February 1, 2018

FEBRUARY 01, 2018

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YOUR UNI VE R S I T Y O F SAS K ATC H E WA N ST UDE NT NE WS PA P E R S I N C E 1 9 1 2

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The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis.

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A women’s march for all?

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Huskies start conversation Hot wings at with Bell Let’s Talk Louis’ Pub

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Reflecting on Wall’s retirement

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IS THE U OF S TOO LEFT-WING? page 10

ARE YOU READY? CORNER OF AVE B + 22ND 306.244.7813 (IN THE HEART OF RIVERSDALE)

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the sheaf

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Jessica Klaassen-Wright

editor@thesheaf.com NEWS EDITOR

CULTURE EDITOR

Nykole King

Tanner Bayne

news@thesheaf.com

culture@thesheaf.com

SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR

OPINIONS EDITOR

Emily Migchels

Jack Thompson

opinions@thesheaf.com

sportshealth@thesheaf.com

STAFF WRITER

Lyndsay Afseth staffwriter@thesheaf.com COPY EDITOR

| Amanda Slinger

copy@thesheaf.com LAYOUT MANAGER

| Laura Underwood

layout@thesheaf.com PHOTO EDITOR

| J.C. Balicanta Narag

photo@thesheaf.com GRAPHICS EDITOR

| Lesia Karalash

graphics@thesheaf.com WEB EDITOR

| Jeremy Britz

web@thesheaf.com OUTREACH DIRECTOR

| Victoria Becker

outreach@thesheaf.com AD & BUSINESS MANAGER

| Shantelle Hrytsak

ads@thesheaf.com

Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor

Advocate for northern alcohol reduction visits campus Indigenous lawyer and author Harold Johnson visits the U of S to speak about alcohol misuse.

COVER IMAGE

Lesia Karalash BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kyra Mazer Emily Klatt Hasith Andrahennadi Momo Tanaka Katherine Fedoroff Liam Richards

SAM CAMPLING ADVERTISING (306) 966 8688 EDITORIAL (306) 966 8689

Mission // 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 serves as a forum for discussion on a wide range of issues that concern students. Written for students, by students, it provides unique insight into university issues through a student perspective. The staff of editors, photographers and artists collaborate with volunteers as student journalists to create a product relevant to students on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

Legal // The Sheaf, published weekly during the academic year and periodically from May through August, is an incorporated non-profit that is, in part, student-body funded by way of a direct levy paid by all partand full-time undergraduate students at the U of S. The remainder of the revenue is generated through advertising. The financial affairs are governed by a Board of Directors, most of whom are students. Membership in the Sheaf Publishing Society is open to all undergraduate students at the U of S, who are encouraged to contribute to the newspaper. Absolutely no experience is required!

The 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, the Editor-in-Chief 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 libellous material.

Land Acknowledgement // The Sheaf acknowledges that our office is built on Treaty Six Territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and affirm both the importance of our relationship with Indigenous peoples and students at the U of S and our commitment to recognize and remain accountable for our collective history.

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

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On Jan. 23, the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre hosted Changing the Story: A talk by Harold R. Johnson. The talk focused on alcohol abuse in northern Saskatchewan, where Harold Johnson is from, with an emphasis on the effects of alcohol in Indigenous communities.

Johnson, an alumnus of the University of Saskatchewan, is now a retired crown prosecutor and the author of the national bestseller Firewater. He is determined to change the story of substance abuse in both his home region and the rest of Canada.

During the talk, Johnson noted that, over the course of his career as a lawyer, approximately 95 per cent of the people in court committed their offences while they were intoxicated, leading Johnson to refer to the incidents as “drunken mistakes.”

He also noted that it is was unusual for these individuals to return to court for committing additional offences, as the first instance was often out of character for them.

Regan Ratt-Misponas, a third-year Indigenous studies student, explains how the talk was necessary to address the challenges of substance abuse, an issue he believes is present not only in northern communities but also on campus.

“It’s something you do see up there, but you see it all over. You see it here in the city as well, on campus. Some would make the argument that there’s a culture of alcohol here on campus,” Ratt-Misponas said.

Johnson explained to the audience that, during his years as a prosecutor, the justice system did not help people who suffer from substance-abuse problems. He now works to engage younger generations in a dialogue on substance abuse before they enter the workforce. Johnson says that, by doing this, he is starting the conversation, but he hopes that the people he talks to will continue the conversation and carry on his work.

Indiana Best, a first-year master’s student in public health, explains that there is an urgency to continue this discourse on the topics of alcohol use and alcoholism.

“The current system is not working. It’s not working to send people to jail,” Best said. “There needs to be a shift in all of society’s way of thinking on how we treat people of society.”

Best also discusses how Johnson’s talk inspired her to continue pursuing education in order to better her community.

“I thought it was really inspirational — just to see where he’s gone in his education and also just [his] motivation for trying to make his community better,” Best said. “It’s something I hope I can do.”

Along with engaging young people in conversation, Johnson and two of his colleagues have worked to find solutions to alcoholism by creating the Northern Alcohol Strategy, a committee that focuses on reducing alcohol abuse within northern communities.

The NAS has already started a conversation on the impacts of alcoholism, and Graeme Joseph, team leader of First Nations, Métis and Inuit student success at the Aboriginal Students’ Centre, sees the importance of continuing this conversation at the U of S with the support of the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre.

“University is a place of ideas — bringing people [together] to talk about them, to better understand them [and] to look for potential solutions,” Joseph said. “What we, the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Centre, want to do is just provide that opportunity.”

Justin Knight, a third-year psychology student, explains that he was interested in this talk, because he wants to pursue a career that focuses on addressing the core issues relating to addictions.

“As a future psychologist, I want to work in the addictions field and look at healing [the] underlying issues that exist once the drugs and alcohol are removed,” Knight said. “I believe those are at the heart of addiction.”

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NEWS

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U of S Biology Club supports SPCA with BioScan The triennial BioScan event returns, offering students volunteer and charitable opportunities.

Protective Services Briefs* Shoplifting in Place Riel: A male subject was caught stealing from the Mac’s Convenience Store in Lower Place Riel on Dec. 12.

The theft was verified by surveillance footage, and all information was relayed to the Saskatoon Police Service for action.

Stolen vehicle: On Dec. 13, members of Protective Services were surprised to witness a vehicle leaving Aird Street and Cumberland Avenue South at high speed. The vehicle accelerated toward College Drive, where it drove on the grass by the Stadium Parkade and then left, westbound on the wrong side of the road. Officers called off their pursuit and contacted the Saskatoon Police Service, who stated they had been tracking the vehicle all night, as it had been stolen. No one on campus was injured.

Power breakers shut off: Sometime on Dec. 16, two males were suspected of shutting off all of the breakers near Moose Lounge in Saskatchewan Hall. Although images of the suspects were caught on surveillance footage, anyone with information should contact Protective Services.

University of Saskatchewan Biology Club / Supplied BioScan will feature activities facilitated by SCI-FI Science Camps and Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation.

NYKOLE KING NEWS EDITOR

After a three-year interlude, the science-themed event known as BioScan will be held at the University of Saskatchewan on the weekend of Feb. 9 to 11, providing a variety of fun activities for children and engaging discussions for their guardians to enjoy.

BioScan is hosted in part by the department of biology, along with the student-run U of S Biology Club. Although the event focuses on science, and biology in particular, the organizers explain that all volunteers are invited to facilitate the event, regardless of whether or not they have a background in science.

As this is a triennial event, the organizers are relying on students from various colleges and programs to support the activities, as Ryan Rice, a thirdyear environmental biology student and co-president of the U of S Biology Club, explains.

“We’re trying to make it bigger than it usually is. Most of it is students in our department, but it would be good to open that up to students in other departments,” Rice said. “If there [are] any education students that want to come in and teach biology, then that’s good, too.”

BioScan will be held in the W. P. Thompson Building, more commonly known as the

Biology Building, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on all three days. The organizers encourage any interested volunteers to register for participation through the event page online. Rice says that the minimum commitment for volunteers is three hours, and he notes that volunteer experience like this is an asset when applying to graduate programs.

Even though the event is only hosted once every three years, Michael Skinner, a final-year biology student and co-president of the U of S Biology Club, sees this as an opportunity to bring fresh ideas to the event and more autonomy to the organizers.

“It definitely feels like we are waiting out sight unseen, … but we are kind of excited at how much of an open playing field we have to work with. We can do whatever we want — we can make it exactly how we want to do it, and hopefully, make it as enjoyable as possible,” Skinner said.

As a new addition, the event this year will have a philanthropic aim.

Katherine Fedoroff, a fifthyear environmental biology student and the socialmedia representative and photographer for the U of S Biology Club, explains that the club will accept donations to the SPCA in lieu of admission.

“I think [the] SPCA is a great organization, and they rely on donations. I often see boxes at

pet stores for SPCA donations, and I thought maybe the Bio Club could set up their own, because a lot of people in biology really care about animals and they like to give back,” Fedoroff said.

The items requested by the SPCA for donation range from cat litter to durable dog toys, and even cleaning items like laundry detergent and bleach.

Otherwise, admission to BioScan is free for children 12 and under, $2 for children between the ages of 12 and 17, $5 for adults, $10 for families and $50 for school groups.

BioScan is set up to give individuals and families the choice to remain at a session or move on to the next one, depending on their own pace, Skinner says. Guardians have the option to stay with their child during their activity or join the sessions geared more towards adults.

While the activities for the event are still being finalized, Rice explains that the event will have a variety of rooms and activities for both children and adults.

“The rooms will be divided up into different types of animals — so there will be a reptile and amphibian room, there will be a fish room/water room, [and] there’s going to be an insect room and a plants room,” Rice said. “So, each room will be catered to a different interest, as far as animals go.”

Possession of stolen property: On Jan. 9, officers stopped a suspicious individual on a bicycle near the Saskatoon Cancer Centre. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the individual was in possession of a stolen bicycle and was wanted for warrants with the police. The bicycle was seized by Protective Services and returned to its owner.

Broken ceiling tile: Residence custodians reported on Jan. 14 that a ceiling tile had been purposefully broken on the second floor of Saskatchewan Hall. Anyone with information regarding this damage should contact Protective Services or Residence Services.

Laptop theft: Two laptops were stolen from Arts Room 48 on the evening of Jan. 23. Both laptops were detached forcibly from their security cables, which would have resulted in damage to the body and casing of each laptop. Both are described as black Lenovo T440p laptops. Anyone with information is advised to contact Protective Services.

Broken door glass: Officers were dispatched to Pine Hall to investigate damage to the front doors of the building on Jan. 27. Surveillance cameras in the area identified a male subject, who had kicked the door several times, causing it to break. Upon arrival, officers were able to identify the individual, who had sustained injuries as a result of the related mischief.

Vehicle hits fire hydrant: Protective Services received a call regarding a vehicle that was stuck near Veterinary Road on Jan. 28. A tow truck was contacted to assist with the removal of the vehicle. It was then discovered that the vehicle was caught on the remains of a fire hydrant, which had been sheared off during the collision. The U of S Grounds Department was able to isolate the hydrant, so the vehicle could be removed without concern. *Briefs provided by Protective Services.

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And the Wall came down: U of S students react to change in provincial leadership Jan. 27 marked a day to remember in Saskatchewan politics, as one premier stepped down and another was chosen to replace him.

Nykole King / News Editor

Victoria Becker / Outreach Director The Saskatchewan Party was established in 1997, and 10 years later, Brad Wall won a majority government in 2007.

EMILY KLATT

Approximately 1,200 Saskatchewan Party members gathered on Jan. 27 at Prairieland Park for the leadership convention that would decide the next leader of their party — and the next premier of Saskatchewan.

Leadership candidate and sitting MLA Scott Moe was ultimately elected the new leader of the Saskatchewan Party after winning 8,075 votes — or 53.87 per cent of votes after the fifth ballot redistribution — beating out fellow candidates Alanna Koch, Ken Cheveldayoff, Gord Wyant, Tina Beaudry-Mellor and Rob Clarke.

Moe replaces long-serving Saskatchewan Party Leader and Premier Brad Wall, who retired after more than 10 years in both positions. Wall will also be leaving his position as MLA for Swift Current.

Wall’s retirement is the first major shift in provincial pol-

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itics that many University of Saskatchewan students have witnessed, as the last change of power took place in 2007 with the Saskatchewan Party’s defeat of Lorne Calvert’s NDP government.

For Tye Hapke, a second-year political studies student and president of the Saskatchewan Party Youth, Wall’s departure is a significant one.

“He’s been here forever, and he’s very beloved in the party.

Everyone respects Brad Wall,” Hapke said. “He’s kind of been a lot of people’s icon, in a sense.

It’s going to be weird having someone else in charge.”

In addition to being a political mentor, Wall also served as a personal mentor for Hapke, making the transition even more unwelcome.

“It’s kind of bittersweet, because I am from Swift Current, so I do know Brad pretty well.

It’s kind of hard seeing him go, especially because he’s the first guy I met that got me into politics,” Hapke said.

Fourth-year political studies student Bronte Prosser believes that Wall’s biggest legacy will be the foundation that he has laid for young people who wish to pursue involvement in politics. Prosser is both the communications director for the Saskatchewan Party Youth and a former president of the Saskatchewan Party Campus Club.

“I think he’s provided a really good base and opportunity for youth to get involved, so I’m excited for the next leader, to see what momentum they provide to get more youth involved in politics, regardless of partisanship,” Prosser said.

With party members as young as 14 allowed to vote in the leadership race, young people undoubtedly had a strong role to play in the selection of Saskatchewan’s 15th premier.

According to the party, the number of memberships nearly tripled between August and December of 2017, increasing from 9,500 members to 27,125.

At least 1,800 of those mem-

Nykole King / News Editor

berships belong to young people under the age of 25.

For Reid Sneddon, a firstyear international studies student, the prospect of getting to help elect the next premier of Saskatchewan was enough motivation to not only purchase a membership but also volunteer on leadership candidate Gord Wyant’s campaign.

“I kind of realized that, no matter what, there would be a Sask Party candidate as the next premier, and I believe Gord Wyant is the best choice,” Sneddon said.

Sneddon explains that change is necessary and that Wall’s retirement is part of that.

“It’s good. I always believe that we’re in an ever-changing world, so you always need to be changing. And, I know we don’t have term limits, but it’s always nice to see a fresh face, regardless of who it might be,” Sneddon said.

When asked about the policies they hoped the new premier would implement, all

three students emphasized educational support, strong employment and youth engagement in politics.

“A lot of people want to be able to stay in the province — so they want jobs after their education,” Hapke said. “A lot of [young people] are professionally oriented. They want to have a successful career in Saskatchewan. They don’t want to have to leave to go to Alberta or Ontario.”

Moe’s achievements as premier remain to be seen. However, he offered an optimistic vision of Saskatchewan’s future to young people, when responding to questions during the post-election media scrum.

“What we want to do is … have that fiscal sustainability here in the province — to continue that investment but not to continue it on [young people’s] backs — to be fiscally responsible,” Moe said. “Our economic policy’s aim is … to continue with those opportunities for that next generation.”

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SPORTS&HEALTH

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SPORTS&HEALTH

Ergonomics and students: A quick-start guide to a healthier workspace Students spend a lot of time sitting and typing, which can lead to discomfort in the long run, but you can avoid this pitfall with a few simple tips, compiled by the Sheaf.

Recipe:

Apple salsa LOGAN HUARD

Recipe adapted from kellogsfamilyrewards.com Preparation time: 7-10 minutes Cook time: About 5 minutes • • • • • • • •

Michaela DeMong

1 large red apple, cored and finely chopped — about 1¼ cups total 2 medium jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped — about ¼ cup total ½ tsp. ground cinnamon ⅛ tsp. crushed red pepper 1 tbsp. butter 1 tbsp. honey 1 tsp. lime juice Brown sugar, as needed or desired

This recipe is perfect for potlucks or if you find yourself hosting an apple-themed party. The combination of sweet and spicy elements makes this treat especially tasty. While the recipe ambiguously calls for “red apple,” I have historically used Red Delicious apples for this dish.

How you work can determine how you feel, and its easy to improve your working environment.

JACK THOMPSON

SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR

Being a student often means spending large amounts of time typing, sitting and hunching over a textbook — be it in the classroom or at home. These activities can have a significant impact on one’s health, especially if not performed and managed properly.

This is where the world of ergonomics comes in. Ergonomics is the study of efficiency in the workplace, and many of the findings in the field are applied to minimize the physical stress that office work can put on one’s body. For example, the fruits of ergonomics can be found in keyboards and office chairs meant for those who spend most of their days typing and sitting.

The negative effects of improper posture while sitting and typing often result from an accumulation of bad habits over time, and thus, they are frequently overlooked — at least until pain develops. For this reason, it is important to be proactive when it comes to working ergonomically.

Let’s focus on sitting first. To start with, you can improve your posture without purchasing an expensive office chair. Begin by sitting upright with your shoulders back, and make sure that your weight is evenly distributed across your hips. Keeping your feet flat on the floor with your

knees at 90-degree angles is also important, here.

On top of maintaining good posture, taking frequent breaks while working will ensure that your body is not in the same position for too long. Getting up and moving around every 40 minutes or so is a good habit. Set reminders to help you achieve this goal.

A good office chair can also be important for good posture.

One of the best features to look for in an office chair is adjustability, so that you — and anyone you potentially share your chair with — are able to adjust the chair to suit your body.

Two important qualities to look for in a chair are adjustable armrests that fit under your desk, allowing you to get close enough to your workspace, and an adjustable-height feature that will help you maintain proper posture with your feet flat on the floor. Additionally, adjustable lumbar support that allows for the modification of both height and depth is a key feature to look out for.

Another aspect of creating an ergonomic workspace for yourself lies in the keyboard you use.

Because of both cost efficiency and spatial limitations — bringing an external keyboard to class is unrealistic for most — students often have no choice but to use their laptop’s standard keyboard. Despite this, there are some things you can do to optimize what you have.

Positioning your keyboard so that your elbows are at 90-degree angles and so that you are not leaning forward can help to alleviate stress in the body.

Likewise, laying the keyboard flat or tilting it downward, with the space bar higher than the number keys, allows the wrists to remain straight, which can help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.

Even a quick look into ergonomic keyboards reveals that there are a large variety that deviate from the standard look and feel of a keyboard. Split keyboards are one fairly common option, and true to their name, they are split down the middle into two sections — which can be connected, separated or adjustable, depending on the keyboard.

The idea behind a split keyboard is to create a more natural position for the user’s arms, wrists and hands. Buying a new keyboard can be quite pricey, which is unrealistic for many, but the option does exist for those who are concerned about musculoskeletal pain or deterioration.

The process of building a comfortable workspace, especially on a student budget, can be complicated, and at times, expensive. While going out and buying all new furniture and computer accessories may not be possible, do what you can with what you have, and you will still reap the long-term benefits.

First, prepare the apples and jalapenos by coring them and chopping them into small pieces. Second, heat your burner and evenly butter your pan. Once the apples and jalapenos are sufficiently chopped, add both into the pan and fry for approximately 3 minutes, or until the ingredients soften.

After the apples and jalapenos are fried, add in the honey. Be aware that if you are using a very viscous honey, the ingredients may clump. I have experienced this using pure clover honey. After stirring, add cinnamon, lime juice and crushed red pepper. Fry for at least one minute longer.

At this point, perform a taste test, use brown sugar to lower the spiciness to a comfortable level if needed, and serve with either store-bought or homemade cinnamon chips.

Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor

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SPORTS&HEALTH

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Huskie Athletics joins national initiative to build mental-health awareness This January, Huskie Athletics partnered with Bell Let’s Talk for the second year in a row, working to reach over a million students in Canada and to boost the mental-health discussion.

JESSICA KLAASSEN-WRIGHT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

On Jan. 26, during the women’s and men’s volleyball games against the Okanagan Heat, the Huskies donned blue toques to support the national Bell Let’s Talk initiative, joining 127 other campuses across Canada.

According to the StudentAthlete Mental Health Initiative, young people aged 15 to 24 are more likely to live with mental illness than any other age group — and this is a growing problem in the student population.

In 2016, the American College Health Association reported that 18.4 per cent of the Canadian students who participated in their survey have been diagnosed with or treated for anxiety, alongside 14.7 per cent who have been diagnosed with or treated for depression — numbers that have risen from a respective 12 and 11.1 per cent since 2011.

SAMHI also reports that levels of mental distress are significantly higher for Canadian university-student athletes, when compared to others in their age cohort.

Student athletes deal with the combined pressures of study, training and competition, as well as an environment where perceived weakness is often stigmatized.

Maddy Humbert, in her fifth year on the Huskies women’s basketball team and her first year in the College of Education, has experienced

first-hand the stressful student-athlete environment.

“We feel a lot of pressure to compete, whether it be in our individual sports [or] the classrooms. So, I know that student athletes are very susceptible to mental-health [difficulties],” Humbert said.

“And as athletes, we’re expected to be mentally tough, and sometimes, there’s a fine line between being mentally tough and being mentally well.”

To break down the stigma about mental illness in sports, and to change the environment that pressures athletes to be both mentally and physically tough, Huskie Athletics raised mental-health awareness during their volleyball games on Jan. 26 — joining Canada West for the second year in a partnership with Bell Let’s Talk, an initiative that seeks to create conversation about and raise funds for mental-health programs.

In anticipation of Bell Let’s Talk Day — which took place on Jan. 31 — Huskie athletes wore blue toques and fans were invited to sign a Bell Let’s Talk banner to take part in the discussion and pledge their support to the initiative, one Humbert believes is particularly valuable.

“I think it’s super important that we start a conversation surrounding mental health and that more people are actually aware and trying to end the stigma, especially student athletes,” Humbert said.

She notes that athletes are quick to treat physical injuries but that an equal amount of

attention should be given to mental distress.

“If someone were to sprain their ankle, we’d tell them to go see a doctor, but if someone’s feeling depressed or anxious, there shouldn’t be a stigma to seeing a doctor or seeking treatment,” Humbert said.

Humbert herself has worked to further the mental-health conversation, taking part in a Canada West Bell Let’s Talk video released this January.

The video, featuring student athletes from across Canada,

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portant initiative, she is adamant that the event is just one piece of a larger discussion that must continue to grow.

“I think Bell Let’s Talk Day is an awesome opportunity for many people to tweet, call, text — whatever it is — in order to have the proceeds go towards mental-health initiatives,” Humbert said. “It’s important that … we’re having this conversation throughout the year to [make] sure … that everyone’s mental health is being taken care of.”

Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor

956-7777

College and Cumberland

discusses five ways people can help fight the stigma around mental illness, including an encouragement to listen and ask how people are doing, a point Humbert reiterates.

“Just don’t be afraid to ask questions, like ‘How are you doing today?’ or ‘Is there anything I can do to help you?’”

Humbert said. “Some days, people just need someone to be there with them … and [to] know that they’re supported.”

Although Humbert believes Bell Let’s Talk Day is an im-

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SPORTS&HEALTH

Smashfest brings Western talent to centre stage Smashfest brought together Smash 4 players from all of Western Canada to compete.

David Hartman The SaskTel Centre hosted Smashers from all over Western Canada for a tight paced competition.

JACK THOMPSON

SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR

On Jan. 27, Smashfest hosted players for a chance at cash prizes and — more importantly for many — bragging rights. The event was sponsored by the Saskatoon Blades, who provided space in the SaskTel Centre for the event.

As an avid home gamer who has put a lot of time into Smash, I attended Smashfest to get a feel for the game at the competitive level in person. The event was streamed on Twitch, and while the stream put out by SKL — a company that hosts Saskatchewan esports events — is very high quality, the crowd makes the action much more meaningful and exciting.

For a spectator like me, there was also more to do than just sitting and watching. The event sported a Legacy Gaming Lounge next to the action, which featured a variety of games for spectators to play without forcing us to choose between watching a match or playing a game, as we were close enough together to do both.

Among the available games were Super Smash Bros. Melee on GameCube, and for Nintendo 64, a variety of other Nintendo games, as well as a PlayStation VR setup. In addition to these games, which were free to play, the lounge also featured an amiibo challenge, in which you could pay $2 to fight a level-50 amiibo in Smash 4.

Anyone who emerged victorious received a random amiibo as a reward.

Stewart “Arkb0t” Bury-Jones, who came to Saskatoon from Calgary for the event, shares his spectating experience and notes what he found most enjoyable about the tournament.

“They’ve got the stream set-up separated, so there’s like a viewing area downstairs where a bunch of people can sit and watch the stream without crowding around one normal-sized monitor, which is really good. It’s been moving along really well — matches have been on time [and] you’re not sitting around waiting,” Bury-Jones said.

This viewing area filled up as the grand final match drew near, and the crowd became quite enthusiastic. Every successful combo heralded shock or a rush of cheers from crowd mem-

bers — many of whom frequently jumped up in amazement.

The final match came down to Manitoba’s Ryan “Strike” Duff and British Columbia’s Landon “Captain L” Trybuch. Captain L made it to the grand final by defeating his doubles partner, Don “Exodia” Goldreich of Alberta — sending Exodia to the losers’ final, where Strike would triumph against him — leaving Exodia to watch as Captain L and Strike fought one another in the final match of the evening.

Captain L took the first two matches in this best-of-five series against Strike and — with only one victory to go in order to take the championship — made the switch from his triedand-true Pikachu to the lesser used character Jigglypuff. As Jigglypuff is widely considered a poor character choice, it was obvious that Captain L wanted to send a message.

Captain L managed to pull off a sing-to-rest combo, not only once but twice, against Strike — using the sing move just under the ledge, in order to catch the edge-guarding Strike playing too close, and then quickly finish-

ing with rest to take the stock. Captain L stated in an interview with an SKL sportscaster after the match that his goal was to avenge Exodia with his off-meta Jigglypuff pick.

“I really like my Jigglypuff. She’s considered the worst character in the game by almost everyone, but I honestly think that she’s … decent,” Captain L said. “The Manitoba crowd, they were getting kind of loud. And you know, Exodia is … my doubles partner — he’s also my best friend — so I kind of wanted to send a bit of a statement that … this is our turf.”

While I had to stream the final match from home, I still felt more invested in the game after seeing some of the players compete in person and joining in the hype generated by the crowd. Based on my own experience, I would recommend Smashfest to anyone who has an interest in the game.

Anyone can look up epic clips of Smash on YouTube or watch a high-level tournament on Twitch, but watching it in person is a whole different experience — as Smash is a very personal game — and it shines in community events like these.

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EVENTS

CULTURE

T H U R S

01

INTRFACE COMMUNITY LAUNCH @ CO.LABS, 6:00 P.M.

PJS AND POPCORN MOVIE NIGHT: WONDER WOMAN @ THE HOLLOWS RESTAURANT, 7:00 P.M.

WHILE ROME BURNS WITH RUGGED LITTLE THING @ THE BASSMENT, 8:00 P.M.

KARAOKE THURSDAYS @ AMIGOS CANTINA, 9:00 P.M.

F R I

02

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH HONOURS COLLOQUIUM @ DIEFENBAKER CANADA CENTRE, 9:00 A.M.

PSSA MEET THE PROFS NIGHT @ AMIGOS CANTINA, 7:00 P.M.

THE FEBREWARY FRIDAY SOCIAL: SK BREWS FOR LOCAL ARTS @ PAVED ARTS, 8:00 P.M. MINIVANDAL TURN LEFT HERE ALBUM RELEASE PARTY @ LOUIS’ PUB, 8:00 P.M.

minivandal / Supplied Turn Left Here is the first full-length release from minivandal.

S A T

Local minivan-inspired 03 ska-punk group turns up the heat with new album S U N

The Sheaf talks to two founding members of minivandal about their debut album, Turn Left Here.

TANNER BAYNE CULTURE EDITOR

On Feb. 2, Louis’ Pub is going to get a lot louder, as local partyrockers minivandal storm the stage for their debut CD release, Turn Left Here — an album you’ll want to check out.

Mixing Latin influences with a sonic core stylized as 90s skapunk since Oct. 2015, minivandal is a jaunty sextet that just wants to make you move.

The band will be joined on the Louis’ stage by Ellen Froese & the Hot Toddies and the Clara Lessa Band for an evening of upbeat tunes.

Self-stylized as a high-octane party-machine, minivandal’s founding member Ben Fortosky — vocals, trumpet and guitar — states that the group’s goal is to compete with the crowd’s energy.

“It’s a bit of a cardio workout, as we’re running around and playing pretty fast lines. The goal is to be moving as much as the people in the audience,” Ben said.

Turn Left Here is the band’s first release, featuring 11 impressively byzantine songs that hearken back to weird parts of 90s musical numbers. You could basically swap the soundtrack to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater with minivandal’s latest record, and

it wouldn’t feel out of place — and I mean that in the best way possible. What’s more, Turn Left Here is an independently recorded and self-produced album that has been a year in the making.

After listening to Turn Left Here, I can assure you that the album is competently melodic and loads of fun. Founding member Emmett Fortosky — bass player and fourth-year music education student at the University of Saskatchewan — believes that fun is in the very fabric of the band, going back to the name minivandal itself.

“We were trying to think of a name that is fun for us, but was also a fun party name. I play upright bass, so I need a minivan to get around, and my brother [Ben] uses one to get around.

We thought it would be funny to associate minivans with skapunk. We just rolled with it,” Emmett said.

Ben explains that even the album’s name — Turn Left Here — comes from this goofy concept.

“If you listen to ‘Cruise Control’ off the album, it’s a line from there. We contemplated calling the album Cruise Control for a really long time, but we wanted to give it a unique name — there are other albums with that name,” Ben said. “We turned [‘Cruise Control’] into

a concept song around driving a minivan. Someone came up with the lyrics ‘turn left here,’ and it kind of stuck.”

Despite the universality of minivans, it may initially appear that minivandal stands out conspicuously in comparison to most bands in Saskatoon. However, Ben explains that minivandal’s sound isn’t that out of place, despite Saskatoon’s temporal and geographical distance from 90s Californian ska-punk and the traditional homes of Latin music.

“Emmett and I used to do rock climbing somewhat competitively when we were younger. The guy who owned Vics Vertical Walls was in a ska-punk band called North of Shorty. They would play that music over the PA in the gym all the time, and I really got into it. That’s kind of how I got into that,” Ben said.

Though I say that minivandal’s strange sound works well, I’d recommend seeing minivandal in the flesh, as their music is made to be experienced live. Besides, I think we have all needed some more upbeat music lately.

Turn Left Here will be available digitally on iTunes and Bandcamp on Feb. 2, but you should pick up a physical copy from their Louis’ Pub show. The show is 19 plus, and tickets are $12 at the door.

04

THE GENERAL @ REMAI MODERN, 1:00 P.M. DEAN MCNEILL & THE PRAIRIE FIRE SEPTET @ THE BASSMENT, 8:00 P.M.

JAZZ AFTER DARK: V.II @ NOM, 8:00 P.M.

YOUNG JAMES WITH OSCAR’S HOLLOW @ AMIGOS CANTINA, 10:00 P.M.

2018 HERITAGE FESTIVAL OF SASKATOON @ WESTERN DEVELOPMENT MUSEUM, 12:00 P.M.

SUPER BOWL 52 PRESENTED BY BUD LIGHT @ CAPITOL MUSIC CLUB, 4:00 P.M.

STONE SOUR AND HALESTORM WITH THE DEAD DEADS @ SASKTEL CENTRE, 7:00 P.M.

TONIGHT IT’S POETRY COMMUNITY STAGE FEAT. MONA MOUSA @ AMIGOS CANTINA, 8:00 P.M. M O N

05

UNDERGRADUATE PROJECT SYMPOSIUM @ PLACE RIEL NORTH CONCOURSE, 11:00 A.M.

CHALLENGE IMPUNITY FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT @ COLLEGE OF LAW, 12:00 P.M.

MOVIES THAT MATTER: MURDERBALL @ THE BROADWAY THEATRE, 7:00 P.M.

VIDEO GAME MONDAY @ LOUIS’ PUB, 7:00 P.M. T U E S

06

PIZZA AND PERSONAL INVESTING WITH SUSAN MILBURN @ EDWARDS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, 12:00 P.M. SAB INDEPENDENT ARTIST MEDIA GRANT WORKSHOP @ PAVED ARTS, 7:00 P.M.

TOONIE TUESDAY @ LOUIS’ PUB, 7:00 P.M. VIEWPOINTS WITH FARRUKH SYEER @ REMAI MODERN, 7:00 P.M.

W E D

07

CAREER MENTORSHIP & NETWORKING PANEL @ ABORIGINAL STUDENTS’ CENTRE, 4:00 P.M.

USASKSTORYTELLING: FEBRUARY SHOW @ LOUIS’ PUB, 6:30 P.M.

IRISH MYTHEN @ THE BASSMENT, 8:00 P.M.

HOLLERADO WITH SURF DADS @ AMIGOS CANTINA, 9:00 P.M.

FEB. 5-9

LIVING LANGUAGE WALL WITH APRIL DOEPKER @ ARTS RAMP

FEB. 6-9

WINTER SUSTAINABILITY WEEK 2018 @ U OF S CAMPUS

FEB. 7-17

THE BEAUX’ STRATAGEM @ GREYSTONE THEATRE

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BRAINWASHING enlightenment: versus

Exploring the left-wing bias in universities LYNDSAY AFSETH STAFF WRITER

The Sheaf explores why sharing ideas through open discourse is just as important as an unbiased curriculum.

U

niversities all across Canada have a reputation for being leftwing institutions, and the University of Saskatchewan is no different.

Why is it that there seems to be a leftwing bias at universities, and what are the implications of this?

According to a study conducted by the Adam Smith Institute, universities in Britain are much more left-wing than the general public, and university envi-

10 / FEATURE

ronments in Canada are likely similar.

However, there are many other occupations where the opposite is true — the majority of farmers are conservative, for example. The difference is that farmers are not shaping the minds of the next generation, and university professors are, at least to a certain extent.

A common argument from the right is that social sciences and humanities students have been brainwashed to develop left-wing ideologies. To combat this, it is valuable for students to learn to think critically, which is a skill that may be impeded if professors plant their own biases in the subject matter.

In a lot of colleges, the professor’s political views don’t necessarily matter, but in the College of Arts and Science especially, there is a danger that the only viewpoint students are being taught is the left-wing one.

Erik Carey, a second-year political studies student, explains that students may feel that they need to keep their opinions quiet in order to thrive in the more predominantly left-wing areas of the university.

“Because of the institutional liberalism, I think lots of people keep their opinions to themselves — especially in political studies classes and classes like that,” Carey said. “Some people might think their grades depend on what they say.”

University is a time for discovery. It is likely that most students entering university have not spent a lot of time reading philosophy or thinking about the big questions, like how we can create a more just world. Students all go through a personal enlightenment when they start to learn about all the ideas that are out there and to develop their own ideologies.

“Because of the institutional liberalism, I think lots of people keep their opinions to themselves.”

— Erik Carey, secondyear political studies

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Carey believes that students should be given the chance to form their own opinions rather than be taught biased information.

“A lot of the social justice stuff that the university — the professors and the curriculum — pushes is very biased. It’s one way of looking at the world [that] can range from extreme left to pretty liberal to maybe even progressively conservative,” Carey said. “If that kind of stuff were eliminated, and people were allowed to make up their own minds about the pressing issues of the day, then I think that would go a long way to helping things.”

With biases present in many social sciences classes, new students may not be able to distinguish between facts and opinions, which is why open discussions among students are so important in university classes.

A big part of getting a university degree is learning how to filter through which information is as objective as possible and which information is biased.

As long as students feel that they are able to disagree with the viewpoints they are being taught, biases do not have to be a problem.

Kylie Phillips, a third-year political studies student, discusses how important it is for university students to be exposed to different viewpoints in order to develop their own ways of thinking.

“I think university is a really great place for [critical thinking] to be fostered and for you to develop your own opinion on things,” Phillips said. “Coming into university, I came from a fairly right-wing family, and it [is] nice to be able to come here and separate from your family and build those opinions on your own and start to develop your own ways of thinking about all different aspects of life.”

There is no doubt that open discourse with a variety of ideological viewpoints would create an ideal environment for students to develop their own viewpoints, but this kind of environment is not always present at academic institutions.

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One ramification of a lack of diverse viewpoints is that people may begin to stereotype those who hold political views that differ from their own. For example, it is common for leftists to claim that conservatives are less intelligent than they are, and the “liberal elite” trope has become more common with the growing presumption that universities are left-wing breeding grounds.

According to a controversial article published in 2014, psychologists at Ghent University, Brock University and the University of Kent found a link between low childhood-intelligence levels and right-wing political views in adults.

It is important to note, however, that the studies cited in this article measure only intelligence and not education levels.

Furthermore, this appears to be a correlation rather than a causation.

Moreover, it is not just conservatives who are labelled as unintelligent. Carey, a member of the U of S Conservative Club, explains that left-wingers can also be viewed as unintelligent, discussing his experiences with political stereotypes.

“I’ve always felt it was more, ‘Leftwing people think right-wing people are evil, and right-wing people think left-wing people are stupid.’ I don’t get the stupid thing as much as I get the evil thing,” Carey said.

In order to prevent the spread of these beliefs, universities must be environments where different opinions can coexist respectfully. Phillips explains why it is important that both university professors and students do their best to foster the existence of varied opinions in the academic environment.

“I think, for professors, the best way to develop viewpoints is just to make sure that they are [staying] open to everyone’s opinions and not necessarily shutting out discourse, and in fact, encouraging discourse between the professor and student … but also between students,” Phillips said. “I think it’s important that we do keep talking about politics and keep talking about polariz-

ing issues, so that you develop different viewpoints.”

When people shut out discourse and stereotype the other side of the political spectrum, it can end up dehumanizing them. If everyone on the left thinks that everyone on the right is less intelligent than they are, of course they are not going to value right-wing opinions as much as they should, and that could mark the end of open political discourse.

For this reason, ideological diversity is extremely important for an environment like university. Phillips discusses why it may not be the worst thing for professors to discuss their own opinions, as well.

“People can only develop their opinions if they are exposed to multiple opinions and multiple viewpoints,” Phillips said. “That’s why it is kind of nice to have professors who aren’t necessarily entirely objective, so that you can explore things, and even if you don’t agree with what they are saying, you are able to develop your own opinions. This is the time and this is the place for that to develop.”

While professors certainly have a duty to expose students to all sides of an argument, it is ultimately up to the students to flesh out their own opinions, to challenge their professors’ and classmates’ opinions, to promote open discussion and to engage in productive political discourse. We need all kinds of different opinions and viewpoints to do these things.

Phillips believes that the university environment should foster diverse viewpoints in order to allow for productive discourse where everyone, even professors, can share their opinions.

“I think, for some people, it does come off as being a little bit problematic, when they feel that maybe their views aren’t being represented,” Phillips said.

“I think, as long as theories are being taught and foundational educational levels are being taught, it’s also important that professors have an opportunity to express their opinions and to start

FEATURE that discourse, whether you agree with it or not.”

At the U of S, there are thriving student groups all along the political spectrum, and many colleges tend to be more right-wing than left. Perhaps our geological location has something to do with this — there are more conservatives in Saskatchewan than there are in a lot of other Canadian provinces. The U of S has strong student participation on both sides of the spectrum, which is a great environment for healthy political debate.

Whatever the reason, universities are commonly perceived as left-wing institutions. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as students are taught how to think critically about information, and as long as there is open political discourse among both professors and students. Without these, the possibility of rampant left-wing biases becomes unavoidable.

“People can only develop their opinions if they are exposed to multiple opinions and multiple viewpoints.”

— Kylie Phillips, thirdyear political studies

Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor

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USSU On The Air: Turning on community engagement The Sheaf speaks to the hosts of the U of S radio show, USSU On The Air, about student engagement, fun and more.

ANA CAMACHO

The University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union radio show, USSU On The Air, is a space dedicated to discussing important student and community issues — as well as just about anything else — in a fun and engaging way.

Since the USSU exists to represent the interests of students, it always tries to find ways of interacting with them.

The radio show USSU On The Air — which airs on CFCR 90.5 FM from 7 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday — is one of their more interesting forms of outreach.

Vice-President Academic Jessica Quan — one of three hosts for USSU On The Air — believes that radio is a meaningful medium for open and engaged discussions, because it makes listeners feel like they are part of the conversation.

“There is something about a radio show that makes you feel like you are there,” Quan said.

“When topics are discussed on air, you get a better understanding. You can go into that

critical dialogue, be part of the conversation and hear the different sides of it.”

USSU On The Air features a wide array of topics, thanks to its three distinct segments.

Quan’s segment focuses on topics and events of interest to the student body, while Brent Kobes — a fourth-year political studies student and St. Thomas More College counsellor on the University Students’ Council — runs an interview show that explores student issues.

Gabriel Simons — a USC counsellor and fourth-year Edwards School of Business student — hosts a more freeform segment that focuses on light-hearted topics. For instance, when thinking back to his favourite episodes, Simons recalled both a profound discussion and a moment of childish fun.

“In one episode, we talked about the concept of ‘glory days,’ relating to [the] university [experience] — if these are our glory days or not… It was a cool, honest conversation,” Simons said. “We did a Christmas episode that was a lot of

fun, where we read the original Night Before Christmas poem in old English… There were some old words in there that now have a different meaning that we were really immature about and had a tough time saying.”

While these light-hearted moments can make the medium appealing, hosting a radio show can be scary for those who are unfamiliar with the format. For Quan, one challenge she faced when first hosting was understanding that she wasn’t always going to sound like a seasoned professional.

“I had this expectation that I would sound like Malcolm Gladwell from Revisionist History, … but to be honest, it is not like that at all. Half of it is just me repeating the word ‘like’ and then listening to myself thinking, ‘Why do I sound like that?’” Quan said.

Unlike more traditional radio shows, USSU On The Air is not a live broadcast. Instead, the hosts record and edit the show before broadcasting — while also uploading the recordings to a podcast of the same name,

Heywood Yu USSU On The Air is on CFCR 90.5 FM from 7 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday.

located on the USSU website.

Even so, there is something scary about sitting down to be recorded — something the hosts are mindful of with their guests. For Kobes, making the guests feel comfortable is his highest priority.

“It’s kind of an intimidating medium, but I always remind them that it’s not live — that we can go back and edit… [What] you want your guest to leave with is ‘this is a great experi-

We’re getting YXE’s new Transit Plan ready… it’s time to talk details.

Help REFINE our Transit Plans!

Come & Go Event Feb 7 – 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm TCU Place, Gallery C Join The Conversation: Social Media – #GrowYXE Surveys @ saskatoon.ca/engage

saskatoon.ca/engage

12 / CULTURE

Let’s Talk About: • Proposed Functional Plan • Station Designs • Park & Ride Strategy • Reconfiguration Options Bus Rapid Transit is a new type of transit service for Saskatoon that will connect you from where you are to where you want to be. It forms the backbone of a transit system built around frequent, direct transit links.

ence,’” Kobes said.

USSU On The Air is a good way to keep up to date on student issues. It mixes important discussions with some fun, and it allows students to interact with the USSU. Quan encourages all students to reach out to the USSU through its website with any topics that they think are pertinent to the student body and that they wish to discuss on the airwaves. Happy listening!

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Wing world: Testing out the Louis’ hot-wing challenge

Two Sheafers try the off-menu hot-wing challenge at Louis’ Pub. TANNER BAYNE CULTURE EDITOR

With the viral success of YouTube series like First We Feast’s Hot Ones, many people are jumping on the hot-wingchallenge train — and our own Louis’ Pub is no exception.

The premise of a hot-wing challenge is simple. You’re given an array of wings, each coated with increasingly hotter sauce, and you eat them sequentially — it’s a masochistic thing. Out of my love for Hot Ones, I decided that I needed to try out the Louis’ version.

Unfortunately, I’m pretty bad at eating hot foods — like, I tear up when I look at Tabasco for longer than five seconds. So, I invited the Sheaf’s own Sports and Health Editor and self-proclaimed spicy boy Jack Thompson to review this hot journey in an empirical way. Here are our thoughts.

1. Sriracha: There’s not much to say about sriracha. It’s tame, ubiquitous and delicious. It serves as a good introduction to the challenge, as it readies your palate for what’s to come. Jack’s thoughts on sriracha sum up this wing.

Jack’s take: “It’s sriracha. You know what you’re doing here.”

2. Frank’s RedHot and sambal: Though spicier than the first wing, this one seemed less hot to me. That being said,

I did have a sip of water after this one.

Jack’s take: “It has a lingering chili burn.

It’s more of a lip burn.”

3. Fresh jalapeno: Unlike the other two, this was a slow burn — more of a longgame wing, with a heat level that gradually ramped up. Though it hinted at the pain yet to come, I didn’t find it that hard to deal with — and it was pretty tasty to boot. Jack was even more stoic.

Jack’s take: “It’s nice. It’s like putting on a velvet shirt — I’ve never worn velvet in my life.”

J.C. Balicanta Narag / Photo Editor

4. Sweet Thai and scorpion pepper: Honestly, I thought the Louis’ hot-wing challenge was going to be a write-off up until this point. However, things got real with this wing — like head-spinningly, nose-runningly real. At the time, it was the hottest thing I had ever eaten. In an interesting turn of events, this wing was by far the tastiest of the bunch. For Jack, the previous three wings didn’t set us up for this one.

Jack Thompson takes on the scorpion pepper wing.

To give you an idea of the wing’s severity, Jack finally needed to touch his water.

COMING EVENTS

Jack’s take: “I am in pain. It doesn’t stop.

It comes in waves. There’s no taste experience with it — just heat. I feel like a spicier boy after that.”

Jack’s take: “I feel like it was all a prank — fuck. I’m scared for number five. I’m a spicy boy, and that’s a lot to handle.”

Verdict: All in all, the Louis’ hot-wing challenge was a fun and semi-tasty experience. My chief complaint is the scaling — the first three wings had little difference in heat level, whereas the final two were unbearable.

5. Scorpion pepper: This wing sucked.

There was no taste — just pure pain. It made me finish my second pint, as well as two glasses of water. I tried to cleanse my palate with some fries, but they just felt like pushing glass into my mouth.

Nevertheless, I’d recommend doing this with a group of friends or coworkers, as it’s a great team-building exercise.

If you plan on doing the Louis’s hotwing challenge, only know this: it’s just as bad the next day.

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Craig Terlson Signing

Fall In One Day Saturday, February 3, 1 pm

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live musiC in prairie ink resTauranT & Bakery Friday & Saturday Nights, 8-10 pm

Friday, FeBruary 2

Wires & Wood

saTurday, FeBruary 3

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Wayne Bargen

Tanner Bayne (left) struggles with the heat, while Jack Thompson (right) remains stoic.

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Houses in motion: Saskatoon’s growing house-show scene Two Saskatoon house-show hosts talk accessibility and inclusivity.

JORDAN STOVRA

From the behemoth SaskTel Centre to the adored Amigos Cantina, Saskatoon is filled with music venues. Despite these mainstays, house shows have grown in popularity over the last few years — and for good reason.

House shows have become so popular that some performers can survive off of these alone. For instance, in March 2017, Dan Mangan — a Vancouver-based, Juno-award-winning artist — and Laura Simpson — a longtime music-industry professional based in Halifax — co-founded Side Door.

Side Door is an initiative that helps musicians and houseshow promoters connect. It has been an effective tool in a mutually beneficial relationship, as musicians can spread their craft and the community can enjoy more intimate concerts.

I first started going to house shows in the summer of 2016,

at the lovingly named Barfhouse, which was operated by the Sound & Silence Collective. The show featured a quadruple bill, with Aryn El Hefe, the East, Dirty Wounds and an Edmonton band by the name of Versions.

It was fun to interact with other music lovers here in Saskatoon, since I was fairly new to the music scene at the time, and going to shows like this allowed me to gain music-loving friends. I think this still holds true for house-show venues today.

Duncan Pickard — founder of SASC and member of Shirley & The Pyramids — currently runs the Witch Mansion venue, and he started hosting house concerts to better the income of touring bands after he tried his hand at promoting shows at established venues.

“There were a lot of nights where three or four bands would get paid 50 bucks after the venue fees were covered.

Through house shows, I was able to lower [the] overhead cost per show and make it cheaper for people to attend,

because the shows are BYOB,” Pickard said. “Another effect of making it cheaper for the audience was that people had more money to buy merch.”

Miranda Young — another active member in Saskatoon’s music scene and host of The Buzz every Thursday on CFCR 90.5 Community Radio — founded the venue 134 Homemade Jam in December 2015 to host house shows for one simple reason.

“I love throwing a good party,” Young said.

Though their reasons for getting into promoting house shows differ, both Young and Pickard stress the importance of making the venue safe. For Pickard, dealing with unruly attendees properly is necessary to create a safe concert space.

“You can’t be afraid to kick out people that are disrespectful,” Pickard said. “It’s so important to make a space where people in the community are comfortable enough to tell you when something is wrong.”

Accessibility and inclusivity are important to both Pickard and Young, and they strive to

usask

Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor

provide non-intimidating environments for first-goers to house shows. Pickard believes that SASC does a good job, but that they can always do better.

“We do our best to make our shows safe and inclusive, but there is always room for improvement,” Pickard said. “It can be very intimidating to enter into a scene that you aren’t familiar with, but I think that it’s easier to make people feel welcome when you’re bringing them into your house rather

than a venue. We also have a few cats that often bring people together at the shows.”

With goals like these, it’s clear that shows at both 134 Homemade Jam and Witch Mansion provide excellent alternatives to the traditional concert experience. Not only do hosts like Pickard and Young cater well to their show-goers, but they also ensure the safety of those involved. If you hear about shows at either house, I would recommend that you go!

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mr_python_large Old place riel 10 years ago, who remember? #usask 14 / CULTURE

OPINIONS

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OPINIONS

Indigenous Achievement Week brings communities together Celebrating Indigenous success serves to strengthen and support students.

SHIRLEY CHARLES

At the University of Saskatchewan, groups across campus — including the Indigenous Students’ Council and the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program, known as SUNTEP — are preparing to celebrate Indigenous students, faculty and leaders on campus during Indigenous Achievement Week.

The IAW is an annual occurrence at the U of S taking place this year from Feb. 5 to 9, and the events promise to be better than ever — and there will be about 20 events over the course of the week. To start things off, everyone is welcome to join in a morning pipe ceremony and feast to be held in the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre.

Then, on Feb. 6, the same

centre — where students usually go to study, hang out and make friends, and where staff are committed to the personal and academic success of Indigenous students — will be transformed into the Indigenous Achievement Week Arts Festival, with a gala to follow on Feb. 8.

The IAW Arts Festival is dedicated to showcasing the artistry and creativity of Indigenous students, and the gala will celebrate the achievements and contributions of Indigenous faculty, students and leaders at the U of S with an awards ceremony.

The Arts Festival is a studentled event and has been coordinated this year by SUNTEP student Sabrina Macnab.

“The Arts Festival is really important to celebrate and showcase the different and diverse talent that our Indigenous

student body has on campus.

It’s an event that brings all of us in the Indigenous body together, too, so it’s just a nice way to showcase our different talents,” Macnab said.

The Arts Festival, set up as a come-and-go event, will showcase 13 student artists whose work will be vetted by a selection committee.

Macnab hopes to have Bannock Bistro & Catering — owned by Juno-award-winner Chester Knight — cater the event with bannock and tea.

The walls will be decorated with visual art, beadwork and more. There will also be a mini stage where artists will be singing and reading poetry. Macnab says goers may also see performances by traditional dancers.

The gala has been organized by the Indigenous Students’ Council. Indigenous leaders, faculty, artists and members of

New year, no booze?

Dispelling the trend of temporary sobriety My dry month was doomed from the start, and I won’t try again.

EMILY MIGCHELS

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On Jan. 1, I looked myself in the mirror and swore I’d take a month-long break from alcohol. I was motivated by What’s Your Cap? — a student initiative at the University of Saskatchewan that promotes moderation and provides information about safe consumption.

I had hoped a month of sobriety would help me to save some money, and maybe clear my head. And, although my pledge to not consume alcohol for the month of January was quite sincere, it simply didn’t last. Through this failure, I became more self-aware.

Sobriety is a word with vari-

Shirley Charles Students will have a chance to share their art at the IAW Arts Festival.

the public can come together to celebrate the achievements, success and creativity of Indigenous artists, faculty and leaders on campus.

This year, the gala will feature keynote speaker Kendal Netmaker, U of S alumnus and founder and owner of Neechie Gear. Netmaker’s mission is to empower leaders and entrepreneurs around the globe.

At this time in society, when Indigenous people are often stereotyped as underachieving, the IAW is a great way to show the campus community the positive and stunning talent and successes that come from Indigenous people at the U of S.

At the U of S, more than 2,900 students have self declared as having Indigenous ancestry, and there are nine programs dedicated to Indigenous students. With events like the IAW, the U of S continues to make strides to welcome and encourage Indigenous people to apply and study here.

From my own perspective as an Indigenous student, I can certainly identify how important it is that we acknowledge each other’s efforts and celebrate the successes and creativity that Indigenous people have to offer. The more we inspire each other, the more we will thrive.

ous meanings. At the beginning of this month, to me, being sober didn’t mean much more than being a designated driver.

I have lived with privilege, and I have not experienced addiction first-hand.

Repeating the word in a month of excuses, I started to feel uncomfortable with my positioning. To some, sobriety is a lot more serious than my own frivolous promise, and who the hell am I to compare my experience to theirs? Alcohol has never been a point of issue in my life, and for that, I’m thankful. It was easy for me to pledge not to drink — and easy for me to fall back on that pledge without remorse or consequence.

Certainly, if I’ve learned anything from this endeavour, it’s that I am fundamentally non-committal, and ultimately, hedonistic. It was Jan. 2 when I grabbed a beer from the fridge and popped its tab without thinking. I was halfway through the tall can when I realized my mistake, and I immediately wrote it off. “Dry January can wait” was my catchphrase for days to follow.

What stood in the way of my success? My social life, for one.

Immediately after swearing off

booze, my calendar quickly filled with various gatherings and get-togethers. In the dead of winter, I did not expect to receive so many intriguing invitations.

Of course, I did not need to consume alcohol at all of these events, and I certainly would’ve had a good time at each without, but I live by a standard of fun maximization. My own cost-benefit analysis determined that what I’d gain from not drinking wasn’t guaranteed.

I kept a fairly astute record of every drop I did drink during the month of January. Out of 31 days, 13 were marked with some amount of alcohol consumption. In total, I put back about 29 pints of beer, three bottles plus four glasses of wine, 14 assorted cocktails and five shots. Looking back, I still don’t really regret it.

Dry January didn’t work for me, because I had no real reason to be invested in it. It was difficult for me to commit to changing something that I do not feel needs changing, and I could not reconcile my own undertaking with the actual lived experiences of those who have different relationships with alcohol. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.

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Women’s March treads toward exclusive feminism There’s a lot we can learn from Saskatoon’s annual pussy promenade.

KIRSTEN SAMSON

Feminism is now more popular than it has ever been before.

But, is the movement one of equality or has it been co-opted by certain groups — leaving out more people than it stands for?

When I arrived at Saskatoon’s Women’s March on Jan. 20, I was incredibly excited. I had spent the entire day prior brainstorming with my friend about what we would write on our posters. When I looked at the posters and people around me, I felt energized but also a little empty.

Those in attendance — for the most part — were also white women, many of whom were wearing those pink pussy hats that have become a symbol of anti-Trumpism. A number of the posters around me refer-

enced vaginas, breasts and the like. “Hands off my pussy!” one sign read.

I thought of my great aunt in Newfoundland, whose eyes would have popped out of her head. I could almost hear her voice chastising their vulgar word choice. But, the vulgarity was not what I took issue with.

Sometimes, when we are passionate about something, we forget about the other people around us. This happens to me, too — I’ve found myself stuck in a situation where I needed to stop and think about how my experience differs from that of others.

Let’s deconstruct that pink pussy hat — sure, it’s a symbol for the movement that has become the Women’s March, but it really just says that we stand with women who have pussies.

What about other women?

Gender identity exists on a

spectrum — it’s not just about genitalia. Suddenly, by claiming that pink pussy hats are symbolic of the Women’s March, we’ve left out all of the women who don’t have certain genitalia.

Beyond this, the march itself was a white-dominated space.

By the time I arrived, there were approximately 75 people in the crowd, only a handful of whom were people of colour. Though the march brought out over 400 people, the proportion of people of colour remained stable.

The event started with speeches from inspiring women in our community — including a role model of mine, Nicole White, who facilitates the Moon Time Sisters campaign to deliver menstrual products to communities in northern Saskatchewan. But, the speeches left me feeling conflicted.

After the march, my friend Cleo Nguyen told me that the speeches seemed to tokenize certain people. There was a black woman who spoke about international issues, an Indigenous woman who spoke about national issues and an elder who delivered a prayer. Although these were incredible additions to the event, it felt as if these women’s speeches were an afterthought. I wondered if they were just asked to speak because organizers realized the event needed more diversity.

You might be asking, “Why go, Kirsten, if you take such issue with these parts of the Women’s March?”

I went, and will continue to go, because I believe that we are in the process of making a better world. The parts of the Women’s March that left me feeling empty don’t necessarily reflect the individuals at the

march, but rather, how our society has determined who is a woman worthy of feminism.

We need to engage in critical dialogue in order to move forward. What did we like about the march, and what left us feeling unhappy? How can we take these things and make an even better, more inclusive march in the future? These are the types of questions that we need to ask ourselves, continually.

Next time you head to a feminist event, I challenge you to ask yourself who your feminism benefits. Does it benefit women of colour? Does it benefit trans women? Does it benefit women who live below the poverty line? Does it benefit women with disabilities? Does it benefit women with children?

If we truly want to make the world a better place for future generations, our feminism must be inclusive.

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OPINIONS

Pushing boundaries: Girls Rock inspires change Girls Rock Saskatoon gives artists of all skill levels a chance to make room for themselves in the music industry.

Girls Rock Saskatoon / Supplied Girls Rock Camp: All Grown Up will take place in March, welcoming female, trans, two-spirit and gender non-conforming adults aged 19 and older.

LYIN MYA

Girls Rock Camp: All Grown Up has evolved from an ever-growing global community of Girls Rock organizations collaborating worldwide to redefine what it means to be a female musician. Here’s why it’s so fulfilling to join the movement.

On a mission to foster creativity in women around the world, community organizations like Girls Rock Saskatoon are using music to give individuals the opportunity to produce, compose and experience music in a way that they might never have thought possible.

Now, for the third year in Saskatoon, Girls Rock has opened registrations for All Grown Up — a music camp for any female, trans, two-spirit or gender non-conforming adult aged 19 and older. Funds raised will support young musicians aged eight to 14 at Girls Rock Camp Saskatoon.

At the end of a week-long immersive-learning stint, participants in All Grown Up get to showcase their performances at Amigos Cantina before a supportive crowd — a chance for

them to show off their newly developed talents and sing out original lyrics that express a variety of perspectives.

As part of a truly global movement and one of many branches around the world, Girls Rock Saskatoon seeks volunteers from your very own music community. Not only do you get a lesson from touring musicians who live here, but you also get to form bonds with them and other like-minded individuals.

These volunteers become role models for camp-goers, setting positive examples through performance, as well as by promoting an understanding of the core concepts of inclusivity.

I had first-hand experience volunteering with Girls Rock Saskatoon during their kids camp this past summer, and I was amazed to see our little community help to create such an encouraging environment for young musical minds. As someone who’s struggled to connect musically and socially with others, I felt encouraged to be there, because I felt the spirit of the music acting as a unifier.

Girls Rock camp instructors are exclusively female-identified, which in turn instills perseverance in many camp-goers. Beyond this huge support

from women, male-identified volunteers play an integral part in the set-up for the camp as well.

What truly wins the hearts of Girls Rock supporters is the community that the organization has built around the world. It attracts people who might not otherwise have had an opportunity to connect with such a diverse musical scene, which fosters confidence through its ideologies. Girls Rock represents a missing link to nurture and strengthen women in the music industry that their bodies are bound to.

It is no secret that women are often under-represented in the music industry. A new study from the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative — which analyzed 600 songs that appeared in the Billboard Hot 100 end-of-year charts from 2012 to 2017 — found that, in 2017, 83.2 per cent of artists were men and only 16.8 per cent were women.

This study also noted that the number of female-identified artists has declined significantly from 2016, at 28.1 per cent, and even 2012, at 22.7 per cent. With this decline of female artists on the charts, it is clear that women still need to work harder to maintain a position in the music industry.

This industry tends to promote the

aesthetic appeal of female artists — downplaying musical production, composition, innovation and variety in the field. Because of this, many talented musicians who are not stereotypically feminine, or who produce unconventional music, are being overlooked because they do not fit the mould.

In order to diversify the musical scene and expand on the unique ideas and experiences that the top hits continue to lack, we must take the initiative ourselves by creating spaces where women can concentrate on skill rather than being forced to change themselves and what they choose to represent.

We often grumble about how little variety there is in popular music, so by removing archaic notions that obsess over body image and the commodification of femininity, we can give more focus to artists’ instrumental and poetic expressions.

This is why supporting events like the All Grown Up camp will change the stigmas regarding how women are represented and treated in the industry. With its resources and supportive environment, Girls Rock Saskatoon reaches out to anyone willing to join the movement. Now, it’s time for the rest to us to take the lead.

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THROWBACKS

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A surgical team, including students, at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1968.

University of Saskatchewan , University Archives & Special Collections, Photograph Collection, A-4886.

The opening of a new transmitter for CJUS-FM, the campus radio station, in 1981.

University of Saskatchewan , University Archives & Special Collections, Photograph Collection, A-6667.

Eleven teams of horses in front of the Stone barn at the U of S in the 1920s.

University of Saskatchewan , University Archives & Special Collections, Photograph Collection, A-69.

The U of S football team in 1925.

A vehicle that ran on straw gas, created on campus in the 1910s.

University of Saskatchewan , University Archives & Special Collections, Photograph Collection, A-6288.

University of Saskatchewan , University Archives & Special Collections, Photograph Collection, A-2926.

Backtalk: If you were to make a movie about the U of S, what would it be called?

The Sheaf , Vol . 84, Issue 25, p. 3, February 18, 1993, U niversity Archives & Special Collections.

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MUTINY IN ASTROLOGY CLUB FOLLOWING SUPER BLUE BLOOD MOON, NO CONCLUSIVE REASON WHY OBSERVATORY — On Jan. 31, an event that many are calling a “cluster-fuck of cosmic reality” threatened to tear apart a newly ratified student group at the University of Saskatchewan.

The Astrology Club, formed in October 2017, is a weekly gathering opportunity for students who have an interest in the study of celestial associations in the natural world. Founder and former president Tamara Tuck, a second-year women and gender studies major, says

#albumoftheweek:

Yummycoma by Sean Nicholas Savage

Emily Migchels

the club usually meets on Tuesday evenings in the U of S Observatory, or when deemed necessary by an astrological event.

“I am the one who called the Super Blue Blood Moon gathering, but I should have known it would be volatile to mix the signs during that time,” Tuck said.

The Super Blue Blood Moon was a combination of three separate phenomena: a Blue Moon, which occurs when there are two full moons in one calendar

month, a Supermoon, when the moon’s closest approach in orbit to Earth coincides with a full moon, and a Blood Moon, when the moon appears red during a total lunar eclipse.

It remains to be seen what kind of effects this event has had on human affairs, if any, but student astrologers agree it catalyzed conflict in their ranks. At the Super Blue Blood Moon gathering, members were divided on the issue of group leadership, with some arguing for

the dissolution of power structures in the group.

“I’m an Aquarius,” one member explained, when asked why they thought the club would function better without formal leadership.

It was decided during the astrology club’s Super Blue Blood Moon gathering that Tuck would be impeached and formal meetings would be restructured to better support individuals with varied-ruling sun signs.

Aloof Edmonton innovator Sean Nicholas Savage certainly impresses with his twelfth studio release.

Featuring collaborations with Calvin Love and Julian Bozeman, Yummycoma is a synth-laden, surfreminiscent collection of subdued ballads that will make you feel like you’re a really cool teen living near a beach in the 80s.

Listening through, it remains clear that Savage isn’t down with conventional songwriting — Yummycoma pushes boundaries with masterfully poetic themes and unbridled vocal distortion. Play “So It Appears” when you’re feeling misunderstood.

xkcd.com

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UNDERGRADUATE PROJECT

SYMPOSIUM February 5, 2018 For more information visit

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