March 15, 2018

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B I G G 0 H E A D L I N E page#

The Sheaf Publishing Society is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis.

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Presenting the USSU candidates

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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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

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Student chefs get ready for final cook-off As the Student Iron Chef event approaches, two student teams discuss their plans for the final cook-off challenge.

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 Gabbie Torres On March 2, student teams battle in a mini competition, held in the Marquis Culinary Centre, for a chance to go to the finale.

COVER IMAGE

Lesia Karalash BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kyra Mazer Emily Klatt Hasith Andrahennadi Momo Tanaka Katherine Fedoroff 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 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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BIDUSHY SADIKA

On March 21, the University of Saskatchewan Culinary Services will hold the finale of the Student Iron Chef competition in Marquis Culinary Centre, where the campus community and public will watch the cookoff and sample dishes from each team.

Student Iron Chef is back for its fifth year, giving students the opportunity to showcase their culinary skills in teams of up to four people. Each team is mentored by a Marquis Culinary chef, who guides them in preparing and serving their menu. In the finale, the top three teams battle for the best dish to take away a prize valued at $1,000.

Mark Tan, a fourth-year food sciences student and the Food Centre co-ordinator, is captain of team What’s Our Name? He explains that the charity aspect of the event and his interest in food prompted him to register for the competition.

“In previous years, the Culinary Services have been donating one pound of food for every person that goes in for the dinner. And so, I think that it’s important for me, as part of my job, to support events like that — so that I can stir up publicity for other people to come

[to the event] to indirectly … support the Food Centre. Another reason is just ’cause I like cooking and I like food,” Tan said.

This year, the Student Iron Chef competition included mini challenges to determine two of the top three teams that will compete against one another in the final battle. The third team will be selected based on public opinion, through a vote on the U of S Culinary Services web page. Tickets for the finale are $12.95, which includes the opportunity to sample the competition dishes.

Shiney Choudhary, a fourthyear psychology student, is a participant from team Cumin Get It. She discusses how her team had a recipe selected for the first mini competition but then had to switch to a meatless recipe because of limited time.

“Because we only had one hour, … we had to change [the dish],” Choudhary said. “So, initially, the dish — the one we submitted — was a lamb and beetroot curry with a bread at the bottom… But then, we had to cook it in an hour, and you can’t really cook a lamb in an hour.”

Choudhary says that her friends signed up for the competition as a team, as a way to have fun during a stressful time

in the academic term. She believes that her team members have grown closer to one another during the experience.

While Tan’s team won first place in both technical challenges and second place in the signature challenge, he explains that he has faced hurdles when planning dishes that are innovative and well-liked.

“You have to push the envelope and push the boundaries but still make people want to try it,” Tan said. “Last year when we did fish, a lot of people here don’t like fish… We had to make it in a way so that people will still want to try it.”

Both Choudhary and Tan say that their teams have not decided on their final dishes yet. When asked about what strategies his team would use in the finale, Tan explains that his focus has been to impress the judges and the crowd by focusing on the visual presentation of the dish.

Choudhary shares that her team will prepare a meatless, protein-enriched dish if they get to the finale.

“Everyone else is cooking pretty complex dishes, and they all were using meats and proteins,” Choudhary said. “So, we might have to figure out a way that we can make our dish [into] something that can be eaten by everyone.”

University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union passes budget

On March 8, the University Students’ Council passed the proposed budget for the 2018-19 academic year. This new budget will increase the amount that students will pay for the health and dental plan by five per cent. Health coverage will cost $145.13, and dental coverage will cost $117.55 per student in the 2018-19 academic year.

Campus parking rates

The cost of on-campus parking passes will increase later in 2018, as the parking advisory committee looks at making changes to the current rates. The prices have yet to be finalized and may be subject to changes, but the parking lots will likely increase by a flat rate of $5 per month for students, staff and faculty.

The price of all on-campus parking meters will also increase from $2 to $3 per hour for daytime hours and $1 to $1.25 per hour for nighttime hours. Additionally, daytime parking limits in front of the Memorial Union Building will increase from two hours to a limit of four hours.

Full statement on Indigenous Students’ Union

On March 12, Tony Vannelli, U of S provost and vice­ president academic, and Jackie Ottmann, U of S vice­ provost of Indigenous engagement, issued a full statement on their stance toward the creation of an Indigenous Students’ Union. The statement was posted on the PAWS feed and emailed to the student body. This response comes shortly after various faculty members issued their own statements of support for the creation of an autonomous governing body.

On March 8, the Indigenous studies department issued a statement of support on Facebook, which was followed by another statement of support on Twitter on March 12 posted by an account called Concerned U of S Settler Faculty Members. A number of instructors from various departments, notably the English and history departments, endorsed the statement of support published on March 12.

“We recognize that building reconciliation will involve settler colonial institutions giving up meaningful power and space accrued through the historic and ongoing displacement of Indigenous peoples from their lands and resources.

We expect to share in whatever discomfort that will entail,” the post read.

We would like to begin by thanking our student body for participating in the conversations as we, the Indigenous Students’ Council, the Indigenous Graduate Students’ Council, the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program, the Indian Teacher Education Program and the Food Sovereignty Association, work together to create a platform for the Indigenous student body at large to collaborate on the formation of an Indigenous Students’ Union.

We wish to distribute resources and solutions found amongst our student body, as well as address key points and themes from past townhalls foundational to the creation of an ISU. We aim to maintain the momentum and sentiment held in our common experiences of recent social injustices, and the common desire to create change, to act as the catalyst for our renewed vigor in our movement towards an Indigenous Students’ Union.

We continue to aspire towards building a model for a responsive framework for the ISU and to establish due diligence. We will be addressing concerns previously brought up at townhalls with the questions that will be asked, answered, summarized and disseminated to our In-

digenous student body, in an effort to establish a common foundation for community participation.

Once again, we respectfully ask only Indigenous students to attend this townhall and ask that our allies respect our decision to meet, organize and strategize amongst ourselves at this time. Thank you for your understanding. We want to reaffirm the value of our relationship with our allies.

We will be streaming this event on Facebook live, and we encourage our fellow Indigenous student groups nationwide to log in and participate in these discussions.

The livestream can be

accessed on the Indigenous Students’ Council’s Facebook page for those who cannot physically attend this townhall.

We will have a communications co-ordinator to facilitate any contributions or questions you would like to add. An online survey link with questions will be posted to the page prior to the townhall.

Where: The Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre When: March 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

ISC Communications Co-ordinator: 306-914-0024

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NEWS EDITOR

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NYKOLE KING

Call for Indigenous Student Townhall for March 22, 2018

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Campus briefs

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Protective Services briefs*

Break and enter: Protective Services was notified of a suspicious individual in the Engineering Building on Feb. 20 who was “creeping out” the caller. Officers were dispatched, and they located the individual near the Hardy Lab. It is suspected that this individual may have gained entry to the Hardy Lab. The individual, known to Protective Services, fled on foot and was not apprehended.

This individual may have been seen in the building again on Feb. 24. Protective Services encourages everyone to report suspicious activity to them and contact Safewalk at 306-966-SAFE if they would like assistance travelling between locations on campus.

Intoxicated driving: Security at the Royal University Hospital contacted Protective Services on Feb. 24 to report a suspected intoxicated driver near the hospital. Upon their arrival, the vehicle was parked with the keys in the ignition and the door open. Officers confiscated the keys from the car and provided them to RUH security, who ensured the safety of the vehicle.

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.

*Briefs provided by Protective Services.

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The Sheaf presents:

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2018-19

USSU election candidates

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The candidates for the USSU executive answer questions for the Sheaf regarding the upcoming elections.

SOPHIA LAGIMODIERE

Voting for the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union executive positions, senate representatives and members of student council will open on PAWS at 9 a.m. on March 21 and run until 4 p.m. on March 22. The Sheaf spoke to the four executive candidates about their campaigns.

Since the executive candidates are uncontested this year, students will have the option to vote in favour of the candidates or cast an abstention vote. The USSU must hold a followup election for any executive positions that remain vacant if any of the candidates receive less than a majority of the votes.

What are your three platform points?

“As a Huskie athlete, I learnt the importance of support from your friends and from fans and how much of a difference that makes… I know it’s the same for all other sports on campus — I know it’s the same for the debate team, for people doing musical performances or any other extra-curricular [activity]. So, bringing campus culture to life, or revitalizing it, is definitely one of my points.

“I think, for many people, that education is a bridge between where they are now and what they want to accomplish in this world.

I believe that it’s the government’s job to ensure there are no boundaries. The cost to go to university has been consistently rising, and our students are struggling… As president, I vow to bring together student leaders across Canada, so we become a powerful team to lobby government.

“My last point is parking on campus… I’ve missed classes, because I couldn’t find parking on campus. That is unacceptable, and this is real for many people… I’ve been saying that the university has a vast amount of land and resources. There’s no reason why we can’t develop something where every student can come to school, park their vehicles, [and] go to class without worrying about coming out and getting a ticket.”

Coden Nikbakht

fourth-year international studies student

President The president is the head of the organization and co-ordinates the executive. As chief spokesperson of the USSU, they liaise with the U of S Board of Governors and manage the union’s relations with all levels of government.

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After the interview, Nikbakht provided more information about this third platform point in an email to the Sheaf.

“I have created a short-term and a long-term plan to resolve this pressing issue. The short-term plan is to negotiate a profit-sharing model, so that the money being taken from our students through ticketing will be reinvested into our students through the USSU. My long-term plan includes working with the university to create efficient and affordable parking space(s) for our students,” Nikbakht said.

What makes your campaign stand out in comparison to past candidates’ campaigns?

“I believe that I’ll be a very strong advocate for all students — whether it’s dealing with municipal government, whether it’s in the legislative assembly in Regina or whether it’s on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. I’m well-connected to the broader community outside of the university as well, and I’m 100 per cent willing, regardless of who’s in power in any of those places, to be a strong voice for our students, and I think I can do the best at it.”

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Vice-president academic affairs The vice-president academic affairs is responsible for academic advocacy on behalf of students, including student grievances, academic appeals and curriculum concerns. They also chair the Academic Affairs Committee.

Sheldon Moellenbeck fifth-year psychology student

What are your three platform points?

“I know one of the biggest parts of being the vice-president academic is you sit on a lot of academic committees on the university level, so in order to represent all students from different campuses fairly, I want to make sure I’m reaching out to different student groups, so I can hear what different colleges are facing.

“I want to promote the scholarships that we have on campus… I want to make sure that the resources that we have in place are being utilized. In the past, I’ve sat on some committees where we’ve dealt with student finances and awards on campus, and I know a lot of the awards go unclaimed. So, I want to make sure that students know of all the resources that we have available to make education [more] accessible to them.

“I’m going to prioritize the student experience. There’s a variety of ways I want to do that. I’m going to advocate for more experiential-learning opportunities. I want to advocate for a term-one reading week for all

colleges… I want to advocate for more open textbooks and open educational resources, because a huge barrier to students for accessing education is the amount of money that they have to spend on textbooks.”

What made you want to run for this position?

“Just seeing from behind the scenes, working at the union for the past two years, there are things that I think that can be improved, so … that’s part of the reason I wanted to run. But, another part of the reason is because I haven’t had the most beautiful university career — I’ve had my struggles. I’ve worked two jobs for the past two years, while taking full-course loads.

And, I know that there are a lot of barriers that make education not that accessible.

“I just feel like I’m coming from an empathetic standpoint, where I can try and humanize the USSU and make it more approachable, so students feel more safe accessing our services. We have a ton of services that benefit students, but I don’t think a lot of people know how to use them.”

Vice-president operations and finance The vice-president operations and finance manages the union’s financial and internal operations and chairs the Budget and Finance Committee. They are also responsible for transit services and co-ordinating campus groups.

Brent Kobes

fourth-year political studies student

What are your three platform points?

“I’m going to try [to] continue to work with planning and priorities with the university … as well as the city at large to make sure that, when the Bus Rapid Transit system does get put into place, … it’s accessible to all students. Not just those that are able-bodied.

“The second major area of the portfolio for vice-president operations and finance is liaising with student groups. So, that means working with [the] Association of Constituency Presidents and making sure that student groups have an understanding of their liability, they have an understanding of governance, and they have an understanding of the services that both the USSU offers [and] the U of S offers.

“Student groups are the foundation of our campus community, and … I think that one of the most important roles of the job is to provide leadership to those students and to

provide them with information and to pass along institutional knowledge, so that we don’t have situations where student groups fall apart throughout the year.

“The third major area that the vice­ president operations and finance deals with is the actual operations and finance of the USSU. So, that means preparing the budget, as well as making sure that the day-to-day operations of the USSU are in good standing … and [making] sure that the budget is lean, efficient and balanced but we’re still providing for the services for students.”

What made you want to run for this position?

“I’ve been involved in community organizations, and I think that this is just the next step. I think that’s why I chose this position, as compared to other positions… I think that being able to engage with students from all across campus is what excites me.”

Vice-president student affairs The vice-president student affairs is responsible for student housing, the safety and security of students, disability and equity issues, the USSU centres, and the health and dental plan, among other things. They also chair the Student Affairs Committee, the International Student Affairs Committee and the Sustainability Committee.

Rose Wu

fourth-year psychology student All posed photos by J.C. Balicanta Narag / Photo Editor

What are your three platform points?

“Wellness — I kind of grouped into that … mental health, safety, sexual assault, disability and equity and advocating for more study space.

“Community — part of it is diversity and inclusivity, partnering more with the International Student and Study Abroad Centre, and more cultural events that I think get people together to learn more about other cultures, and just increase involvement within the student body.

“Sustainability — I wanted to look into

getting more bike racks, and I was thinking of posting events or fun competitions in the summer to get more people to walk or bike, if that works to encourage students and staff to be more sustainable.”

What makes your campaign stand out in comparison to past candidates’ campaigns?

“I’d say I’m outgoing and positive… I’ve been involved in other groups and work on campus, so that gives me like a bigger network — like friends that I could get ideas from and who I can get involved with.”

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SPORTS&HEALTH

Sheaf workout: Resistance training JENNA LEUNG

The next time you hit up the gym, try adding a resistance band to your workout regimen. If you do not have access to dumbbells, it’s not a problem, because a stretch band can be used in their place.

A stretch band isolates muscle groups and tones and shapes the body just like dumbbells. Bands are usually colour-coded according to the amount of tension, and there are a variety of weighted bands to choose from. To start off with, use a tension level that is comfortable for you.

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Big dreams for the Huskies as three teams head to U Sports nationals Three of the Huskies teams made it to the U Sports national championships despite their losses in the finals.

LYNDSAY AFSETH STAFF WRITER

1. Banded side-step squats

2. Standing hip extension

3. Bent-arm row

4. Lying bent-leg abduction (or clamshell)

All graphics by Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor

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The Huskies teams look great this year, with three teams at the national championships — the women’s basketball team played in the championships from March 8-11, and the women’s and men’s hockey teams are slated to start national playoffs on March 15 and 16, respectively.

The women’s basketball team made it through three games over the past week, winning the first game against the Acadia University Axewomen with a score of 72-67 and the second game against the University of Regina Cougars with a score of 74-71. Unfortunately, in the gold-medal game, they lost to the Carleton University Ravens with a score of 69-48, leaving them to conclude their season with silver.

The women’s basketball national championships took place at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport in Regina. A key player in the Huskies’ quarter-final game was second-year forward Summer Masikewich, who earned the team 25 points, most of which were in the second half of the game.

Their semi-final game against the U of R was a close game, with second-year point guard Libby Epoch securing the winning shot in the final minutes of the game. With a three-point shot, Epoch secured the win over the Cougars and a trip to the championship game.

Masikewich led the Huskies against the Ravens, in terms of points, with 19 altogether in the last game of the weekend. Although they got second place, the women’s team has not missed a trip to nationals in five years and took home the gold as recently as the 2015-16 season.

As for the men’s and women’s hockey teams, they are preparing to refine their game after their respective losses in the

Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor

Canada West playoffs. Kendall McFaull, fifth-year mechanical engineering student and captain of the men’s hockey team, discusses the upcoming games.

“We’re pretty excited. Obviously, Canada West finals didn’t go how we planned against Alberta, but we’ve had a week to regroup and get everybody healthy and focused on the national championship,” McFaull said.

Two of the team’s key players and forwards — Logan McVeigh and Josh Roach — will be returning after their injuries to reunite with the team in nationals. McFaull looks forward to bringing the team to Fredericton for the tournament.

“Whenever we start a year, one of our goals is to make it to nationals, so I think when we beat Calgary in the playoffs to clinch that spot in nationals, that was probably the highlight, and [it was] pretty huge for us to score with 24 seconds left in game three,” McFaull said.

The women’s hockey team

has also been regrouping after their loss in the Canada West finals. Kaitlin Willoughby, fifth-year nursing student and captain of the women’s hockey team, is also excited to lead the team to the national championships for the first time since 2014.

“We had an amazing second half of the season and clinched second place, and then, we played against [the] University of British Columbia at home and won to go to the finals, so that whole sequence of events was pretty amazing,” Willoughby said.

Although there is some tough competition, Willoughby explains that the team has been working on perfecting their gameplay and that they will play to their strengths to help them in the national championship.

“I think we’re one of the top defensive teams in the league, so it’s really hard for other teams to score against us, which is probably one of our biggest strengths.”

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SPORTS&HEALTH

Dog Watch: Etienne Hagenbuch Volleyball has taken Hagenbuch far and wide, from his home in Switzerland to destinations like Taiwan, to relocating to Canada.

JACK THOMPSON

SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR

Etienne Hagenbuch has been playing volleyball since he was seven, and he chose to dedicate himself to the sport over tennis at age 15. Since that decision, Hagenbuch played in the Swiss pro league and eventually made the move to the University of Saskatchewan.

Hagenbuch plays libero for the Huskies men’s volleyball team and has been doing so for the past four years. During his time at the U of S, he has been working towards a degree in finance at the Edwards School of Business, and he was on the Huskie all-academic second team in the 2016-17 season.

In Switzerland, Hagenbuch has been on the national senior team since 2012, and he continues to play over the summers.

When he was on the under 18 team, they won the Swiss volleyball national championship.

In addition to these accomplishments, Hagenbuch was also a part of the second Swiss pro league from 2012 to 2014.

The Swiss volleyballer speaks to one of the biggest differences he experienced in switching

over to volleyball in Canada, which was also a major reason for his move. “[They are] all younger guys here. When I played in Switzerland, they were all average like 30 years old — I was always the youngest guy, basically, on the whole team,” Hagenbuch said.

“That’s why I wanted to change, too. I’ve always been seen as a young guy, and I wanted to take more of a leadership position.”

Hagenbuch, who maintains his position on the Swiss senior team over the summer, is a prime example of the opportunities one can gain by excelling in sports, including travelling to sporting events, as he explains.

“Last summer, we went to Taiwan… So, that was a huge memory I will never forget.

That was crazy,” Hagenbuch said.

Aside from the trip to Taiwan, the Swiss team also travels around Europe over the summers. Travel experiences like these and crossing the Atlantic to live in Canada are things Hagenbuch doesn’t feel he would have experienced if it weren’t for sport.

“Especially coming to Canada — I don’t think I would have

ever done that without volleyball. I probably would have started studying in Switzerland and stayed there my whole life.

It opened up my mind a lot,” Hagenbuch said.

When travelling to different countries, especially for something like university, there can be a number of obstacles to getting completely comfortable with an entirely new culture.

Hagenbuch explains that he had some difficulty getting into social circles, particularly because of a language barrier, but that being a part of the Huskies has helped him.

“My English was pretty bad in the beginning,” Hagenbuch said. “They really help you, and I think it’s easier to come here and play for a team than [to] come here by yourself, basically, and just take classes. They always take you out — your teammates — and put you in their environment, and [you] meet their friends, and then you hang out with them. It’s super easy to find friends.”

After playing on several teams in several countries, Hagenbuch has met a lot of people through volleyball, and he says it’s the best part of being involved in sports.

David Hartman Hagenbuch, posed on campus, has travelled all around the globe with volleyball.

“The relationships you make over all the time you play — just all the people you meet [and] just being in their environment — I really like that. As

a team sport, you play against a team, but after the game, you’re kind of friends. I went through a couple of teams and still stay in contact with old teammates.”

#Sheafgram

usask erniebrph

usask

erniebrph “An Actor Prepares”. Subtitle: “I get by with a little help from my friends” Photo Credit to the lovely, impeccably skilled @j.schulz.photography. If you need your next round of photos to be AMAZING, check out her profile!

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SPORTS&HEALTH

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Road hockey tournament celebrates its 33rd year Although there was a low turnout this year, the High Voltage Classic fundraiser was still a success.

Maisha Nasim / Supplied Teams took to the street between City Hall and the Francis Morrison Central Library to raise funds for charity.

LYNDSAY AFSETH STAFF WRITER

Ball hockey is an important part of Canadian culture, and students from the electrical and computer engineering department hold a ball hockey tournament every year to bring people together and raise money for charity. The organizers and participants both had a fun time this year, despite low participation.

The High Voltage Classic fundraiser is an annual 32hour ball hockey tournament that has been put on by the University of Saskatchewan Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers student branch since 1985. Each year, the student group chooses a charity to give the proceeds to.

Although there is a maximum

of 64 teams who can register to play, this year, there were only three teams who registered.

Maisha Nasim, a third-year electrical engineering student and the organizer of the event, discusses what the event is about.

“This is actually our 33rd year of doing it. The ECE department [does] it every year, so this has been a tradition,” Nasim said. “We pick an organization, and whatever money comes from this, we give it to them. For this year, it is the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital.”

The three teams who participated this year were the Bridge City Massacres, the Swamp Donkeys and the winning team, the Top Guns. Tyler Walker Young, a U of S commerce alumnus and a member of the Swamp Donkeys, dis-

cusses his team’s tradition of coming to HVC. “We’re celebrating our tenyear anniversary of this team, the Swamp Donkeys,” Walker Young said. “[The event] was developed by the engineers in the ’80s to raise money, and then, it got really big, and now it’s down to three teams. But, it’s still here.”

The tournament is traditionally organized by the IEEE, but engineering students who are not involved with the IEEE also helped to put it together this year, Nasim notes.

“It’s amazing how all the engineering students just come out and help each other out,” Nasim said. “Some of the students are related to IEEE [and] some aren’t, but they’re all amazing.”

Although HVC is put on by engineering students, Nasim

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explains that the teams that participate are made up of various people, both students and otherwise.

“Over the years, more or less, it was always the same teams playing again and again,” Nasim said. “They are not all engineers. There are probably one or two engineering students, at some point, involved with the teams, … but they are probably family members of engineering students or most likely friends and neighbours they played hockey with.”

The ball hockey tournament took place on March 10,

by City Hall downtown. Although there was a low turnout this year, those who did participate had a good time.

However, Walker Young notes that he would like to see more teams sign up in upcoming years.

“I always have fun — I love this tournament. You get to play fun hockey, it’s Canadian, and my team is awesome,” Walker Young said. “It could be amazing if more people came out, because it’s so good.”

Nasim explains that the tournament first began in Saskatoon because of the tradition of hockey in Canada, as well as the engineering students’ desire to bring students together to raise money for charity in a fun way.

“It started because a lot of the students had friends who used to play hockey, and they used to play hockey as well, so they thought it would be an amazing way to [share] the tradition that we have,” Nasim said. “Hockey has always been a very important part of Canada, and it brings students together at the same time.”

CULTURE

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CULTURE

Blundstoon: The love story of a city and its favourite boot Join us for a run-through of the history, significance and appeal of the Blundstone boot.

EVENTS T H U R S

15

GLOBAL VILLAGE 2018 @ LOUIS’ PUB, 4:45 P.M.

MARCH GRUB N’ GAB @ STATION 20 WEST, 5:30 P.M.

5D4H IMPROV NIGHT @ QUANCE THEATRE, 7:15 P.M.

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

F R I

16

THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS BY GILLO PONTECORVO @ REMAI MODERN, 7:00 P.M.

U OF S JAZZ ENSEMBLE SEMESTER END CONCERT @ QUANCE THEATRE, 7:30 P.M.

CUMMONAWANNALAYA PRESENTS: FOAM ON THE RANGE! @ PRAIRIELAND PARK, 8:00 P.M. THE DEARS @ THE BROADWAY THEATRE, 8:00 P.M.

S A T

17

WHALE RIDER BY NIKI CARO @ REMAI MODERN, 1:00 P.M. USASK IMPROV PRESENTS: SEASON FINALE @ QUANCE THEATRE, 7:30 P.M.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY WITH ECILA, SPACEMINTS AND DIRTY & THE PERKS @ BLACK CAT TAVERN, 9:00 P.M. WAKE WITH ADOLYNE, MAN MEAT AND DOUR

hi cs

Ed ito r

@ AMIGOS CANTINA, 10:00 P.M.

Le

EMILY KLATT

When it comes to fashion trends, University of Saskatchewan students aren’t necessarily the most hip. However, when it comes to footwear, we seem to be on the cutting edge. What am I referring to? The answer appears to be right at our feet: the humble Blundstone boot.

In case you’re out of the loop, Blundstones are those slip-on ankle-length leather workboots that are worn by every Broadway Avenue hipster. A blue-collar take on the Chelsea boot, Blundstones are a little chunky, a little rustic and entirely synonymous with the city of Saskatoon. But, what makes this Australian boot so damn popular on the Prairies?

Blundstones are far from a recent discovery. The Blundstone company was established on the island of Tasmania in the mid-1800s by John and Eliza Blundstone, who had recently immigrated to Australia from Derbyshire, England.

The boots broke into the international scene in the 1990s, and Blundstone Canada came along in 1994.

Although Blundstone makes several different types of shoes, their most well-known product is any of a variety of laceless ankle-length leather workboot.

This specific line of boots is officially called “The Original,”

but they are colloquially referred to just as “Blundstones” or “Blunnies” for short.

Today, Canada is the third largest market for Blundstones in the world. They can be purchased at over 450 retailers across the country. Sales remain the strongest along the coasts, but even Saskatoon alone has 10 separate retail locations.

However, it’s important to think about why Saskatoon has jumped on the Blundstone bandwagon. One reason could be sheer practicality. Our city is subject to some pretty brutal weather conditions, ranging from snow to sleet to rain — and that could be in a single day. Warm, grippy and relatively waterproof, a pair of Blundstones can be a smart option when dealing with Saskatoon’s unpredictable climate.

Another reason could be versatility. I’ll admit that I’m not writing this article from an unbiased perspective. I am a Blundstone owner. I love my pair, and I wear them just about everywhere — from the provincial legislature to the Ness Creek Music Festival and to lots of places in between. They can be dressed up or down depending on the outfit.

There’s also something to be said for just liking a thing because it’s cool. We’ve all bought into a trend at one time or another — maybe because it was

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popular, or because our friends had it or because we didn’t want to be left out. Why should the Blundstone trend be any different? There’s a good chance that the Blundstone boom can be partially credited to the nature of trends.

Not everyone in Saskatoon has taken the Blundstone trend in stride, however. For as much love as they receive, there’s also a decent amount of Blundstone backlash.

For some, the boot just isn’t their style. Blundstones definitely have a particular look to them, and it isn’t for everyone.

Cost is also likely to prevent some people from purchasing a pair of Blundstones. Let’s be real: Blundstones — at least new ones — are relatively expensive, when compared to other footwear options.

Price will vary from retailer to retailer, but a pair of adultsized Original Blundstones sells for around $210 from the Blundstone Canada website, with other styles costing even more. That’s definitely not an affordable option for many people — particularly those on a student budget.

Whether you love or hate them, it doesn’t seem like Blundstones are going anywhere anytime soon. But, who knows? Maybe, one day, they’ll be so popular in Saskatchewan that we get our very own line — the Blundstoon, perhaps?

S U N

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ST. HUNGOVER DAY @ WINSTON’S ENGLISH PUB, 12:00 P.M.

GIRLS ROCK CAMP: ALL GROWN UP SHOWCASE @ AMIGOS CANTINA, 8:00 P.M.

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

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

M O N

19

LUNCH+LEARN: LGBT 101 — AN INTRO TO TERMS AND IDENTITY @ OUTSASKATOON, 12:00 P.M. VIDEO GAME MONDAY @ LOUIS’ PUB, 7:00 P.M.

LADYBITS IMPROV COMEDY COLLECTIVE @ AMIGOS CANTINA, 7:30 P.M.

BLACK CAT COMEDY NIGHT @ BLACK CAT TAVERN, 8:00 P.M.

T U E S

20

FREE BREAKFAST AT SASKATOON GRAINFIELDS @ GRAINFIELDS FAMILY RESTAURANT, EIGHTH STREET EAST, 9:30 A.M.

PAINT YOUR PET @ BIRMINGHAM’S VODKA & ALE HOUSE, 6:00 P.M.

PYSANKA WORKSHOP @ ST. THOMAS MORE COLLEGE STUDENT LOUNGE, 6:30 P.M.

TOONIE TUESDAY @ LOUIS’ PUB, 7:00 P.M.

W E D

21

WING WEDNESDAY @ LOUIS’ PUB, 5:00 P.M.

NEPALI SANJH 2018 @ LOUIS’ PUB, 6:00 P.M.

WRITE ON WEDNESDAYS @ FRANCES MORRISON CENTRAL LIBRARY, 6:30 P.M.

COMEDY NIGHT @ BUDS ON BROADWAY, 7:30 P.M.

UNTIL MARCH 16 MARCH 21-31

PIMÂTISIWIN @ GORDON TOOTOOSIS NĪKĀNĪWIN THEATRE

SPIRIT WRESTLER @ GREYSTONE THEATRE

CULTURE / 9

FEATURE

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International

insights: Looking at Usask and Saskatoon from cross-border perspectives

Adesola Afe Lagos, Nigeria

Ana Camacho Guayaquil, Ecuador

The Sheaf speaks to four international students about their experiences studying at the University of Saskatchewan and living in Saskatoon.

For our travel and international issue, I’ve decided to talk to four international students to find out their sincerest thoughts on what it’s been like to live in Saskatoon and study at the University of Saskatchewan. Here is what they have to say.

TANNER BAYNE CULTURE EDITOR

Ana Camacho, 19, from Guayaquil, Ecuador first-year English In 10 words or less, sum up your time in Saskatoon.

“It’s an interesting experience. It has its ups and downs.”

Why did you decide to study here?

“The university came to my town, and it sounded great. I met some of the professors a couple of years ago. Also, the U of S has good financial aid, which will add up.”

Mashrafi Haider Iqra, 21, from Chittagong, Bangladesh second-year computer science and economics In 10 words or less, sum up your time in Saskatoon.

“It’s busy and stressful. There [are] lots of friendly people.”

In what ways has the U of S met your university expectations? In what ways hasn’t it?

“It has an English program, which is not offered in my country. I don’t really have anything to compare it to, but I like the classes. There are so many events that you can find for any interest. And just the city, it has a lot of cultural events that I’m interested in. It has allowed me to do the things I like — I haven’t had to compromise my interests to fit some other major.”

In what ways has the U of S met your university expectations? In what ways hasn’t it?

“It’s a place where you have lots of opportunities in [the] things you want to explore. You can be a leader. You can get into different clubs and organizations. You can be a representative of USSU and defend cultural groups… Besides that, people are very friendly and open to help you out.

I don’t have anything in my mind about how the university hasn’t met my expectations.”

What did you know about Saskatoon before coming here, and how has your time here measured up to that?

“I knew basically nothing, looking back. Most of what I heard came from Google searches. I come from a town of three million [people], so I thought it would be extremely small. When I came here, I was looking out the window downtown, and there were really small buildings. I just thought, ‘This is my life now.’ It’s a small city but has the benefits of a large city. I love the library system.”

What did you know about Saskatoon before coming here, and how has your time here measured up to that?

“The weather was a concern for me. I’m from a country where the weather is 9-16 degrees [Celsius] in the winter — it’s almost like Vancouver. It was kind of scary for me to come to a place where winter means minus 40. However, when you’re facing it, it’s much easier than when you visualize it back home… When I got here, I thought it wasn’t bad.”

What have you enjoyed about living in Saskatoon?

“The library system is my main thing. I found it two months into university, and I love it. I can cultivate some really weird interests, and they find some good books for me. Maybe it sounds weird if you’re not used to it, but the public transit system as well. Because of it, I can do and see whatever I want. It’s nice to feel like I can build my own experience and that there is nothing limiting me.”

What has surprised you the most about Saskatoon or Saskatonians?

“I’ve travelled to different cities here, but people from Saskatchewan are more helpful and friendly. Also, I’d say that it’s a place for opportunity.

When you’re a student looking for a job — and you’re serious about looking for it — you’ll get one. I’ve got friends in big cities like Vancouver and Toronto, and in a year, they don’t have a job. It’s hard for them to afford food and to live there.”

What are some quintessential Saskatonian things that you have picked up on?

“Many people at the university are from a town nearby — it doesn’t really matter what town it is, they are just from that place. It’s cool that the U of S is a local university for some people. The winter clothes were a learning curve… Hockey — everyone talks about it.”

What have you enjoyed about living in Saskatoon?

“The people here are very accepting of cultural diversity. They have a great tolerance for people of different cultures. Rather than judge, people in Saskatoon enjoy these differences. When people are accepting and are interested in your culture and language, it makes you feel like it’s your home, rather than being a person that came [here] two years back.”

10 / FEATURE

FEATURE

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MA R C H 1 5 , 2 0 1 8

Mashrafi Haider Iqra Chittagong, Bangladesh

Marianne Holt Hartlepool, United Kingdom

J.C. Balicanta Narag / Photo Editor

Marianne Holt, 21, from Hartlepool, United Kingdom third-year international studies, on a study-abroad program from the University of Birmingham In 10 words or less, sum up your time in Saskatoon.

“Quite cold, quite isolated, but somehow really great.”

Why did you choose the U of S? “I kind of had to go somewhere that spoke English. I knew that I wanted to go to Canada, and a lot of the universities I looked at were big names — like [the] University of Toronto, McGill [University] and [the] University of British Columbia — but my academic advisers really promoted the U of S, because it is really a good university worldwide. I did apply for those other ones but got paired with the U of S. It looked really nice.”

What has surprised you the most about Saskatoon or Saskatonians?

“In the U.K., there’s always the stereotype of Canadians being friendly, but when I came here, I couldn’t believe how nice people were. When people found out that I wasn’t from here, they made sure I had a really good time.

“I couldn’t believe how upbeat Canadians were. I actually thought, ‘Am I evil, or are these people overly nice?’ British people aren’t as hospitable. I didn’t realize how much community there is here.”

What is a difficulty you’ve encountered living in Saskatoon?

“Number one is grocery shopping. Where I’m from, even at the university, there was a massive grocery store on campus. There isn’t one near the U of S. If you’re a permanent Saskatoon resident, you have a car and you’re fine. I’m only here for a year, so I’m not going to buy a car. When I made friends with people with cars, that [was] great.

“Also, the fact most bars shut at like 2 a.m. That’s massively different from Europe, where some bars are open till nine in the morning, which is really scummy. The fact that you have to go to liquor stores as well.

We have convenience stores on campus that sell alcohol. You can leave a lecture, pick up a bottle of wine and go home.”

Adesola Afe, 21, from Lagos, Nigeria fourth-year international studies In 10 words or less, can you sum up your time in Saskatoon?

“Very interesting, but very cold.”

What did you know about Saskatoon before coming here, and how has it measured up to that?

“Nothing — only that it was cold. What I know now is not so good. I think there is a lot of work to do with the whole Black situation and Indigenous situation. There is a lot to learn. There is a little bit of segregation. There is a lot of work to be done with how people view other people.

“There [are] a lot of nice people here, but also a lot of racist people. I had a funny situation with a First Nations man downtown. I was reversing and didn’t look back and see him, and he just hit my windshield with his fist. I was so scared, and he was threatening me, saying that I needed to roll down my window. I kept apologizing, and I drove off, and he chased after me.

“That was the first time a non-Black person called me a nigger. When Black people call Black people a nigger, it’s whatever. When someone else calls you a nigger, it reminds you how hurtful people can be. There’s still a lot to be done with racism. One thing that I’ve learned here is that you have to be bold here, and [you] have to know how to face conflict.”

What could Saskatoon benefit from having?

“Pubs and clubs could be open until three or four o’clock. Sometimes, I get out of school late and don’t have a lot of time to see my friends or be outside.”

What are some weird Saskatoon things that you have picked up on?

“Waiting for pedestrians to cross the road. It’s not weird, but in Africa, the cars go first. Where I’m from in Nigeria, the drivers don’t ever wait. If you [run] across the road, you will get hit if you’re not careful.

“Another thing, when you get off the bus [in Saskatoon], you say thank you, and I think that’s so beautiful. That’s something I always say now. It’s not weird but a good habit to master over time.”

FEATURE / 11

CULTURE

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Roadie ready: A concise list of road-trip must-haves There’s nothing like a summer road trip, so here are some useful tips for your adventures.

BIDUSHY SADIKA

Laura Underwood / Layout Manager

COMING EVENTS follow us

©

Jeff Burton Signing

The Adventures of Auroraman #1 Saturday, March 17, 1 pm

SaSkatoon Symphony orcheStra muSic talk

As students wait for the summer break with bated breath, we often daydream about travelling somewhere. You don’t have to leave on a jet plane to satisfy that travel bug — Saskatchewan is home to many great road-trip opportunities.

Here are some useful tips for your summer road trip.

Read up on what you want to do: This is obviously the most important part. Do you want to see the forest or the beach? An excellent method would be to browse the tourist spots in Saskatchewan on the Internet and list the names of places that interest you.

Wake up early: Road trips are great when you begin your journey early. This may sound scary for people who struggle to wake up early in the morning, but trust me — nothing is as amazing as witnessing the sunrise on wheels.

If you begin your road trip at dawn, bring your favourite stimulant, as you don’t want to doze off and miss the beautiful morning scenery. You should also carry some snacks with you, because a hungry stomach can diminish the overall experience.

Enjoy the journey and the destination: Getting to your destination can be as fun as the place itself. Be sure to plan some activities both for the journey and for when you reach your destination. Life is always hectic, so it’s important to spend quality time with your loved ones when you can.

And obviously, enjoy yourself when you get to where you’re travelling. I have fond memories of watching my dad doing what he does best — fishing. I’m still able to reminisce on how excited my mom, my husband and I were when

Eric Paetkau & Mark Turner discuss Masters Series 5 Tchaikovsky 6 feat. Anastasia Rizikov and the Saskatoon Youth Orchestra Tuesday, March 20, 7 pm

12 / CULTURE

sheaf mar 15, 2018.indd 1

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Dad caught three huge fish during our last summer trip.

Prepare for the worst: When going on summer road trips, remember to carry your necessary belongings. I make sure to take sunscreen, lotion, a hairbrush, a hair clip and a few cosmetics, so that I always look fresh until the end of the day. I recommend carrying mosquito spray as well, because Saskatchewan mosquitos are known to be ruthless.

If you love music, it’s a good idea to bring a Bluetooth speaker with you, so that you can listen to your favourite songs while enjoying the trip.

During one of my summer adventures, I felt so peaceful listening to music while sitting by the lake and staring at the water.

Plan for meals: Hunger pangs are a quick way to put a damper on any outing, and there’s just something special about eating outside. It’s easy enough to cook some food the night before, so that you can enjoy food at a picnic spot. If you and your family plan to barbecue, assemble all the important stuff early, because you don’t want to begin your trip in a rush.

Make sure it’s leisurely: No matter if you’re with family or friends, it’s important to just take your time. The pressures of university can get exhausting, so a relaxing road trip is just the thing you need before you return to school.

While a little preparation and a easygoing mindset will go a long way, a successful summer road trip really comes down to the people you bring along for the ride. Come summer, be sure to grab your friends or family, pick a spot you’ve always wanted to see and bring a handful of snacks, and your next road trip will be one to remember.

CULTURE

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MA R C H 1 5 , 2 0 1 8

Bangladesh Undergraduate Student Federation: A home away from home The Sheaf explores the success behind the BUSF, and club leaders share some take-home messages to aid other student groups on campus.

Bangladesh Undergraduate Student Federation / Supplied The BUSF posing as a group on International Mother Language Day.

INE FOURIE

In September 2013, Anika Mysha and Mehdee Hasan set out to create a home away from home for Bangladeshi students at the University of Saskatchewan: the Bangladesh Under-

graduate Student Federation.

Fast forward five years, and the BUSF has become a well-known student group.

On March 3, the BUSF hosted the International Mother Language Day celebration on campus, an event that allowed Bangladeshi students as well as

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students from many other cultural backgrounds to share their heritage with other students, staff and faculty. Pritam Sen, a fourth-year engineering student and the current president of the BUSF, recalled that roughly 80 per cent of those who attended stayed for the duration of the event.

The group received a great deal of positive responses to Mother Language Day, but to founder Mysha, the simple recognition of Bangladesh’s independence was the most rewarding aspect.

“When I first came [here], a lot of people didn’t even know that Bangladesh is a country and thought it was part of India, which it is not. We have our own language, we have our own culture, [and] we have our own heritage… Now, when I talk to them, they know where Bangladesh is.”

Initially, the goal of the BUSF was to provide a platform from which Bangladeshi students could share their culture. Since then, the BUSF has made it their vision to expand their initiatives beyond the borders of just their own federation.

“We came here to get to know other people and work with other cultures,” Hasan said.

The BUSF strives to work alongside other groups, such as the U of S Students’ Union and the Modern Language Association, to make things like Mother Language Day into campus-wide events.

Hasan believes that, to create change, you need to step outside your comfort zone and take advantage of networking opportunities to increase public awareness of your group’s existence.

Members of the BUSF are proud of the substantial progress they have made in educating fellow students about the history of Bangladesh, a goal they could only have achieved by working together and motivating one another to see the bigger picture.

“Being part of a student group gives you a voice. It allows you to do more things and create a larger impact,” Mysha said.

Like many blossoming organizations, however, the BUSF has faced its fair share of setbacks, a fact Hasan reflects on.

“Of course, there were ups and downs. You cannot start something and think that it is going to take off right away. It doesn’t happen,” Hasan said.

However, Hasan, Mysha

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and Sen agree that there have been more ups than downs, and although it is hard work, seeing the impact their group has made on students’ lives has been one of the greatest rewards.

“The number of Bangladeshi students on campus is increasing every year. This year, we have had the largest number of new members join our group. I can only see this group growing and getting bigger and [more] well-known across campus,” Sen said.

As this semester comes to a close and student groups prepare for the next academic year, I think they can take away one important message from the BUSF: success within a student organization comes from efforts to create inclusiveness with promotions and events and from working alongside others instead of operating independently.

The founding members of the BUSF believe that their collaborative efforts and the relationships they have built have contributed greatly to their success thus far and that it is important for them to pass down this vision to the next generation of BUSF members.

BC

Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka Jeanne Taylor

Hundred Islands, Philippines Frances Dahl Galera

Peru

Whitsunday Islands , Australia Jack Groves

e

Jocelyn Thorp

Vaduz , Liechtenstein John Homer

Uganda

See page 17 for additional photos!

Alicia Johnson

CULTURE / 13

OPINIONS

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OPINIONS

This just in: Elections pathetic If there’s excitement in the air at the University of Saskatchewan, it’s got nothing to do with student elections.

EMILY MIGCHELS OPINIONS EDITOR

Aries: If you’re itching to learn something new, try the marimba.

Taurus: It’s easy to feel like you’re always in the way.

Gemini: When you’re walking down an icy street, try not to think about how you are not as brave now as you were when you were younger.

Cancer: Don’t be fooled by those who moved to Montreal and then came back.

Leo: The club’s going up, and it’s leaving you behind.

Virgo: Everyone’s greatest weakness is time

management, but this is especially true for you while the moon is in its waxing phase — but only every other lunar cycle, so you’re in the clear this month.

Libra: Should you find yourself in a quarry — for Pete’s sake, get out.

Scorpio: When you hear a whisper in the wind, does it

There’s a long history of apathy toward student politics at the University of Saskatchewan, and as four students now prepare to take U of S Students’ Union executive positions without competition, this year’s elections are more lacklustre than ever.

Campus campaigns for both the USSU executive and University Students’ Council positions began at midnight on March 12 — poster night, as it’s infamously known as. This year, however, the patter of feet and sounds of frantic taping that usually reverberate through the hallways on this occasion were much quieter.

On a walk through the Arts Tunnel now, you might notice there are notably fewer posters hanging for ne’er-do-wells to deface and vandalize.

Yes, for the first time since 2009, all of the candidates eyeing USSU executive positions are running uncontested. What

this means is that, in order to win, candidates simply need more yes votes than no votes and abstentions — and confidence in their ability doesn’t have to be felt or even considered by everyone they’ll govern.

In fact, it takes surprisingly few voters to determine who will represent the 19,000 or so undergraduate students currently enrolled at the U of S. Last year, only 18.6 per cent of the undergraduate student body took part in the USSU elections. The year before, in 2016, voter turnout was 23.9 per cent. In the past decade, voter turnout was lowest in 2011, when only 8 per cent of undergraduate students participated.

In terms of compensation, these student leaders make bank. In the 2017-18 school term, the USSU Executive each earned a salary of $40,199 — including the value of benefits.

So, why the lack of interest? As opinions editor at the Sheaf, my salary is a more meager $8,840, without any extra benefits, and

I’m not the only person who applied for this job.

One thing’s for certain, should these executive candidates — qualified or not — win their respective spots by maintaining the confidence of the small portion of undergraduates who do vote, they’re bound for a rocky term. It’s hard to make an impact when you’re faced with disinterest from the start.

But, who’s at fault? Well, it’s not so easy to say. Certainly not the candidates, as they each have at least a vested interest in this election’s outcome. It’s also hard to fault the undergraduate body for simply not caring — there has to be a reason why students don’t feel like these decisions are important.

What’s troubling is the growing divide between students at the U of S and the body that governs them — there should not be any separation. The USSU executive positions lose legitimacy when they’re decided by such a small portion of the students they are said to represent.

tell you your greatest desire?

Sagittarius: More like sad-gittarius, am I right?

Capricorn: Don’t put that headstrong attitude away

just yet — you might have been feeling unsteady lately, but there’s big change in store if you’re confident.

Aquarius: If the sun is in your fifth house and

Mercury is in your fourth, honey, you’ve had a rough week.

Pisces: There’s a blue moon on March 31, but you’ll

be feeling anything but a rarity. To avoid blending into the crowd, try a colourful hat.

Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor

The Bestest Sheaf Travel Playlist 14 / OPINIONS

“Leaving on a Jet Plane” by John Denver “Homeward Bound” by Simon & Garfunkel “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson “Peace Train” by Cat Stevens “I’m on My Way” by the Proclaimers “One for the Road” by Arctic Monkeys “Road Trippin’” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers “Postcards from Italy” by Beirut “Radar Love” by Golden Earring “California” by Joni Mitchell

“It’s All Right” by Huey Lewis and the News “Mike’s Beach Bar” by the Garrys “On Melancholy Hill” by Gorillaz “Helpless” by Buffy Sainte-Marie “Everywhere” by Fleetwood Mac “Travelin’ Band” by Creedence Clearwater Revival “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” by Joan Baez “Ramblin’ Man” by the Allman Brothers Band “Carefree Highway” by Gordon Lightfoot “End of the Line” by the Traveling Wilburys

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OPINIONS

Online prejudice: The new normal?

What are we to do when negative comments spark a fire of hateful thoughts?

J.C. BALICANTA NARAG PHOTO EDITOR

Comment sections are where the IQ dies. I have heard this phrase before, but it never impacted me until I read the comments on a Facebook event called Faith Against Racism hosted by the University of Saskatchewan Muslim Chaplaincy, the local extension of the Canadian Muslim Chaplain Organization.

The event was described as a multi-faith panel contemplating individual perceptions and solutions with the goal to address racism. It was unfortunate when, ironically, the very racism the event was trying to tackle became evident in the comments — which included negative remarks and vulgar references concentrated heavily on Muslims.

That’s when I began wondering about online aggres-

sion. It seems that, when anonymity is established, we create a space in which xenophobia thrives. But, why does this happen? Why do people believe that, just because it is online, it is okay to post their hateful thoughts? Why is this behaviour more acceptable online rather than in person?

A study done at the University of North Florida in 2012 showed that people behave more aggressively online when their identity is anonymous, which I believe is common knowledge. More interestingly, the study also revealed that verbal aggression via blog posts is highest when an anonymous person is exposed to aggressive social modelling.

This angry thread of Facebook comments showed me that xenophobia is still prevalent in our community. The comments repeated the same misinformation that people

Linda Minh

have consumed and held to be true for so long that they have now almost become a mundane occurrence.

Realizing this, I understood that, rather than being frustrated and complaining about the situation, I should take the time to inform people of what I have learned about Islam, Christianity, Judaism and many of the other religions that exist in our province.

To those who think that Islam is a religion that teaches hate, I encourage you to read

more about it, and then, maybe look in a mirror. Ignorance facilitates conflict. To those who believe that Islam is a political ideology disguised as a religion, I’d encourage you to seek out the similarities between Islam, Judaism and Christianity — there are more than you’d think.

The people who decided to spread religious intolerance and racism on the U of S Muslim Chaplaincy’s Facebook event page are uninformed and certainly have not consid-

ered attempting to understand anything from the perspectives of others.

The reality is that the people of Saskatoon come from various cultural backgrounds.

The people of Saskatchewan are Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and Christian — among many other faiths. Most importantly, we’re all Canadians, and I believe that the best way to combat prejudice is to act how we are most often stereotyped as behaving — just be polite and say sorry.

5 Days for the Homeless is more than just performance The good that 5 Days for the Homeless does for the Saskatoon community at large outweighs any negative criticisms.

JORDAN STOVRA

Every year in early March, five students from the University of Saskatchewan raise funds for the Saskatoon Downtown Youth Centre Inc. — better known as EGADZ — by living as members of the homeless community on campus for five days. Despite critiques, it’s an impressive endeavour.

Finding its beginnings at the University of Alberta in 2005, the concept behind 5 Days for the Homeless emerged when students in Edmonton wanted to increase awareness about the homeless population in their city. Since then, similar funding campaigns have spread to include participants from 22 universities across Canada.

From March 11 to 16, five students from here at the U of S will live without the comforts that many of us take for granted. They will live outside — with just a sleeping bag and without easy access to luxuries like indoor plumbing — while continuing to attend their

J.C. Balicanta Narag / Photo Editor Autumn LaRose-Smith is a student participating in this year’s 5D4H.

classes and hand in their assignments. That’s no easy feat, especially during this highstress time of year.

In past years, this campaign

has come under fire for blindly appropriating the lifestyle of people who have become homeless. Autumn LaRoseSmith, a second-year SUNTEP

student and 5D4H program co-ordinator and participant — or sleeper — for this year’s campaign, says this is simply not the case.

“We all recognize that we are not in any way homeless. What we are trying to do is bring to light the hidden homeless population,” LaRose-Smith said. “People tend to turn a blind eye to the homeless members of our community, because sometimes, it is easier to forget and ignore.”

LaRose-Smith emphasizes that, while the fundraiser’s performative element is meant to raise awareness, the focus of the initiative remains to raise funds and support for a reputable, local organization that supports displaced or disadvantaged youth. “[At the U of S, 5D4H] manages to raise not only a monetary donation of approximately 20,000 dollars [but also] gather hundreds of donations of items such as food, clothing, toiletries and school supplies … all in under a month of planning and one week of events and fundraisers,” LaRose-Smith said.

She adds that the participants know there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“None of the sleepers are actually homeless — we all had the privilege of preparing for our week away from our beds. We have a countdown,” LaRose-Smith said. “We know that in however-many-more days we can go home and shower, snuggle in a blanket and go on our phones, whereas so many people who do face homelessness do not have the luxury of saying the same.”

Many criticize this event for its depiction of homelessness, comparing the faults of the campaign to the appropriation of various cultures and identities.

However, it should be remembered that 5 Days for the Homeless at the U of S is not a directionless fundraiser for an ambiguous global homeless population, but rather, it is a focused and previously quite successful endeavour to raise funds for a community organization, so they can have the tools and resources needed to make real change here in Saskatoon.

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OPINIONS

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Adventures abroad: My time studying in Australia One U of S student shares her experience with the study-abroad program.

ROSE WU

Have you ever thought about studying abroad? Even if you haven’t, it may just be the right thing for you. I’ll tell you about my study-abroad experience, and you may just decide to do it yourself.

Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I am currently in my last term of my psychology degree. I studied abroad in term two of 2017 at the University of Newcastle, Australia. After I came

back, I found my perfect job at the International Student and Study Abroad Centre as a study-abroad student assistant.

So, I may be a little biased when I tell you that you should study abroad.

However, I am not here to butter up the whole experience. Instead, I hope to share some information from my experience that will help you decide if studying abroad is the right thing for you.

As you may expect, the transition from living in Saskatoon to living in

a foreign city can be tough. I luckily didn’t experience a large amount of culture shock, as Australian culture is very similar to Canadian culture. However, it was certainly alarming when I realized that I was alone and on the other side of the globe. Even if you’re in a country that is similar to where you’re from, you’re still far away from home.

Studying abroad also forces you to be independent. For instance, I had to figure out how the transit system worked, how to sign up for a bank account, where my classes were, how to make new friends and so much more. If being completely on your own is scary to you, then you may want to think twice before jumping on a plane. But, who knows — maybe studying abroad could help you become more self-sufficient.

Despite the necessary amount of independence, you’re bound to meet people from all over the world and make lifelong friends. This was by far my favourite aspect of studying abroad. I now have friends from Norway, London, Mexico and Amsterdam, just to name a few. I even met fellow Canadians who are from the East Coast.

I can’t stress enough that studying abroad will make memories that will last a lifetime. During my time in Australia, I rented a camper van with some friends and drove up the coast to Cairns and down to Great Ocean Road — I even got to go snorkelling on the

Great Barrier Reef. I also decided to take a spontaneous trip to New Zealand — it was only a three-hour flight.

I’m not going to say some clichéd statement about how the study-abroad program changed my life, but I know it provided me with life skills and experiences that I would never have gotten in a classroom or living at home. Studying abroad is really about stepping outside of your comfort zone and learning about yourself and the world.

My advice to those who have thought about studying abroad is to start planning early. Go to ISSAC, and talk to one of the international-education officers to see what your options are and plan your year ahead. I also encourage you to have a chat with someone who has studied abroad. I’m sure they would love to share their experiences and answer some of your questions.

I’m excited for those of you who are planning to study abroad in the future.

Remember to be open-minded and spontaneous — I tried to plan everything before I left, and I quickly realized that wasn’t necessarily the correct way of thinking. During my term abroad, I was flexible with my plans and changed them as I met more people and made new friends.

To find out more about study-abroad opportunities at the University of Saskatchewan, head to students.usask.ca/ academics/go-abroad.php for details.

All photos supplied by Rose Wu A collection of photos from Rose Wu, showcasing her time studying abroad.

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THROWBACKS

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U of S physics students on a trip to Montreal before a long search for a pub. The only female student, Sylvia Fedoruk, made the search difficult, as women were not allowed in Montreal pubs in 1961.

University of Saskatchewan , University Archives & Special Collections, Photograph Collection, RG 2043, 2010-025, Scrapbooks.

Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Philip in front of the President’s Residence in July 1978.

University of Saskatchewan , University Archives & Special Collections, Photograph Collection, A-9847.

A photograph of Hong Kong in the 1930s, taken by U of S biology professor L.G. Saunders.

University of Saskatchewan , University Archives & Special Collections, Photograph Collection, MG 62, L.G. Saunders fonds, VII 3.

The first class of students in an anthropology course at Rankin Inlet, N.W.T., in 1966.

W.P. Thompson, namesake of the Thompson Building, better known as the Biology Building, in what is likely Africa ca. 1912.

University of Saskatchewan , University Archives & Special Collections, Institute for Northern Studies fonds , INS-772.

University of Saskatchewan , University Archives & Special Collections, Photograph Collection, A-3367.

Backtalk: What did you do for your summer holidays?

The Sheaf , Vol . 83, Issue 5, p. 3, September 5, 1991, University of Saskatchewan , University Archives & Special Collections.

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DISTRACTIONS

“HAVE YOU SEEN THIS SLACKER?”: MISSING PERSON POSTERS HUNG FOR CLASSMATE WHO HASN’T YET PARTICIPATED IN GROUP PROJECT ARTS BUILDING — Students enrolled in WGST 324: Rebels With A Cause — Feminism and the Visual Arts have rallied together in a heroic effort to track down Mary Emmitt, a sixth-year philosophy student at the University of Saskatchewan who has been absent from all group project meetings, despite multiple attempts from her classmates to make contact.

Jessica Patterson, in her second year of study in the College of Arts and Science, was assigned to a group

#albumoftheweek:

I’m Bad Now

by Nap Eyes

Emily Migchels

with Emmitt in late January. She recalls meeting her once but says she hasn’t seen Emmitt in class since at least Feb. 12.

“I just hope she’s doing okay, you know? I mean, she seemed nice,” Patterson said.

Other group members have been less compassionate, however, and Patterson reports a growing animosity among her fellow presenters.

“I guess we’re just a little frustrated, because we’re

supposed to present in two weeks. The posters were [name removed]’s idea, and initially, they were going to say, ‘Have you seen this piece of shit?’ — I asked them to tone it down a bit,” Patterson said.

Posters reporting Emmitt missing from this group project have been hung in every building on campus and throughout the City of Saskatoon. The Sheaf has not been able to reach Emmitt for comment but has confirmed she’s still attending other classes.

The beating heart of Nova Scotia’s nouveau guitar-pop, Nap Eyes, has well outgrown expectations with their third release, I’m Bad Now. The collection is ambitious but polished and personal — it’ll break your heart, but your toes won’t stop tapping.

Every track is unique, but the subtle homage to bygone Maritime folk melodies is apparent throughout the album. “Follow Me Down” plays like taking a ferry to Cape Breton Island in the rain, and “Dull Me Line” is like a stroll down the boardwalk at Martinique Beach.

harkavagrant.com

DISTRACTIONS / 19

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