March 8th, 2018

MARCH 08, 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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NEWS

T H E S H E A F P U B L I S HI NG S OC I E T Y // MA R C H 0 8 , 2 0 1 8

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

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Students celebrate linguistic diversity and multiculturalism Students take time to celebrate Mother Language Day in commemoration of the Bengali Language Movement of the 1950s.

opinions@thesheaf.com

sportshealth@thesheaf.com

MATTHEW SELINGER

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 COVER IMAGE

Laura Underwood BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kyra Mazer Brent Kobes Emily Klatt Hasith Andrahennadi Momo Tanaka Liam Richards

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 to 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

In our March 1 issue, the article “The U of S is not too leftwing” incorrectly stated there was “a rampant Progressive Conservative Party in Saskatchewan,” whereas the author had originally intended the PC acronym to refer to “a rampant politically correct attitude in Saskatchewan.”

In the same issue, the article “MP Trost facing two challengers in upcoming nomination race” errantly referred to the Conservative Party of Canada as the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was dissolved and merged into the Conservative Party of Canada in 2003.

We apologize for these errors. If you spot any errors in this issue, please email them to: copy@thesheaf.com

2 / NEWS

On March 3, University of Saskatchewan students observed the United Nations’ International Mother Language Day to commemorate the Language Movement of the 1950s in former East Bengal, now Bangladesh. The event recognizes the language rights of all people and is held each year on Feb. 21.

The Bangladesh Undergraduate Student Federation hosts the event annually, highlighting the importance of cultural diversity on campus and worldwide. It also focuses on encouraging the knowledge of students’ mother languages and additional languages, building a historical connection, and promoting and protecting Indigenous languages both in Canada and worldwide.

Pritam Sen, a fourth-year student in mechanical engineering and the BUSF president, elaborates on the event’s aims.

“We want students at the U of S to know about the Mother Language Day and also [to] create an awareness of practicing their own languages. There’s people from everywhere here on our campus [and] all over Canada,” Sen said.

First held in 2014, this is the fifth year that the BUSF has hosted International Mother Language Day. Traditionally held in Louis’, this year’s event has moved to Quance Theatre to accommodate the growing interest of students and the expansion of performances by groups both from on and off campus.

The event featured performances by the BUSF, two Indigenous dancers, the Nepalese Students’ Association, the Nigerian Students’ Association, dancers from the Russian Language School of Saskatoon, one Sri Lankan dancer, the Undergraduate Chinese Culture Club and the Filipino Students’ Association.

This year, the BUSF incorporated an educational element to the event. Speeches by students and U of S professors explored

Jaymie Stachyruk

the importance of language, diversity and the preservation of language in relation to identity, Sen explains.

“Mother Language Day doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be some other language than English. This event is not only about your own language but also about respecting others’ languages and learning about their language and culture,” Sen said.

Given its historical influence on International Mother Language Day, the Language Movement is central to the event, as Paromita Sengupta, a third-year computer science student and BUSF vice­ president of administration, emphasizes.

“This is really special for us, because we fought on [Feb.] 21, Language Day, and the fight was actually done by the students. The young generation has to know the history behind this event,” Sengupta said.

In 1947, the dominions of India and Pakistan were established, and Bangladesh, called East Pakistan at the time, was included as part of Pakistan.

Urdu, the majority language of modern-day Pakistan, was adopted as the official language, which excluded the Bengali language and people.

On Feb. 21, 1952, students at the University of Dhaka initiated the Language Movement for the recognition of their linguistic distinction, which led to a violent crackdown by police.

Four years later, the govern-

ment of Pakistan recognized Bengali as an official language.

Bangladesh gained independence in 1971.

Emeritus professor in the Edwards School of Business Asit Sarkar explains why it is important that the U of S provide space to celebrate the many cultures on campus.

“I noticed that, in each group and participation, they were not boasting about themselves, but they were saying, ‘This space helped us to bring our culture’ and ‘Our culture is no different from your culture,’” Sarkar said.

The event concluded with a performance of “Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano,” a famous Bengali song dedicated to those who fought for their language rights in the Language Movement, by five students in their languages of Bengali, Hindi, English, Nepali, Russian and Spanish. The song is known in English as “My Brothers’ Blood Spattered” and has been translated into 12 other languages, Sengupta says.

Madhurja Ghosh, a U of S alumnus of accounting and one of the event’s organizers, notes the importance of retaining and protecting one’s mother language.

“Your own mother language, or mother tongue — or your own culture — is something you grew up with,” Ghosh said.

“Someone trying to take it away is like taking away your genes — the roots — from you and trying to make you a different person.”

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NEWS

WWW.T H E S H E A F.COM // @ U SAS KS H E A F

Indigenous students make first public statement since call to action On March 6, separate press conferences were held by the ISC and Jacqueline Ottmann of the university administration, regarding a call to action from the ISC. NYKOLE KING NEWS EDITOR

A week after the Indigenous Students’ Council first released an official statement calling for non-participation from all Indigenous students in administrative bodies at the University of Saskatchewan, the administration and the ISC have begun to respond publicly.

On March 7, the ISC hosted a townhall meeting to discuss the direction that the ISC should pursue as they work to establish an autonomous union, and they respectfully asked that only Indigenous students attend. At the time of publication, the students had not had contact with any university administration officials besides Jackie Ottmann, vice­ -provost of Indigenous engagement at the U of S, in a private meeting held on March 1.

At a press conference held on March 6, student representatives spoke with the media to clarify their aims in pursuing an Indigenous Students’ Union. Gabrielle Lee, from Pelican Lake First Nation, explained that, although Indigenous students are seated on U of S councils and administrative bodies, the feedback given by those students is not retained by the university in a way that enables progression toward the goals of those students.

“We don’t have an institutional memory that can maintain the interests of our Indigenous students’ body at the level of a union or maintain those conversations … after the four-year turnaround of our students,” Lee said. “We don’t have somebody who’s maintaining that conversa-

Jessica Klaassen-Wright / Editor-In-Chief Danielle Bird, Iloradanon Efimoff, Monica Iron, Gabrielle Lee and Regan Ratt-Misponas held a meeting with the media in the Gordon Oaks Red Bear Student Centre.

tion for us, so this Indigenous Students’ Union will be that platform from which we can have meaningful, ongoing collaborations with the U of S Students’ Union and the university itself.”

The ISC has received support from other Indigenous groups on campus, such as the Indigenous Graduate Students’ Council and the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program, also known as SUNTEP, through official statements released on their respective Facebook pages. Both groups have expressed solidarity with the ISC and hope to move forward on pursuing an autonomous governing body for Indigenous students.

In the fall of 2017, Regan Ratt‑Misponas, president of the ISC, approached the Indigenous Student Affairs Committee of the USSU to discuss the creation of an Indigenous Students’ Union. David D’Eon, president of the USSU, discusses how he explored the possibility of an autonomous body at that time but does not believe it is possible to

implement based on the legal restrictions of the USSU. “There is no legal mechanism for someone to opt out of a union,” D’Eon said. “I don’t know any way that that could be done, legally [or] logistically… There [are] too many questions around that.”

While D’Eon is not against the creation of an Indigenous Students’ Union, he notes that the only way that the U of S currently has to identify Indigenous students is by self-declaration on the PAWS website, which could pose a problem. He notes that the ability to opt in and opt out of the USSU could be detrimental for the stability of the undergraduate union and the services they provide.

“Our only mechanism for knowing if there is an Indigenous student on campus is if they self-declare. So, it is an optional thing to do in the first place, and there’s no actual mechanism to control that. It gives an optout option entirely to everyone, which is why it’s legally not possible, and there [are] a lot of ramifications in opting out of the USSU. [You could] lose your insurance,

lose your bus pass [and] lose access to undergraduate services.”

The U of S has no reason to oppose students seeking self-governance, Ottmann explained during a press conference held shortly after the ISC’s press meeting.

“In terms of how unions emerge, to a large degree, that’s outside administrative control, and how they lead and govern themselves is outside our control,” Ottmann said. “We can support, we can facilitate, but we can’t go to one of our unions and say, ‘We’re mandating you to do this.’”

As for Lee, she says that there is a need for Indigenous students to self-govern, as their input is necessary to decolonizing efforts at the U of S and in the wider community.

“We want to be able to moderate, mediate and facilitate the conversations around Indigenization and reconciliation ourselves, because the inherent worldview that is intrinsically implied by the involvement of Indigenous people is the [perspective] needed for these frameworks to actually be effective … in our curriculum and … our society.”

Meet the University of Saskatchewan’s Board of Governors.

Board of Governors Reception

Join the board members for an informal reception and the opportunity to chat with your board members one-on-one.

LOUIS’ LOFT MONDAY, MARCH 19 4 – 6 PM INTRODUCTIONS AT 4:30 PM EVERYONE IS WELCOME. A COMPLIMENTARY REFRESHMENT AND LIGHT SNACKS WILL BE SERVED.

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Campus briefs* Fire extinguisher: On Jan. 22, Protective Services was notified that persons unknown had sprayed a fire extinguisher in the courtyard between the Arts Building and the Law Building. Protective Services officers are investigating the incident.

Mischief in Agriculture Atrium, part 1: On Jan.

27, an individual pulled out a potted poinsettia and an aloe plant from the garden display in the atrium of the Agriculture Building. The U of S Grounds Department was able to save the plants and put them back into the display. No individuals have been identified, as of yet.

Disturbing flyers: An individual has been suspected of spreading disturbing literature on campus.

Protective Services was alerted by a staff member that this individual was spreading disturbing flyers again on Jan. 29. Protective Services is thankful for the assistance of the staff member, as this individual has been handing out flyers on campus sporadically for a long time.

Stolen AirPods: On Feb. 6, a caller reported to

Protective Services that his pair of Apple AirPods were missing after he left them in a charging station in the Edwards School of Business. The individual in possession of the stolen item was identified, and the item was returned to the owner.

Mischief in Agriculture Atrium, part 2: On Feb. 11, persons unknown pulled out potted plants from the garden display in the atrium of the Agriculture Building. This is the second occurrence within two weeks. Protective Services encourages anyone with information to contact them at 306-955-5555.

Suspicious person: An individual known to

Protective Services was reported in the Murray Library on Feb. 11. The male subject frequently enters the library and circles each floor in search of insecure items. He has stolen a laptop from the library in the past. Protective Services encourages anyone who encounters this individual on campus to contact them at 306-955-5555.

Attempted theft: Protective Services responded to

two suspicious individuals inside Place Riel while the building was locked on Feb. 14. Surveillance footage identified both individuals attempting to steal items from the Mac’s Convenience Store through the security gate. An officer arrested both persons and transferred them to the custody of the Saskatoon Police Service.

Bike compound compromised: On Feb. 14, a bike

compound on campus was damaged when persons unknown cut the chain link to steal a bicycle within.

Protective Services asks anyone who sees suspicious individuals near the bike racks or compounds to report it to them at 306-955-5555, especially if they appear to be carrying tools to aid in their theft.

Sharps pickup: On Feb. 16, Protective Services

officers were called to Arts Room 20 to seize a needle that had been left in the room. A trained officer seized the needle and placed it in a sharps container for destruction. Although there was no evidence the needle was used for narcotics, Protective Services asks that all individuals take precautions when confronted with needles or other sharp objects.

*Briefs provided by Protective Services.

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Campus research beagles provide experiential-learning opportunities for undergraduates Good dogs are doing good things for science, while providing research opportunities for students.

JESSICA QUAN

The Western College of Veterinary Medicine has been conducting research using groups of beagles as the subjects of the study. Not only are these subjects cute, cuddly and playful, but they also provide hands-on learning opportunities for undergraduate students.

The most recent batch of beagles, all nine named after Peanuts characters, were part of an ongoing pet-nutrition study conducted by Lynn Weber, a professor at the WCVM. The study is being conducted with waves of different groups of beagles and seeks to discover the health benefits of a pulse-based diet as opposed to a grain-based diet.

Although graduate students and PhD candidates have a more direct role in the research and experimental aspects of the study, Weber has sought assistance along the way from undergraduate students, who have had the opportunity to apply their learning in ways that are not typically offered by veterinary clinics.

“All of these are experiences they couldn’t get anywhere else,” Weber said. “In vet clinics, because of liability issues, you’re not allowed to interact with the animals as much as you might think. You might spend all of your time up front at the desk or in the back cleaning kennels.”

Undergraduate students are tasked with responsibilities such as walking the dogs, portioning out their food and providing general care such as grooming. Students also provide assistance to master’s students during research trials by collecting and examining data from non-invasive tests.

Fiona Moser, an alumna who recently completed the animal bioscience program at the U of S, had the opportunity to work with the dogs. Moser asserts that working directly with animals provides practical knowledge that is crucial to her field of study.

“Although it is important to learn the standard curricular material in school, gaining hands-on experience outside of the classroom is so important, especially when working

Andrea Geiger / Supplied Student volunteers help by taking the research dogs for walks around the Bowl.

with animals,” Moser said, in an email to the Sheaf. “I think learning how to properly handle and care for animals is a critical skill to have that ensures an animal’s welfare.”

While lectures, textbooks and assignments are valuable sources of information for students, Andrea Geiger, an alumna who recently completed the animal bioscience program, discusses how working with the beagles was a valuable way to get a practical hands-on experience in a clinical setting.

“While I previously had a general understanding of animal physiology, working with the beagles provided an opportunity for a more in-depth examination of how the different body systems work together on a whole-animal model,” Geiger

said, in an email to the Sheaf.

Although the first batch of beagles has since been adopted, students will have the chance to work with a new group of dogs this spring. Moser hopes that this upcoming batch will provide more experiential­-learning opportunities for students and that the widespread attention given to the beagles will encourage students to be active in and engaged with the research taking place on campus.

“I would encourage students in any program to seek out research going on at the U of S. Whether they participate or not, it is good to know about the research happening on campus,” Moser said. “In the end, students may fall in love with research and decide to pursue it as a career.”

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SPORTS&HEALTH

WWW.T H E S H E A F.COM // @ U SAS KS H E A F

Recipe: U of S colleges participate Homemade in community relay race granola bars SPORTS&HEALTH

Several groups from the university and the Saskatoon community ran in a relay at the Aboriginal Indoor Track & Field Championships.

SARAH BAINS

Recipe from www.foodnetwork.ca Serves: 12-16 Time: 65 minutes 2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal 1 cup sliced almonds 1 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed ½ cup toasted wheat germ 3 tbsp. unsalted butter ⅔ cup honey ¼ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed 1½ tsp. pure vanilla extract ¼ tsp. kosher salt ½ cup pitted dates, chopped ½ cup dried apricots, chopped ½ cup dried cranberries

Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla and salt in a small saucepan, and bring mixture to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture.

Add the dates, apricots and cranberries in, and stir well. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until granola turns a light golden-brown. Cool for at least two to three hours before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature.

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Several university groups participated in a relay along with community groups from all over the province this weekend. Co-operative efforts like this help to create a bond between the U of S and Indigenous community events.

The 10th annual Saskatchewan Aboriginal Indoor Track & Field Championships took place March 2 and 3 at the Saskatoon Field House, featuring a 4x100 community relay, among other events. Various groups from Saskatoon and the University of Saskatchewan participated in this relay in order to foster community at the track and field event.

Among the groups that participated, there was the Saskatoon Fire Department, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations. The relay also included the Education Students’ Society and several colleges, such as pharmacy and nutrition, kinesiology and engineering.

Chad London, an associate professor and the dean of the College of Kinesiology, discusses the university’s participation in this event.

“It was a fun event, and it’s great to see so much university participation,” London said.

ty, so this was a no-brainer,” Laprairie said.

The Aboriginal Indoor Track & Field Championships take place every year with the purpose of promoting and celebrating athleticism in Indigenous youth, and proceeds from the event go back into training for Indigenous track and field groups in Saskatchewan. London discusses the importance of events like this in fostering a relationship between the university and the greater community.

“It’s all about community — supporting the community at large — especially with the proceeds going to track and field athletes that are part of Saskatchewan Aboriginal training groups,” London said.

“That’s really what it’s about — that and coming together.”

Cory Dyck, a third-year education student who ran the relay with the ESS, notes the importance of Indigenous sports in the province, which is why the ESS decided to run in the relay.

“The event was a lot of fun, and I was glad there [were] quite a few college teams there, because Indigenous sports is something that I think we should be promoting throughout all of Saskatchewan,” Dyck said. “I thought it was a really fun way to get us all involved in raising money for a good cause.”

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STAFF WRITER

“We had a challenge between different colleges. I think we had four colleges out here, and everybody had fun.”

The ESS came in third place in the relay, and the fire department came in second, despite winning the community relay last year. In first place was the Amiskusees: Semaganis Worme Family Foundation, a group that works with Indigenous women and youth with the goal of bettering Indigenous communities as a whole.

Tom Steele, a faculty member and the head of the department of physics and engineering physics, says he had fun at the event despite not coming out on top.

“A call came out for volunteers, and I run half marathons, so I thought it would be fun to give it a try,” Steele said.

“It’s been fun to be here and work with other people that I don’t usually get to work with in the college and do something together. It was a lot of fun, and it was a great atmosphere.”

Robert Laprairie, an assistant professor in the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, discusses the reason their college chose to participate in the relay: to foster community.

“I think it was a good opportunity for our college to work with the community and get involved in the communi-

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David Hartman U of S faculty and students, including those from the College of Education, joined the community for a relay event.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter an 8- by 12-inch baking dish, and line it with parchment paper. Toss the oatmeal, almonds and coconut together on a sheet pan, and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl, and stir in the wheat germ.

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SPORTS&HEALTH

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Fitness class review: Women’s only yoga A women’s only yoga class provides a much needed space for women to focus on their fitness.

NYKOLE KING NEWS EDITOR

The women’s only yoga class offered by the Fit Centre is a basic-level class for women looking to work on their strength and flexibility in a positive and supportive atmosphere that welcomes women and non-binary folks.

The class is held every Friday from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m., and the instructor leads the group through a range of basic but tall and sturdy poses that are selected to make participants feel empowered and confident. This class is a great way to wind down and de-stress after a busy week at school and ease into the upcoming weekend feeling self-possessed.

While there are a number of valid reasons for hosting women’s only variants of classes, this class in particular started several years ago, when a group of female Muslim students advocated for a separate session. This is also why the class is held in the Physical Activity Complex dance studio, as it is the only room which provides enough privacy for the participants from other gym-goers.

It is not stated specifically in the registration for the class, but this session is also inclusive of non-binary people who wish to participate in yoga in a more private session.

A base knowledge of yoga movements will help you in this class, and while it might feel a bit discouraging to get lost as a beginner, the instructor encourages participants to follow their breath and go at their own pace. For me, the poses were not too physically demanding on my body. They mostly involved lunges, plank and mountain pose — which let me use my low centre of gravity for balance.

The instructor took us into an extended side angle, and after that, we challenged ourselves with half-moon pose, where we were offered variations for increased or decreased difficulty. While my stability is not very good, I felt confident enough in the fitness class to attempt some of the poses that are outside of my comfort zone.

Even though I knew I could not hold the poses for long, I felt comfortable, because the instructor was encouraging and everyone seemed so focused on their own movements that they did not notice anyone else falling out of poses.

I have attended some yoga classes that emphasize the meditative aspects of yoga above all else, but this class focuses on identifying your body’s strength through the movements. We were even able to ask questions of the instructor during the session, and she would also make jokes or comments throughout, which

made the class feel more laid-back.

Before the class started, I did not think that it would make much of a difference to take a gender-segregated yoga class, as I have typically always been comfortable in co-ed fitness spaces. Yet, during the class, I felt like I was in a supportive space where I did not need to compare my abilities to those around me as I normally would.

The women’s only yoga class had an uplifting atmosphere, overall. I noticed that I was not as concerned about constantly readjusting my clothing to avoid baring more skin than necessary as I typically would be in a non-segregated class. Instead of spending time worrying about how I looked, I was able to focus on my breathing and sink deeper into the poses.

At the end of the class, we winded down with stretches, and I left the class feeling recharged and like I had agency over my body. As a white, cis, ablebodied woman, I do not believe that I need a class that is exclusively female to practice yoga. But, I also recognize that, because of my privilege, it is quite rare that I feel out of place, whether I am in a yoga class or in the weight-lifting section of the gym.

After finally participating in a women’s only fitness session, I can understand the benefits of having these spaces. Studio

Katie Castellarin

sessions are fun workout environments in general, and women’s only yoga is certainly no different.

Huskies come up short of Canada West Championship ambitions Multiple injuries have affected outcomes in conference championships, as three Huskies programs come away empty handed.

MATTHEW JOHNSON

Three Huskies programs entered the weekend looking to bring banners back to the University of Saskatchewan. Unfortunately, each of the three teams fell short and must now turn their attention to the upcoming national championships.

On the court, the Huskies women dropped the Canada West Championship game in Regina to the Cougars. Regina dominated the contest from the very beginning and took down their provincial rivals 75-55 in front of a crowd of 1,814 people at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport.

The Huskies suffered a loss before the championship game even tipped off. Starting point guard and anchor of the offence Libby Epoch was ruled out for the contest — forcing the Huskies to adjust their starting five for the first time all season, in the biggest game of the year.

Epoch’s absence pushed

6 / SPORTS & HEALTH

Kelsey Lalor into her first starting position in her Huskies career, and the presence of their point guard was sorely missed, as the Huskies were out assisted 16-3.

Star shooting guard Sabine Dukate had an uncharacteristically poor shooting performance, as she struggled to get into the flow of the game from the get-go. Dukate, who was the Huskies sharpshooter all season long, fired 4-18 from the field and 1-8 from three-point range in the championship game.

While the loss ended the Huskies’ hopes of a third straight Canada West Championship, the team still has an opportunity to take a run at the upcoming national championships in Regina — which will begin on March 8. The Huskies enter the tournament as the sixth seed and will face the Atlantic University Sport champions the Acadia Axewomen in their first-round matchup.

Meanwhile, on the ice, the results were disappointing for

both Huskies hockey programs.

The men’s and women’s teams hit the road for their championship series, and each was swept two games to none.

The men, who were fresh off a dramatic series victory over the Calgary Dinos, struggled to carry that momentum over to their championship appearance. The Huskies entered the week as the number-three team in the nation and travelled to Edmonton to take on the second-ranked Alberta Golden Bears. The Bears proved that they are one of the country’s best for a reason, dominating in games one and two.

The Huskies played the series without their star goaltender Jordon Cooke, as well as leading goal-scorer Josh Roach, but good news appears to be on the way regarding Roach. Roach took warm-ups in game two of the series, and it’s possible that he was held out for precautionary measures with the upcoming national championship in mind.

Chantal Zdan / Supplied The Huskies put up a valiant effort during the Canada West finals.

The Golden Bears and the Huskies have already earned entries to the U Sports University Cup, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the two programs meet on their way to the national championship. The Huskies will travel to Fredericton, N.B., on March 15 to take the ice at the University of New Brunswick, where they will be seeking revenge after last season’s loss in the national championship.

On the women’s hockey team, the Huskies were on the wrong side of a heartbreaking gameone loss, falling 1-0 in overtime to the Manitoba Bisons in the first game of the Canada West Championship. Manitoba’s Caitlin Fyten notched the game-winning goal with only 8.6 seconds remaining in the first overtime period.

In game two, the overtime

victory built momentum for Manitoba, as they dominated the Dogs from the puck drop, taking down Saskatchewan 5-2 and taking the conference championship on their home ice.

Although the Huskies entered the series as the underdogs, with Manitoba as the number-one-ranked team in the nation after a 22-6 regular season record, the Dogs put in an honorable effort.

A semifinal-series victory against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds at Rutherford Rink was enough to book the Huskies tickets to London, Ont., for the U Sports championships beginning on March 15, so they can seek redemption after a disappointing end to their Canada West campaign.

CULTURE

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CULTURE Saskatoon’s Von Jumbo is back with some songs in the works The Sheaf met up with the guitarist from the local jam-rock band Von Jumbo to discuss their upcoming show.

EVENTS T H U R S

08

CREATING CHANGE: AN INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION @ STATION 20 WEST, 2:00 P.M. WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP @ LOUIS’ LOFT, 4:00 P.M.

SUPPRESSING FREE SPEECH, PAST AND PRESENT @ COLLEGE OF LAW, 6:00 P.M.

WRITERS’ OPEN MIC NIGHT @ FRANCIS MORRISON CENTRAL LIBRARY, 7:00 P.M.

Curtis Matwishyn Photography / Supplied Von Jumbo’s Holden Blue rocks out at the Capitol Music Club.

LYNDSAY AFSETH STAFF WRITER

Saskatoon’s own Von Jumbo returns to the scene with new music after taking a break to pursue personal projects. On March 16, the band will mark their return with a headlining show at Amigos Cantina, with openers like the Buzzardline and Kory Istace.

Von Jumbo is a four-piece rock band that combines a number of sounds and genres to form a hard-hitting and unique rock sound. Holden Blue, lead guitarist for Von Jumbo, describes how the band was started.

“Me and my buddy Dylan Cooper just started playing about five years ago. We decided to just start jamming, playing open mics and stuff like that,” Holden said. “We kind of had an idea to just do a two-

piece blues-rock band, and it turned into something a little bit heavier.”

In addition to Holden, Von Jumbo is made up of Cooper on drums and vocals, Mike Roy on bass and Erinn Blue on keys.

Though the band draws obvious influences from Deep Purple and Clutch, Holden explains that their songs show inspiration from a number of musical backgrounds.

“Every member of the band brings something into it. Anything from Neil Young to the stoner-rock band Sleep, and then everything in the middle,” Holden said. “There’s some punk influences, some ’70s rock — there’s some stoner rock. There’s a little bit of everything.”

Holden is excited about being able to play some new material at their upcoming show at Amigos.

“We have taken a bit of a

break, so it will be a fresh set with some new tunes and a few surprises, so it will be good,” Holden said. “Amigos is always an awesome venue. I love playing there, so it will be great.”

For fans who have been anticipating the follow-up to Von Jumbo’s 2015 EP, Love Boat, Holden brings the good news that the band is planning to record a second album over the summer.

“In the summer, we’ll be working on some recording.

We haven’t released new material since 2015, so we still have a backlog of songs that we want to record. I think that’s probably the plan for the summer, and then, [we’ll] release hopefully in early fall,” Holden said.

Holden just recently completed an undergraduate degree in regional and urban planning, and he states that the band offered him a nice balance to the stress of university. “[The band] was a good outlet — like it was good to take a break. If we were having a stressful week, or whatever, we would always jam at least once a week, and it was a good outlet for that,” Holden said. “School always did take precedent, but we did still manage to jam quite a bit. It was a good healthy balance, I think.”

For university students who play instruments and who may want to start a band of their own, Holden gives his own advice — just start the band.

“Just do it, really. It started as just a fun thing — we weren’t the best,” Holden said. “We weren’t really writing good stuff, but we got out, and we just started playing open mics and stuff like that.

“You start making connections, and Saskatoon’s music scene is pretty small, so as soon as you start playing, you get to meet a lot of people, and you start to get shows and stuff like that. I know it’s easier said than done, but I would say, just do it.”

Von Jumbo plays Amigos Cantina on March 16. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door. Check out their music and keep up to date with the band on Bandcamp.

F R I

09

PAINT AND POT PLANTS NIGHT @ ST. THOMAS MORE COLLEGE STUDENT LOUNGE, 3:00 P.M.

REM BY TOMAS KOOLHAAS @ REMAI MODERN, 7:00 P.M.

GROWNUPS READ THINGS THEY WROTE AS KIDS @ THE BROADWAY THEATRE, 8:00 P.M.

SECRETS WITH PICTURESQUE, RETROFUTURIST AND REBIRTH @ AMIGOS CANTINA, 9:00 P.M. S A T

10

MUSIC FOR MUTTS VIII @ SASKATOON ACADEMY OF MUSIC, 6:30 P.M.

THE WHITE BUFFALO @ CAPITOL MUSIC CLUB, 7:00 P.M.

WE THE ARTISTS @ AMIGOS CANTINA, 8:30 P.M.

AMIGOS MIDNIGHT MOVIE: THE BIG LEBOWSKI @ AMIGOS CANTINA, 11:30 P.M.

S U N

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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY TRADE SHOW & BRUNCH BUFFET @ LOUIS’ PUB, 11:00 A.M. 5 DAYS FOR THE HOMELESS TRIVIA NIGHT KICK-OFF @ FIONN MACCOOL’S, 6:45 P.M.

SUNDAY NIGHT ACOUSTIC JAM @ BUDS ON BROADWAY, 8:00 P.M.

KARAOKE NIGHT @ FLINT SALOON, 9:00 P.M.

M O N

12

INTRODUCTION TO SILKSCREEN WORKSHOP @ VOID GALLERY, 6:30 P.M.

INDUSTRY ST. PATRICK’S DAY @ O’SHEA’S IRISH PUB, 7:00 P.M.

VIDEO GAME MONDAY @ LOUIS’ PUB, 7:00 P.M.

FLINT’S VIDEO ON DEMAND @ FLINT SALOON, 9:00 P.M.

T U E S

13

LUNCH+LEARN: HOW TO WRITE STORIES ON THE QUEER & TRANS COMMUNITY @ OUTSASKATOON, 12:00 P.M. LOVING VINCENT MOVIE NIGHT AND PARTNERSHIP PRESENTATION @ THE ROXY THEATRE, 6:00 P.M. TOONIE TUESDAY @ LOUIS’ PUB, 7:00 P.M. HARRY POTTER TRIVIA @ HUDSONS SASKATOON, 7:30 P.M.

W E D

14

WING WEDNESDAY @ LOUIS’ PUB, 5:00 P.M. RAY BONNEVILLE @ THE BASSMENT, 8:00 P.M. SING LIKE SHANIA CONTEST @ THE LONGBRANCH SASKATOON, 8:00 P.M.

SHAWN JAMES WITH ARYN EL HEFE @ BLACK CAT TAVERN, 8:30 P.M.

UNTIL MARCH 9 MARCH 10-11

CLOTHING SWAP @ NORTH CONCOURSE, UPPER PLACE RIEL

33RD ANNUAL IEEE HIGH VOLTAGE CLASSIC FUNDRAISER @ SASKATOON CITY HALL

UNTIL APRIL 6

BFA THESIS EXHIBITIONS @ GORDON SNELGROVE GALLERY

CULTURE / 7

FEATURE

T H E S H E A F P U B L I S HI NG S OC I E T Y // MA R C H 0 8 , 2 0 1 8

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A visual review of three hot study spots Sick of studying on campus? One photographer and one student engineer tour three local cafés to determine their studying potential.

J.C. BALICANTA NARAG and JOSEF BEUG

It’s easy to feel sore after visiting the same campus studying scene again and again, and research shows that a change of scenery helps the working mind.

A balanced level of ambient noise can stimulate the brain and improve performance on tasks. To help you avoid that stale campus haunt, we’ve put together a review of three cafés close to campus.

I have studied at and visited more than half of the cafés Saskatoon has to offer. My friend Josef Beug, a fourth-year engineering student who joined me on my review adventure, is an avid coffee drinker with experience on a wide range of drinks.

Our methodology: We collaborated on a procedure to review the cafés fairly and without bias, brainstorming nine categories that are important to us as students when studying in a café. Then, we created a scoring system to assess each establishment.

Here are the categories we chose, ranking from

highest to lowest: study space, number of electrical outlets, atmosphere, wifi accessibility, food and drink selections, service, location, hours of operation and washrooms. We will mainly focus on the top five categories, and the rest will be summarized.

For each location, we spent a maximum of three hours studying, which means our reviews are tailored to specific times of day. However, we’ve done our best to provide you with insight into which cafés will best suit your study needs. Maybe you’ll find your next dream spot.

All photos by J.C. Balicanta Narag / Photo Editor

Mystic Java Graduate House, 1593 Aird Street Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Visited: 7 to 10:30 p.m.

Highs: Service, food and drink selections and atmosphere Lows: Number of electrical outlets, location and hours Great service, a wide variety of food and drink selections, accommodation for anyone who has food restrictions and a wonderful studying atmosphere made us fall in love with this place.

The lighting is bright enough for studying, the music is not too loud, and there is a steady flow of customers.

These elements create a lovely ambience, perfect for studying. While the location is hidden in Graduate House, making it difficult to find for those who do not live in residence, the biggest drawback for us was the lack of accessible electrical outlets.

“Like, very few outlets. If you have a short cord, don’t bother unless you got that long B-life,” Josef said, referring to batteries.

8 / FEATURE

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WWW.T H E S H E A F.COM // @ U SAS KS H E A F

FEATURE

Venn Coffee Roasters 830 Dufferin Avenue, Unit 10 Hours of operation: Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Visited: 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Highs: Atmosphere, number of electrical outlets and service Lows: Food and drink selections, location, hours and study space This café is small, and we’d say it’s not really made for studying — it’s best for socializing. If you do prefer quieter study time, though, this is the place to go. The lighting comes from large windows that let in sunlight, there are enough outlets available for the amount of stay-in customers the café gets, and the service is fantastic.

However, there is a limited selection of pastries and drinks, and the location is in an alley, making it difficult to find. Otherwise, this café is great for students who need a change of scenery and few distractions.

“Pretty nice place. I enjoyed studying there and felt comfortable most of the time. I also liked my latte quite a bit. We did have to merge two tables to have enough laptop space. So, all in all, a beautiful café but not a lot of room,” Josef said, after enjoying his latte.

Honey Bun Café 167A Second Avenue South Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visited: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Highs: Study space, food and drink selection, location and hours Lows: Number of electrical outlets Honey Bun Café is a neat little shop located in downtown Saskatoon. Contemporary lighting, a large amount of space and an excellent selection of food and drink make this café a fine choice.

The drawback, however, is the outlets.

There is a single place to charge your computer in the entire café, and even though the placement of it made us sit in a scenic spot, we found it a real problem for studying.

Nevertheless, the service was great, the place was clean and welcoming, and the chairs were comfy. We highly recommend this café, so long as you can last for a while without a plug.

“The lack of outlets could be annoying, but the bathrooms have puns, so that’s pretty sweet,” said Josef, while eating a pizza bun.

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CULTURE

T H E S H E A F P U B L I S HI NG S OC I E T Y // MA R C H 0 8 , 2 0 1 8

Gallery gander: BFA Honours students present their thesis exhibits

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Hillary Kirk Exhibit: Polymorphous Work: Polymorphous Materials used: Sticks and fishing line “Polymorphous is an installation exhibition with a focus on water. Through an exploration of the different states of water, I have been able to identify that passion and connection to water lies within a fourth phase. I feel that there are more than three phases of water, because without this fourth phase, there would be no explanation of our personal connection to water and its energy.”

The Sheaf gets a glimpse at some of the work showcased in the 2018 BFA Thesis Exhibitions at the Gordon Snelgrove Gallery.

TANNER BAYNE CULTURE EDITOR

Between term papers, the onslaught of midterms and the slow approach of finals, the last half of term two is a trying time for students. Bachelor’s of Fine Arts Honours students have it worse than many — they also must put on a week-long art show.

Fourteen students are presenting their thesis exhibits at the Gordon Snelgrove Gallery as part of their degree requirement this year. The exhibitions began on March 5 and will continue until April 6, changing weekly. In anticipation of the exhibitions, the Sheaf contacted four students through email to get a sneak peek at the work from their shows. Be sure to head to the Snelgrove to see the exhibits for yourself.

Kenton Doupe

Hillary Kirk / Supplied

Exhibit: Portraits

Blaise Aitken

Work: MJ Equipment used: Nikon D610 with Sigma ART 50mm / 24mm lens on gloss paper “I chose this piece to embody my entire show due to its open-ended nature. The face consisting of light not only creates a striking visual effect but also represents the space that 140 individuals could fill.”

Exhibit: Odd Biologies Work: Ebb and Flow Materials used: Ink, chalk pastel and acrylic paint “This piece is all about the balance of the two figures and was inspired by the peculiar workings of the body. I explored the process of disassembling the bodies physically in conjunction with creating the piece’s background.”

Kenton Doupe / Supplied

Sarah Henry Exhibit: Visual Diaries Work: January 15th, 2017 Materials used: Acrylic on canvas “I aim to create a composition that has emotion and connects with people on a personal level. I hope that viewers can create an individual experience with my work and find some aspect that speaks to them. My paintings are a response to what I feel in the natural world.”

J.C. Balicanta Narag / Photo Editor

Sarah Henry / Supplied

10 / CULTURE

A full schedule for the BFA Thesis Exhibitions can be found on the Gordon Snelgrove Gallery website.

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CULTURE

WWW.T H E S H E A F.COM // @ U SAS KS H E A F

Saskatoon sings: A guide to the best karaoke spots in town One of Usask’s top karaoke-goers sings praise for Saskatoon’s best karaoke joints.

AARON HERTES

We’ve all been there. It’s Friday night. You’re hanging out with your friends. You’ve been responsibly enjoying a few beverages, and the conversation turns to what adventures you and your crew will get up to this evening. Eventually, someone makes that tantalizing suggestion — karaoke.

Saskatoon is home to a great many karaoke venues, so deciding where to go is the first step. Depending on the vibe you’re going for, the east side has the Colonial Pub & Grill, Whiskey Jacks and Amigos Cantina. The Colonial hosts karaoke every night of the week, Whiskey Jacks hosts on Tuesdays and Fridays, and Amigos hosts every Thursday.

For those inexperienced in the art of karaoke, Amigos has singers do their thing on stage, which can be a bit intimidating. However, the stage really adds to your performance experience once you are comfortable with it.

If you’re on the west side or downtown, you can hit up Daisy’s Restaurant and Lounge on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Daisy’s is a little tricky to find, so throw it in your Google Maps before you leave the house, but once you get there, you won’t be disappointed. Whereas most places just use YouTube, Daisy’s uses specialized software for its show, meaning you get a really good selection of high-quality tracks.

Flint Saloon is a great place to end your weekend-long karaoke marathon on Sunday. This spot is nestled in the heart of downtown, so be prepared to fight for parking.

However, it’s a cozy place and less intimidating than the bigger bars — plus their cocktails are some of the best in the city.

If you want a really special experience, check out Rocksugar Karaoke and Restaurant on Eighth Street East. Rocksugar really channels the experience of 1970s Japanese

karaoke — rather than singing to a room full of strangers, they have six private rooms where you and a group of friends can serenade each other. They have a wide selection of high-quality music, featuring an array of tunes from East Asian countries, like South Korea and Japan.

Crackers Restaurant Lounge & Karaoke in the north end is one of Saskatoon’s hidden gems. Like Rocksugar and Daisy’s, they have specialized software with thousands of songs and an app that you can download to look through them without having to deal with a bulky binder. Unlike most of the other venues, their sound system is also set up for karaoke. However, Crackers’ claim to fame is that they have a league to compete in.

Yes, there is a karaoke league — three, in fact. Crackers holds them from September to November, January to March and May to June. Every performer signs up for one of three nights — Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday — and each week of the league has a different theme.

Performers sing two songs and are judged on their vocals, performance and costuming. Every night is open to the public, so feel free to go and watch. If you want to get involved with the league or get more details, visit crackersrestaurant.org. There is often a waiting list to get in, so get your name in early.

Non-league nights are Friday to Monday.

Remember that the number-one rule of karaoke is to have fun. You might think you won’t sound good, but that isn’t the point. The main thing is to go out, sing a song you really love and share that experience with others.

On the plus side, all of these venues are bars, and we all know that having a beverage or two does wonders for your confidence. Just be safe, be responsible and make a plan for how you’re going to get home at the end of the night.

Mary Sarcauga

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CULTURE / 11

OPINIONS

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OPINIONS Talking non-participation: Why Indigenous students and groups are right to withdraw JESSICA JACKSON, JANELLE SMITH and ASHLY DYCK

Are there antibiotics in the milk we drink?

Just like humans, cows can get sick. Sometimes, antibiotics are used to treat illnesses in individual cows.

In congruence with Canadian dairy practices, when this happens, the cow’s milk is collected separately and discarded until the antibiotics have cleared her system.

In Canada, there is zero tolerance for antibiotics in milk, whether conventional or organic, and producers can face heavy penalties. Every time milk is picked up from producers, samples are sent to an independent lab for tests, including somatic cell counts and antibiotic residues.

If antibiotics are found in the milk, the entire truckload is discarded.

If there were antibiotics in milk, we wouldn’t have delicious products like cheese and yogurt, as antibiotics disrupt the fermentation processes essential to make these products.

Dairy systems use somatic cell count tests internationally to detect the cellular content of milk. In the context of cows, a somatic cell is any live cell found in the udder. The maximum allowed SCC limit in Canada is 400,000 cells per millilitre.

From July to December 2017, the Canadian farm average was about 209,000 cells per milliliter — just over half the maximum allowable limit — although this data excludes the provinces of Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador. To put this in perspective, one cubic millimetre of human blood contains four to six million red blood cells.

Does milk contain pus?

We’ve all heard claims that there is pus in milk. However, this too is a myth. The cells found in normal milk through SCC tests are primarily live cells in the mammary gland.

Pus, on the other hand, is a collection of dead white blood cells, dead skin cells and bacteria, and its presence in milk would not pass quality testing. Any harmful bacteria in milk are destroyed by pasteurization.

Canadian Quality Milk is an on-farm monitoring program run by Dairy Farmers of Canada that ensures food safety and overall best management practices across the nation.

The program tracks the testing and storage of milk, animal transport and the use of on-farm medication.

Dairy Farmers of Canada also conducts on-farm welfare assessments to ensure that each farm meets a high standard of animal health and care.

If you’re curious to learn more, visit the Rayner Dairy Research and Teaching Facility on campus or go to www.farmfood360.ca for virtual tours of dairy barns across Canada.

Ask an Agro is a monthly column where students from the College of Agriculture and Bioreserouces answer queries about the Canadian food system. You can send questions to opinions@thesheaf.com or askanagro@gmail.com.

12 / OPINIONS

In many ways, colonial structures at post-secondary institutions take power away from Indigenous students every day.

EMILY MIGCHELS OPINIONS EDITOR

An important conversation is underway at the University of Saskatchewan, as Indigenous student leaders raise active critique about the institution’s leaders and administration, and everyone should listen up.

Following the Indigenous Students’ Council’s call to action on Feb. 28, and subsequent statements of support from the Saskatoon Urban Native Teacher Education Program and the Indigenous Graduate Students’ Council, it is apparent that efforts toward Indigenization and reconciliation at the U of S have so far failed in the eyes of the Indigenous student body.

In their ask, the ISC called for the creation of an autonomous Indigenous Students’ Union at the U of S and suggested a collective act of withdrawal, asking all Indigenous students to pull out of all conversations concerning Indigenization and reconciliation both at the U of S and throughout all post-secondary institutions.

This action should not be misunderstood as noncooperation — it is on settlers, now, to reflect on the implications of the call to action, assess wrongs, think critically about programs and initiatives, and find ways to a solution. It is not the responsibility of Indigenous students or leaders to explain or solve the problem.

The institutional structures that govern, operate and administrate nearly all aspects of our current society do actively work against the sovereignty of Indigenous peoples. At a press conference held by members of the ISC on March 6, student Monica Iron from Canoe Lake First Nation explained that many Indigenous students have been frustrated that efforts toward Indigenization and reconciliation at the U of S that have not represented the entire Indigenous student body.

Caitlin Taylor The Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre has been a space for discourse.

“We’re added to boards after the boards are made, when we should be [there] at the formation… Instead of as individual students, we should be approached as a group — currently, they just kind of pick us one by one,” Iron said.

Iloradanon Efimoff, a graduate student of Haida and European descent in applied social psychology, explains that discourse has been difficult so far, because Indigenous students are not afforded equal resources as part of the conversation and suggests that a way forward is a re-evaluation of governing processes.

“All of our students have the right to participate in these conversations, and that’s coming from a different structure — that’s coming from the capacity for us to organize across campus as an Indigenous Students’ Union not as disparate clubs, constituency groups and councils that are situated across campus and unable to connect and communicate in a meaningful way,” Efimoff said.

It is important that I situate myself as a first-generation white settler living and working on Treaty 6 Territory and the homeland of the Métis.

My voice — while given the privilege of this platform — is insignificant in the place of emotion or lived experience, and I recognize that I cannot

fully understand the weight of this monumental conversation that is being carried by so many around me.

This very publication, in fact, has acted as a tool of colonial power with its influence over the information shared in the campus sphere. Newspapers like this one tell stories but often fail to balance them, and there is still much to learn and unlearn in newsrooms.

As long as these systems don’t support them, yes, Indigenous students have every right to withdraw their input from reconciliation and Indigenization efforts. They have this right, because they do not owe us this consult. They do not owe us their time. Our settler strategies toward Indigenization and reconciliation often demand emotional labour. Remember, these conversations have different meanings when we approach them from a place of privilege.

In the days and decisions to come, keep in mind that settlers have a responsibility to pursue understanding independently, to own up to past and present mistakes and to listen well to what is being said around us. To put it plainly, it’s not the job of Indigenous students to explain what’s wrong with these systems. They have every right to withhold their consult, because we often take advantage of it.

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OPINIONS

Pink Shirt Day: Moving from awareness to positive change To create sustainable change, anti-bullying efforts must expand beyond the scope of campaigning.

INE FOURIE

On Feb. 28, participants in the annual Pink Shirt Day movement took a stand against bullying by sporting pink shirts. In addition to raising awareness, the main goal of this campaign is to spark change, but it fails to demonstrate how this change can be made.

Let’s start by identifying the target population of campaigns like Pink Shirt Day: youth. The Pink Shirt Day initiative was inspired by an act of solidarity from students at a Nova Scotia high school in 2007 and has since expanded to become a fundraising campaign in high schools across Canada for CKNW Kids’ Fund.

As a victim of many forms of bullying, I believe this campaign needs to offer more supportive methods of intervention and should push for the implementation of such methods in classrooms. When it comes to addressing bullying

behaviour in the classroom, teachers often utilize one of two common approaches: requesting silence or pursuing punishment.

Both of these methods, however, encourage the persistence of bullying behaviour and fail to address the core issues at hand. We should all take a step back and re-evaluate these approaches.

To trace bullying back to the root of its problem, we should ask what drives people to inflict physical, emotional or psychological abuse on others.

Instead of using punishment or complacency as tools of combat, we need to equip teachers, leaders and bystanders with the tools and training to not only recognize abnormal behaviour but also address it using an approach that is most beneficial for all parties in conflict.

In some situations, perpetrators of abuse don’t need to be punished but rather given access to the resources they need to get back on track — including counselling,

community-building initiatives and opportunities to develop interpersonal skills. If we start directing our efforts toward helping these individuals, we will readily reduce the victim count.

Often, our initial reaction is to think badly of and draw away from those we see as bullies. Bullying behaviour, however, is a complex and multifaceted matter. I encourage you to consider the underlying emotional and psychological factors that influence and encourage this behaviour and reach out toward — instead of drawing away from — those who need your help.

We are in positions of influence. We have the ability to lay down the foundations for our future, and it is up to us to decide where we want to see this society in the years to come.

No one deserves to be bullied, and those who engage in bullying behaviour also deserve a chance to turn things around, because we all deserve to be treated equally and equitably.

Lauren Klassen Pink Shirt Day should be an active, responsive campaign.

U of S should consider a co-operative market on campus A student-owned grocery store would provide accessible food and leadership opportunities.

LOGAN HUARD

The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus offers many services that help students in their everyday lives, but there is one necessity that has yet to be actualized. To combat food insecurity, the U of S should invest in a studentbased co-operative market.

Currently, for students living on or around campus, there are very few accessible options for groceries. I live only a few blocks from campus and — due to my busy student lifestyle — I do not have time between work, volunteering and school to bus to the nearest grocery stores on Eighth Street East.

The present grocery alternatives in the campus vicinity are Mac’s Convenience Store in Lower Place Riel, Brunskill Pharmacy and the Campus Confectionery — all of which have limited and pricey options. The U of S Students’ Union Food Centre, in partnership with the CHEP Good Food Box program, does provide more options, but selection is also limited and schedule-dependant.

As I am sure I am not the

only one who spends most of their time on campus, having a grocery store in close proximity would mitigate the barrier of inconvenience, as people would be able to grab their groceries before they walk home or hop on the bus.

Compounding the convenience factor, we have recently become aware of the bleak situation facing many students at our institution: food insecurity.

A study published in December 2017 revealed that 39.5 per cent of students at the U of S were food insecure to some extent. Additionally, access to fresh vegetables, fruits and other foods is an issue that a grocery store on campus could help eliminate.

I believe the best implementation strategy for this project would be to pursue a student-based co-operative.

If the initiative were allotted a levy as an additional student fee, all students would gain membership, and thus, ownership of the store — much like how Louis’ Loft and Louis’ Pub currently operate under the USSU. Student ownership would provide a number of benefits, as students would have a say in

business operations. Additionally, it would open up opportunities for student leadership through the establishment of a board of directors. Having students in these roles would allow the store to keep its prices student-friendly, thus alleviating affordability issues.

Our student numbers could double as a membership number so that, at the end of the year, a cash return based on an individual student’s usage could be offered as an additional perk. Furthermore, the store would create more jobs for students on campus.

There are a number of locations around campus where a co-operative

market could be constructed — the store doesn’t need to be all that large. The Hometown Grocery in my home town of Medstead serves the entire community and area but is small enough to fit comfortably between the pathways that go between Arts and Thorvaldson.

This is a central location that already has easy access points and a parking lot — although

Lot G is not currently available for public access, except after hours and on weekends — making it a prime spot to break ground.

Having a grocery store on campus seems to me like a worthy investment for students. It may come with a hefty price tag, but I believe that the well-being of students would greatly improve if this project were undertaken.

da Lin

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OPINIONS

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In response to “Me and vegetarianism: A complicated love story” One campus club defends the Canadian food industry and dispels misinformation.

s Ed

itor

duction — from farm to fork.

So, next time you’re enjoying a steak, whether it be cabbage or beef, we challenge you to consider both sides of the narrative and question the validity of the information you hear.

For more information on beef production in Canada, check out the Beef Cattle Research Council, contact the U of S Beef Team or submit your questions to the Sheaf’s “Ask an Agro” columnists by emailing opinions@thesheaf.com or askanagro@gmail.com.

hic

also focuses on a “grassland’s contributions to carbon sequestration, maintenance of watersheds, wetlands, and habitat to support plant, animal, bird and insect biodiversity.”

Sustainability is absolutely a top priority for beef producers in Canada, and the need to protect resources and commit to improving soil, air and water quality for future generations is widely understood. Canada is a global leader in animal health and welfare, food safety and managing environmental impacts and is constantly striving to improve.

Being the best isn’t good enough — farmers, ranchers and researchers here at the University of Saskatchewan, and across the nation, are continuously working to do better. There is a constant effort to be transparent and to provide consumers with credible, science-based information on food pro-

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plant-based diet can also put people at a greater risk to develop certain cancers.

The intents of these documentaries — environmental protection, water conservation, pollution prevention, healthy living and sustainability — are noble, but their supporting data is highly biased and often framed in compulsory ways, playing to our emotions and using guilt tactics.

The beef industry constantly comes under fire for many issues that arise from misinformed and often extremist groups that have no intention of considering information from those on the other side of the argument — farmers and ranchers, the very people who dedicate their lives to feeding the world.

In an ongoing study funded by the Beef Cattle Research Council, researchers Tim McAllister and Karen Beauchemin aim to explain how beef cattle contribute positively to the environment through their ability to convert low-quality forages into high-quality protein for humans. Their research

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In an article published in the Sheaf’s opinions section on Jan. 25, a student suggested that a vegetarian or vegan diet is the most ethical means of nourishment — partly basing this claim on biased and inflammatory information.

“Everyone has different reasons for consuming the foods they do, and regardless of your diet, I think the importance lies in being critical and doing our research to make sure that we are protecting the planet and others as best we can,” says Mackenzie Paradzik in her article — and you know what?

She’s right.

The beautiful part of living in a country with global trade is that you can go to the supermarket on any day of the week and find anything to suit your fancy — from Colombian fair trade coffee to cucumbers and peppers from Spain. Generally, Canadians have unlimited access to a variety of high quality, safe and affordable foods.

We’re not here to tell you what you should or shouldn’t eat — that’s up to you. So, what’s our beef?

There is so much information available about agriculture that, sometimes, it can be overwhelming. It’s hard to know what to read or who to listen to — for example, many of the most popular food documentaries are produced in the United States, and they don’t always reflect the laws and practices here at home.

It is important to be critical of information and ensure your buying and eating decisions are well informed — but be wary.

While documentaries like Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret and Forks Over Knives make claims accusing the livestock industry of every kind of travesty, they fail to provide completely factual information.

For example, livestock emissions make up only about 15 per cent of carbon emissions, and while a plant-based diet is great for certain degenerative conditions, the omega-3 oil available from plant-based sources isn’t always enough. A

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KALEN DUNN and THE U OF S BEEF TEAM

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COMING EVENTS follow us

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SBA ShortliSt reAding #1 MikA lAfond AdAM Pottle Beth gooBie Presented by the Saskatchewan Book Awards Friday, March 9, 7 PM live cAPtioning By Sk deAf And hArd of heAring Society

yvonne BloMer with leonA theiS Reading & Signing

Sugar Ride

March 14, 2018

#onedayforstudents

HOW DO YOU GIVE?

Join us on March 14 to celebrate giving on our campus and in our community.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER Shaina Lynden (BScKin’05) co-owner of RYDE YXE Cycle Studio

2:30pm Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre Free and open to the public

Tuesday, March 13, 7 PM

GIVE TO DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT All funds raised will go towards the Nasser Family Emergency Student Trust with all donations being matched by the Nasser family!

Visit give.usask.ca/oneday for more information on how you can get involved.

14 / OPINIONS 2/26/2018

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WWW.T H E S H E A F.COM // @ U SAS KS H E A F

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TEMPORARY STAIRCASE CLOSURE LEAVES STUDENTS DISPLACED, AFRAID MEMORIAL UNION BUILDING — As superficial renovations continue in the University of Saskatchewan’s Memorial Union Building, creating rerouted walkways through the building’s sort of complicated ground-floor layout, students are suffering dire consequences.

At least nine students have been

#albumoftheweek:

Rare Birds by Jonathan Wilson

Tanner Bayne

trapped in the MUB since the main stairwell connecting Louis’ Loft and Louis’ Pub was closed to the public.

Several of these individuals have found respite and shelter in the Multi-Faith Chaplains’ Office, located in Room 118 of the MUB, while two others have negotiated refuge at the Sheaf in exchange

We need to talk about producer extraordinaire Jonathan Wilson.

From producing Father John Misty’s Grammy-nominated release Pure Comedy to touring with Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters and playing on his stellar album Is This the Life We Really Want?, this LA-based jack-ofall-trades has challenged the traditional roles of music producers — but he doesn’t stop there.

for new joke ideas.

“I just got all turned around. I came here on Thursday to meet a friend for a drink, and I’ve been trying to find a way out of this hallway ever since,” said Sheaf staff favourite, Mitchell Miller, on March 5, adding, “I’ve never even seen this place before.”

Another student has begun efforts to fortify one of three gender-neutral washrooms on the ground floor. However, as of March 6, the Sheaf has not been able to reach them for comment.

businesscat.happyjar.com

Rare Birds is the latest release from this producer-musician who doesn’t sit still. With a voice that I can only describe as a less vocally ambitious Phil Collins, Wilson mixes ’80s artrock influences with a healthy amount of balladeering to produce one hell of a heartbreak album.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

xkcd.com

Unstoppable by Heywood Yu

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