It is all part of Warren Clarke’s research program, which, in part, aims to create safe spaces for mentorship at places such as UM. Clarke does similar outreach-research in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.

Clarke is an assistant professor of sociocultural anthropology who studies how Canadian social norms continue to affect the social development of African and Caribbean Black men. In the past he has run talks in barber shops, but now, for the first time since joining UM faculty in 2021, he is hosting a 3×3 basketball tournament to engage and learn from the community.

“I found over the years in working with a lot of young black men and boys, you have to meet them where they’re at,” Clarke said. “You can’t expect them to come to some programming that’s going to benefit their social, economic or educational development. But if we go to spaces where they’re at, we can introduce them to programs through things that they enjoy doing. It’s an opportunity to reach more of these young black men to engage with the programming that we have through the [The Afro-Caribbean Mentorship Program].”

Everyone is welcome to attend. The basketball portion of the day begins at 11 a.m. and a panel discussion will happen over the lunch hour, starting at around 12:30. Panelists include Ryan Koleric, a long-time local basketball coach, The Honorable Uzoma Asagwara, deputy premier of Manitoba (and a 5-year UW Wesman basketball player), and Justus Alleyn, professional basketball player with the Sea Bears. The panel will explore how we can acknowledge the safe spaces where young black men can be vulnerable and able to express themselves in athletic ways, but also tackle the misconception that black men and boys are only good for sports in society. 

“I think this is a learning event for everyone, not just the black community,” Clarke says. “Everyone is welcome to learn and understand how to make this campus a more equitable and safe and inclusive space for all.”

What: 3×3 basketball tournament event hosted by the Afro-Caribbean Mentorship Program
When: July 13, 10-5 p.m. (basketball starts at 11 a.m.; panel discussion at 12:30 p.m.; yoga at 4 p.m.)
Where: Investors Group Athletic Centre, University of Manitoba

Date: Wednesday, September 20th, 2023.
Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Location: Buhler Park, 135 Murdoch St
Transportation to and from the Fort Gary Campus will be provided. Please email us for more details.

Register now on Eventbrite
Please sign up using your @myumanitoba.ca email address so we can keep in touch with you.
Priority will be given to Faculty of Science students.

The Science Rendezvous STEAM Big Award is national recognition for the team’s extraordinary vision and leadership as well as their commitment to creating a truly outstanding event.

“The enormous effort and dedication required to bring such an event to fruition cannot be understated. Science Rendezvous is honoured to have such dedicated individuals and groups share our vision and mission,” explains Katie Miller, Executive Director, Science Rendezvous.

The Science Rendezvous UM team embraced the challenge to STEAM Green in 2021, going above and beyond to promote the Million Tree Project through exciting initiatives and activities. A total of 4857 trees were planted by participants of the Manitoba School Tree Planting Challenge, launched on June 10th, 2021, as part of the Million Tree Project. Science Rendezvous volunteers, university staff and students received hundreds of additional trees, not included in this official count. The coordinating team had to face the challenges associated with COVID-19 restrictions but showed their resourcefulness and resilience by adapting their programming and arranging tree pick-ups for students. In the Fall of 2021, another tree giveaway event took place as part of NSERC Science Literacy Week and National Tree Day, resulting in the distribution of an additional 3012 trees! 

Over the course of these events, this coordinating team has expanded their outreach from eight to seventeen communities and engaged almost 60 schools. This project’s reach extended beyond the city limits, with half of the participating sites being in rural areas.

“I have always been a save the earth enthusiast, being part of a project that let me use my skills to facilitate a greener earth was a great opportunity for me. I want to thank my team and I appreciate the spirit of togetherness, especially with regards to the pandemic. Much to their credit we were able to bring this to life virtually to make the project a success. The diversity of students and the knowledge they contributed was amazing.

It warms my heart so much that our actions did not go to waste, seeing the project expand to over 60 schools who joined in this project and getting our hard work noticed. We are deeply honored to receive this award. Winning the Steam Green award and being a part of the team is a phenomenal part of my life that I will always remember and be proud of,” explains Annie Shad, student volunteer and Science Rendezvous team captain.

The coordinating team was also able to supply saplings to an arts centre, a local museum, and a First Nations community. As a result of these activities, the Million Tree Project has gained participants in 18 school divisions, representing 47% of the divisions in the province.

It should be noted that this coordinating team established important partnerships with local agencies which helped maximize the impact of these events. Manitoba Forestry’s Agriculture and Peatlands branch supplied 5000 saplings in addition to delivering trees to several rural schools and planting sites while Trees Winnipeg and Tree Canada helped promote the Million Tree Project through tree-planting events. Other notable connections and partners who supported these initiatives include CCUNESCO Schools, Science First, Parks Canada, Fort Whyte Alive, Shelmerdines Garden Centre and McNally Robinson Booksellers and Author Ariel Gordon. 

Beyond these events, this coordinating team organized a series of virtual public talks discussing important topics like climate, ecosystems, and climate change. These talks featured speakers from various disciplines and backgrounds and were moderated by Dr. Brian Mark, Dean, Faculty of Science. As part of Science Rendezvous, this coordinating team joined the Virtual Science Chase event, encouraging participants to tackle STEAM challenges with their friends and families. 

Dr. Jason Kindrachuk, Canada Research Chair in molecular pathogenesis of emerging and re-emerging viruses and assistant professor, medical microbiology & infectious diseases, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and Melanie MacKinnon, executive director, Ongomiizwin- Health Services, and head, Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing, are each recipients of the Campbell Outreach Award for 2020.

The Campbell Outreach Award is given to University of Manitoba faculty who have displayed a strong commitment to outreach and the betterment of their local and extended communities through their academic positions.

Kindrachuk has been a voice of sound scientific reason for the public during the COVID-19 pandemic during his countless media interviews. “It is critical that media can reach out to articulate and informed experts and Dr. Kindrachuk has done an outstanding job keeping the public informed about the science of COVID-19 infection, therapies and vaccinations,” said Dr. Keith Fowke, head of medical microbiology & infectious diseases, Max Rady College of Medicine, in his letter of nomination.

“He has shared his expert virology knowledge with many local, national and international organizations and provided valuable service by helping them make informed decisions in this very uncertain time.”

Kindrachuk considers his involvement in community outreach one of the most rewarding experiences in his career, which makes this Campbell Outreach Award very special to him. “To be recognized for that work at a time when so many of my peers and colleagues have been doing such an outstanding job in this same arena is frankly very overwhelming. I certainly share this award with all of those across the university who have put in countless hours trying to provide context during such a complex public health crisis.

“For me, community outreach is a privilege. It’s part of my social contract as a scientist and researcher to give back to the community that has supported me throughout my career by providing expertise and insight when it’s needed most. My father has reminded me throughout my life to never forget where I came from regardless of where I may end up. I have always taken those words to heart and they have certainly resonated countless times over these past 18 months,” said Kindrachuk.

MacKinnon has been instrumental in the development and implementation of Rapid Response Teams for Indigenous communities battling the spread of COVID-19. “She has a commitment to strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities, which has resulted, over the years, in increasing access, as well as extending the nature of range of existing programs, of Ongomiizwin. More Indigenous communities have access to Ongomiizwin – Health Services because of Ms. MacKinnon’s outreach efforts,” said Dr. Brian Postl, dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and vice-provost (health sciences).

MacKinnon says she is always focused on the communities she serves, whether it involves direct patient care or advocating for systematic change. “Building upon existing relationships and being mentored by perhaps some of the first academic clinicians doing community outreach work has positioned the university to be ready to respond and play a greater role to serve Indigenous communities first when usually they’ve been considered last,” said MacKinnon.

“I’m very fortunate to have the trust and support of my peers and partners in doing this work. There are hundreds of colleagues standing beside me and our teams taking a vision and making it reality. I would like to express my appreciation to the nomination and selection committee for recognizing First Nation leadership.”

The Qilak Award for Astronomy Outreach and Communication recognizes individual Canadian residents, or teams of residents, who have made an outstanding contribution either to the public understanding and appreciation of astronomy in Canada or to informal astronomy education in Canada.

Dr. Jayanne English, an expert in astronomy image-making has a unique background that includes education and experience in art and design, as well as astronomy. She worked on the Hubble Heritage Project during her postdoctoral years.  Currently, Dr. Jayanne English teaches, “The Art of Scientific Visualization (SCI 4000/PHYS 7440)” at the University of Manitoba.

Established in 2011, these Awards are given, one by each of the sponsoring organizations, with a common purpose and evaluation criteria. The sponsoring organizations of the Awards are CASCA, FAAQ and the RASC.

The CASCA award announcement:

CASCA is pleased to announce Dr. Jayanne English as the recipient of the 2021 Qilak Award. Dr. English obtained her PhD from Australian National University, and is currently an Associate Professor of Astronomy at the University of Manitoba. Over many decades, Dr. English has leveraged her prior training as an artist (at the Ontario College of Art and Design University) to build a unique outreach program that bridges art and science. She has promoted the use of artistic techniques and design to influence how astronomical images are constructed by both professional astronomers and amateur enthusiasts. During her two-year tenure as the coordinator for the Hubble Heritage Project, she led the production of some of the most iconic Hubble Space Telescope images, many of which have had billions of views. Combining optical data with radio observations, Dr. English was recently awarded a 2nd Place National Radio Astronomy Observatory 2020 Visualization Award for her stunning composite HST-VLA image of the galaxy NGC 5775. In collaboration with composer Nicole Lizee, she produced “Colliding Galaxies: Colours and Tones”, a unique integration of astronomy and electronic music. By designing and teaching courses such as “The Art of Scientific Visualization”, Dr. English has also trained a next generation of astronomical visualization experts, guaranteeing that her work will have a multiplicative effect on the broader community.

CASCA is delighted to recognize Dr. Jayanne English’s efforts with this award.

Dr. Tina Mai Chen

To mark the end of the term of Dr. Ralph Campbell as president of the U of M, his colleagues and friends established a trust fund to support the Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Campbell Award for meritorious service in outreach activities. The honour is given to University staff members who unquestionably demonstrate service that typically combines professional and scholarly experience with their personal commitment to the people and community around them.

“Dr. Chen’s commitment and dedication to Winnipeg’s Chinese community, her role as a public intellectual, and her commitment to anti-racism makes her a genuinely worthy recipient,” says nominator and colleague Dr. David Churchill.

Dr. Chen is a recognizable figure in the Winnipeg Chinese community as a historian, youth mentor, organizer and public voice. She has served on the Board of the Winnipeg Chinese Community and Cultural Centre since 2002, been a member or advisor on several committees including for the Canadian Museum of Human Rights and Winnipeg’s Downtown Biz, to name a few, and has served as Ambassador General for Winnipeg’s internationally famous cultural festival, Folklorama.

“Dr. Chen’s involvement . . . is a clear illustration of the way that academics can help enhance the communities we live in,” Dr. David Churchill.

As a historian and researcher, Dr. Chen’s focus has been on the history of modern China. Dr. Churchill explains that her “scholarly expertise and deep understanding of the operation of racism, both past and present, has proven to be of critical importance” when acting as liaison between ethnocultural groups such as Manitoba’s Japanese, Filipino and Indigenous communities. He adds that her involvement in projects and issues, including the commemoration of the Nanjing Massacre, the 2009 centennial of Winnipeg’s Chinatown and more recently, community discussions of the racist and xenophobic reactions to the coronavirus pandemic, not only provide historical understanding to the greater community, but also are delivered with “sensitivity and care” and “a measured voice” that encourage cooperation and positive engagement.

Her past community service has been recognized before, having received the Community Champion Special Award, Canadian Race Relations Foundation Award, the YMCA-YWCA Woman of Distinction Award-Culture and a City of Winnipeg Community Service Award.

In his letter of support for Dr. Chen’s nomination, The Honourable Philip S. Lee, C.M., O.M., former Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, wrote that it has been a priority for Dr. Chen to “not only promote our unique culture but also to pay attention to our history and learn from it. She encourages those around her to collaborate to have a richer experience. Her leadership and guidance help shape (our) young adults to be engaged citizens.”

Dr. Chen inspires others with her passionate commitment to her community and her field. The University of Manitoba is proud to have such a dedicated volunteer, collaborator and mentor among its ranks.

This year, the Shinetoba committee has launched an all-new can drive – and they need your help!

The team is asking the public to keep their cans throughout the summer and sign up to have them collected.

The group will pick up and deliver your cans to a vendor, and all the proceeds will be donated to support Cystic Fibrosis Canada (CFC).

Thousands of Canadians battle Cystic Fibrosis every day, and CFC relies on donations like this to support research, innovation, and care for patients. 

To learn more about the type of cans that are eligible for the drive and to sign up for collection, please visit the link below.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDra1e0T4phxg7zcTVTsGjQz8iabbPe5OX6S14tWoVjl6dKg/viewform

More information can also be found on their Instagram page @shinetoba.

Program director Dr. James Gilchrist does a heart dissection activity with the students.

The volunteers, comprising undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff were enthusiastic about sharing their passion for science with the young students.

“We offer the biomedical camp to pique the curiosity of kids through thought-provoking activities that make science relevant to their lives,” said Dr. James Gilchrist, the program’s director and a professor of oral biology in the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry. “It’s part of how the U of M connects with the community and shows young people that careers in the health sciences are within their reach.”  

Harjasmin Mander, who graduated this spring with a B.Sc. in biochemistry, led a session on enzymes and digestion. She said she volunteers with the camp because she wants to show the students that science can be exciting.

“I want the children to learn how to think like a scientist, think critically and be curious,” Mander said, “Bench to bedside is a common saying in the medical community, and we want to show the kids that it’s not just what you learn, but how you apply it to patients.”

Students play a game of Operation in a level 4 BioSafety mobile lab

For the first time, the National Microbiology Lab participated in the camp, giving the students the opportunity to explore how scientists work in biocontainment labs to control infectious diseases.

The students experienced what it is like to work in a level 4 BioSafety mobile lab by doing hands-on activities, learned about what types of careers they can pursue in public health research, and participated in a game where they had to guess whether a word given was a “pathogen or Greek city.” Volunteers from the lab also demonstrated the use of a positive pressure suit.

A panel of representatives from the various colleges in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences answer questions from camp attendees.

This year’s camp also featured a new panel session with representatives from medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy and clinical health psychology. Students were able to ask questions and learn about what a career in health sciences entails. The panelists answered questions about how they separate work life from their personal life, what the biggest misconceptions are about their professions and what future advancements they are most excited about in their field.

A highlight of the week-long camp were the hands-on workshops in the Clinical Learning and Simulation Facility (CLSF) – a simulated hospital environment in which the “patients” are high-tech, computer-controlled manikins. The exercise was designed by medicine, nursing and occupational therapy staff to simulate what a typical day looks like for someone in a health profession and demonstrate how the various professions work together to deliver care to patients.

Students learned to take a patient’s blood pressure, give an EpiPen injection, perform CPR and use an ultrasound machine.

Vladan Protudjer, an Instructor II at the College of Nursing and first-time volunteer, said he jumped at the opportunity to help out with the simulation exercises.

“It’s a great way for younger generations to get exposed to the health sciences,” he said, “We hope it will stir up curiosity, imagination, and a willingness to pursue sciences and medical fields. We want them to think about their hopes, dreams, and aspirations and learn how to adequately plan what educational path to take in the future if they decide to go into a health sciences stream.

Camp attendee Sean Ticsay practices his intubation skills at the Clinical Learning and Simulation Facility.

Sean Ticsay, a 15 year old camp attendee, said his favourite part of the camp was the CLSF exercise. “I want to be a surgeon one day. My favourite part was getting to do an intubation. I’m more of a hands-on person, I liked working with people and patients to save a life and feeling the rush of adrenaline.”

More than 700+ volunteers from the University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg are helping to organize the event, which will include over 60+ hands-on activities, science shows, tours of facilities, and cutting-edge research.

“If someone hasn’t attended the event before, they might think it’s all about science, or akin to a school science fair. It’s nothing like a science fair, and it’s actually about so much more: it’s about discovery and innovation and creativity and wonder,” said Kyla Smith, event organizer.

From robots to bugs, fossils to outer space, it’s fun for preschoolers, tweens, parents and grandparents alike. Activities are both indoors and outdoors (weather permitting), and include a giant Oobleck pool, musical staircase, glow wall, fruit keyboard, balloons in the shape of microbes or molecules, and liquid nitrogen ice-cream, and more!

Live shows include, the Chemistry Potions Class (à la Hogwarts), and the Physics Adventure Show with evil, (or not), so genius, plotting to take over the world, they promise to amaze, dazzle and delight.

Food trucks, refillable water stations, and free parking will also be available.

You don’t want to miss this year’s Science Rendezvous and the chance to explore the science all around you.

Science Rendezvous is a free annual science festival, a signature marquee partner event of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Science Odyssey Week, May 4 – 19. A celebration of Discovery & Innovation. Science Rendezvous Winnipeg, at the University of Manitoba. It includes indoor and outdoor hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) activities.

For more information, please contact:

If you are interested in any aspect of the event, please contact: Event Organizer, Kyla Smith, kyla [dot] smith [at] umanitoba [dot] ca.

Media Contact, Jennifer MacRae, jennifer [dot] macrae [at] umanitoba [dot] ca

Photo gallery from Science Rendezvous 2018. Images courtesy of Kira Koop.

Maddie Pearlman [J.D./2018] was a second-year law student at Robson Hall when she read media articles about refugee claimants arriving at the Emerson border in Winter of 2017, and further, that the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council’s Welcome Place resources were being stretched to the limits. “I immediately contacted my colleague Kobra Rahimi [J.D./2017],” Pearlman said, “and together we spoke with Professor Labman about the possibility of volunteering and getting other students involved. I knew this was a major access to justice problem, and there seemed to be a practical and mutually beneficial way to address it at Robson Hall.”

Pearlman reached out to second and third-year law students by social media and emails to recruit students, asking especially for volunteers who spoke French and/or Arabic. In her third year, she and a classmate recruited new students and developed an application process to sign up more volunteers for which they found there was ongoing need.

“It has been incredible to watch the program grow with student engagement and interest strengthening each year.”

At first, Labman thought the initiative would provide the Welcome Place with short-term assistance from those particular students, but subsequent students have continued to organize and develop the program. “It has been incredible to watch the program grow with student engagement and interest strengthening each year,” Labman said.

Students who volunteer at the Welcome Place, Pearlman said, get a chance to build relationships with settlement organizations and refugee claimants. “Each volunteer spends time speaking with claimants and asking them questions about their life story and journey to Canada to create a narrative for their Basis of Claim, which will be submitted as their refugee claim. The placement and student training provided is an opportunity to learn the foundations of refugee law and apply the skills we learn in school, outside of the classroom. Volunteering at Welcome Place also offers law students a chance to work with vulnerable populations and learn about access to justice issues here in Winnipeg and around the world. It allowed me to develop my active listening and interviewing skills.”

“I was amazed by the level of interest that students showed and the compassion and commitment that volunteers demonstrated.”

Maria Ingrid Ruiz, who graduates from Robson Hall this spring, said she was looking for a unique “clinical” experience at law school, and while immigration and refugee law were not quite on her radar, she found that volunteering at the Welcome Place allowed her to “make a lasting impact on people’s lives,” even with simply helping someone start an immigration claim.

“I was amazed by the level of interest that students showed and the compassion and commitment that volunteers demonstrated,” said Ruiz. “This task of filling in forms and getting people to tell their story, often in their second or third language, after experiencing significant trauma – requires attention to detail, issue spotting, patience, showing respect and effective questioning. These skills are all transferable to any area of law that students end up practicing in.”

Together with fellow student Nina Holatova, Ruiz inherited the role of recruiting, coordinating and training Robson Hall volunteers this past year. “We have been incredibly grateful that so many students have been interested in helping out, so much so that we have had to create “reserves” of students to engage in the volunteer cycle,” she said.

“This work is important, it can mean that someone who had fled persecution will be able to live safely in Canada.”

Jesse Blackman, entering his third year of law school, has taken over coordinating the program, together with classmate David Theissen. In his recruitment email to fellow law students this spring, Blackman advised that “This work is important, it can mean that someone who had fled persecution will be able to live safely in Canada,” and that as volunteers, law students’ roles are “to help refugee claimants tell their story as clearly as possible.”

Rita Chahal, Executive Director of MIIC, who nominated the students for the Premier’s Volunteer Service Award, shared that “Our work would have been incomplete without the help of your students.”

“For a busy organization to take the time to recognize our students for such an honour is a true statement of the value our students are bringing to the community,” Labman said.

Related Story: Law students helping refugee claimants: A Robson Hall Welcome at Welcome Place