Saskatchewan has had a relationship with the festival hosts for the past 15 years. [We heard our uncles use the, “but we’re one sixteenth Cherokee” defence once, and we think it will work in this incredibly sensitive corporate scenario.]

That said, Country Thunder Music Festivals understands changing times and equally changing climates of political correctness not only in Saskatchewan, but in all Country Thunder host markets. [We’d like to remind our well-paying patrons that our racism is their problem.]

During Country Thunder Saskatchewan 2019, it was our distinct honour to host a nightly on-stage ceremony acknowledging that the Country Thunder Saskatchewan festival site in the Craven Valley is held on the original lands of the Cree, Ojibwe, Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakota and Lakota – the traditional lands of the Treaty 4 territory. The flag ceremonies used traditional Cree and Nakota language, and was very well-received by the Craven audience.

[Look at us, we acknowledged that First Nations people are people, where’s our ally cookie?]

Rather than take anything away from what was an otherwise outstanding weekend which truly saw the people of Saskatchewan come together during rain and shine, Blevins says that this can be the beginning of further expanded relationships with all parties involved. [We need to talk more, and by talk more, we mean you nonwhite people need to agree with us.]

‘Although we have strong indigenous relationships in this province, we would like to restore the balance and develop a deeper understanding of the indigenous perspective,’ she says. ‘As an organization, we have learned much about the cultures and want to continue that education. Now is the time to communicate with our partners and to address these concerns. Our home of Sas-

katchewan is the perfect place to begin this process with all Country Thunder Music Festivals throughout North America.’

[Thank god this happened in Saskatchewan, if it was anywhere else we’d be getting sued, we’d like to go back to our prejudice being behind closed doors rather than out in the open.]”

Oof, okay, a lot to unpack here. Country Thunder’s choice to invoke a heritage-related defence is both inexcusable and unrelentingly stupid. The entire release reads like an apology with a trap door underneath it. The headline for this email should have read, “Sorry not sorry,” at least they would have been being a tad more honest. Also, just because you give a land acknowledgement does not mean that you are let off from any responsibility. It’s obvious that the organizers were/are only interested in lip service.

Look, if I was looking for truth and reconciliation I think I would find neither in abundance at Craven at the best of times, but the least they could do was not be hypocritical and condone racism. In fact, it’s even more frustrating that an organization like Country Thunder would hold themselves up as defenders of Indigenous peoples in their predominantly white space and then turn around and do the opposite. I’ll close with the words of Aren Okamaysi.

The local Indigenous artist’s Facebook response puts the issues at hand better than any white settler ever could.

“So I was at country thunder when the ‘joke’ was made. Here’s the thing: 1) For a joke, it was terribly executed and couldn’t have landed on a flat open field. There was no setup or trump card at play. You’re supposed to ‘punch up’ not down. They broke the rules of comedy. It read like a drunk uncle making a left-field comment in the middle of thanksgiving dinner. (They were both wasted and barely coherent I should add) Absolute cringe.

Even some of the white people around me

had no clue what they were going on about, but they heard the words “drunk Indian” and laughed anyway.

2) This is for the white people: imagine you’re walking alone in North Central in Regina late at night, or Meadow Green in Saskatoon. You probably feel like you’re in danger. Right, so there I am (thankfully with my white girlfriend) walking in the middle of Pil Country, young native guy with a braid, with a bunch of rural Sasky folk in their element; drunk. A good chunk of these people in attendance are Gerald Stanley sympathizers. The guys on the stage make this non-joke and everyone looks at you and some of the few native people, they get that sick sparkle in their eye. (My coloured friends know this look) One wrong move, and I might get lynched on the way back to my car. Very fun sinking guttural feeling. Like you’re surrounded by hungry wolves.

3) This comment by ‘professional comedians’ was encouraging and validating racism to the white audience. Completely unprofessional and wholly lacking of any responsibility.

4) They’re old and washed up. A quick Google search of ‘First Nations comedians in Canada’ should bring up a good list of comedians you should follow. Quality content, and actually funny.”

john loeppky editor-in-chief

The headline for this email should have read, “Sorry not sorry,” at least they would have been being a tad more honest.” - John Leoppky

July 25 - September 5, 2019

op-ed

carillonregina.com | The Carillon | 18

You deserve to be woken up by Amber Alerts

pixabay

Since becoming editor-in-chief, I have gained a new appreciation for those who sift through thousands of public relations emails and, in contrast, furthered my disdain for awful PR penmanship.

So, when Country Thunder sent me a press release I was remarkably unsurprised to find that their attempt at public relations was, shall we say, tone deficient. Here is the release, in full, though I’m sure they’d prefer it had been released by a right-wing media outlet uninterested in denouncing racism rather than by this left-leaning outfit.

Anything in square brackets is my, ahem, interpretation.

“In response to FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron’s comments earlier this week, Country Thunder Music Festivals are currently reviewing the complaint and comments which appeared in a media release.

[When we saw that folks were calling us racist we just knew we had to double down in this media release.]

As an organization, we strive to always be improving our festival experience, including onstage content, and we take these concerns seriously. [We strive to hide our racists well and get people drunk enough that they don’t remember what was actually said on stage.]

‘We certainly welcome open dialogue and communication,’ says Country Thunder Music Festivals’ General Manager, Kim Blevins. ‘This type of concern is not anything we take lightly.’ [We are open to any opinion as long as it’s ours.]

On behalf of our dozens of staff, contractors, performers and guests of aboriginal descent in Saskatchewan, it needs to be clearly understood that racism of any kind is not tolerated within the Country Thunder Music Festivals family. [Unless they’re hired to make racist jokes, in which case, have at it.]

As artists and entertainers for the past

half-century, Williams & Ree have been performing in the Craven Valley since 1983. Terry Ree is of Sioux descent and considers Saskatchewan his second home.

Country Thunder Saskatchewan has had a relationship with the festival hosts for the past 15 years. [We heard our uncles use the, “but we’re one sixteenth Cherokee” defence once, and we think it will work in this incredibly sensitive corporate scenario.]

That said, Country Thunder Music Festivals understands changing times and equally changing climates of political correctness not only in Saskatchewan, but in all Country Thunder host markets. [We’d like to remind our well-paying patrons that our racism is their problem.]

During Country Thunder Saskatchewan 2019, it was our distinct honour to host a nightly on-stage ceremony acknowledging that the Country Thunder Saskatchewan festival site in the Craven Valley is held on the original lands of the Cree, Ojibwe, Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakota and Lakota – the traditional lands of the Treaty 4 territory. The flag ceremonies used traditional Cree and Nakota language, and was very well-received by the Craven audience.

[Look at us, we acknowledged that First Nations people are people, where’s our ally cookie?]

Rather than take anything away from what was an otherwise outstanding weekend which truly saw the people of Saskatchewan come together during rain and shine, Blevins says that this can be the beginning of further expanded relationships with all parties involved. [We need to talk more, and by talk more, we mean you nonwhite people need to agree with us.]

‘Although we have strong indigenous relationships in this province, we would like to restore the balance and develop a deeper understanding of the indigenous perspective,’ she says. ‘As an organization, we have

learned much about the cultures and want to continue that education. Now is the time to communicate with our partners and to address these concerns. Our home of Saskatchewan is the perfect place to begin this process with all Country Thunder Music Festivals throughout North America.’

[Thank god this happened in Saskatchewan, if it was anywhere else we’d be getting sued, we’d like to go back to our prejudice being behind closed doors rather than out in the open.]”

Oof, okay, a lot to unpack here. Country Thunder’s choice to invoke a heritage-related defence is both inexcusable and unrelentingly stupid. The entire release reads like an apology with a trap door underneath it. The headline for this email should have read, “Sorry not sorry,” at least they would have been being a tad more honest. Also, just because you give a land acknowledgement does not mean that you are let off from any responsibility. It’s obvious that the organizers were/are only interested in lip service.

Look, if I was looking for truth and reconciliation I think I would find neither in abundance at Craven at the best of times, but the least they could do was not be hypocritical and condone racism. In fact, it’s even more frustrating that an organization like Country Thunder would hold themselves up as defenders of Indigenous peoples in their predominantly white space and then turn around and do the opposite. I’ll close with the words of Aren Okamaysi.

The local Indigenous artist’s Facebook response puts the issues at hand better than any white settler ever could.

“So I was at country thunder when the ‘joke’ was made. Here’s the thing: 1) For a joke, it was terribly executed and couldn’t have landed on a flat open field. There was no setup or trump card at play. You’re supposed to ‘punch up’ not

down. They broke the rules of comedy. It read like a drunk uncle making a left-field comment in the middle of thanksgiving dinner. (They were both wasted and barely coherent I should add) Absolute cringe.

Even some of the white people around me had no clue what they were going on about, but they heard the words “drunk Indian” and laughed anyway.

2) This is for the white people: imagine you’re walking alone in North Central in Regina late at night, or Meadow Green in Saskatoon. You probably feel like you’re in danger. Right, so there I am (thankfully with my white girlfriend) walking in the middle of Pil Country, young native guy with a braid, with a bunch of rural Sasky folk in their element; drunk. A good chunk of these people in attendance are Gerald Stanley sympathizers. The guys on the stage make this non-joke and everyone looks at you and some of the few native people, they get that sick sparkle in their eye. (My coloured friends know this look) One wrong move, and I might get lynched on the way back to my car. Very fun sinking guttural feeling. Like you’re surrounded by hungry wolves.

3) This comment by ‘professional comedians’ was encouraging and validating racism to the white audience. Completely unprofessional and wholly lacking of any responsibility.

4) They’re old and washed up. A quick Google search of ‘First Nations comedians in Canada’ should bring up a good list of comedians you should follow. Quality content, and actually funny.”

taylor balfour op-ed editor

“I unfortunately believe it also stems from people forgetting how Amber Alerts came to be.” - Taylor Balfour

cartoon

carillonregina.com | The Carillon | 19

Editor: sarah carrier & kate thiessen graphics@carillonregina.com the carillon | July 25 - September 5, 2019

humour

carillonregina.com | The Carillon | 20 Editor: sarah carrier & kate thiessen multimedia@carillonregina.com the carillon | July 25 - September 5, 2019

University administration glad to be bankrolled by international students As tuition continues to rise to levels not seen since, well, ever, the University of Regina has decided to create a totally real (not satirical) marketing campaign thanking international students for bankrolling the university as they bankrupt those who study here.

Their slogan? “Thank fuck you’re here.”

The marketing campaign features a rotating cast of international students handing over their livelihoods (represented by a giant briefcase filled with monopoly money) to Tom Chase as he transfigures it into a misspelled sign and a burning degree.

One campus administrator said that his overly expensive lifestyle would be absolutely impossible without making a degree completely unobtainable from anyone that wasn’t from a Canadian privileged background.

“Oh, without our ESL program shamelessly passing people knowing they are bound to fail, there’s no way I would be able to afford my Mercedes. Because of irresponsible recruiting strategies, I can now complain that the URFA members are paid far too much without a financial care in the world. Oh, the joys of being out of scope.”

With international enrolment continuing to increase, with much-needed representation occurring on the students’ union executive, and with fewer and fewer opportunities being provided to those outside of the establishment, the campus is confident that their lacksidasical attitude will attract even more international students.

One campus community member said that the reason this approach was being taken was because domestic students were already aware of the ruse that is their education.

“We’ve started treating international students as cash cows (except where culturally inappropriate because domestic students remember their parents being screwed over and are resistant to us tak

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ing their money and wasting it on signs.)

With Canadian students, it’s way harder to lie about our reputation, our degrees, or even our residence buildings. Besides, if we’re going to be institutionally racially biased we might as well own it.”

One totally real domestic student contacted for this story said that he was just glad that the backlash against the campaign was distracting everyone from the other ethical issues plaguing the campus.

“If anything, I’m glad that this took the heat off of the engineering students and their faculty. Without this horrible misstep, my degree was six seconds from becoming kindling. I hear that at other iron

ring ceremonies, they’ve started engraving the rings with the words ‘As One Who Serves’ as a constant reminder that the only thing worse than letting a bridge collapse and killing thousands is to be a member of the U of R alumni.”

One international student said that he would have gone somewhere else if he knew how financially punitive going to the University of Regina would be.

“I pay the price of a penthouse for a broom cupboard in residence, I pay thousands more for a degree that my friends and family will laugh at, and now they want to disparage people who look and sound like me with a poster campaign that looks like

it has been designed by a tone deficient administrator in MS Paint.”

The poster has been ranked second-worst in U of R history, right behind the Living by the Lake campaign of housing services.

john leoppky editor-with-beef

“Without our ESL program shamelessly passing people knowing they are bound to fail, there’s no way I would be able to afford my Mercedes.”

– totally real campus administrator