“Throughout this series, we have striven to confront challenges facing our community and to frame them in such a way that we might understand them and develop effective approaches to dealing with them,” said Barnard.

The final topic focused on how our community can come together to combat the impacts of drug addiction. Departing from the usual format for the series, distinguished experts from among faculty, alumni and partners in the community were invited up as the conversation expanded, with nine speakers in total joining the conversation with Dr. Barnard, providing a broad range of expertise and perspectives.

Dr. Tamara Taillieu [BA/05, BHEc/08, MSc/11, PhD/19], an instructor in community health sciences, started the evening off sharing her personal experience with drug addiction through the loss of her niece, Destiny Taillieu [BA/19], who died of an accidental fentanyl overdose on November 4, 2018. Taillieu shared that in the weeks leading up to her death that Destiny was waiting to get help and that the system is lacking resources in the time between detox and recovery programs. “People are dying in the gap,” said Taillieu.

“We don’t have a system [to address addiction], we have silos of individual programs,” said Dr. Erin Knight [BesSc/05, BSc(Hons)/09, MD/13], Lecturer in the Max Rady College of Medicine’s psychiatry department and medical director of the Addictions Unit at Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre. “The biggest problem I see is that we need to build a system!”

“It’s a crucial and uncomfortable dialogue we need to have,” said Melanie McKinnon “Addiction is not discriminatory to class, income or culture. Unfortunately, the Indigenous culture is heavy hit by addictions due to the impacts of adverse childhood experiences and other socioeconomic factors.”

Rick Lees, executive director of the Main Street Project drew a parallel to the AIDS epidemic and how it was responded to from a moral judgement and perspective. “We need to move the conversation away from how you get it and talk about the disease,” said Lees.

“We need to listen to the mothers, who have the knowledge,” said Mitch Bourbonniere [BSW/87, MSW/95], founding member of the original Bear Clan Patrol, who is now affiliated with the Mama Bear Clan Patrol.

Chief Danny Smyth commented that he has worked with many of the panel members over the years. Smyth said, “Government has been slow to respond to this, to what I think is the tip of the iceberg in terms of the impact addiction is having in our community. The police service members are seeing increased behavior calls as a result of the erratic or aggressive behaviours associated with meth use – it by far overshadows opioids because of the erratic behaviours it causes.”

Smyth commended the grassroots organizations represented on the panel and others, like Bear Clan Patrol, Mama Bear Clan, Main Street Project, Morberg House and O.P.K. “There is tremendous community-led work happening. The Bear Clan does a tremendous service just in picking up the discarded needles in our community.” He strongly encouraged those who can volunteer their time, to consider doing so to these organizations, and if not their time, their resources.

There was an overall consensus among the panelists that a change in focus and thinking is needed: addiction is a chronic disease and should be approached as we do any other chronic disease like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, from a treatment perspective. The focus needs to shift from the short term solution to a long term plan, because addiction is a lifelong disease.

Barnard closed off the evening on an optimistic note, “As I come to the conclusion of my term as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manitoba, it is my hope that these conversations have brought us all closer to understanding how we could live together in a better world.”

What follows is a short retrospective video of the series.

Visit the umanitoba.ca/visionaryconversations website to view a video of the March 5 discussion.

Efimoff, an Indigenous PhD candidate and Vanier Scholar in UM’s psychology department, studies ways to make people less racist. We last wrote about her in the alumni magazine’s Deconstructing Privilege article. Not everything we spoke about made it into that article, however, and we now publish other parts of our conversation because on Wednesday, Dec. 11, President David Barnard will moderate the next Visionary Conversations, which will explore decolonization in Canada.

Professor of Native studies Dr. Emma LaRoque [MA/80, PhD/99], and Dr. Carey Miller, Head of Native studies, were also featured in Deconstructing Privilege article and they will join Dr. Katherine Starzyk, director of the UM’s Social Justice Laboratory (and Efimoff’s academic supervisor), and Dr. Michael Yellow Bird, Dean of the Faculty of Social Work, on the Visionary Conversations panel.

They will surely engage the audience with profound insights into the realities of decolonizing Canada and we encourage you to attend the free event at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. For now, though, we provide an appetizer of sorts, by presenting Efimoff’s thoughts.

UM Today: Do you think we are decolonizing at the university, or throughout society?

Iloradanon Efimoff: No.

Why not?

I think that’s a goal, but decolonizing is a big word. Think of it. It is reversing colonization. So many things would have to happen. I don’t think that is what we are doing. What we’re doing is Indigenizing, which is somewhere between tokenism and decolonizing. There are some meaningful changes happening, but it depends on how you view it.

What sort of meaningful changes are you seeing?

Things like the SAGE program. That’s an Aboriginal graduate student support program. So, in building a program that Indigenous graduate students can access, we’re making a change in the system. It’s free and any Indigenous student can access it. It’s based on what Indigenous students want to do. It’s coordinated by an Indigenous woman. So that’s one example.

Land acknowledgments are important.

Having reserved seats for Indigenous students in programs like medicine is important.

So there are things that are meaningful and they border on systemic changes, so those might be leaning towards decolonization, but I have a hard time even understanding what people necessarily mean when we talk about “decolonization.” What does that word actually to mean to people? And I think it means a lot of different things to a lot of people. I think some people view land acknowledgements as decolonization. And I think some people think of universities as colonial institutions or bodies that perpetuate colonization; so to decolonize, we would have to completely dismantle them. There are vast differences in what people think decolonization is. And I’m not entirely sure where I fall on the spectrum.

…There’s a lot of challenges. It’s really easy to become hopeless but it’s really, really important to remain hopeful and optimistic and to continue to work towards the world you want to live in.

These engaging events have provoked discussion and debate among leading experts and the general public, and brought us all closer to understanding how we could live together in a better world. 

Over the next nine months, that decade-long inspiration reaches its fulfilment. Three new Visionary Conversations, hosted by President and Vice-Chancellor David Barnard, will be presented this November, December and March of next year. They will address the ongoing climate crisis, decolonization and drug addiction.

“In 2019 to 2020, Visionary Conversations comes full circle as we explore what I believe are three of the most vital issues impacting our lives – on global, national and personal levels,” says Dr. Barnard. “I invite you to join these conversations, share your voice and help define our paths as individuals and global citizens.”

Registration is now open for the first Visionary Conversation in November:

Declaring a climate emergency: What happens now?

Scientists tell us climate change is real. It’s here and we are largely unprepared. What specific action can governments and individuals take to help prepare us for an uncertain future?

Wednesday, November 6

R.B. Schultz Lecture Theatre, Fort Garry Campus

Doors Open // 6 PM

Panel Discussion // 7 PM

Reception // 8:30 – 9:30 PM

To learn more and to watch the event live stream, click here

Join the conversation online

In anticipation of what is sure to be an engaging and thought-provoking conversation, attendees are encouraged to share their thoughts in advance of the event. Tell us: What do you think are barriers to action on climate change? Let us know in the comments below, or send us an email.

Expedition Churchill: A Gateway to Arctic Research

Expedition Churchill: A Gateway to Arctic Research launched in November, unveiling a creative public education and outreach campaign sharing insight into the world-leading Arctic climate change research done in the Churchill and Hudson Bay region by University of Manitoba scientists and collaborators. 

The project includes a visual multimedia e-book and interactive kiosks located across Manitoba, including in the Wallace Building on the U of M campus.  A unique feature of this initiative is the use of the VIA Rail passenger train that travels between Winnipeg and Churchill as a platform to communicate and promote awareness. Read more. 

Women’s Hockey gets the job done

The University of Manitoba Bison women’s hockey team was crowned 2018 U SPORTS Champions after shutting out the Western Mustangs 2-0 in March in London, Ont. 

This was the first time the Bisons were seeded number one at a women’s hockey national championship. With the win, the Bisons impressively earned their first national championship in the program’s 21-year history. Read more.

U of M’s 99th Rhodes Scholar ‘beat the odds’ to get an education

The U of M was honoured to announce in November that Faculty of Arts graduate Annette Riziki is the recipient of a Rhodes Scholarship for 2019. For Riziki, her personal life experience and struggles growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo made her all the more determined to make a difference in the lives of others.

The U of M has produced more Rhodes Scholars than any other university in western Canada. Riziki is one of 11 recipients of Rhodes Scholarships in Canada for 2019. Read more. 

Rock-solid performance wows judges at 3MT

A student who saw firsthand the destructive power of earthquakes upon poorly designed buildings in his native Iran gave a rock-solid performance at the Three-Minute Thesis competition in March, wowing judges and touching the hearts of the audience. Shervin Khalili Ghomi, a doctoral student in civil engineering, won the competition at the U of M with his thesis on creating a path to earthquake-resistant buildings. 

Ghomi hopes to help build safer and more efficient structures through constantly seeking a better design through state-of-the-art research. Read more.

U of M prof named one of Canada’s most powerful women

For bolstering Indigenous medical education and health care delivery in Northern Manitoba, Dr. Marcia Anderson from the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences was named in November as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women in 2018 by Women’s Executive Network (WXN).

Dr. Anderson, a Cree-Saulteaux women with roots in Norway House Cree Nation and Peguis First Nation, is the Executive Director of Indigenous Academic Affairs in the Ongomiizwin Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing at the U of M. Read more.

Pioneer of dental implants gifts $7.5 million

The College of Dentistry received the largest gift in its history, from Dr. Gerald and Mrs. Reesa Niznick, in May.

Recognized as the originator of modern implant dentistry, Dr. Niznick [DMD/66, LLD (Hon)/02] announced a historic $7.5 million donation towards his alma mater through the Front and Centre campaign. Their gift will enhance clinical training space, fund special initiatives that enrich our community’s health and wellbeing and create reliable endowed funding for the College. In recognition, the U of M renamed the college the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry. Read more. 

New chancellor elected

With the election of celebrated writer, volunteer, philanthropist and alumna Anne Mahon as its new chancellor, the University of Manitoba affirms its abiding commitment to forge empowering connections with communities near and far.

Ms. Mahon’s election as the University of Manitoba’s 14^th chancellor was announced in November. Effective June 1, 2019 for a three-year term, she succeeds the current chancellor, Dr. Harvey Secter. Read more.

U of M receives 10 Canada Research Chairs

Federal Minister of Science and Sport Kirsty Duncan visited the U of M campus in November to announce investments in the Canada Research Chairs Program, of which the University of Manitoba is a major recipient, with 10 Chairs named. Seven of the 10 chairs named at the U of M will be held by women. Read more. 

Defining moments celebrated at 2018 Distinguished Alumni Awards Celebration of Excellence

The celebration in May brought together more than 350 enthusiastic supporters of the University of Manitoba for an inspiring evening of music, tributes, and videos in acknowledgment of five outstanding individuals: Jan Lederman, Dr. Shayne Reitmeier, Tina Jones, Dr. Lorrie Kirshenbaum and Paul Soubry. Read more.

The power of 400

In November, more than 400 students, alumni and members of the U of M community gathered to hear from panelists at the Visionary Conversations event, entitled The power of one: what’s my responsibility as a global citizen?

Hosted by U of M President David Barnard, the event featured panelists Nahlah Ayed [BSc(Hons)/92, MA/02, LLD(Hon)/08], Laura Michalchyshyn [BA/89] and Brenda Gunn [BA(Adv)/02] discussing global citizenship and empowering the individual to take action. Read more.

As one of the attendees who came together for last night’s Visionary Conversations event The power of one: what’s my responsibility as a global citizen? hosted by Dr. David Barnard, she joined more than 400 students, alumni and members of the U of M community to hear from panelists Nahlah Ayed [BSc(Hons)/92, MA/02, LLD(Hon)/08], Laura Michalchyshyn [BA/89] and Brenda Gunn [BA(Adv)/02] on global citizenship and empowering the individual to take action.

Now an alumna, one of Abusaleh’s first steps into global citizenship was co-founding Sawa Theatre while in her second year in the Faculty of Arts Global Political Economy program at the U of M. The program, named after the Arabic word for ‘togetherness,’ bridges the gap between newcomers and local Canadians by using theatre to “break harmful stereotypes in a world of growing intolerance.”

A past nominee of the Nahlah Ayed Student Award; Abusaleh shared her perspective on the power of one: “being able to be impactful or create change doesn’t have to be grandiose; it starts with small steps, small projects which are the beauty of grassroots movements like Sawa.”

In a full venue at the Active Living Centre’s Alumni Association Agora, the panel worked through the vast issues facing communities around the globe like intolerance and anti-immigration sentiments, climate change, violence, and the influence of media and digital tools- and how small steps made by an individual can galvanize whole communities to make positive change.

Ayed, an award-winning foreign correspondent with CBC News, began the conversation that weaved through these complex issues with stories of inspiration from students like Abusaleh on to define ‘the power of one’ and global citizenship, noting:

“There’s no right or wrong way to be a global citizen; rather, it’s a way of thinking and a way of living – it’s seeing yourself within the greater whole and the greater solutions.”

While questions from the audience addressed broad and sweeping issues affecting global communities like climate change and the #MeToo movement, a theme emerged of wanting to reconcile responsibilities into tangible steps to make a difference.

There was no shortage on ideas for calls to action from the panelists.

Ayed acknowledged that privilege can affect the ability to act and influence others, but that seeking out information and being informed on issues beyond our borders is an action well within our reach.

“Information can change what you buy, how you vote, what you tell your neighbours, and yes sometimes it compels people to move and do extraordinary things.”

Brenda Gunn, Associate Professor in Robson Hall Faculty of Law, followed suit with a personal story and recommendation on knowing our local history as it relates to Indigenous rights.

“It’s our responsibility to know our history to understand the issues that are facing Canada but also the world. What are our issues here and then work out from there,” said Gunn.

“By recognizing the rights and histories of Indigenous peoples we begin the process of shifting the relationship to one of respect and mutual understanding.”

Michalchyshyn, an accomplished media executive and producer living in New York , rounded out these calls to action with her experience as a storyteller:

“What I’ve learned in that career in media: it takes one person sharing their story to make positive change … By telling the truth and searching for those stories, truth and justice will prevail.”

Social media networks and digital tools dominated as concerns, particularly trends like “clicktivism” or “slacktivsm,” with Dr. Barnard asking whether online involvement really empowers an individual, or whether we’re “fooling ourselves” in thinking online actions make a difference.

Michalchyshyn and Ayed credited social media tools as being a gateway to activism, citing examples like the #MeToo movement.

“Clicking and saying ‘I believe her’ made a massive difference,” said Ayed. “The very rudimentary act helped thousands of young men and women and tell their stories which also included others and encouraged them to tell their stories.”

Gunn added that online platforms have helped extend news cycles as users share stories, helping social issues remain top-of-mind.

As the audience looked to Ayed, Michalchyshyn, and Gunn for advice and expertise on leadership and change, the gaze shifted to students and young alumni like Abusaleh; Michalchyshyn advocated for millennials as being the generation that will change the world.

“The 18-35 age group is the most stimulated by social media but they have a different set of values. They care about what’s happening for people of colour, women’s rights, the realities of immigration, etc.”

With Sawa Theatre is entering its third year of connecting and supporting newcomers through theatre programming and workshops to break down barriers between communities, it’s one example of a project that brings together all of the themes from the discussion on the ‘power of one’ and how to act locally, but think globally:

“The beauty about a project like Sawa is that it started very local,” said Abusaleh. “It was grassroots – a bunch of university friends and community members who came together and wanted to make an impact.”

Visionary Conversations is a series that brings people together to explore tough questions and foster conversations that drive discovery and insight. Read more about Visionary Conversations and follow the conversation on Twitter using #umvisionary.

Watch the full video of Visionary Conversations below:

But amid this impulse to disengage is a rising movement asking individuals to reach outward, rather than turn inward, and to exercise their global citizenship.

But how can one person make an impact?

On Nov. 1, join President and Vice-Chancellor David Barnard for the latest panel discussion for Visionary Conversations – a series that brings people together to explore tough questions and foster conversations that drive discovery and insight.

Three alumni– Nahlah Ayed [BSc(Hons)/92, MA/02, LLD(Hon)/08], Brenda Gunn [BA(Adv)/02] and Laura Michalchyshyn [BA/89] will share their personal stories and discuss how to empower the individual to affect change in the world.

PANELISTS

Nahlah Ayed [BSc(Hons)/92, MA/02, LLD(Hon)/08]

Nahlah Ayed is an award-winning foreign correspondent for the CBC, and a first generation Palestinian Canadian. She is a veteran of foreign reportage, covering major world events from the refugee crisis unfolding across Europe, the dying days of Iran under international sanctions, to the attacks in Paris, and the conflict in Ukraine. Ayed also spent nearly a decade in the Middle East, filing extensively for CBC on numerous conflicts, everyday life, and later, the Arab uprisings. In her coverage of the referendum in Alexandria, Egypt in March 2007, she was the first correspondent to use digital video reporting over a webcam-equipped laptop, now a common method of receiving live reports from the field.

Reporting from a part of the world where coverage often lacks depth or content, Ayed challenges the public’s conventional wisdom and broadens our knowledge of the complexities of a region largely misunderstood. Her stories reflect the humanity of the places she visits and tell the tales of the people who are all too often overlooked in the grander scheme of things – the men, women, and children who live in circumstances we could not imagine. Her 2002 series on living conditions in Canadian women’s prisons won a citation for the Michener Award for Meritorious Journalism.

Brenda Gunn [BA(Adv)/02]

Brenda Gunn is an Associate Professor in Robson Hall Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba and a proud Métis woman. She articled with Sierra Legal Defence Fund (now Ecojustice Canada) and has worked at a community legal clinic in Rabinal, Guatemala on a case of genocide submitted to the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights.

Gunn combines her academic research with her activism pushing for greater recognition of Indigenous peoples’ inherent rights as determined by Indigenous peoples’ own legal traditions. Her current research focuses on promoting greater conformity between international law on the rights of Indigenous peoples and domestic law. She continues to be actively involved in the international Indigenous peoples’ movement, regularly attending international meetings, including the review of Canada before CERD. She provided technical assistance to the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the analysis and drafting of the report summarizing the responses on the survey on implementing the UN Declaration and developed a handbook on understanding and implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that is quickly becoming one of the main resources in Canada on the UN Declaration.

Laura Michalchyshyn [BA/89]

An accomplished media executive and producer, Laura Michalchyshyn has spent her 25-year career championing for women and other underrepresented talent in the film industry, as well as giving a voice to marginalized groups through bold, distinct content. Since launching a women’s film and video festival in Winnipeg called RE:VISIONS in the 90s, she has gone on to work for the Women’s Television Network, form Sundance Productions along with Robert Redford, and lead cable channels such as Discovery’s Planet Green, Showcase and IFC Canada.

She is an executive producer on the Jigsaw (Alex Gibney) CNN series Death Row Stories and in development on Ten Restaurants that Changed America with Radical Media. Other completed programs include The 4%: Film’s Gender Problem, All the President’s Men Revisited, and To Russia with Love, which documented the impact of Russia’s anti-gay propaganda laws on queer athletes during the Sochi Olympics. Her awards include two Emmys, a GLAAD, Real Screen, Banff TV Award and a Peabody.

THURSDAY, NOV. 1

*NEW VENUE – THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AGORA (MAIN FLOOR, ACTIVE LIVING CENTRE, 430 UNIVERSITY CRESCENT)
FORT GARRY CAMPUS, UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
DOORS OPEN // 6:30 P.M.
PANEL DISCUSSION // 7 P.M.
RECEPTION // 8:30 P.M.– 9:30 P.M.

Registration is nearly full and seating is limited. To register,  please contact alumni relations at rsvp@umanitoba.ca or call 204-474-9071.

Parking available in U lot. 

If you are unable to attend or would prefer to watch it wherever you are, this event will be streamed through Facebook Live at http://facebook.com/umanitoba

The audience participated in a dynamic dialogue on the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians, the lived experiences of the panelists and others in the room, as well as areas where there is room for improvement.

Panelists were Devon Clunis (Retired Chief of Police, Winnipeg Police Service); Leisha Strachan [BPE/97, BEd/99] (Associate Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management); Zilla Jones [JD/11] (Lawyer, Jones Law Office) and Francis Amara [M.Ed./2010] (Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics in the Max Rady College of Medicine).

The event was presented in partnership with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and the Winnipeg Black History Month Celebration Committee.

If you missed the conversation, watch it below.

By bringing people together for critical conversations, the University of Manitoba demonstrates its value as a catalyst for dialogue and change in our community. “The University takes very seriously its commitment to lead by example in matters of social justice,” said President Barnard. “Promoting and championing diversity and inclusion require continuous engagement from us all.”

Visionary Conversations will host a distinguished panel to explore whether Black Canadians are equitably represented in positions of power and influence. Participants will include:

• Devon Clunis – Retired Chief of Police, Winnipeg Police Service
• Leisha Strachan [BPE/97, BEd/99]  – Associate Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management
• Zilla Jones [JD/11] – Lawyer, Jones Law Office
• Francis Amara [M.Ed./2010], Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics in the Max Rady College of Medicine

Valerie Williams, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator for the University, explained the importance of diversity education, sharing that diversity within the University’s student body, faculty, and staff contributes to a vibrant range of perspectives, backgrounds and ideas that enrich the academic and working community.

“The University of Manitoba believes in the inherent dignity of all people,” shares Williams. “We respect our differences and take every opportunity to celebrate one another.”

Visionary Conversations takes place at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, 85 Israel Asper Way on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the panel discussion runs from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. A reception will follow from 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Admission is free, but seating is limited. Join the conversation and RSVP to: rsvp@umanitoba.ca

THE BLACK HOLE THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS: PITH!

It is the summer of 1931 in Providence, Rhode Island. Jack, a quick-witted sailor, dives into the dreary world of reclusive Virginia and her housekeeper Nancy. Hoping Virginia will accept the death of her missing husband, they embark on an adventure in the jungle…all without leaving the house. Come along for the adventure and unleash your imagination.

January 17 – 27
John J. Conklin Theatre at the Gail Asper Performing Arts Hall in Taché Hall
150 Dafoe Road
Tickets $18 Students and seniors $12
bhtc.ca/mainstagetwo.html

CAFÉ SCIENTIFIQUE — NOT A ONE HIT WONDER: STATINS BENEFIT BEYOND CHOLESTEROL

As patent protection on statins draw to a close, researchers at the University of Manitoba are studying new applications for this popular cholesterol-lowering drug. Join us as we learn about the potential benefits of statins in cancer, heart disease, and chronic lung diseases.

January 23, 7 PM
McNally Robinson Booksellers, 1120 Grant Avenue
umanitoba.ca/cafescientifique/

MINDSETS MATTER: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING WELL

Psychological factors are central to understanding how individuals adapt to the challenges of aging. During this midday research seminar, Dr. Judith Chipperfield will present a selection of findings and highlight her plan for development of a cognitive treatment that encourages older adults to shift their mindsets to more adaptive ways of thinking.

January 24, 12 – 1 PM
Millennium Library (Anhang Room), 251 Donald Street
Seating is limited
umanitoba.ca/aging

BEYOND CRISIS LECTURE SERIES

Join us as Dr. Daniel Neep from Georgetown University shares his insights of how Syria got to where it is today. In his talk The Nation Belongs to All: The Making of Modern Syria, Neep brings us a first-hand account of economic, political and social influences on the Syrian situation.

January 25, 7 PM
McNally Robinson Booksellers, 1120 Grant Avenue

RECONCILIATION THROUGH RECOGNITION LECTURE POSTPONED

Due to unavoidable circumstances, the lecture with Phil Fontaine and Kathleen Mahoney has been postponed and new date will be announced. Sorry for any inconvenience.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT CONCERT

The University of Manitoba Symphony Orchestra presents an exciting program of works featuring the premier of a new work by student composer Tristan Zaba and performances by Concerto Competition co-winners Mollin Balisi (flute) and Sydney Clarke (soprano).

February 7, 7:30 PM
Westminster United Church, 745 Westminster Avenue
Tickets $15 Students $5
Tickets available at the door or at the main music office 319-136 Dafoe Road

VISIONARY CONVERSATIONS

Are Black Canadians equitably represented in positions of power and influence?
To mark Black History Month, Visionary Conversations will explore issues affecting the Black community and celebrate its stories. Presented in partnership with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and the Black History Month Celebration Committee.

February 13, Doors Open 6:30 PM Panel Discussion 7 – 8:30 PM Reception to follow
Canadian Museum for Human Rights, 85 Israel Asper Way
Seating is limited. RSVP to rsvp@umanitoba.ca or call 204-474-9071
umanitoba.ca/visionaryconversations

LOUIS RIEL DAY CELEBRATION

Join David Chartrand and other members of the Manitoba Metis Federation Cabinet for the official founding of a new Metis Local that will be located at the University of Manitoba campus. Musical entertainment and a Metis Chivaree (feast) will follow.

February 16, 11 AM – 1 PM
Migizii Agamik – Bald Eagle Lodge, Fort Garry Campus
Free to attend
umanitoba.ca/indigenous

MED TALKS — ENGAGE YOUR MIND: PHARMACOLOGY UPDATE

Join us for two interactive lectures from renowned experts on pharmacology as they address timely health and wellness issues. Dr. Shandis Price will discuss current options in her presentation Navigating Through Natural Health Products, followed by Dr. Glen Drobot’s presentation Unblock My Heart: Latest Blood Thinners for Treating Clots and Atrial Fibrillation.

February 20, 7 – 8:30 PM
Reh-Fit Centre, 1390 Taylor Avenue
Free to attend
For more information, or to register, call 204-789-3547 or email nancy.fischer@umanitoba.ca
umanitoba.ca/medicine/medtalks

STUDENT OPEN HOUSE

Explore the University of Manitoba and experience a day in the life of a university student at our annual open house for high school students and their families.

February 22, University of Manitoba Fort Garry Campus
Day program for high school students: 9 AM – 2 PM
Evening program for students and families: 6 – 8 PM
Register to attend at umanitoba.ca/openhouse

CANADA WEST TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The University of Manitoba Bisons will host the best in track and field from universities across Western Canada. Make it a class or family event and come out to cheer on the Bisons.

February 23 and 24
James Daly Fieldhouse at the Max Bell Centre, Fort Garry Campus
Tickets $10 Free for fans 17 and under
gobisons.ca

And yet, some Canadians live in compromised conditions where heat and running water are a luxury. Children go hungry in this country, with nearly one in five of them living in poverty. It doesn’t add up. Especially when the impact of poverty affects all Canadians.

As Dr. David Barnard, president of the University of Manitoba, said at the Visionary Conversations event on Thursday, March 9: “Why can’t we get this right?”

Why do we allow poverty to persist in Canada?

A number of Manitoba’s community leaders dived deep into this issue — specifically the roles corporations, individuals, governments and non-profit organizations should play in helping to reduce poverty —  in front of a packed Brodie Atrium on Bannatyne campus.

On hand to lead the discussion were: Donald Benham, manager of hunger and poverty awareness, Winnipeg Harvest; Evelyn Forget, professor in community health sciences, U of M; Susan Prentice, professor of sociology, U of M; Edward Kennedy, president and CEO, North West Company; and Diane Redsky, executive director of Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre.

One thing on which all panelists agreed was the complexity of the issue. There seems to be no easy answer to ending or reducing poverty, in spite of the relative wealth of our country. Though there was consensus amongst the panelists on who needs to step up: government.

We live in an era where fiscal belt-tightening and austerity are commonly accepted political norms, but Forget reminded that times have always been tough, and 30 years ago when people recognized the number of Canadian seniors living in poverty, change occurred — the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) was introduced — because people took action.

“When we hold our governments accountable. When we insist they do a better job, we make progress,” she said. “So we know a good deal about how to solve poverty.”

Prentice followed suit, summing up the frustration that many have with the hands-off approach from government around issues like poverty: “We can and must expect better from our governments. For all of us, not just for the people in the one per cent,” she said to enthusiastic applause.

There was no shortage of ideas on how governments can make a difference. Benham, who said that as a food bank it was Winnipeg Harvest’s vision to close its doors and put itself out of business, made an impassioned argument for a society that provides basic human necessities.

“In a country with universal access to health care, why is there not universal access to food? Why should a place like Winnipeg Harvest continue to exist in a province like Manitoba, in a country like Canada, where we have such an abundance of food, an abundance of income?” he asked.

One barrier to reducing poverty, suggested many of the panelists, is the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes about poor people, which diminishes the appetite for systemic change. In other words, we just accept it.

“We have exactly as much poverty in this country as we’re willing to tolerate,” said Forget.

Does this sound familiar? Poor people should get off their butts and go get a job. They need to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and stop asking for handouts. They’re all lazy.

The reality is those stereotypes just aren’t true. And no one — regardless of their background or work ethic — is immune to the possibility of poverty, as Benham noted in retelling the story of a 30-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces who was deafened by an ordnance explosion and dismissed from the service only to end up in poverty in Winnipeg. “No shame. No blame. No judgment. It could happen to anyone.”

The stereotypes get even deeper and more pernicious when Indigenous people are involved, as Redsky notes.

“In the Indigenous community, racism plays a huge role in creating poverty. Until we solve those real systemic issues, it’ll always be two steps forward, five steps back,” she said.

Several members of the audience came forward to share their own stories of poverty and struggle adding a very human tenor to an already emotional evening.

If a solution is to be found, the panelists agreed that all partners — not just government and NGOs — need to be brought to the table; the “common table” as Redsky called it.

“The first thing I do now is look around the table and ask, who’s missing? It’s not just a one-system issue with one way of resolving it. It needs all hands on deck. And I would add, just from sitting here tonight learning incredible amounts from the panelists, to add researchers to the table because of their wealth of knowledge,” said Redsky.

Kennedy said that the private sector shouldn’t be forgotten, as they can be tapped for their expertise in innovating solutions.

And, of course, the people affected by poverty themselves need to be there.

“It’s important to carry on a respectful dialogue [with people in poverty], to ask questions and listen, not just swoop in with a bunch of answers,” said Benham. “Work with folks to ensure that the answers you’re developing are truly in accord with their experiences of hunger and poverty.”

Read more about Visionary Conversations.

Follow the conversation on Twitter using #umvisionary