October 10, 2019 by The Sheaf

OCTOBER 10, 2019

The Sheaf Publishing Society

VO L . 1 1 1 , I SS UE 0 8 The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis.

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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

At a glance: NEWS

Concerns around security following incident in Murray Library

SPORTS & HEALTH Dog Watch: Gabruch

Maya

FEATURE

8-9

Is debt and unemployment my future after university?

CULTURE

12 Locals of the month: vbnd, Katie Tupper and the Soulmate Collective

OPINONS

14 Influenza season packs a punch each year Supporters and mourners walk together in the streets of downtown Saskatoon, SK during the Sisters in Spirit Vigil & March on Oct. 6, 2019. | Victoria Becker/ Photo Editor

Canada does nothing to address the Inquiry into MMIWG, families continue to grieve Sisters in Spirit Vigil commemorates missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people. TOMILOLA OJO CULTURE EDITOR

This article deals with topics that may negatively impact the reader due to its subject matter. For immediate emotional support, call 1-844-413-6649. This is a national, toll-free 24/7 crisis call line providing support for anyone who requires emotional assistance related to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. On Oct. 4, Saskatoon held

its annual Sisters in Spirit Vigil in remembrance of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people who have been murdered, gone missing or had their cases left cold in what is being called a Canadian genocide. This vigil is one of many that took place all over Canada that same day. It was held at the Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre. It began with a prayer and was followed by a walk that saw

attendees, led by four singers and drummers, taking to the streets of downtown Saskatoon. People of all ages were in attendance, some bearing banners and others holding signs dedicated their relatives who were being commemorated. After the walk, the solemn gathering allowed time for multiple families to tell their stories and remember their loved ones. Family and friends of Ash-

ley Morin — who went missing on July 10, 2018 from North Battleford and still hasn’t been found — were in attendance. Morin’s family and friends have raised a $20,000 reward for any information that might lead to her discovery. Shirley Wilson — whose 18-year-old daughter, Wannitta Wolfe, was shot to death in 1999 — was also present. She said that she “had someone asked [her] … ‘how do you

cope with losing a loved one? How do you move forward from that?’ You don’t. You learn how to walk, I guess.” “I know if the shoe was on the other foot, my daughter would be standing here and that voice of hers would be much stronger than mine. I do what I do for my daughter. I do what I do for all the other women that are out there,” Wilson said. Continued on to pg. 11

The Sheaf presents: Your USSU VP student affairs candidates Students can vote on the Elections channel in PAWS on Oct. 9 and 10. ANA CRISTINA CAMACHO NEWS EDITOR

This year’s University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union by-election comes with the added interest of an executive vice-president position being up for grabs. Two candidates are vying for the position.

The vice-president student affairs portfolio covers on- and off-campus housing, sustainability, security, safety, health, sexual violence, equity, disabilities, internationalization on campus, and on- and off-campus parking. They also liaise with the USSU centres.

Candidates Autumn LaRose-Smith Fourth-year education

What is your leadership experience? “I’ve been volunteering for different organizations in the community for my entire life,

and then on campus I’ve been a part of numerous student groups as well: the SUNTEP Student Council, VP for International Womens’ Movement, Indigenous Students’ Council, 5 Days for the Homeless… In the community, I sit on a board and I’m the lead volunteer co-ordinator for a different

non-profit as well.” What are your main platform points? Supporting the goals of The Path Forward, amplifying student voices and actively promoting health resources on campus. Continued on pg. 5

NEWS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nykole King editor@thesheaf.com NEWS EDITOR Ana Cristina Camacho news@thesheaf.com SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR Tanner Michalenko sportshealth@thesheaf.com CULTURE EDITOR Tomilola Ojo culture@thesheaf.com

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Students share concerns about security following incident at Murray Library A student’s call to Protective Services lead to a detainment.

OPINIONS EDITOR Erin Matthews opinions@thesheaf.com STAFF WRITER Noah Callaghan staffwriter@thesheaf.com COPY EDITOR J.C. Balicanta Narag copy@thesheaf.com LAYOUT MANAGER Aqsa Hussain layout@thesheaf.com PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Victoria Becker photo@thesheaf.com GRAPHICS EDITOR Shawna Langer graphics@thesheaf.com WEB EDITOR Minh Au Duong web@thesheaf.com OUTREACH DIRECTOR Sophia Lagimodiere outreach@thesheaf.com AD & BUSINESS MANAGER Shantelle Hrytsak ads@thesheaf.com BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mikaila Ortynsky Jacob Lang Laura Chartier Matthew Taylor Sonia Kalburgi Tyler Smith

board@thesheaf.com

ADVERTISING (306) 966 8688 EDITORIAL (306) 966 8689 Mission // The mission of the Sheaf is to inform and entertain students by addressing issues 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. 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.

Students work at the U of S Murray Library on Oct. 5, 2019. | Victoria Becker/ Photo Editor

CAILIN WALKINGTON

After a detainment made on university grounds last month, security is on students’ minds while on campus, particularly at night. A man was detained in Murray Library on Sept. 9, following a call from a student about suspicious behaviour. The man was found with his pants undone and photographing a female student’s feet. He was determined to be neither a student nor an employee of the university. In a statement to the Sheaf, Protective Services say that they appreciate the student’s quick thinking to notify them as it helped to de-escalate the situation in a timely fashion. The man in question was handed over to the Saskatoon Police Service. While no charges were pressed, a warning was issued stating that he is not allowed back on campus. However, safety is still a concern among students who

often study in Murray Library. University of Saskatchewan student *Laura Phillips says that while she has not experienced anything negative herself, she is still actively aware of what is going on around her and how that might impact her safety. “I know [of] incidents where people have gotten their things stolen,” Phillips said. “There’s that one guy that always asks to draw girls.” These are both examples of the safety issues students often hear about within the library. U of S Student *Katie Smith expressed similar theft concerns when asked about studying in Murray Library. “I am often studying by myself because I focus better on my own. I often sit in more populated areas so I can ask somebody to watch my stuff if I’m going to the bathroom or something,” Smith said. While theft of laptops and personal belongings within the library is often the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about safety,

Smith is also concerned about the lack of security presence on campus in general, especially in the evenings. “If it’s up on the higher floors or later in the evening, I don’t really feel comfortable being here by myself. It’s not even just Murray Library — I don’t really feel comfortable being on campus late at night by myself,” Smith said. “I think that’s a safety issue that needs to be addressed.” The 2019 findings on the National College Health Assessment show the percentage of males who feel safe at the U of S goes from 89 per cent during the day down to 47 per cent at night-time. For females, the difference is greater; going from 78 per cent at daytime, only 12 per cent of women feel safe on the U of S campus at night. Upon learning about the incident on Sept. 9, Smith was also reminded of a similarly unsettling experience she had on campus, stating that she was catcalled by two intoxicated males one evening in

Upper Place Riel. Smith asks, “How is this promoting a good and safe learning environment if I am uncomfortable being here later than 6 p.m.?” In a statement made to the Sheaf, Protective Services stressed that student’s safety is their top priority and that they work with colleges and units around the clock to ensure everyone’s safety. “Our officers are available 24/7 and we also monitor over 700 cameras across campus, including a number of which are located in Murray Library,” the statement reads. “Together we build a safe community and we continue to encourage people to reach out to us when they need assistance.” Students are asked to contact Protective Services in the event of any suspicious behavior on campus. They can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 306-966-5555. *To respect the privacy of the individuals interviewed, their names have been changed.

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 part- and 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.

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NEWS

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

Singh delivers message of improving healthcare to Saskatoon supporters The high-energy event focused on future policies and saw the NDP leader answer questions bilingually. NOAH CALLAGHAN STAFF WRITER

Welcomed by a crowd diverse in age and cultural backgrounds, the New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh made a stop in Saskatoon. Singh is the third candidate for prime minister to visit the city since the election period began. During his visit to a downtown Francophone community centre on the morning of Oct. 4, Singh delivered the NDP’s plans to improve Canada's healthcare system. MP for Saskatoon West Sheri Benson introduced the candidate by highlighting other politicians’ “empty promises” before declaring that “Singh is different.” Before focussing on policy, Singh began with a Treaty 6 land acknowledgment, promising to work towards “true and honest reconciliation.” By discussing the “tough decisions” Canadians are making when they cannot afford medications, Singh presented his policy platform of extending healthcare coverage and providing dental care for those earning under $70,000 a year. “We’re going to put in place universal pharmacare for everyone in our country,” Singh said. “If you need medication … you’re going to be using your health card, not your credit card.” Singh criticized his opposition, saying the Liberals have failed to fulfill their promise of lowering the cost of medication and that if the Conservatives were elected they would cut healthcare services to lower taxes. He highlighted the NDP’s plan to immediately implement a “publiclydelivered insurance plan” by making “the wealthiest pay their fair share.” “We’re going to ask people who’ve got fortunes of over $20 million to pay a little bit more,” Singh said. “And that

New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh holds hands with MP Sheri Benson and an attendee during a campaign event at Fédération des Francophones de Saskatoon on Oct. 4, 2019. | Heywood Yu

plan has been costed by the Parliamentary Budget Officer that’s going to raise $70 billion.” While taking questions from the media, the Sheaf inquired what actions Singh would take as prime minister to ensure the continued affordability of medications under the new Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement currently being negotiated by the Liberals. Singh claims this trade agreement would raise the cost of medications. “It’s a worse deal than we had before,” Singh responded. “But that’s why it’s more important than ever that we bring in place a universal system that uses the buying power of 37 million Canadians … bringing down the prices of medication when we negotiate in bulk.” To finish up, Singh distinguished the NDP from other parties by delivering a firm

stance on social issues. He was critical of the Green and Conservative parties for having members who do not have a “clear position” on womens’ reproductive rights. “There is no question [that] all New Democrats firmly believe in the right to choose, and if anyone did not, they would not be a New Democrat anymore,” Singh said. When questioned about a racist political cartoon of him wearing a bomb in his turban, tweeted by SaskatoonGrasswood MP candidate Mark Friesen of the People’s Party of Canada, Singh spoke out against political fearmongering in favour of embracing diversity. “When you have images that try to inflame hatred … what it does is create a less safe society for a lot of people,” Singh said. “That to me is the exact opposite of what it should be about; our job should be about

New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh gives a thumbs up to the crowd at the NDP campaign event held at the Fédération des Francophones de Saskatoon on Oct. 6, 2019. | Victoria Becker/ Photo Editor

bringing people together.” Krista Forsberg, a 16-year‑old who attended the event, says she supports the NDP because of their commitment to diversity. Although the teenager is not old enough to vote, she has been a member of the Saskatchewan Young New Democrats since she was 13 and has a passion

for encouraging fellow Indigenous people to participate in Canadian politics. “It’s important because we do have that power to use your voice,” Forsberg said. “It is speaking out about Indigenous problems like ‘Hey, you can change this, too,’ so it's not just people making decisions for us.”

NEWS / 3

NEWS

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The Sheaf presents: Your USSU VP student affairs candidates Students can vote on the Elections channel in PAWS on Oct. 9 and 10. been an activist for close to 10 years. I care about my community and I try to give back and volunteer when I can.”

Supplied | Autumn LaRose-Smith

ANA CRISTINA CAMACHO NEWS EDITOR

Continued from cover “I really centered my platform around what the current executive is already doing with The Path Forward, their strategic goals, because I felt like those roles describe what I do and strive to do in the community and in school. Promoting education, revitalizing community and decolonizing systems and facilitating leadership are things I’ve been a part of from outside the USSU.” “Amplifying student voices. I want to push amplifying because students already have a voice and I just want to make them louder and heard more, where it counts.” “Promoting health resources on campus. I want to promote their presence on campus through informational tables and working on making sure students know what they are paying for.” “It’s not mentioned on my platform but I’ve done a lot of advocating around sexual assault on campus, so I would like to focus on that as well because I think that aligns with the health resources that are available to sexual assault survivors on campus.”

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What interested you about the student affairs portfolio? “The role of student affairs covers issues that students are having regarding their health and wellness, instead of just academics. I felt like this position specifically is the one that is doing the ground-level work with students, getting to know students and which issues they have. I want to make sure that I can do my best to lift them up and make them feel like they are being heard.” “I wanted to run because I felt like the role aligns with what I do outside in my life... I also thought that because there is no female representation in the executive... Once I went to the meeting and saw that there was just one other person running, I wanted to make it a fair fight.” How will you deliver on your campaign promises with a shorter term in the position? “I feel like these goals will align with the timeline that the by-elections offer. They are measurable, attainable and timely, relevant to what’s happening on campus. I’m not making any giant promises, recognizing that this is a shorter term and a lot of it is going to be catching up what is already being done.”

Robin Steeg

Fourth-year environmental biology What is your leadership experience? “I was previously a member of the USSU Sustainability Committee; for two years I’ve been a member at large. I have a bunch of leadership experience professionally as well as being a leader in my community. I’ve

Supplied | Robin Steeg

What are your main platform points? Advocating for all students, sustainability through local action and global perspective, inclusivity and equity, and policy based on evidence and sound reasoning. “From what I see, it seems like a lot of students aren’t even aware that the USSU exists or they don’t feel like it’s relevant to them or that it represents their interests. Advocating for all students, trying to get everyone on board and to be part of the union and feel like they have a place for their voice to be heard.” “Inclusivity and equity. I’ve volunteered at the Women’s Centre and the Pride Centre for a number of years now and I’ve had a lot of dialogues about social justice and how important it is to create advocacy. On the issue of equity, I’ve had conversations about Access and Equity Services about how people who have invisible or visible disabilities still struggle to get the accommodations they need.” “Evidence-based policy plays into all of those [goals]. We need to advocate for students and behave in a manner that is good for the future of the student body and the plan-

et.” What interested you about the student affairs portfolio? “Health and the Sustainability Committee. I don’t know too much about the situation of parents on campus, although I know that there are programs that exist and I’d love to support and enhance those and hear from parents about how to best support them. I’m open to hearing people’s concerns about parking. Security is a major concern for many students and if we improve the experience of unity within the union, more people might feel safer.” How will you deliver on your campaign promises with a shorter term in the position? “I have a lot of connections within the community and I know where to get help and who I can ask for information when I need to. I think a lot of the events and weeks that are under the portfolio of the VP student affairs, I feel are naturally within my wheelhouse. I think that there’s a lot of resources and I’m an ambitious person.” Cast your vote on the Elections channel in PAWS from Oct. 9 at 9 a.m. to Oct. 10 at 4 p.m. Nine candidates for Members of Council are also being elected in the by elections, all uncontested.

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NEWS

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

Students seek answers at all-candidates’ forum All Saskatoon-University candidates, with the exception of the Conservative Party’s contender, participated in the USSU Candidates’ Forum.

Spectators listen to candidates opening remarks at the USSU Saskatoon-University candidates’ forum at the U of S on Oct. 5, 2019. | Victoria Becker/ Photo Editor

KIENAN ASHTON

Students and student groups posed questions to the candidates on the topics of tuition, sustainability and Indigenous rights, among others. Ahead of the upcoming federal elections, the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union invited all Member of Parliament candidates for the riding of Saskatoon-University to a public forum on Sept. 30. In attendance were Susan Hayton of the Liberal Party, Guto Penteado of the People’s Party

of Canada, Claire Card of the New Democratic Party and Jan Norris of the Green Party. Notably absent was the Conservative Party candidate Corey Tochor. Six representatives from student groups were given the chance to ask one question, prepared in advance, for all of the candidates to answer. The candidates took turns answering, speaking to what their party would do to implement bus rapid transit in Saskatoon, make international study in Canada more affordable, protect the environment,

engage Indigenous peoples, address the cost of pharmaceuticals and make sure that university graduates can find work in their field. Through their answers, each candidate highlighted their party’s priorities. The Liberal candidate boasted the party’s successes during their term in power, the PPC candidate asserted that the government must put “Canadians first” and both the NDP and Green candidates spoke up often about changing the system to address climate change. The question portion took

an emotional turn when Celeste Robillard, Indigenous Business Students’ Society representative, came forward. The day of the forum coincided with Orange Shirt Day, which elicited the student’s question. “I am speaking on behalf ... the lost children who faced oppression from the hands of the government in the early days, the residential school system and the Sixties Scoop. I apologize for getting emotional,” Robillard said. “I wanted to know what your initiatives are to encourage Indigenous growth and success, especially for our young people.” The Green Party candidate said “Indigenous issues is right at the front of [their] platform” before listing several specific commitments to Indigenous people. The Liberal Party candidate touted the progress the Liberal government has made on resolving Indigenous issues. The PPC candidate relayed his party’s position that “we cannot rewrite the past. It has come to a point where First Nations and Canadians must renew relationships built on mutual respect.” Finally, the NDP candidate said that “reconciliation is the heart of what we’re proposing to do.” Following this, the moderator asked for questions from the floor. A total of eight questions were asked, although

not all by students. Candidates were asked about their personal philosophies and to name any philosophers that have influenced them. Given that Saskatoon University is currently held by the Conservatives, they were even asked quite simply “why should we vote for you to keep the Conservative out?” “I’d like you to think carefully about who you are supporting, which issues matter to you and think about whether you want the Conservatives leading the country and getting back on this riding again,” Hayton said in response. “For me, I’d like to see a change.” After the forum came refreshments and the opportunity for the candidates to pass out campaign material and chat with audience members. The forum is not the only USSU-backed initiative to encourage voting. The union is conducting a campaign known as “USaskVotes” to make voting more accessible on campus and to increase the number of students who choose to vote. On election night, the USSU will be hosting a Canadian trivia at Louis’ during which the live results will be displayed. The federal election is on Oct. 21 and is set to be a close race between the Liberals and the Conservatives.

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SPORTS&HEALTH

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D g Watch: Maya Gabruch Women’s soccer veteran Maya Gabruch is shining as a leader on and off the field. ALAYNA MOXNESS

After last season’s Canada West quarter field exit, Maya Gabruch has brought her game up to a higher level in her fourth year as a Huskie. “We ended on a high note last year and have just built on that this year, which is exciting.” Gabruch said. Composed and confident, Gabruch is a break-through star this season for the Huskies womens’ soccer team as a true difference-maker on and off the field. Gabruch has scored six goals — two of which were game winners — and one assist and for a team-high 13 points. Last year, Gabruch tallied one goal and one assist for three points. Aside from her stellar performance on the field, Gabruch adds to the team on a much deeper level. Gabruch takes the responsibility of being a leader and mentor seriously. The women’s soccer team adopted a mentorship program called Growth Buddies for younger players to have someone to lean on, ask questions and learn from other’s experiences. Her participation in the program is part of what makes her embody what a great team leader should be. The Saskatoon-native has been playing soccer for nearly her entire life, playing through the Hollandia program and Vancouver Whitecaps Football club’s Saskatchewan academy, though she admits playing at the university level requires “a lot to balance.” She attributes her ability to manage a full schedule to the

Photo supplied by GetMyPhoto.ca | Huskie Athletics

advice given from teammates of previous years. Now that she is in a mentor role herself, Gabruch makes herself readily available to give younger players that same support. On the field, the Huskies forward credits her success to an improved mental game drawn from the experience she had playing for the professional amateur Queen City United Club this summer. Playing across North America with the Regina-based team gave Gabruch an edge for this Huskie season. “[Receiving] a new coaching perspective and getting to play with and against new players really helped my [development],” said Gabruch. Queen City United plays in the United Women’s Soc-

cer league, which is made up of high -performing university players and others who have climbed the ranks of professional women’s soccer. Gabruch found the opportunity to be motivating as she could “[look] across the field and see someone who has an Olympic bronze medal.” Gabruch’s impressive onfield performance has rightfully earned her the Huskies’ female athlete of the week for two consecutive weeks this fall. “It is an awesome feeling and helps me to keep striving,” said Gabruch. She refuses to let the attention she has garnered get to her head, acknowledging that everyone has their successes and lulls on the field. Though not applicable this season, she

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part of the process. “It helps everyone grow as a person with life skills in general. Yes, you are getting better at soccer, but you are also becoming a better person with time management, how to work in teams, leadership [and] how to face adversity,” said Gabruch. In 2016, the dogs made history with the program’s first-ever U Sports Championship tournament appearance. This year, Gabruch wants her Huskies to win the Canada West finals and repeat the type of success the team had in her first year. An indisputable leader and mentor and a competitive, high-achieving player, Gabruch says she is “looking forward to just winning.” She might just be the reason that they do.

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6 / SPORTS & HEALTH

says she has managed her lull periods by trusting the process by “going through the motions, sticking through it and leaning on [the] team”. Gabruch’s drive for success is not limited to soccer. After completing her kinesiology degree next December, she has her sights set on pursuing a degree in medicine. It is evident that her commitment to her passions and level-headed disposition, Gabruch is primed for the challenge. The U of S women’s soccer team is an incredible commitment. Aside from the almost daily practices, there is training, video analysis, study hall, team building and other extra responsibilities that come with being a student-athlete. Gabruch sees this as an important

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Football (4-2, t-2nd) Most recent game: 49-21 win vs. Manitoba on Oct. 4 Upcoming game: @ UBC Saturday Oct. 19 Women’s soccer (5-2-3, 3rd) Most recent game: 1-0 win at Mount Royal on Oct. 6 Upcoming game: Vs. Regina Friday, Oct. 11 & 12 Men’s soccer (5-3-4, 2nd) Most recent game: 1-0 win vs. Mount Royal on Oct. 6 Upcoming game: @ Alberta Golden Bears Friday, Oct. 19 Women’s hockey (1-1) Most recent game: 3-1 loss at Mount Royal on Oct. 5 Upcoming game: Vs. Alberta Oct. 11 & 12

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NFL week six rundown Last week was a memorable one with outstanding individual performances and huge divisional wins. 5 a.m. on Monday morning just to fire him. This is just the latest evidence of malpractice displayed by owner Daniel Snyder, who has earned the “worst owner in sports” title over the past two decades. The San Francisco 49ers are one of only two undefeated teams remaining in the league after beating the Cleveland Browns on Monday night. The 49ers lead the tightly contested NFC West at 4-0, with the 4-1 Seattle Seahawks, 3-2 Los Angeles Rams and 1-4 Arizona Cardinals rounding out the division. In the north, the Green Bay Packers bounced back with a huge win on the road against Dallas. Behind the Packers sit the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears at 3-2 while the Detroit Lions are 2-1-1 after their bye week. Heading south, backup QBs are stealing the show. Both the Saints and the Carolina Panthers have not lost since their starting QBs — Drew Brees and Cam Newton — went down with injuries. The Saints lead the division at 4-1 while the Panthers are 3-2. In third and fourth place of the division sits the 2-3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the 1-4 Atlanta Falcons.

Week six picks

Carolina Panthers (-2.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Five weeks into the National Football League season and the league has already provided fans with plenty of headlines. Before we look forward to this week’s marquee matchups, allow yourself to get caught up with the headlines that are buzzing around the league and check in with each division.

This game is a huge divisional matchup. In week two, the Buccaneers travelled to Carolina and stole a win on the road against Cam Newton and the Panthers. This time around, it will be Kyle Allen at QB for Carolina. This will be a big test for Allen, who has yet to play in a divisional matchup. The Panthers as road favourites should make bettors a little bit uncomfortable. This game could go in any direction. Stay away from this one.

Need-to-know headlines

Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings (-3)

Shawna Langer/ Graphics Editor

TANNER MICHALENKO SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR

Christian McCaffrey pencilled his name into the Most Valuable Player race by scoring three touchdowns, bringing his total to seven. Aaron Jones ran wild against the Cowboys in Dallas, rushing for four touchdowns which is the most by a Packer since 1999. The Indianapolis Colts held the Chiefs to just 13 points, Kansas City’s lowest point total in their last 26 games. Russell Wilson continues to prove that he is a top quarterback in the league, throwing for four touchdowns to beat the Rams, which is Seattle’s ninth win in their last 10 Thursday night games. Dalvin Cook’s 218 yards from scrimmage is the most made by a Viking since 2012, much to the delight of Vikings fans who had to be feeling the heat after their team’s divisional loss at Chicago in week four. DeShaun Watson’s Texans laid 53 points on the Falcons. Watson had as many incomplete passes (five) as touchdown throws. Three of those touchdowns were caught by Will Fuller, a career-high for him. Baker Mayfield was benched in the Cleveland Browns’ troubling performance on Monday night football. The league’s most inconsistent team now find themselves desperate to find stability on offense and defense. Ending the headlines on a feel-good note, Teddy Bridgewater powered the New Orleans Saints past the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with four touchdown passes. In a post-game interview, Bridgewater noted how far he has come from a career-threatening injury that he suffered in 2016. “Every morning, I’m able to wake up and put my feet on the ground, I’m able to tie my own shoes, and there was a time in my life that I was not able to do that,” Bridgewater said.

American Football Conference at a glance

The AFC South is the tightest division in the league with just two games separating the leading Houston Texans and fourth-place Tennessee Titans. Across the country in the AFC North, the Ravens lead the division at 3-2 followed by the 2-3 Cleveland Browns, 1-4 Pittsburgh Steelers and 0-5 Cincinnati Bengals. The AFC East is a two-horse race between the 5-0 New England Patriots and the 4-1 Buffalo Bills. Out on the west side of the conference, the Chiefs suffered their first loss of the season on Sunday night football. Meanwhile, the Oakland Raiders won in London against the Chicago Bears, improving their record to 3-2. The 2-3 Los Angeles Chargers are in a win-now mode to keep up with the Chiefs and Bears. You can forget about the 1-4 Denver Broncos.

National Football Conference at a glance

In the east division of the NFC, the Dallas Cowboys have lost sole possession of first place faster than they earned it. After starting the year 3-0, the Cowboys have lost two straight while the Philadelphia Eagles have won two straight. Both teams are tied for first at 3-2, while the 2-3 Giants are still in the hunt. Lastly, the 0-5 Washington Redskins summoned head coach Jay Gruden to their offices at

The Eagles are the league’s top run defense, allowing a leaguelow 63 yards per game. Given Minnesota’s reliance on the running game for their offensive success, the Vikings will find themselves relying on Kirk Cousins — not an ideal situation. Minnesota should not be five-point favourites against an Eagles team that will not be back home until week nine, on the road at Dallas and then Buffalo. This is a well-coached team, so look for Philadelphia to start their three-game road trip with a win. Take the Eagles here.

Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs (-5)

This is an interesting matchup as Houston is fresh off an offensive explosion while the Chiefs are in quite the opposite situation after last week’s efforts against Indianapolis. Is it time for Chiefs fans to panic? Absolutely not. But that does not necessarily mean bettors can be confident betting on them to cover five points against a dangerous Texans team. Stay away from this one and enjoy the show.

Seattle Seahawks (-1) at Cleveland Browns

The Browns look so bad right now. After an impressive win on the road at Baltimore in week four, Cleveland was flat out embarrassed after going against the 49ers last week. Browns QB Baker Mayfield threw eight completions on 22 attempts with two interceptions and a lost fumble. Seattle is fresh off a classic primetime win at home. They are now 9-1 on Thursday nights since 2010. This is a tough two-week stretch for Cleveland as they will travel to New England to play the Patriots after facing Seattle. They need to win one of these games to stay within striking distance of the division-leading Baltimore Ravens. It is tough to see a Browns win here but weird things can happen when a team has their backs against the wall. This is a near stay-away but Seattle probably wins this one, take the ‘Hawks. Continued on page 10

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Is debt and unemployment my future after university? Ready yourselves, fourth-years, because you’re about to be jobless and there’s a reason why.

All graphics by Shawna Langer/ Graphics Editor

J.C. BALICANTA NARAG COPY EDITOR

I am an undergraduate student sinking in financial debt. Getting up in the morning has been grueling because I know that I am paying a tremendous amount of money, and for what? Unemployment? That’s a petrifying thought. Questions bombard me of whether my career choice is worth it, despite the fact that I love it. Will my education be beneficial even if I don’t find a job right away? Or am I going towards my demise? How can I value my education with debt and unemployment looming over me? The value of education has

been spinning around my head like cartoon birds. I enjoy what I’m learning, yet a part of me feels disconnected from my studies. Naturally, I went looking for an answer.

“

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Is this the value of education? A person’s life?

”

My thought process began with unemployment. If after my undergraduate studies I am unsuccessful in finding a job to pay my student loans,

what is my next step? There’s always the backup plan of working in any job outside of my field, but I love learning so I began looking into graduate studies as an alternative. I had the pleasure of speaking with Katherine Fedoroff about graduate studies. She is a University of Saskatchewan biology master’s student and she shared with me her experience as a graduate student. And quite honestly, it sounds difficult. “You have to deal with balancing [your] scholarships with living necessities like food and rent [and your] own tuition because graduate school does cost money,” Fedoroff said. Because of money worries, some students quit their

studies indefinitely — and I don’t blame them. As an undergraduate myself, money is where I feel constrained, too. Financial concern can compromise one’s mental health as well. A 2019 health survey indicated that two per cent of U of S students attempted suicide in the last 12 months. We’ve also seen two student deaths this year. Is this the value of education? A person’s life? I refuse to believe that; someone’s life is worth more than a piece of paper or diploma. My search for the value of education was nowhere near its end. Thankfully, Katherine put me in touch with her dad, Mike Fedoroff, a 1990 U of S master’s graduate in mechanical engineering. It

was fascinating to hear his opinions on unemployment because the rate when he convocated in 1987 was at 8.4 per cent, considerably higher compared to now at 5.7 per cent. Because of the high unemployment rate, he said that only five out of 85 graduates from his class had job offers right out of university. That’s unbelievable. Maybe I shouldn’t be complaining since applying for jobs is easier now than it was then. With the world wide web taking a recognizable form later in 1990, Mike said that in his time you “had to either pick up the phone, write a letter or travel to the location.” His reality was not online résumés and job websites.

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According to a 2012 survey, 31 per cent of employers said that graduates were unprepared for their job search.

”

Even though we have it easier, I still feel uncomfortable as I approach the last year of my degree. For people under 24 years old with a post -secondary education, Canadian unemployment rates hit an average high of 10 per cent in 2016. This means that approximately 53,200 graduates with either a certificate, diploma or a bachelor’s and master’s degree did not receive a job offer right out of school. Who knows how many more received a job offer out of their actual field, rendering their diploma somewhat useless. All my life, I've been told the same thing — get a degree and you’ll be successful. I was promised success, not unemployment, so it makes me wonder why unemployment is a frequent reality for convoked students. According to a 2012 survey, 31 per cent of employers said that university alumni were unprepared for their job search. On top of that, there are more students graduating than skill-intensive jobs being created, adding to the unemployment rate for youth. Also, employers are saying that students are graduating from universities lacking skills in oral and written communication. It’s absurd that an institution for higher education would fail its students in preparing them.

Newly-convoked students may have a higher education, but what use is a degree if they can’t properly communicate? Knowing the anatomy of a human being or finding the x in an equation doesn’t mean shit if you can’t converse properly with your colleagues. I feel like I am closer to figuring out the value of education. Nigel Leach, an environmental engineering 2017 alumnus, was the next person I spoke to. When I asked him about jobs, he showed me a new perspective. Leach talked about the people running companies, saying that they are the ones who didn’t have As or Bs “but the ones who [had] Cs and Ds.” To me, these are the people who spent time in extracurriculars and professional development. My education is a good start to getting a job, but it’s investing in how I will stand out from other applicants that will get me my dream job and lifestyle. But that will not matter if professional colleges are churning out more convocated students than there are skill-specific jobs in the workforce. At this point, I can conclude that education is valuable. The reason that students attend universities is because you can have a higher paid job. Yet I am beginning to question — not the value of education — but the purpose of it, because I still feel discon-

nected from my studies. Am I the only one that feels like the purpose is for money only? I am not. Akinwande Akingbehin is a psychology and international studies major who expressed the same opinion, as did Abhineet Goswami, a physiology and pharmacology student. Both of them led me closer to the truth I’ve been approaching — that what universities

“

This is an idea that focuses on the discovery on one’s perspective through education, yet this is being ignored. It doesn’t help that students are prioritizing grades over learning. With such a standardized system, students will always find ways to cheat to get the grades they want. I can attest that even when it’s an open book test, students cheat and whisper answers

est means, I’ve got bad news for you. Did you know that if you participated in academic dishonesty, you’re more likely to commit workplace dishonesty? Studies have shown that you are likely to do such deeds, especially if the reasons you cheated are because you did “not [have] enough time,” “grade pressure” or because “the professor deserved it.”

Knowing the anatomy of a human being or finding

the x in an equation doesn’t mean shit if you can’t con-

”

verse properly with your colleagues. do now is for the purpose of profit and getting more workers out there instead of education for personal freedom. “These institutions are not necessarily to educate you. These institutions are … to create a culture of working for the industry,” Akingbehin said. “[If] you want to be a doctor, they train you to be a doctor.” “They don’t train you [on] why you are becoming a doctor,” Goswami quickly added. The purpose of education is diluted in today’s university culture. Akingbehin is right to ask, “What’s the purpose of education, for God’s sake?” Today, it is being defined as a way to receive jobs, not to learn. Some students are going into medicine or another high-paying career for the sole purpose of money, not because they aspire to help people. We are seeing education for economic enrichment rather than human development. I believe that problems such as corporate greed and unethical behaviour happens because we don’t have a sense of education for freedom.

to one another. Some will attain their diplomas or degrees without actually learning the importance of their knowledge. I don’t blame the students for cheating either. We are taught by professors who don’t have teaching skills. The very people who we are supposed to look up to for education are instead reading off facts from a book, copy and pasted into a PowerPoint slide. I might as well just read the textbook instead of paying $600 for this kind of teaching. Because of mass education — a perspective similar to mass production — we have graduates who fail to develop basic communication skills. Students are so busy securing a high enough grade that once they actually go into the workforce, they still don’t have the traits that employers are looking for, such as oral and written communication. Since recent graduates can’t find jobs in their respective careers, they take any job they can find. That’s how they become a barista with a $70,000 law degree. For those of you who got great grades through dishon-

All of these problems stem from education for profit. I was so worried about unemployment when I should have been worried about whether I understand the importance of what I am learning. Upon realizing this, I can’t help but be concerned that universities want more and more students to enrol each year. These educational institutions are recruiting youth with cliché slogans and promises of wealth. What if universities start teaching for the purpose of education for enlightenment instead of for profit? We can look at Finland. There, education is free, and citizens have the freedom to use their universities for what it’s built for — learning and discovering yourself. They value teachers and what they have to offer. In fact, teaching is a respected profession and a highly competitive career there. Doesn’t that sound nice? Universities are built on the backs of suffering students yet they fail to teach us the most basic key to success — that the purpose of education is not for business but to discover yourself.

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Tips and techniques for staying healthy for the upcoming winter Just because summer is gone does not mean that your good habits should go too. NOAH CALLAGHAN STAFF WRITER

The brutal reality of living through a Saskatchewan winter can make a healthy lifestyle difficult to uphold, but it is not impossible to thrive through the freezing weather. Across the province, the early cold snaps are just a guarantee that things are going to get a lot worse before they get any warmer. Survival tactics are a must and as the school year heads into a frigid winter season, we have no choice but to live a more sedentary lifestyle. Here are four tips to staying healthy as we enter another long winter. 1. Pack nutritious food Undoubtedly, the University of Saskatchewan offers every kind of food a student who skipped breakfast could desire. Although many nutritious meals are available, it can be too convenient just to buy a honey cruller from Tim

Horton’s and shove it down your throat within the 10 minutes between classes. Packing food and snacks from home can help you resist being seduced by the plethora of smells coming from Lower Place Riel all while not blowing your budget. Not only will you save time by avoiding lines, but sticking to a healthy diet prevents your body from changing faster than the seasons do. 2. Stay active During a Saskatchewan winter, most people plan their days around being outside as little as possible when temperatures get too extreme. But just because it is so cold that you and your car are not running anymore does not mean you no longer require the recommended 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week. One way to stay active and keep warm is by joining a campus recreation league or club offered by the U of S. By participating in one of the many sports

and recreational activities can be a positive experience for maintaining a healthy lifestyle while meeting new people with similar interests. 3. Try not to get sick Winter also functions as a synonym for the flu season. Even though getting sick is going to be an inevitable, taking good care of your health is the best way to keep your immune system strong. Individuals can also get a free flu shot at the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in Place Riel with a valid Saskatchewan health card during October. Everyone at the U of S can prevent others from getting sick by washing your damn hands — you know who you are — and if you are sick, remember to stay at home so others do not catch that nasty seasonal cold. 4. Sleep When the prairie days get shorter and the sun sets at 5:30 p.m. and rises after 9 a.m. each morning, it gets difficult to main-

tain a healthy sleeping pattern. Getting less than the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep every night negatively impacts academic performance and makes life nearly unbearable. Getting enough sleep plays a critical role in all aspects of your health, not only improv-

ing your immune function but learning and memory as well. Developing good sleeping habits helps to avoid those courageous all-nighter study sessions. It will allow your body and mind the restorative time it needs to stay mentally and physically healthy during this frigid winter.

A line of people walk on the U of S campus sidewalk during a blizzard in front of the Field Husbandry Building (later Crop Science), Archaeology can be seen in the background but is obscured by blowing snow in 1942. | Supplied by University of Saskatchewan, University Archives & Special Collections, Facilities Management fonds

NFL week six rundown Last week was a memorable one with outstanding individual performances and huge divisional wins. Continued from pg.7 San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (-3.5) The undefeated 49ers face are matched up well against a Rams team coming off a close game in Seattle on a short week. Los Angeles kicker Greg Zurelein missed a 44-yard field that would have won the game as time expired. San Francisco held the Browns to 180 yards of total offense while the 49ers offense recorded 275 rushing yards and 446 total. Take the 49ers here but understand that the Rams are hoping to avoid their third loss in a row. They might win, but there is a good chance it is by less than four points. Green Bay Packers (-5) at Detroit Lions The Lions are coming off their bye week and find themselves as sizable underdogs at home. Detroit is actually better than most people think because they play hard and have some decent talent. Additionally, Green Bay has not won in

10 / SPORTS & HEALTH

Detroit over the past two seasons. However, the Packers are a scary team right now after last week’s win in Dallas. This game

is too tough to call. Green Bay should win but it might not cover the spread. Stay away from this game and enjoy the divisional matchup.

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Continued from cover Wilson had testified at the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in 2017 and continued to be vocal about systemic and disproportional violence towards Indigenous women and girls. Myrna LaPlante, one of the hosts of the evening and co-chair of Iskwewuk E-Wichiwitochik, has also had a family member affected by this matter. “I've been involved in a variety of activities pertaining to women’s issues, particularly violence against women and so on,” said LaPlante. “My first [experience] supporting and raising awareness was with the Pamela George case in Regina [in 1995] … and then my aunt went missing in 2007. I became really active in 2007.” Her aunt, Emily Osmond, is still missing. She was 78 years old at the time of her disappearance.

The issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people is not new in Canada as it dates as far back as the 1960s. While only representing nine per cent of homicide victims in 1980, that number grew to 24 per cent by 2015, despite Indigenous women and girls constituting only four per cent of the population. Indigenous women are also 12 times more likely to go missing or be murdered than any other demographic in Canada. There is an ambiguity to just how many Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people have gone missing — especially in comparison to other demographics — because until 2010, there was no database for missing people in Canada. Urged by activist groups, The Native Women’s Association of Canada and non-governmental organizations, The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was established by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2016.

People gather for a song mid-march in front of the Saskatoon Police Station during the Sisters in Spirit Vigil & March on Oct. 6, 2019. | Victoria Becker/ Photo Editor

The final report of this inquiry was published in June 2019 which revealed that “persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people.”

This report also features 231 calls for justice, which state that “the steps to end and redress this genocide must be no less monumental than the combination of systems and actions that has worked to maintain colonial violence for generations.” After the release of the report, Minister of Indigenous Services

Seamus O’Regan said the government was “committed” to creating a national action plan based on the report. Despite claims made by Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett, no timeline for a plan of action has been released and very little has been done.

Youth poetry group gives young people a stage for their art to be heard From poetry and writing to spoken word, these organizations are giving young people a much needed place to express themselves.

A performer recites their poem during Tonight it’s Poetry at Amigos’s Cantina in Saskatoon, SK on Oct. 6, 2019. | Victoria Becker/ Photo Editor

LAUREN KLASSEN

Write Out Loud is a local poetry organization for youth between the ages of 13 and 22. This creative initiative branches from parent organization Tonight it’s Poetry, which provides a platform for poets 19 years and older. After starting up in 2008,

Tonight it's Poetry reached its peak when it was held at Lydia’s Pub. However, there was a need for a youth poetry group so young voices could have a space to write. Write Out Loud was founded in 2012 by spoken word poet and hip-hop artist Isaac Bond to accommodate this want. Since then, the poetry group has been providing youth

with a platform to express their art. The essentials of a poetry slam are five judges, a timekeeper, a host, slam poets and an audience. While the poetry group has seen shifts in attendance numbers throughout its eight-year life, new artists have found their way out to the poetry slams. Typically, the season begins in September and ends in May, when there are poetry slam finals where youth vie for a spot on the Saskatoon team that competes at the national youth poetry festival of spoken word: Voices of Today. The festival has been running for the past three years. Voices of Today is held in Toronto, ON and is a fourday festival. Accommodations are covered by Tonight It’s Poetry, so the trip is accessible to all poets. Youth get the opportunity to hear

feature poets from across Canada as well as attend workshops. At Voices of Today, there are writing workshops, performance workshops as well as anti-oppression workshops so teams can foster a safe and inclusive space for artists. This past summer, the Saskatoon slam team Homegrown placed second out of the six teams that competed. The previous year, the Saskatoon team placed third. Write Out Loud hosts poetry slams at the Frances Morrison Library at 6 p.m. on the last Thursday of every month. These events are free to attend because of a partnership the organization has with the Saskatoon Public Library. In recent years, the organization has tried to increase its accessibility by having an interpreter from the Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of

Hearing Services at some of the shows. Write Out Loud is also very welcoming to those of the 2SLGBTQQIA community due to the growth of this demographic of poets over the past few years. Organizers prioritize creating and maintaining this safe space to ensure every poet feels welcomed into the spoken word community. One of the ways in which organizers uphold this tenant is by preceding every slam with the statement that hate speech will not be tolerated. Between navigating identity, relationships, social and political issues, youth have a lot to say. Their struggles and triumphs are captured in the spoken word that is shared at the poetry slams. Disclaimer: Lauren Klassen is a volunteer contributor for the Sheaf and a board member for Write Out Loud.

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Featured locals of the month: vbnd, Katie Tupper and the Soulmate Collective This up-and-coming neo-soul and funk group is pioneering their genre in Saskatoon. TOMILOLA OJO CULTURE EDITOR

If you could put music to the feeling of finally coming home after a long day with the promise of good memories waiting to be made ahead of you, it would sound like the Soulmate Collective. Devon Gunn — known by the alias vbnd — is a 23‑year‑old local bassist, DJ, producer and the founder of the Soulmate Collective. Ever since deciding to pursue music seven years ago, he has released two full-length albums, three extended plays and been signed by England based music label Deep Matter. Katie Tupper is a local singer and songwriter who first appeared on the music scene in 2018 when she wrote the lyrics and sang vocals on three songs on Gunn’s sophomore album, Daughter of the Sun. This past summer, the duo performed at Sasktel Saskatchewan JazzFest with a plethora of other local artists — some of which had also appeared on Daughter of the Sun — under the name vbnd

and the Soulmate Collective. “It's mostly just me… [bringing] together artists and musicians and then we orchestrate it all,” said Gunn when he and Tupper sat down for an interview with the Sheaf. “I wrote Daughter of the Sun because I wanted to play music live with a full band, and the Soulmate Collective is just the realization of [the] three years of work [that went into it].” Apart from Tupper and Gunn, the Soulmate Collective also features Jesse McMillan on drums, Ayden Draude on keys, Stephen Fischer on guitar, Connor Newton on saxophone and Niall Cubbon on the high hat. At first, Gunn couldn’t justify giving the group a name, but the word soulmate had always stood out to him. “Soulmate has been a powerful word in my vocabulary for a couple [of] years. When I used to DJ, I used to host a night at Flint and it was called Soulmate,” said Gunn. Tupper joked that it might have had a bit to do with their genre of music, which they describe as neo-soul and funk.

Being a University of Saskatchewan student in her final year of marketing, doing music, school and other jobs can require a careful balancing act for Tupper. “It's nice to have school as a plan B, almost like a fallback. It's nice but it also kind of restricts you because you're never put in a state almost of desperation where you're like, ‘Okay, this is what I have to do,’” said Tupper. There aren’t many artists in Saskatoon making music quite like Gunn and Tupper. When asked about the influence of their hometown on their music, Gunn replied in the negative saying, “For me, it doesn’t really [have an effect]. I kind of just do what I want.” Tupper had a different opinion. “I think there must be subtle influences of whatever the Saskatoon music scene is, but you just aren’t conscious of it,” Tupper replied to Gunn’s comment. “It’s cool because other than other people moving to the huge [music] hubs, you have your own private level.” Tupper went on to discuss how

Devon Gunn (vbnd) and Katie Tupper pose for a picture on the patio of Drift Sidewalk Cafe and Vista Lounge on Oct. 6, 2019. | Tomilola Ojo/ Culture Editor

living in the age of the internet removes the need to be confined to your hometown. “How the music industry is now and how you collaborate, how you're able to work with other musicians, you're really not limited just to your city anymore,” said Tupper. “And just, the internet. You can write tracks with people in other cities

[or] countries, [Gunn has] a label that’s in a different continent. I think it's really easy to not be limited.” Gunn is scheduled to release new music in 2020, and Tupper’s debut album will be out in early 2020. The Soulmate Collective is currently taking a break from performing, as they are all working on individual projects.

Five heralds that let you know that fall is finally here October in Saskatoon is marked by seasonal changes and annual traditions and trends. NOAH CALLAGHAN STAFF WRITER

Fall in Saskatchewan happens so fast that if you don’t stop and smell the decaying leaves, you just might miss it. Described less romantically, though the season is brief, it is uniquely marked by its festivities, entertainment and consumer trends. 1. Get lost in fall the harvest way One memorable way to immerse yourself in the season and embrace the change wholeheartedly is by enjoying a corn maze or pumpkin patch. Because of Saskatoon’s surrounding farmlands, finding a close corn maze is easy but might include a short drive out of town with friends. If driving into the country to be lost in a maize maze seems more stressful than leisurely, a similar fall experience can be had by attending the annual Dutch Growers Pumpkin Maze. Although it is mostly constructed by straw bales, the free admission and location makes this maze a great alternative for those looking for an iconic fall experience within the city.

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2. Frankenstein at the Greystone Theatre Another sign that fall is here is the arrival of Halloween. Around this time of the year, many different spooky shows are being put on or released. Is there any story more associated with Halloween than Mary Shelley’s beloved Frankenstein? Between Oct. 9 and 19, the University of Saskatchewan’s Greystone Theatre will be treating Saskatoon audiences to the iconic gothic story. This production of Frankenstein — also known as The Man and the Monster — is the 1926 Henry Milner version, which gained fame as the first stage adaptation of the novel that featured the birth of the monster onstage. This play is the perfect way to set the Halloween mood while seeing how the famous story has been historically portrayed. 3. The snow falls before the leaves do Typically, fall implies watching the trees lose their leaves, not watching the snow come in September. However cruel that first snowfall of the year is, what’s worse is knowing that it is just the appetizer for the icy winter main

course coming next. It’s important to savour these early snowstorms because at least the snow still melts when it hits the concrete instead of transforming every street into a skating rink. Plus, one can learn to enjoy the satisfying chore of shovelling the snow to rake the leaves. 4. Rocky Horror Picture Show at Broadway Theatre Not that dressing up for Halloween is a contest or anything, but if it were, the best looking costumes will always be found at the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Broadway Theatre. The annual event encourages participation through costumes, props — no hotdogs though — singing and dancing. The Oct. 31 screening of the cult classic will feature an all‑ages event at 7 p.m., followed by a 10:30 p.m. 19+ licensed showing. As the show always sells out, those interested are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. 5. The overlapping holiday consumerism party If going outside to see what’s happening really isn’t your thing,

then it’s best to go looking for the signs of fall in big department stores. Fall is the only time of the year when one can find not just one but three overlapping holiday -themed consumer items being peddled at the local Walmart. Staying out of the brisk weather doesn’t mean being left out of the seasonal fun. Just learn to savour the feeling of being able to buy Thanksgiving napkins after

picking out a Halloween costume and then heading one aisle over to pick up Christmas lights before they run out. With everyone trying to squeeze in as many events as they can while the weather is still favourable, fall could be over before you even know it. Embrace this season of change knowing that if one event on this list isn’t for you, there's still a cornucopia of good times to be had.

Ana Cristina Camacho/ News Editor

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The Sheaf’s guide to surviving midterms It’s the spookiest season of the year — and we’re not talking about Halloween.

Shawna Langer/ Graphics Editor

ERIN MATTHEWS OPINIONS EDITOR

It’s October and the chilly autumn air is ushering in a month of horror and torment. Essays and assignments are piling up higher each day and the dreaded midterm season is reaching out its icy hand to wrap around our tired souls. We have two options — walk out of class, hop on a plane and never return, or we buckle down and survive the season. Chances are we can only afford the second option. But we can lessen the blow by taking care of ourselves during this trying time. The Sheaf presents a list of cliché midterm tips and tricks that, despite their tired motif, can actually have a huge impact. Eating and drinking In times of stress, our relationship with food generally goes one or two ways — we either forget to eat or can’t bring ourselves to, or we mindlessly devour everything in sight. Both of these are poor strategies and can lead to some serious health effects, mentally and physically. While it can be hard to manage studying and cooking — or grocery shopping for that matter — having a hot meal can make a huge difference on our existence. Besides cutting out mental fog, good food just makes us feel a bit better.

An ode to accountability A cynical look at interactions and information sharing on the internet. RITISH RAWAT

The internet is an extremely liberating place to be, and I would not want it any other way. It is a never-ending trove of information and interaction where our views on plurality are tested. It is where we either showcase our interconnection or our indulgences. In accessing what we desire, we somewhat personally filter out the content that we come across. The great challenge here is how the users, circulators and producers share accountability. When you glide across YouTube looking for cat videos, the algorithm ends up feeding you viral videos of many charlatans — at best known as free speech warriors and at worst known as disingenuous hypocrites. I’ll let you compile the names. There is a concentrated circulation of talking points on the internet, no matter how dishonest, which wants to convince you that there is this nebulous ‘leftism’ that wishes to destroy your values and society. Without any specificity, this foggy label of ‘leftism’ is attached to the faces of socialists, social democrats and liberals in Canada and elsewhere. Not even neoliberals are free from

the label. The goal is to present progressiveness as a self indulgent pestilence of an idea that is worth destroying. Thus, the not-so-much of an alternative to the status quo becomes something I regard as reactionary contrarianism. The goal is to convince enough receptive people that evolving beyond a regressive status quo is bad. Instead, one gets persuaded to think that the better solution is not to move forward but to reverse 100 years back. There are many ways to look at this reactionary contrarianism. I see that the defining characteristic is frivolous malevolence or senseless hatred. Right now, there is no better place to start than the comment sections of any post on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook or Reddit scrutinizing Greta Thunberg. You will find examples of climate change denial, personal attacks and overall vindictiveness. These trends show an assault on accountability online. What would a world without accountability look like? Climate change advocacy has been called a “globalist” ruse to impose communism. The protests and acts of mutual solidarity against right-wing insurrection in the United States, Canada, Brazil, the UK and Europe has been blamed

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Wednesday, October 16, 7 pm

Keep exercising While midterm season may not be the time to start a work-out routine, you should still try to fit a bit of exercise into your tight schedule. Keep hitting the gym to de-stress and shake that feeling of impending doom. Studies have found that regular aerobic exercise, the kind that gets your heart rate up, may help improve your memory. So it might be wise to incorporate some physical activity into your study routine. Take a break You are not going to do yourself any favours by studying until you pass out from exhaustion in a mess of tear-stained pages. After a marathon study session, shut it down at a reasonable time and turn your eyes to Netflix.

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Reassess your goals You tend to be more motivated when you have goals and aspirations in your sight line. Trying to get into grad school or a professional college? Trying to pass that really difficult class? All our goals are different and there are many paths to achieving them. Midterm season is a good time to check in to see if you are still on track. Assess if your goal is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely — nursing students, you know what I’m talking about.

on a monolithic ‘leftist’ faction. Womens’ rights would be called womens’ wrongs. Immigration at its mildest has already been labeled as an invasion crafted by the open borders-loving, globalist left. Slurs have been carelessly and deliberately thrown at Sikhs, Asians, Indigenous peoples and the LGBTQ+ community in their continued pursuit of dignity. At other times, simple denigration and calls to ignore their pursuit of dignity do greater damage than slurs alone. An individual’s partial disagreement with any conventional left-leaning perspective can be manipulated by rightwing talking heads into a fight against the spectre of “cultural Marxism.” With this, we can conclude that there is a crisis of personal accountability in the face of infinite content and its circulation. In not addressing it with care and caution we risk dooming ourselves with further regression, especially when political communication hinges upon interactions on the internet.

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In conversation with Robert Alexander Innes & Signing

From the Ashes Thursday, October 17, 7 pm

Sleep We all know the sheer panic of trying to cram half of a semester of information into a night of studying, but staying up late — or not sleeping at all — can severely impact our health and academic performance. Make sure you catch a solid sleep the night before. Your brain will thank you.

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Influenza season packs a punch each year The vaccine supply and public attitudes towards the illness may affect this year’s vaccination rates. ERIN MATTHEWS OPINIONS EDITOR

This year’s influenza vaccine is supposed to roll out to pharmacies and clinics on Oct. 21 — just in time for the beginning of the flu season — but it seems that there are still barriers to people receiving the annual vaccine. The Public Health Agency of Canada reports that only 38.3 per cent of Canadians rolled up their sleeves for the 2017‑18 influenza vaccine. This is a trend that has been occurring for the past several years. The aim is to have high-risk populations, like seniors and adults with chronic medical conditions, hit the vaccination rate of 80 per cent. However, both groups failed to meet this target. Of those who didn’t get the flu shot last year, 22.4 per cent said they thought the vaccine was not necessary. Hitting the vaccination goals for the 2019-20 season may be more difficult than just trying to convince the public that it’s worth getting. There are concerns across Canada and much of the northern hemisphere about vaccine shortages. While the vaccines generally arrive towards the end of October, PHAC announced that only about half of the supply is ready to be delivered to Canada pharmacists and physicians. The supply issue stems from a delay in deciding which vi-

ruses to include in this year’s mix. Influenza viruses are one of the world’s greatest shapeshifters. The virus has a unique genome which allows the genetic material to be shuffled like a deck of cards. Sometimes this shuffling event gives you a set of cards with one new variation — say a diamond instead of hearts. These viral drifts are enough to change the appearance of the virus, allowing it to sneak past your immune system and get you really sick. These tiny mutations also make it really difficult to estimate the right viruses for the vaccine. This year, the World Health Organization debated the addition of the H3N2 strain into the mix and the delay in decision making led to a lag in production. The influenza vaccine is made by growing the virus in chicken eggs. The process from egg to the finished product found in the syringe takes time. H3N2 is a problematic strain that has a tendency to mutate fast and frequently, making it difficult to match the vaccine recipe to the years circulating virus. It is speculated that the WHO took extra time to see if they could get a better prediction of this year’s strain. But if the shortage leads to a delay in rolling out the vaccines, it may have a pretty large impact on this year’s influenza rates. And it’s possible that in-

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Spanish flu vitcims burial at North River Labrador 1918 | Public Domain

Public Domain

fluenza is already hitting the country ahead of schedule. Influenza has a strange reputation. People don’t generally fear the flu and shrug off protective measures. But the illness isn’t as harmless as many people believe. Each year, seasonal flu results in 250,000 to 500,000 deaths worldwide. And that’s just with your regular ol’ virus. Sometimes, you get a deck‑of‑cards genome shuffling that deals you a whole new hand, a royal flush for the virus. This event is called an antigenic shift and produces a whole new strain that your immune system has never seen before. This leads to pandemics or worldwide outbreaks with severe illness. Our last one was the 2009 swine flu pandemic, but that pales in comparison to the 1918 influenza pandemic, known as the Spanish Flu. Just over 100 years ago, a new influenza virus emerged and spread across the entire world. It was one of the worst pandemics in the 20th century and 5:03 PM killed more people than

Word War I. It’s estimated that 20 to 50 million people died from this outbreak of influenza. And it had the hardest impact on the healthy and young. The influenza vaccine isn’t perfect, but it does have protective effects and can save you from serious illness and complications. Finding a universal influenza vaccine has been the

goal of researchers for several years now and the first promising candidate has entered into human trials earlier this year. In the end, we need to change our relationship with influenza and recognize that it is something that makes us really sick each and every year. Why not protect yourself in anyway you can?

Spanish flu poster in Alberta | Public Domain

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Wild Rose Country is truly wild What's really at the core of the Alberta separation movement, and what does this mean for Saskatchewan? NYKOLE KING

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Shawna Langer/ Graphics Editor

I never really spent much time in Alberta before taking a summer internship in the oil country. The experience was truly a provincial crash course that I never really asked for. More often than not, I would fall into conversations about politics — their provincial election happening only a month before my arrival, which saw Premier Kenney’s newly-formed United Conservative Party take majority of the province. I was working just outside of Edmonton in the small blue collar City of Leduc. People in the area keep a close watch on the price of gas and knew exactly what the latest delay was for the TransMountain Pipeline. People wanted to vent about their latest issues with Trudeau or the decline in the economy, and it was easy enough to navigate these conversations. Only once was I really put on the spot. “Do you respect Trudeau?” The question was an abrasive start to my exchange with a middle-aged man I met around a campfire one weekend. Albertans really don’t waste time easing into topics. I took a moment to think — the campfire crackling as my eyes darted to the nearest exit. The answer I mustered up was a safe response, though not solid enough to get me out of the hot seat. I soon learned that this man believes that the only way for Alberta to be prosperous is if it secedes from Canada. I know that Quebec has been mulling it over for years, but I didn’t think there was much traction for western separatism. It appears to be a movement fueled by both pride and frustration. With a population of 4.3 million people, Alberta has a high gross domestic product totalling $33.5 billion in 2018. It’s ranked third of the provinces, falling just behind Quebec with Ontario taking first place.

Seeing itself as self-sufficient, relying heavily on natural resource extraction, the man explained that Alberta doesn’t gain nearly as much as they lose with the federal wealth redistribution system, better known as equalization. The frustration is intertwined with feelings of underappreciation. Paying $21.8 billion more in taxes than they get back, it’s not hard to imagine how the carbon tax and slow movement on pipelines is interpreted as antiAlberta legislation. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said he would potentially hold a referendum on equalization in 2021 — though this would likely be more of a symbolic move to generate discussion in Ottawa about the equalization formula. Pulling out of the system entirely is complicated as it is enshrined in the constitution. Yet frustration is mounting in Wild Rose Country. In the summer, Kenney fired back at Quebec Premier François Legault in a Facebook post, saying that “if you want to benefit from our oil and gas wealth, stop blocking oil and gas pipelines.” A lot of this tension is due to the fact that almost $12 billion in equalization payments were directed to Quebec last year while Alberta received none. But Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has been cozying up to Kenney. They share similar views, including their criticisms of equalization and opposition to the carbon tax. During the summer, it really did feel like the relationship between the two prairie provinces could be likened to that of siblings — Saskatchewan being the younger, more timid one, of course. The man at the campfire asked me if I thought Saskatchewan would consider following Alberta to seceding from Canada. I said that I wasn’t the authority on that, however, I thought I would consult you all and get back to him.

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USSU backpage

2019 WEEK

CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY

8:00 PM to CLOSE 19+ • MUST HAVE GOV'T ISSUED ID

KARAOKE

Explore sustainability with us this Oct. 15-18, 2019

$4 HIGHBALLS $4 FIREBALL SHOTS

TUESDAY, OCT. 15 ART*Cycled Place Riel North Concourse, All-Day

$2 GW DRAUGHT

Our annual art installation showcasing senior sculpture projects repurposing waste products as works of art. Runs Tues. - Thurs.

$5 WING SPECIALS

Campus Sustainability Tour Explore and learn about the hidden aspects of the USask campus University Services Bldg., 1:00 - 2:30

USSU

that drive sustainability in all its forms. Register ahead of time.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 16

THE PATH FORWARD mote education pro

Cycling Workshop Trio

Louis’ Loft, 6:00 - 10:00

Join us for a candlelit and solar powered evening of local music at the Loft. Feat. Jay Maillet, Ezra James Phillip, and Ellen Froese.

THURSDAY, OCT. 17 Zero-Waste Workshop GEOL 269, 12:00 - 2:00

Learn to reduce your waste output and get closer to a zero-waste life with the help of our expert facilitator Meg Dorwart.

EBSA Riverbank Clean-Up

commun italize ity rev

Carbonless Concert

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Get ready to get back on your wheels and learn about urban Place Riel North Concourse, 12:00 - 2:00 riding basics, winter cycling, and basic repairs and maintenance.

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Join the Environment and Bioresources Students’ Association for Diefenbaker Canada Centre, 2:00 - 4:30 a riverbank cleanup with a friendly Louis’ meetup to follow.

Farmer’s Market & Swap

Our Campus Farmer’s Market is joined by our sustainable Place Riel North Concourse, 9:00 - 2:00 clothing swap hosted by Parents On Campus.

Sustainability Careers Talk Join the FLEX Learning Communities as they learn about possibilities for future careers in sustainability.

us know how you’d like to celebrate sustainability on campus at:

ussu.ca/pathforward

FRIDAY, OCT. 18 THORV 125, 11:30 - 12:20

n i z e sys t e m

GENDER COUP D’ETAT

sustainability.usask.ca

Thursdays 5 - 7 Bi-Weekly

USSU Pride Centre MUB Room 104

For more information visit ussu.ca