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June 11, 2015
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Your University of Saskatchewan student newspaper since 1912.
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NEWS
Ahead by a century: The legacy of Nan McKay lives on at U of S KEIGHLAGH DONOVAN News Editor
History was made this past week as the 100th anniversary of the first female Aboriginal and Métis graduate, Annie Maude (Nan) McKay, now coincides with the largest Aboriginal graduating class to date from the University of Saskatchewan. The U of S has come a long way since McKay received an entrance scholarship of $200, recently welcoming 363 self-declared Aboriginal graduates into its Alumni Association. The association recognizes a community of approximately 143,000 graduates over the course of its 108 years as an academic institution. This impressive figure now includes the class of 2015, which boasts the second-largest graduating class in U of S history totaling 3,375 students. Candace Wasacase-Lafferty, director of First Nation and Métis engagement at the U of S, recognizes the significance of these accomplishments both for the culture as well as the institution. “As Aboriginal people, I believe we have much to offer the U of S and beyond. We offer a diversity of perspectives and a connection to land and community that adds deep value to the U of S. Universities exist to
create and disseminate knowledge; it is that value that makes me believe that Aboriginal perspectives and Indigenous knowledge can flourish here,” Wasacase-Lafferty said in an email to the Sheaf. McKay’s gender, culture and historical timeliness are not the only reasons to remember and honour her life and legacy. What is perhaps even more remarkable is everything McKay was able to achieve in her time at the university as not only a student but as a faculty member as well. In her first year on campus, McKay served as a staff artist for the Sheaf, which was also in its inaugural year. She was a member of the Students’ Representative Council, which later became the U of S Students’ Union, secretary of the campus YWCA, vice-president of the sorority Pente Kai Deka, as well as secretary of the Literacy Society. McKay graduated in 1915 and became assistant librarian of the University Library until her retirement in 1959. Wasacase-Lafferty speaks to the inspiration that McKay’s legacy invokes in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students alike. “The story of Nan McKay demonstrates that Aboriginal people have been a part of this institution from the very beginning. This serves as great inspiration to our current student body and reminds us all of the power of resiliency and determination, a story we can all value.” Although several notable
accomplishments, awards and accolades were recognized over the four-day convocation, those present were reminded yet again of McKay’s legacy when it was announced that this year’s celebration also marks the greatest number of Aboriginal students to graduate from the U of S’ College of Medicine. McKay played a significant role working as a volunteer nurse during the flu epidemic of 1918. She was later selected to unveil a plaque in commemoration of the students who died in the epidemic. “Upon reading her biography, I was deeply impressed by her level of campus community involvement. She was a true citizen of the university and it further demonstrates that we all have a role to play in the culture of the university,” Wasacase-Lafferty said. Wasacase-Lafferty is currently focused on the development of the Gordon Oakes-Red Bear Student Centre, which will play a key role in making
the U of S the predominant Canadian medical-doctoral university in Aboriginal education. As the U of S continues to take steps toward becoming the “university-of-choice for Aboriginal students in Canada,” Wasacase-Lafferty acknowledges the importance of student stories, both past and present. “I love talking to alumni who speak to the challenges they faced and the important issues of their day. It is then when we can see progress. It is important to challenge but also to appreciate our roles in the culture we create.” Although McKay cannot be
McKay Family Fonds / University Archives & Special Collections
Nan McKay / University Archives & Special Collections Pen on paper skecth by Nan McKay, provided by the U of S Archives.
Photography Editor: Caitlin Taylor, photo@thesheaf.com
Copy Editor: Larissa Kurz, copy@thesheaf.com
Graphics Editor: Jeremy Britz, graphics@thesheaf.com
Web Editor: Nicholas Kindrachuk, web@thesheaf.com
Editor-in-Chief: Naomi Zurevinski, editor@thesheaf.com
Culture Editor: Chelsea Powrie, culture@thesheaf.com
Outreach Director: Blaire Johnson, outreach@thesheaf.com
Production Manager: Stephanie Mah, layout@thesheaf.com
Sports Editor: Austin Arvay, sports@thesheaf.com
Staff Writer: Emily Klatt, staffwriter@thesheaf.com
News Editor: Keighlagh Donovan, news@thesheaf.com
Opinions Editor: Zach Tennent, opinions@thesheaf.com
Ad & Business Manager: Shantelle Hrytsak, ads@thesheaf.com
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Board of Directors: Paul Hansen, Anna-Lilja Dawson, Katherine Fedoroff, Tab Rahman, Madison Taylor, Liam Richards Cover Graphic: Jeremy Britz Advertising 306.966.8688 Editorial 306.966.8689
The Sheaf is a non-profit, incorporated and student-body funded partially by way of a direct levy paid by all part- and full-time undergraduate students at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S). The remainder of the revenue is generated through advertising. The financial affairs are governed by a Board of Directors, all of whom are students. Membership in the Society is open to undergraduate students at the U of S who are encouraged to contribute to the newspaper. Opinions expressed in the Sheaf do not necessarily reflect those of the Sheaf Publishing Society Inc. The Sheaf reserves the right to refuse to accept or print any material deemed unfit for publication, as determined by the Editor-in-Chief. The Editor-in-Chief has the right to veto any submission deemed unfit for the Society newspaper. In determining this, he/she will decide if the article or artwork would be of interest to a significant portion of the Society and benefit the welfare of Sheaf readers. The Sheaf will not publish any racist, sexist, homophobic or libelous material. The Sheaf is published weekly during the academic year and monthly from May through August.
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here to tell us her story today, Wasacase-Lafferty reinforces its relevance and encourages students to imagine the significance of McKay’s role in both university and cultural history. “It is difficult to tell what struggles she might have encountered. One can imagine that it must not have been an easy path to take. It would have been unusual for any woman, and especially Aboriginal women, to be in higher education at that time. Nan McKay’s story is one of commitment and contribution and it is as remarkable today as it was 100 years ago.”
The mission of the Sheaf is to inform and entertain students by addressing those issues that are relevant to life on campus, in the city, or in the province. The newspaper is also meant to be a forum for discussion on a wide range of issues that concern students. Written for students by students, most of the staff (editors, photographers, artists) are student-journalists. With this composition, the Sheaf tries to stay in touch with students on the U of S campus. It offers unique insight to university issues through a student perspective. @thesheaf1912 /thesheaf1912 @thesheaf1912
If you would like to contribute to the Sheaf, email editor@thesheaf.com for more information.
corrections There were no errors brought to our attention in our last issue. If you spot any errors in this issue, please email them to: copy@thesheaf.com
june 11, 2015
NEWS
U of S expands Indigenous language options EMILY KLATT Staff Writer
For the first time in history, students at the University of Saskatchewan will be able to obtain certificates in Indigenous languages beginning in the fall of 2015. This development is a collaboration between the College of Education and the College of Arts and Science, and signals a commitment to preserving and promoting First Nations, Métis and Inuit culture at the U of S. A formal memorandum of understanding has been signed between the colleges, each offering its own unique learning opportunities. The College of Education will offer an Indigenous language certificate starting in September. As a two-year 10-course program, the Indigenous language certificate will prepare students to teach Indigenous languages in a variety of environments. Chris Scribe, coordinator of the Indian Teacher Education
Program and First Nations, Métis and Inuit programming at the College of Education, speaks to the goals and impact of this addition. “The aim of the ILC is to provide teachers with the methodology, confidence and oral fluency of Indigenous languages specific to our traditional territories in which we live. There is no better place to revitalize language than in the classroom with our youth,” Scribe said. Scribe also acknowledges the significance that the program holds for cultural preservation. “We also hope to halt the loss of Indigenous languages throughout the province by facilitating the connection between language speakers and those wanting to learn. The college is honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to this work.” The program offered through the College of Education will initially focus on Cree, with Michif and other Indigenous languages to be offered in the future. Enrollment will be open to current education students and postgraduate students who majored in either education or Indigenous studies. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Edu-
cation also fully recognizes the program as a special qualification for teachers. “This language certificate is a trailblazer for methodological and pedagogical Indigenous language revitalization. Our university is not only encouraging the revitalization of Indigenous languages; we are celebrating and honouring it with the recognition it deserves,” Scribe said. The College of Arts and Science is working towards offering its own certificate of proficiency in Cree language as well. While the certificate is still in development, the program aims to be a five to 10-course certificate that can be taken separately or alongside any undergraduate degree at the U of S. Between these two programs, Scribe believes that the U of S has strengthened its commitment to preserving Indigenous culture. “Language is the heartbeat of Indigenous culture. It is the connection to the Indigenous knowledge, traditional territories and Indigenous ways of knowing,” Scribe said. This connection to the past is an integral part of the In-
digenous language certificate program. “The literal Cree translation for the word school [kiskinwahamâtowikamik] is ‘place where we go to cry.’ It was so named because of the cultural genocide imposed on Indigenous people through the residential school era,” Scribe said. Moreover, he insists that learning can also be a tool for healing and remembrance.
“An elder gave some very wise words in regards to the influence of schools on Indigenous culture: he said, ‘Yes it is true that [residential] schools were responsible for the assault on our languages; however, if schools can do that much damage to us as a people, they also have the ability to bring it back and revitalize it.’ Powerful words and the guiding hope behind our language certificate,” Scribe said.
Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor
U of S Wind Orchestra to perform at international conference KEIGHLAGH DONOVAN News Editor
The University of Saskatchewan Wind Orchestra is the only Canadian collegiate invited to perform among elite musicians from Israel, Germany, Japan and the United States at a prestigious international conference in San Jose, California. According to the official event website, the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles is the only international organization of its kind completely dedicated to enhancing the quality of the wind band throughout the world. WASBE exposes its members to new worlds of repertoire, musical culture, people and places. This will be the 16th instance of the international conference and the third time that the USWO is invited to not only attend but also perform three times over the course of July 1320. Darrin Oehlerking, director of june 11, 2015
bands and assistant professor of music at the U of S, conducts the USWO and teaches courses in conducting, wind literature and music education. “[This] is a really prestigious event with band conductors, scholars, enthusiasts of the highest caliber from all over the world coming to this conference every time that it is staged and I think that it is very telling of the university band legacy,” Oehlerking said. Although the ensemble is open to any student on campus, Oehlerking has the final say when it comes to auditions and insists that it is a pretty select group. An amalgamation of both music majors and various other majors, the orchestra is made up of representation from several different colleges and schools around the university including students from business, education, kinesiology and engineering. The band consists entirely of undergraduate students, which Oehlerking says is unusual for a band of this caliber. “Some of the bigger university programs will have masters and even doctoral students that are learning a specific instru-
ment or a specific study, so they have a lot more experience and a lot more intense performing experience potentially than some of our undergrads; so for an entirely undergraduate ensemble to be invited to a conference like this is pretty significant.” Through various fundraising efforts, the USWO has already secured one-third of their estimated $100,000 in trip expenses. “The running total right now is probably $30,000 to $35,000, so for a trip like this that is really significant to a university student obviously,” Oehlerking said. Phillip Hobson, 2015 WASBE conference coordinator, provided a breakdown of performer demographics in an email interview with the Sheaf. “There are 17 performing groups for the 2015 WASBE San Jose Conference. Among the 17 ensembles are six university groups. We do have a group from Israel and a group from Japan that have a mix of high school and college age musicians.” According to Hobson, the USWO will be playing a signif-
icant role in this year’s conference. “U of S is a welcome addition to the conference. They are one of three Canadian performing groups. In addition to their conference performance, they will also be a demonstration group for new repertoire and they will be performing at the beautiful Castello di Amarosa in the Napa Valley.” Oehlerking expects a high commitment level from band members, since they are responsible for performing challenging repertoires, and commends their ability to balance this extra responsibility with their already hectic academic schedules. “A conference like this is completely an extracurricular
activity, there is no extra credit, no curricular recognition; this is purely for the love of music and for the passion of being in the ensemble.” As the band counts down the last days leading up to the July conference, Oehlerking acknowledges the significance of this opportunity. “It is an honour for us to represent the department, more importantly to represent the university, to represent the province and to take this internationally-recognized talent, which is what these students are; to take them down to this conference and be a part of it is really special so we are very excited to represent everybody as best as we can down there.”
Erin Francais / Finelite Photogaphy and Design The U of S Wind Orchestra looks forward to the international conference.
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SPORTS
Huskies basketball adds two recruits AUSTIN ARVAY Sports Editor
After back-to-back trips to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Final 8, the Huskies bolstered the future of their program with the additions of guard Chan De Ciman and forward Devin Wittow. Wittow, a Leduc, Alta. product, stands at 6-7 and his size will be an immediate help to the Huskies. He spent this past season playing for the Leduc Composite High School Tigers where he led them to a second place finish at the Alberta 3A provincial championships. He has also spent time playing with Team Alberta and the Swoosh D1 Elite team that travelled to tournaments across North America. Wittow is excited to commit to the University of Saskatchewan. “I look forward to playing at the next level, it's something I've been working towards since I first picked up a basketball,” he told Huskie Athletics. “The Huskie program
has a history of success with great coaching staff and facilities. When I came to visit, I immediately felt welcome and very comfortable. The university has great academics and overall, it seems like a perfect fit for me.” Head coach Barry Rawlyk was also thrilled to sign Wittow to the Huskies program. “We are really excited to sign a high quality student-athlete like Devin,” he said to Huskie Athletics. “He has demonstrated an enduring work ethic throughout his high school career, and that will serve him very well in reaching his full potential as a student and as a basketball player at the CIS level. On his visit to the U of S, he immediately fit with our players and we feel that his strong character will be a great addition to our program. As he physically matures and adjusts to the speed of the CIS level, we feel he will become a major contributor to our team.” It will be a homecoming of sorts for the future Huskie, as Wittow was born in Saskatoon before his family moved west in 2007. Returning to Saskatoon is something he is looking forward to.
“It’s going to be great to be around a group of guys that are all dedicated and focused on basketball. I’m simply excited to come back to my birthplace.” The more decorated of the two recruits is De Ciman and with the graduation of guards Ben Baker, Dadrian Collins and Andrew Henry, he could log some minutes this season. The 6-2 point guard finished up his high school career with the Regina LeBoldus Golden Suns by capturing a third straight Saskatchewan 5A provincial title. Not done there, De Ciman also helped the football team to three straight provincial championships as quarterback. Rawlyk was very pleased with the signing of De Ciman. “We are thrilled that Chan has selected the University of Saskatchewan to continue his education. He is an exceptional student, a young man of outstanding character and an elite level athlete. We are expecting that he will immediately make a significantly positive impact in the classroom, in the community and on the court,” Rawlyk told Huskie Athletics. De Ciman will be enrolled
in the College of Engineering for the 2015-16 academic year and is up to the task of the hectic student-athlete life. “I am really excited and am already looking forward to next fall,” said De Ciman to Huskies Athletics. “There is a really good group of players and coaches in the locker room here. Being in Saskatoon gives me the opportunity to learn to live on my own, while still having my family close enough to watch me play. I look forward to the challenge of balancing my academics with the challenges of CIS basketball.” De Ciman’s older brother, Joe, is currently attending
Colorado State University to play basketball for the Rams, so he definitely has the pedigree to be a great player for the Huskies. Rawlyk knows that too and is very impressed with him. “We became very familiar with Chan’s family and close circle of family friends throughout the recruitment process, and are very impressed with the solid background and character formation Chan has been surrounded by in his upbringing,” Rawlyk said. “We know we are welcoming a young man into our community who will be a cornerstone of our program for the next five years.”
Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor
Roughriders return to U of S for annual training camp AUSTIN ARVAY Sports Editor
With the CFL regular season approaching its opening weekend on June 25, the Saskatchewan Roughriders took to the field at Griffiths Stadium at PotashCorp Park for their training camp. This will be the third season in a row that the Riders will use the University of Saskatchewan campus as host for their annual training camp, which also includes a day trip to Prince Albert for practicing. The Riders’ general manager Brendan Taman told 650 CKOM that 2014’s training camp was a “really good experience and the guys really enjoyed it.” While the contract between the two parties is up after this year, we can expect to see plenty more of the green and white at Griffiths Stadium in the future. Last season started with promise before crashing down when Darian Durant was forced to miss the final nine games with an injured throwing elbow. The Riders have made
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plenty of moves this off-season in attempt to get back on top. Some of those acquisitions include former all-star defensive lineman Alex Hall, former Outstanding Defensive Player Shea Emry and top draft pick Nic Demski, all making their debuts in the green and white. The addition of the former University of Manitoba Bisons receiver Demski should help reignite a passing attack that struggled mightily last season — ranking dead last in yards per game, averaging a mere 196 per contest. His former coach Brian Dobie had high praise for him and told The StarPhoenix he is “a bull in a china shop” and said he is “explosive with great hands.” Demski was thrilled being picked sixth overall, but was well aware that the work was far from done. “I can only cherish the moment for so long,” he told The StarPhoenix. “The work is hard out there. The playbook’s hard. The play-type is hard. I’ve got to adjust to that. There’s a lot of work to get to where I want
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to be, and that’s what is in my mind’s eye right now.” The defence saw some major changes this off-season with the departure of longtime defensive coordinator Richie Hall and fan favourite Rickey Foley, who tallied 12 sacks last season. Greg Quick will replace Hall as head of the defence and he will have some great players to work with and develop schemes around. Personnel wise, the two-time all-star Hall will be counted on to produce in Foley’s spot in the lineup as he was a workhorse over the past two years in Saskatchewan. The addition of Emry makes for a scary combination with safety Tyron Brackenridge, as both love to hit and make plays all over the field. With John Chick, Tearrius George, Weldon Brown and Mark LeGree all still in charge of stopping opposing offences, plus the new additions, it could be a very talented group for the Roughriders in 2015. Even with all the changes, the team will still live and die with their unquestioned leader, Darian Durant. “Double D” has worked hard to rehab his right
elbow all winter and will no doubt be ready come opening kickoff. “The elbow has been holding up fine and I’ve been confident in it the whole time,” Durant told The StarPhoenix. “The rehab went well. The strength is there and everything went fine.” With 90 players currently sitting on the roster, approximately 35 of them will be let go be-
fore the start of the season rolls around. In fact, only 65 of the 90 will even make the trip to Fort McMurray, where the Roughriders will take on the Edmonton Eskimos in game one of the preseason on Saturday, June 13. You can catch all the Riders preseason action on TSN as they prepare for the start of the 2015 season. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on June 27.
Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor Rookie receiver Nic Demski (above) is hoping to have a big year with the Riders.
june 11, 2015
CULTURE
Saskatoon Pride celebrates community diversity CHELSEA POWRIE
Culture Editor Claire Marsh's experience in her summer student position with OUTSaskatoon is about to reach a high point during Saskatoon Pride 2015. OUTSaskatoon, previously known as the Avenue Community Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity, provides social events, education, counselling services and a wealth of other programs to people of all sexual orientations and genders. Their goal is to create a community free of bias and phobia for the betterment of society in general. Marsh, a fourth-year English student at the University of Saskatchewan, heard about OUTSaskatoon during a women's and gender studies class she took in 2014-15. “My professor for the class was Rachel Loewen Walker, the executive director of OUTSaskatoon,” Marsh said in an email to the Sheaf. “I was ea-
ger to continue my education about queer issues by joining her team.” OUTSaskatoon hired Marsh as the summer student events assistant for May to August of 2015. She has been involved in organizing the Pride events that OUTSaskatoon is contributing to during the week of festivities and is looking forward to seeing that work come to fruition. Marsh helped to organize OUTSaskatoon's annual event Welcome to the Gaybourhood, a free BBQ and community fair that takes place during Pride week. “It’s a great way of connecting people to really positive and helpful services in the city,” Marsh said. There will be a variety of events throughout the week but the Pride Parade and community fair on June 13 is one thing Marsh mentioned not to miss. “It’s so uplifting seeing all of the diversity in the queer community as well as the support from allies. It’s always such a uniting experience and a real testament to how far society has come and where
society is heading.” Saskatoon held its first Pride Festival in the summer of 2001 and the event has grown ever since. Pride week includes a lengthy list of contributors from across the city, with even City Hall getting into the spirit through the raising of a rainbow flag in an official city ceremony open to the public. Organizations like OUTSaskatoon contribute events throughout the week under the coordination of the Saskatoon Diversity Network (SDN), which is ultimately responsible for the festival. “They do an amazing job of pulling such an action-packed week together,” Marsh said. SDN stresses that Pride is an inclusive event for people
of all “races, cultures, ages, sizes, abilities, sexes, genders, orientations, relationships, economic groups and affiliations,” a goal that harmonizes with OUTSaskatoon. OUTSaskatoon holds annual events such as the AIDS Walk for Life in September, the Pink Revolution anti-bullying week in April and a queer arts festival in February. The events calendar posted on their website is chock full, so it is always easy to get involved. “After getting to know more about all of the services provided by the centre and getting to meet the many diverse members of the community, I’ve been reassured that I chose the best possible place to spend my summer,” Marsh said.
Working for OUTSaskatoon has also helped Marsh solidify her career goals. “I want to apply to the College of Law and continue my work and education in a social field.” Marsh said. During the year, Marsh spent some time at the drop-in area of the U of S Students' Union Pride Centre. She describes the centre as a “very comforting and positive presence on campus” and hopes to enroll in further women's and gender studies classes in the future. Saskatoon Pride week is happening from June 7-14. For more information and to see a list of events visit saskatoonpride.ca. More information on OUTSaskatoon is available at outsaskatoon.ca.
Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor
Fresh fruits with an adult twist are perfect for any summer soiree CHELSEA POWRIE Culture Editor
Summertime is synonymous with cold drinks and great friends, but if you're tired of the same old cheap beers and discount coolers there are plenty of fun options for the adventurous host. When it’s hot, there's nothing better than the natural sweetness of some fresh fruit. I experimented with three feisty fruit recipes that pack a punch beyond vitamin C and are sure to be a hit with any party guest. First, a simple classic — the vodka watermelon. It doesn't get more fool-proof than this: ingredients include a bottle of vodka and a watermelon. The trickiest part of this recipe is cutting the hole in the rind. Ideally, it will just fit the circumference of your bottle's spout and you'll be able to upend the bottle and leave it sticking up from the top of your melon. Gravity does all the work after that. I refrigerated my duo, because summertime treats are best served cold, and left it alone for roughly 45 minutes. Then, slice up the watermeljune 11, 2015
on for finger food with a bite or cube the melon and pop it into a blender with some crushed ice for a slushy sip. Being on a student budget, my taste in vodkas runs toward the cheap and famously unsavory side. However, the subtle sweetness of the watermelon was enough to cut that away. Next up were tequila pineapple skewers, a recipe I spied in a Food Network magazine. I bought a pineapple, some limes, wooden skewers, chili powder, salt and tequila. Learning to properly cut the pineapple into appealing, skewer-sized cubes required some YouTube research. The cubes went into a re-purposed bread pan covered in tequila and chilled in the fridge for an hour. Then, in the name of recycling, I drained the pineapple slices while saving the excess tequila for later usage. I dipped one side of each into a mix of chili powder and salt and put three or four on each skewer with a wedge of lime as a bookend. It looked satisfyingly professional. After I was done admiring the esthetics of my creation, I ate my first chunk. The chili powder and salt combo pro-
vided a great kick of spice to counter the sweetness of the pineapple. The tequila was also a strong presence — perhaps too strong, which could be remedied by a shorter soaking time. I tried following one piece with a bite of lime and that helped. These cubes took more time to prepare than the watermelon but looked and tasted more impressive in the end. The final drunken fruit I attempted was chocolate-covered alcohol-infused strawberries — a much more elaborate recipe than the previous two. One essential piece of equipment is a syringe or a marinade injector, which the average student may not have. If you do though, you're in for a treat. You can be creative in your choice of liquor — I paired pink champagne with my large ripe strawberries and a package of white chocolate chips. My first few strawberries overflowed with liquor as I injected them but I learned to go slowly. Then, they went into the freezer to chill while I melted the chocolate. This is the trickiest part, as chocolate burns easily and congeals unappealingly. I placed the chips into a
glass bowl and rested it in my saucepan containing water at a simmering boil. Double boilers also work if you have one. The steam slowly melted the chocolate and I stirred constantly to eradicate lumps. After the chocolate melted, I set up a sheet of aluminium over a cookie sheet and rested the dipped berries on it as I worked. Then I put the whole thing in the fridge to harden for half an hour. The result was delicious!
The pink champagne worked wonderfully with the other flavors. Given the sweetness of white chocolate, it was almost too much and I may try it with milk or dark chocolate instead. Still, they were an indulgent delicacy with a classy feel. Entertaining on a student budget can sometimes feel repetitive and routine. These recipes were fun to try, and would be a unique addition to any summertime party without having to break the bank.
Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor
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OPINIONS
It’s time to talk about tampons, taxes and taboo MACKENZIE PARADZIK Feminine hygiene products are vital when it comes to dealing with periods and a lack of access to them can be detrimental. Until recently, tampons and other feminine hygiene products were considered non-essential, contributing to the stigma that surrounds menstruation. As of July 1, 2015, Canada’s federal government will be removing the GST from feminine hygiene products including tampons, pads, menstrual cups, sanitary wipes and other menstrual products. Thanks to a petition on change.org with over 74,000 signatures from people across Canada, the movement was pushed forward at an ever-escalated rate. While it’s no surprise to anyone, the topic of menstrual cycles and natural bodily functions remains relatively undiscussed, as people tend to become uncomfortable with just the mention of a period. Our society is quick to sell
the female body like some sort of mass-produced commodity. While over-sexualized and objectified women grace the covers of magazines, ads, movie posters and more, people are still weird about periods. While this everyday objectification barely phases the masses, the mere mention of someone bleeding from shedding the lining of their uterus freaks people out. Something that happens to over half the adult population of the world is seen as abnormal and even an inappropriate topic to bring up in discussion. The society we live in continues to stigmatize something that is a completely natural and fundamental function. While menstruation is a basic part of bodily functions, we are often made to feel ashamed and embarrassed about it. From a young age, we are taught that it’s not an open subject to discuss. Why else would we find the most obscure places to hide our tampons so that no one will see them as we scurry off to
the bathroom to change it, or shy away from acknowledging the fact that we have our period at all? The result of charging GST on feminine hygiene products is gendered taxation. One half of the population should not have to pay a tax on a product that the other half doesn’t even have to worry about purchasing. A woman will spend upwards of $1000 on these products during the average 37 years she menstruates. By taxing these products, the government makes money off of a bodily function that occurs completely naturally. Gendered taxation in Canada is discriminatory as people all over the country are forced to purchase these products at a taxation rate of 5 per cent GST in addition to other sales taxes. Why should women alone be charged for something that they have no control over? Menstrual products are a crucial part of living a healthy life. This kind of taxation works to disadvantage women on a financial level and worsens
the situations of many women when factors such as race, sexuality and class are considered, as they must be. There are many people who have a difficult time accessing these products, due largely to the fact that they are so expensive and not always considered a necessity. Feminine hygiene products can be taken for granted when they are easily available to you on your weekly grocery run, but many are not so lucky. A group that stands out in their progressive stance on this issue is the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union Women’s Centre, which provides free menstrual products in their office in the Memorial Union Building for any-
one in need. The centre also hosts a Menstrual Drive, where people can donate different menstrual products — preferably reusable ones like diva cups or cloth pads, which are also good for the environment! These menstrual products are then donated to the Saskatoon Food Bank in order to provide feminine hygiene for those who need it. While those of us with periods could take a stand and just let it flow to demonstrate our need for these products, I think it’s safe to say that it would be easier and a little less messy if we all came to our senses and acknowledged the bias in taxing gendered products. Next step — free tampons?
Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor
Bringing Saskatoon’s sprawl to a crawl ZACH TENNENT
Opinions Editor Saskatoon is going through a period of major growth and expansion. That said, the trajectory of our expansion is misdirected and threatens to cause the city more harm than good. The last decade has seen a population boom in Saskatoon and mass migration into many burgeoning and newly constructed residential neighborhoods — from Stonebridge to Blairmore to Willowgrove and others. At first glance, this kind of expansion makes perfect sense; it seems necessary to accommodate Saskatoon’s rapidly growing population. Yet, the truth is more disheartening: the nature of our expansion is unsustainable and highly irresponsible in the long run. Lindsay Herman, a fourthyear regional and urban planning major and former president of the Planning Students’ Association at the University of Saskatchewan, feels that
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Saskatoon’s current rate of growth is unhealthy. “Urban sprawl, at least as we know it today, is inherently at odds with the concept of sustainability,” Herman said in an email interview with the Sheaf. The other side of Saskatoon’s mass expansion is the unpopular truth that the older areas of Saskatoon are either being neglected or forgotten as a result. According to the City of Saskatoon website, the mandate for city planners involves “planning for new neighborhoods” and “revitalizing existing communities.” It doesn’t take much consideration to realize that they’re missing the mark on the latter. Multi-hour power outages in the summer and bursting water pipes in the winter are annual problems in the city’s older neighborhoods. This summer, the University Bridge is closed for extensive repairs after the concrete was found to be “susceptible to rapid failure and loss of strength.” Most recently, in mid-May of this year the city issued evacuation alerts to multiple homes in the Nutana area over the immediate threat posed by the ever-shifting riverbank. All of these issues come to mind without even
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mentioning our roads. Very simply, a number of our older neighborhoods are in need of extensive revitalization and repair and they aren’t receiving it. “The demands of growth are pushing many resources into the creation of new residential areas, but if Saskatoon wants to encourage the type of growth that will allow us to thrive in the future, this money needs to be directed at improving the core parts of the city considerably more than we have seen over the past several years,” Herman said. Making matters worse, the true costs of our previous expansion are only beginning to emerge. “As we continue to stretch our city outwards, the cost of maintaining these newer areas is beginning to show itself, often at the expense of core-neighborhood residents.” Of course, Saskatoon cannot reach the goals outlined under the Growth Plan to Half a Million initiative in the upcoming decades without at least some territorial expansion. Dr. Jill A.E. Gunn, an assistant professor at the U of S in geography and plannig suggests that growth within reason is not inherently problematic.
“Some suburban expansion is acceptable if it is done in a measured, thoughtful and progressive fashion, making full use of the principles of good urban design,” Gunn said in an email interview with the Sheaf. “At the same time, it is always important to maintain equal focus on revitalizing and retrofitting older areas of the city.” With all this in mind, it becomes apparent that while a minor degree of expansion is currently necessary for the city, a heavier focus is still needed both in preserving Saskatoon’s core neighborhoods and in persuading residents to live in them. “Investing in existing denser neighborhoods and providing a high quality environ-
ment through parks, access to essential services and affordable units has the potential to increase the appeal of these core areas,” Herman said. “If Saskatoon wants to sell core neighbourhood living to new residents, these areas need to be well kept for both new and existing home owners/ renters.” While the development of Saskatoon is exciting, we’re going about it the wrong way. We can have the urban without the current degree of sprawl. We can also support a population boom without neglecting the city’s older neighborhoods. As Saskatoon seems to be looking outward, the answer to our problems may be inwards.
Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor
june 11, 2015
DISTRACTIONS photo of the week
campus chat
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Who’s your fantasy convocation guest speaker?
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Barack Obama.
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friday
Naomi Zurevinski
Lisa Kudrow. Anahita Safarishahrbijari
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Monday, June 22, 7 pm
Speaking & Signing The Carbon Bubble
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upcoming events • Live in Colour Art & Fashion Show at the Hilton Garden Inn • Braids with economics at Amigos • The Marwills at the Capitol Music Club • 36? with Twin Voices and Catholic Girls at Vangelis
• Pride Festival mainstage, community fair and beer gardens at Kiwanis Park North • Pride Kick-Off Party at Diva’s Nightclub • Anderson Burko at Bassment • Teenage Bottlerocket, The Copyrights and Honest Friends at Amigos
• 15th Anniversary Pride Parade with the USSU Pride Centre official Pride Parade walking group (meeting at Victoria Park) • PULSE Official Pride Party at 302 Lounge & Discotheque • Saskatoon Blitz: Comic and Geek Culture Convention at Prairieland Park
• Pride Detox Pool Party at the Hilton Garden Inn • Danny Michel at Village Guitar & Amp Co. • Needs with Brass at Amigos
sunday
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• Leah and Harrison at Bon Temps Cafe • U of S Employee Picnic for staff and faculty in the Bowl (open to students)
tuesday
• Ghostkeeper with Chairs and guests at Vangelis • Brian Mcareavey with guests at the Capitol Music Club
wednesday
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E H T P U N R U T O!
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Pride Parade
June 13, 2015 @ 1pm
Meet at Victoria Park by the Farmers’ Market to walk with the USSU Pride Centre.
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june 11, 2015