She will give a lecture and poetry reading — a conversation about language, memory and presence — marking her first visit to Winnipeg. The event will take place on Thursday, October 16 at 4:00 p.m. in the John A. Russell Atrium.

Professor Christine Stewart from the Faculty of Arts, Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, who helped organize the event, says she hopes the UM community will discover what has inspired her for years in Tohe’s work —

“the blend of beauty, heartache and grit that her poetry carries.” 

Laura Tohe reciting poem at Navajo Code Talker Day in Window Rock, AZ.

Poetry and decoding 

Dr. Laura Tohe is a poet, scholar and the Poet Laureate Emerita of the Navajo Nation (2015–2025). Her father was among the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II—those who used their language to transmit military intelligence that the enemy could never decipher.

Tohe believes that reading and appreciating poetry is, at its heart, a process of decoding. The beauty of a poem lies in how imagery, metaphor, musicality and context weave together — much like the Navajo Code Talkers who used familiar words to carry meanings far beyond the literal. 

In one story, Tohe recalls a coded message that read “horses were dying.” Japanese cryptographers took it at face value, unaware that its real meaning had nothing to do with horses. 

“Indigenous writers, including myself, use metaphorical testimonies and cultural memories to carry the context of a painful and complicated history.” 

Laura Tohe interview with Sam Akee, Navajo Code Talker and his wife.

Language as weapon, language as memory 

The story of the Code Talkers deepened Tohe’s understanding of language’s power. Those men turned their mother tongue into a code that saved lives — a language reborn in the military, one that “was never deciphered by enemy combatants.” 

Yet in peacetime, that same language was silenced. In residential schools it was forbidden, shamed and nearly erased from classrooms and memory. Tohe notes that the U.S. Department of Defense recently removed the names of the Code Talkers from its website in the name of “diversity, equity and inclusion” — erasing once more those who had defended the nation through their own words. 

“Language is fragile; it can be forgotten if it’s not passed on or spoken,” Tohe said. 

Left: Laura Tohe at the 2019 American Indian Festival of Words & Writers Award.
Right: Laura Tohe printing her poem “Map Songs of the Sandhill Cranes.“

From individual to collective renewal 

In Tohe’s work, language is constantly reborn — from page to score, from line to stage. She calls this transformation a “rebirthing” of words and images, allowing poetry to live on through sound, movement and performance. 

Her librettos Enemy Slayer and Nahasdzáán in the Glittering World have invited many Indigenous students and audiences to experience opera for the first time. Nahasdzáán in the Glittering World was later performed in several cities across France, drawing audiences who were perhaps familiar with poetry but not with Indigenous works rooted in Navajo storytelling. 

Through these collaborations, Indigenous storytelling finds new spaces to be heard and felt. At the close of the interview, Tohe reflected,

“Contemporary Indigenous writers are revitalizing endangered tribal languages through initiatives such as the Language Back movement and other creative programs, making visible once again the languages and arts that sustain Indigenous lives and communities.”

Event information

Come experience Laura Tohe’s poetry in person on October 16 at 4:00 p.m. and witness how language continues to carry memory and meaning across generations. Add to your calendar!

• Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025, 4:00 p.m. 
• Location: John A. Russell Atrium (84 Curry Place)
• Format: Free and open to the public 

For more information, please contact Christine Stewart (christine.stewart@umanitoba.ca).

On Jan. 15, 2023, Justin Flett arrived at the emergency room at St. Anthony’s Hospital, in The Pas, Manitoba.

According to Flett’s statement of claim, submitted to the Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba in December and as reported by CBC News and APTN, he told the triage nurse he was experiencing distressing abdominal pain.

Flett was assigned a triage score of five, which is intended for non-urgent low-priority cases. The statement of claim alleges that the physician who finally saw Flett insinuated that he was hungover, saying something to the effect of: “I don’t know what to tell you, we don’t treat you here for hangovers.”. Flett was not given diagnostic tests, imaging, a physical examination or pain medication.

Read the whole article here. 

Over the past years, activists have made important gains in the effort to provide people who menstruate with adequate and free supplies.

In Canada, all washrooms in federally regulated workplaces must have period supplies. In Manitoba, period supplies are offered to students in all public schools in a three-year initiative through a corporate partnership and charitable donation.

Further from home, Scotland became the first country to make period products free to all in 2020, and more recently, to our south, Minnesota’s initiative to make menstrual products free in schools has made headlines.

Yet, despite these advances, menstruation continues to shape lives in negative ways and diminish opportunities for many of those who experience it. Providing free supplies in some places — while necessary in the movement towards equity — is only part of the story.

To read the full story, visit The Conversation Canada. 

This project, funded by the University of Manitoba’s Ignite Program at the Centre for Human Rights Research, brings together researchers from seven faculties and ten departments, including social sciences, natural sciences, education, engineering, the humanities, and social work. The project is housed at the Centre for Human Rights Research (CHRR), where Adele is Director. The CHRR has a longstanding interest in issues of water rights and justice.

In speaking with Adele Perry, she emphasizes the importance of continuously growing knowledge through collaboration.

“Working in this kind of interdisciplinary way requires us to not just learn new material or information but to relearn how and why we do the kind of learning we do. The Just Waters project is about creating new knowledge and teaching ourselves and each other.”

Similarly, Kiersten Sanderson, the project’s first research assistant and a participant in the Indigenous Summer Student Internship Program, has also seen positive impacts from this campus-wide collaboration.

“I’ve learned over the past few months that water justice requires us to remember that all living beings are affected by ongoing water crises in various forms. That’s why the diversity of faculties and departments is important.”

As Adele Perry and her team focus on this water justice, it’s hard to miss the connections between human life and water in a place like Winnipeg. In bridging this connection, the project will look at the juncture between society in three ways: climate justice and water, Indigenous people, water, justice and injustice, and the pasts and futures of water. 

With the project underway, the impact Adele hopes to see in this project is a shift in how research around water and what people, including the general public, know about water research.

This spring, Karuhogo will graduate with a general degree majoring in psychology and Yasay will graduate with an honours degree in Criminology. Both have completed a minor in women’s and gender studies.

From creating community programming to advocacy initiatives to educational workshops, the graduates have felt the impact of their involvement on themselves and others. Two notable events these graduates had the opportunity to organize together focused on the inclusion and celebration of individuals and cultures. The 2023 Magnificent Women’s Awards Gala from the UMSU Women’s Centre was held in-person for the first time and celebrated hardworking and talented self-identifying women for their accomplishments at UM. The 2024 UMSU Cosmopolitan showcased the diverse cultures that make up the UM community through performances, artists, vendors and a fashion show. “I’ve learned so much about teamwork and organization,” said Yasay. “Student involvement has invigorated my passion for continuing to help others.”

With four of the past five UMSU Presidents being Faculty of Arts students and many more contributing in executive and student representative roles each year, we asked the grads why they think so many Arts students pursue involvement in student government. Karuhogo mentioned the influence of friendships “it is like a cycle that as long as new friends are made, those in existing roles convince others to join too.” Both mentioned the influence of their studies. “Arts students stem from many specialized majors, so they bring diverse perspectives and expertise making student governance even better,” said Karuhogo. Yasay added “Arts programs encourage students to think critically and to engage with various perspectives. Arts students bring creative problem-solving and a strong passion for advocacy which is essential to the challenges of service.”

As these accomplished women move to the next stage in their lives, what final words do they have to say about each other? “Even though some days were really long and hard, others were amazing and great. We always had each other as a support system,” said Karuhogo. “It is going to be weird to not see and work with Tracy every day. I will miss the unconditional support and encouragement we give each other,” said Yasay. She continued, “as a woman of colour, it’s important to surround yourself with empowering women, and Tracy is a force to be reckoned with.” We’d say that after all of their experiences and accomplishments during their undergraduate degrees, both women will be powerful forces wherever they may go.

‘What Our Bodies Know’ is a student anthology.

At the launch party, eleven students read from the collection and then the authors circulated through the crowd signing copies for their families and for themselves similar to a class yearbook gathering. The students were clearly proud to showcase their work that covered a broad range of topics such as hearing loss, surviving domestic violence, bipolar disorder, ADHD, emotionality and learning disability.

Each essay in What Our Bodies Know is less than 750 words. They were originally created as class assignments. Themes and concepts shared by scholars from both WGS and disability studies were touchstones for the essays and covered ideologies of normalcy; stigma; appearance; invisibility; care-taking and care-receiving; issues of access and inclusion; impairment/difference; and intersectionality. Students were asked to identify a shimmering moment from their lives that connected thematically to one of the course’s over-arching concepts. Dr. Stewart shared that the student essays “sprung from this moment.”

“This was a new kind of writing for most students, and it challenged them on multiple levels,” said Dr. Stewart. “Many began to rethink their personal relationships to their bodies and/or their diagnoses, their disability or the disability of a loved one. These essays reveal just slivers of those rich and important thinking processes.”

Anamika Deb

Student Anamika Deb, a political studies major and WGS minor, admitted that at first she was “scared to expose” herself, “I drew a blank on what to write about because my disability is not visible.” She explained that once Dr. Stewart confirmed her sciatica qualified as a topic, it ended up being comforting to write about it and then share it out loud to the crowded room. “A horrible experience led to an amazing thing,” exclaimed Deb with a smile on her face as she held up the book and gestured to her parents and brother who came to support her at the event.

Dr. Tina Chen, Vice-Provost (Equity), noted that Dr. Stewart created “a safe space for students” through a creative assignment. “As I listened to their essays, I was moved by the power of each student’s lived experiences,” she shared. “Projects and courses like this encourage us to think about ableism at our institution and to come up with new ways we can support students.”

The project extended well beyond the class assignment. The book cover was designed by social work student Opal Premack. Three additional students contributed to the book’s editing and design. The book launch event was also organized by students. This involvement has added to the overall learning experience of the course, providing an opportunity for students to practice skills including design, editing, time management, decision making, promotion and event planning.

Environmental design student Abbey Bellisle was part of the team who brought the book to life, “I have read the essays countless times over the past year, and was moved each time. It was very special to meet the authors and hear them share their stories in person.” Bellisle is hoping to pursue a masters’ degree in interior design or architecture and noted that this experience helped “open her eyes to disability.” She added that, “There is no excuse for a lack of accessibility in 2024. Courses like WOMN 2540 and this anthology project can aid in educating a future designer, like me, to make thoughtful and informed choices when it comes to accessibility in design.”

Dr. Stewart hopes to produce a future edition showcasing essays from more students who take the course, starting with the essays from students that were in the fall 2023 class. 

The first printing of What Our Bodies Know is sold out! To add your name to a list to obtain a copy from the second printing, email Christine.Stewart@umanitoba.ca.

Learn more about the women’s and gender studies program in the Faculty of Arts.
Learn more about experiential learning at the University of Manitoba.

Dr. David Camfield – Future on Fire: Capitalism and the Politics of Climate Change
Associate Professor, Labour Studies Program & Department of Sociology and Criminology

“Only mass social movements have the power to bring about necessary change in the fight to transition away from fossil fuels,” states Dr. David Camfield in Future on Fire. The book delves into this pivotal assertion, exploring the essence of the ecological crisis caused by capitalism and the potential solutions within eco-socialism. Through a thorough examination of the challenges faced by green left leaders and status quo-supporting politicians, Dr. Camfield’s work ignites a call to action for readers to champion the planet’s future. With a focus on the urgent need for transition, Future on Fire stands as a thought-provoking contribution, inviting us to consider the trajectory of our planet and our role in shaping its destiny. Purchase: Future on Fire: Capitalism and the Politics of Climate Change (published by Fernwood)

Dr. Sean Carleton – Lessons in Legitimacy: Colonialism, Capitalism, and the Rise of State Schooling in British Columbia
Assistant Professor, Department of History & Department of Indigenous Studies

In Lessons in Legitimacy, Dr. Sean Carleton examines the complex histories of state-run schools for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations in British Columbia. By analyzing the purposes served by these schools, Dr. Carleton exposes their role in promoting settler capitalism and the making of British Columbia. Drawing from history, Indigenous studies, historical materialism and political economy, this book sheds light on the role of schooling in truth and reconciliation, offering a deeper understanding of Canada’s history and fostering meaningful contemporary discussions. Lessons in Legitimacy won the 2023 Canadian Historical Association’s Clio BC prize.  Purchase: Lessons in Legitimacy (published by UBC Press)

Dr. Andrea Charron and Dr. James Fergusson – NORAD: In Perpetuity and Beyond
Associate Professor, Department of Political Studies
Professor, Department of Political Studies

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has encountered significant changes since 2006. Dr. Andrea Charron and Dr. James Fergusson, renowned scholars in international relations, trace NORAD’s evolution, technological advancements and the unprecedented threats it faces in NORAD: In Perpetuity and Beyond. Through their comprehensive analysis, the authors evaluate NORAD’s options and recommend the necessary technological and organizational measures to protect North America. As we navigate an era of emerging challenges, this book serves as an essential tool for both scholars and practitioners in understanding the future of North American defense. Purchase: NORAD: In Perpetuity and Beyond  (published by McGill-Queen’s University Press)

Dr. Christine Stewart-Nuñez – Chrysopoeia: Essays of Languages, Love and Place
Professor, Women’s and Gender Studies Program

Dr. Christine Stewart-Nuñez invites readers to explore the intricate tapestry of family and place through a collection of interesting essays. From Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar to Ireland’s Cliff of Moher, from Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park to the heartland of America, each essay in Chrysopoeia transports readers to a different corner of the world. Through poetic reflections on language and place, this book offers an experience filled with inspiration. Purchase: Chrysopoeia: Essays of Languages, Love, and Place (published by Stephen F. Austin University Press)

Dr. Alison Calder – Synaptic
Professor, Department of English, Theatre, Film & Media

Explore the intersections of science, neurology and perception through Dr. Alison Calder’s collection of thought-provoking poems. Dr. Calder skillfully weaves scientific language and lyricism, inviting readers to question power and authority. The book’s two segments, “Connectomics” and “Other Disasters,” explore the brain’s neural connections and cultural perspectives, inviting readers on a journey of self-reflection and understanding. Synaptic raises fundamental questions about our interiority and the intricate relationship between language, art and daily life. Purchase: Synaptic (published by University of Regina Press)

Dr. Andrea Charron and Dr. Clara Portela – Multilateral Sanctions Revisited: Lessons Learned from Margaret Doxey
Associate Professor, Department of Political Studies
Professor, Political Science, University of Valencia, Spain

Dive into the complexities of multilateral sanctions with the book, Multilateral Sanctions Revisited. It offers a comprehensive examination of various types of sanctions imposed by the UN, regional bodies and independent actors. Dr. Andrea Charron and Dr. Clara Portela analyze how different players employ multilateral sanctions and address crucial issues such as implementation, effects, evasion and the challenges posed by emerging technologies like cryptocurrencies. This book, recognized as one of the top 100 nonfiction books of the year by the Hill Times, provides essential understanding for scholars and policymakers. Purchase: Multilateral Sanctions Revisited (published by McGill-Queen’s University Press)

Dr. David Annandale [BA/90, MA/92] – The Tyrant Skies: A Marvel: Untold Novel
Senior Instructor, Department of English, Theatre, Film & Media.

If you’re a Marvel fan, you’ll want to immerse yourself in Dr. David Annandale’s latest Doctor Doom tale, The Tyrant Skies. Dr. Annandale crafts an interesting tale of conflict and intrigue as Doctor Doom faces Red Skull, his deadliest enemy, and confronts a wave of attacks, putting his beliefs, strength and powers to the ultimate test. Purchase: The Tyrant Skies (published by Simon & Schuster)

These books can help to expand understanding, encourage critical thinking or creatively entertain. Whether you are a student, researcher or lifelong learner, we invite you to explore these publications and immerse yourself in intellectual discovery.

The Court of Queen’s Bench and The Provincial Court of Manitoba issued Practice Directives regarding forms of address for parties and counsel which took effect on September 13, 2021.  The Practice Directives reflect the ongoing and evolving efforts of the Courts to treat all participants with equal dignity and respect.

For those unfamiliar with civil procedure at this stage, the various levels of Court occasionally issue Practice Directives to provide greater direction and clarity on certain issues relating to court practice and procedure. Lawyers and parties to an action are expected to comply with these directives. 

The Practice Directives regarding forms of address set out how parties may introduce themselves and advise the Court, fellow lawyers, and other parties of their preferred form of address and pronouns.  At the start of proceedings, counsel introducing themselves, their client or a witness to the Court by stating each person’s name, title (e.g. “Mr./Ms./Mx./Counsel Jones”) and the correct pronouns to be used for each individual.

An example of a counsel introduction would be: “I am Jane Doe and my last name is spelled D-O-E.  I use the pronouns she/her and can be addressed as Ms. Doe.  I represent the Defendant, Mx. Aaron Smith, last name spelled S-M-I-T-H who uses the pronouns they/them”.

When calling a witness to the stand, an example of that introduction would be: “I call to the stand the Defendant’s next witness, David Jones.  David Jones uses the title Mr. and he/him pronouns”.

In a webinar on September 16, 2021, Chief Justice Joyal of the Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench and Chief Judge Margaret Wiebe of the Provincial Court of Manitoba, along with representatives from the Manitoba Bar Association, Law Society of Manitoba and practicing bar answered questions and provided additional information regarding the Practice Directives.  The over-riding message was that the simple act of sharing pronouns was an important step towards a more inclusive profession and a safer space for all participants in the legal process, be it lawyers, parties to an action, or witnesses to court proceedings. 

Chief Justice Joyal and Chief Judge Wiebe stressed that, as this is a new practice, the parties involved will make occasional mistakes and that counsel should not worry that simple mistakes would lead to a rebuke from a Judge or a complaint to the Law Society.  With time, this practice of setting out forms of address and preferred pronouns will become second nature.

The Law Society discussed how they are taking steps within their organization to let others know their pronoun preferences, such as updating website bios and adding preferred pronouns to their email signatures and Zoom display names.  They also suggested that parties be mindful when addressing groups of people and that phrases such as “Welcome everyone” or “Hello Colleagues” be encouraged rather than “Hello Ladies and Gentlemen” which would exclude non-binary members of the crowd.

Practicing member of the bar Eli Milner (Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP) said they hoped this practice direction would have a “trickle down” effect on the profession and make people more cognizant of not misgendering individuals.  Eli also suggested that people consider not writing “Dear Sir” in a letter if you do not know someone’s preferred pronoun and, when in doubt, instead write “Dear Counsel” or “Dear John Doe”.

For both up-and-coming members of the legal profession as well as current practicing members of the Bar, it is encouraging to see the Manitoba Courts taking steps to make the courtroom experience more welcoming and safer for all participants in an what can sometimes be an intimidating environment.

University Gold Medal
Alexa Watson 
B.A. Honours (English)

The University Gold Medal is an opportunity to honour the best in the undergraduate graduating class of each faculty. A gold medal is awarded to the undergraduate student in the Faculty of Arts who has achieved the highest standing. This year’s recipient is Alexa Watson (she/they). Alexa is graduating with a B.A. Honours degree with a major in English and a minor in women’s and gender studies.

Alexa excelled in her studies while in the Faculty at the same time as participating in various research opportunities in Arts, a multi-year student internship with the University of Manitoba Institute for the Humanities and practicing as a cellist. In the summer of 2020, Alexa received an Undergraduate Research Award where she was able to work on her own research project, supervised by Dr. Erin Keating, that she explains as “an act of queer feminist recovery work, exposing how female same-sex desire and radical gender performances exist well back in history and literature (late seventeenth-century), if you’re willing to look for them.” One of Alexa’s favourite moments in her degree was participating in a historical re-enactment of a Restoration coffee house as part of a class project. She wrote an article for UM Today helping to promote the event and was interviewed on CBC radio (at 6:00 am!) to talk about the unique experience. “It was a very busy day but an incredible experience overall,” she said. “I got to write a script and see it performed by my hard-working group mates. Watching something I wrote come to life was extraordinary.” Alexa’s next challenges will be to finish off some writing projects (and hopefully publishing an article!) and presenting at the Canadian Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies conference this fall. She’ll be applying to grad school soon and is open to opportunities both close to home and internationally. “I cannot express enough gratitude to Dr. Keating, without her mentorship I wouldn’t be where I am,” she says, as well as adding special thanks to “Drs. Serenity Joo, Glenn Clark and of course, my mom, who’s unwavering support got me across the finish line.”

Faculty of Arts Honours Medal
Trevyna William
B.A. Honours (Psychology) 

Trevyna William is this year’s recipient of the Faculty of Arts Honours Medal awarded to the student with the highest standing in a Bachelor of Arts four-year Honours Degree Program. Trevyna is graduating with a Psychology major and a Sociology minor. During her studies, she became passionate about the intersection between human biology and psychology leading her to pursue a career in the mental health field. Research has been a significant part of her university experience. After her second year, she received an Undergraduate Research Award exposing her to the world of psychology research. From there, she has had the opportunity to learn in various labs including Kinesiology and the Hearts and Minds Lab which investigates developmental and clinical science questions for children’s and family health and support. “Some of my favourite memories are from the pre-COVID days – the late night study sessions and deep talks I’d have with friends at the Dafoe Library,” she says fondly. Trevyna was also an active member of UM’s Power to Change student group where she says she “grew as a person, made timeless connections, had the privilege to be a student leader and even met her husband.” She’d like to thank “God, my husband, family, friends and mentors I have met along my university journey for their incredible support and encouragement.”

Faculty of Arts Advanced Medal
Bailey Thompson
B.A. Advanced (Linguistics)

The award for the highest standing in a Bachelor of Arts four-year Advanced Degree Program goes to Bailey Thompson. During her undergraduate degree, Bailey majored in Linguistics and minored in Psychology. “Taking a Bachelor of Arts allowed me to explore many interests including economics, abnormal psychology, communication and nutrition,” she says. “My favourite classes were languages – Spanish and American Sign Language. It’s so valuable to learn a new language and about other cultures and ways of life.” Bailey begins a master’s program this fall at McGill University in Communication Sciences and Disorders majoring in speech language pathology (SLP). She credits student group meetings at UM to help her learn about the opportunities for future studies in SLP and to meet like-minded students. Bailey would like to thank her parents for their support and the Department of Linguistics professors who “always put in extra to help their students thrive”.

Faculty of Arts General Medal
Melanie Vincent
B.A. General (Global Political Economy)

Melanie Vincent is the 2021 recipient of the Faculty of Arts General Medal, awarded for highest standing in a Bachelor of Arts three-year General Degree Program. Melanie completed a major in Global Political Economy (GPE). In 2019-2020, Melanie received the Paul Phillips Memorial award for the best research paper by a student in economics, labour studies or global political economy. She recalls this as a special moment as she remembers originally struggling with the topic, but ultimately was truly proud of the final paper. This motivated Melanie to pursue research further working as a research assistant and completing the GPE thesis course having opportunities to work with advisors from GPE, economics and sociology in topic areas such as land claims and cosmopolitan consumption, culture and markets in Canadian society. During her degree, Melanie also dove in to student life participating on the UMSU judicial board, the GPE student’s association and she worked for three years as a student assistant with the UM Undergraduate Admissions office helping fellow students navigate their educational choices. She plans to attend law school at the University of Toronto this fall and has a goal to specialize in union-side labour and employment law. Melanie would like to extend thanks to her friends and family for supporting her “through every exam, rough draft and study session. I would not have made it through remote learning without you.” She has some advice for U1 students who may be unsure of their next step, “I highly recommend looking into GPE. The program is made up of some of the most passionate, intelligent and inspiring people I’ve ever met.”

Faculty of Arts Integrated Studies Program Medal
Adekunle Onakomaiya
B.A. Integrated Studies (Psychology)

The award for the highest standing in a Bachelor of Arts Integrated Studies Degree Program goes to Adekunle Onakomaiya. Adekunle graduates with a concentration in Psychology.

Congratulations to the Arts medal winners.

At its 2021 UM Virtual Convocation, the University of Manitoba will confer degrees, diplomas and certificates on 4,421 graduates.
Don’t forget to check UM Student Instagram  and Faculty of Arts Instagram to learn more about some of the students graduating in 2021. You can also join the ‘Convocation conversation’ on social media by following #umanitoba2021.

Along with over 550 other Faculty of Arts undergraduates this spring, Simiyu completed her degree virtually and will celebrate the same way she studied over the past year – online. Simiyu graduates with a major in political studies and a minor in women’s and gender studies. “I’ve always had an interest in politics, human rights and activism and this combination includes all of those areas,” she said. Simiyu hopes to work in government in the future. “The topics overlap quite a bit and being in both provided a well-rounded learning experience.”

Focusing on papers, research projects and exams doesn’t always leave much time for students to express themselves in creative outlets, so when Simiyu received an email back in March from her professor about the UM Women’s and Gender Studies Creative Expression Award, she jumped at the chance to enter. It was a good decision, as her photo and artistic statement entry was the award committee’s unanimous choice for first prize.

Kayla Fernandes speaking at a Black Lives Matter rally in 2020. Photo: Rebecca Simiyu

Simiyu’s entry was a black and white photo of local artist and performer Kayla Fernandes speaking at a Winnipeg Black Lives Matter rally in June 2020. The photo features Fernandes engaging passionately with the crowd as they recite an original poem.

The contest asked students to capture an original feminist perspective on contemporary reality in the form of a video, speech, visual art piece, policy brief, performance or other multi-media platform.

“We applaud Rebecca for the acuity and symbolic potency of her vision,” said Dr. Nancy Kang on behalf of the committee. “Her entry features the speaker in profile, their demeanor resembling that of a young Audre Lorde. With fist raised, they match words and actions with conviction, eloquence and youthful candor.” Kang adds that in her artist statement, Rebecca reveals that she found the protest to be “a liberating event that combined solidarity and social awareness with the chance to illuminate the power of black women’s voices, not as an abstract or theoretical experience but as a lived and immediate reality.”

“This is the photo I have been waiting to take ever since I first picked up a camera all those years ago,” says Simiyu. “As an artist I have never been in a space that was not only so welcoming but also created for black artists. The event was organized by young black femme community organizers. I saw myself reflected in them and that made the task of taking photos very personal. This photo is a product of the entire day and event as a whole, it is one of the best pictures I have taken because the environment I was put in allowed me and encouraged me to create from my own perspective. And as a black woman in the photography field, being given the chance to create in this space might be a once in a lifetime opportunity.” Simiyu adds that winning the contest was very unexpected and has boosted her confidence as an artist.

Like many this year, Simiyu will be celebrating her graduation at home surrounded by family as she watches the virtual convocation ceremony, fetes her accomplishments, remembers the fantastic people she met during her degree and looks forward to what the future will bring.