UWSA Drag Storytime
May 25th, 2023
Come and join us for Drag Storytime at the UofW Library on Tuesday, May 30, from 1 to 2 pm. All are welcome to attend!
News
Supporting University of Winnipeg trans students and faculty
May 24th, 2023
The UWSA is extending our support to all University of Winnipeg trans, non-binary, two-spirit, and gender-diverse students and staff. Right now, transphobia and the safety of trans people are being threatened around the world and in Canada.
On March 3rd, the University of Winnipeg hosted a presentation that perpetuated harmful anti-trans rhetoric from a faculty member. We are condemning the University of Winnipeg for their lack of transparency on their screening process of presentations and for allowing a presentation which actively harmed the trans community.
In response, the UWSA and the community voiced their concerns about trans safety on campus. As a result, we hosted a rally on March 3rd led by our UWSA 2SLGBTQ* Students’ Director, Brie Villeneuve, to advocate for two-spirit, trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse safety on campus.
The UWSA remains committed to urging The University of Winnipeg to engage in continuous dialogue with the 2SLGBTQ* Community to guarantee the security of transgender students and faculty. This includes eliminating the use of their deadnames in emails and registration.
In solidarity,
The UWSA
Suit Up Winnipeg Shopping Day
May 18th, 2023
The University of Winnipeg’s Faculty of Business and Economics and the UWSA have joined forces with Suit Up Winnipeg to present the annual suit shopping day!
On May 24, the Bulman Centre will be opening its doors to all students. You’ll have the opportunity to peruse a variety of gently used formal wear, including suits, blazers, shirts, slacks, shoes, and more. Students from the Faculty of Business and Economics, can attend between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., while all other students are invited to come from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
If you’re interested in attending, please ensure that you register your attendance by filling out the form at this website.
Thank you UWSA President, Kirt Hayer, for your work at The UWSA
April 28th, 2023
Thank you, Kirt Hayer, for your astounding work as the UWSA President from 2021-2023. We wish you luck in your future endeavours.
Here are some of Kirt’s accomplishments from his 2022-2023 term:
- Worked with all UWSA departments in leading a successful return to in person service delivery for students this Fall after the pandemic hiatus.
- Worked with other Exec and University Admin to establish and promote Open Source Educational Resources on campus (OER) as free textbooks options for students for the Fall, Winter, and Spring semesters.
- Successfully advocated for the implementation the flex parking pass.
- Created Directors lounge to promote participation in the UWSA and engagement with student body.
- Arranged for UWSA lockers to be provided in the Bulman Student Centre concourse for use by UWSA directors and student groups.
- Working with alumni association on creating apparel for fundraising, the proceeds of which will go towards a scholarship.
- Hosted student soccer tournament.
- Met with Honourable Jon Reyes, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration to discuss the status of the Post-Secondary Accountability Framework, International Students Health Coverage, and Indigenous Student Success, among other topics.
- Co-organized and hosted successful demo event to introduce student cricket programming at RecPlex where 16 students participated in the match and over 40 signed up to play and/or observed.
- Met bi-weekly with Uwinnipeg senior administration to bring forward student concerns and then follow up with students directly on on-going basis.
- Met each term with the UWinnipeg President Dr. Todd Mondor to discuss emerging student priorities, strategic directions for the organization and to provide direct student
representation on wide range of student issues - Attended a presentation by the Downtown Community Safety Partnership (DCSP) and promoted their services for students on campus. Worked with administration in order to
improve campus safety. - Advocated for the introduction of bylaws which require at least three quotes for goods and services being bought by the UWSA.
- Sourced sustainable promotional materials from more affordable suppliers than were previously used by the UWSA. • Hired a new Chief Operating Officer who has over 30 years of board governance experience.
- Made UWSA a member to new external advocacy organizations like CASA and MAPSS which has resulted in stronger relationships with our counterparts at the U of M and RRC than in previous administrations.
- Led the changing of UWSA Elections bylaws to create a process that gives candidates more agency in their campaign. Shortened training from 5 days to 1 day. Removed unnecessary Elections Campaign Facilitator positions, saving funds and making the elections bureaucracy more responsive and accessible to navigate for candidates.
End of Year message from UWSA VPEA, Jonathan Henderson
April 28th, 2023
Aniin, boozhoo, tansi, hello.
Again, it has been an honour and privilege to work on behalf of our University of Winnipeg (U of W) student family for a third term. I have been so humbled to have done so much for our community and students of the University of Winnipeg throughout my tenure. I have led through my Anishinaabe worldview and 7 sacred teachings, and this has allowed me to have success in building healthy relationships throughout my tenure as Vice President External Affairs (VPEA). Treating others with those teachings from the heart with love, respect, courage, honesty, wisdom, humility, and truth. I am so grateful to have been afforded this honour to serve as VPEA of three terms and look forward to my fourth and final term, and working with a new Executive team. This past year I wanted to highlight some of the initiatives the UWSA accomplished and hope to grow.
This year started with our second annual Truth and Reconciliation Week. This included events to raise awareness and education of the Residential School System, its impact and legacy. We also provided over 300 orange shirts directly to our students. This year we also had an evening with Geraldine Shingoose, (Residential School Survivor/Community Elder). Students were also encouraged to march from the Forks to St. John’s Park where a pow-wow was organized for the community.
Advocating against Bill 33 has always been a big part of my portfolio. It has been a privilege to build good respectful relationships with all parties, including the Minister of Advanced Education, Skills, and Immigration Honourable Jon Reyes, NDP member Jamie Moses, and Liberal party leader Dougald Lamont. Agenda items included: Post-Secondary Education Accountability Framework policy consultations and advocacy, International Student Health Care, and Indigenous student success. Part of the advocacy process, I had the honour of being invited to attend the Throne Speech at the Legislative Building. First time attending this event, I was so humbled for the invite and the networking was incredible.
It was a humbling experience to bring the 2nd Annual Unsheltered Relatives Initiative. Raising over $2,500 towards hot meals and beverages to our unsheltered relatives on the streets of Winnipeg was such a humbling experience for our student volunteers. To provide a small kind gesture really means the world to some that really struggling in life. To see that joy from something simple as hot meals, helps you realize how blessed we are in our academic journeys. Remember people go to bed and pray to be where we are as current students. We partnered with the Feast Bistro once again this year for the food (chilli, bannock, and a cookie).
I was also proud to be part of the planning committee to bring the Freedom Road 40 film screening, that was 4 years in the making, due to the pandemic.
This upcoming year I want to finish strong and continue the strong work of past executives, and do the work needed to ensure a bright strong future in place for the UWSA and future executives by accomplishing this hard work and dedication from your current and new executive team. The UWSA family has many wonderful events planned and upcoming that will continue to build on the momentum of student engagement among UWSA events and activities. I encourage all student to keep in touch with UWSA events and activities through the UWSA website and social media platforms such as Instagram.
Miigwetch, ekosi, thank you.
Jonathan Henderson, VPEA
Next Board of Directors Meeting on Wednesday, April 26
April 21st, 2023
The next UWSA Board of Directors Meeting is on Wednesday, April 26, at 3:00 PM over Zoom.
All UWinnipeg students are welcome to attend Open Session. Please email t.hanan@theuwsa.ca by 2.00 PM on the day of the meeting for the Zoom link using your UWinnipeg webmail address and your Student ID Number.
Please review the following documents before the meeting:
Annual General Meeting 2023 Package:
All participants are expected to abide by the University’s Respectful Work and Learning Environment Policy.
Info Booth Closed on April 24-28
April 20th, 2023
The Info Booth will be closed the week of April 24 to 28, and it will reopen on May 1.
Students can book appointments through the next week by emailing infobooth@theuwsa.ca.
Suit Up! Winnipeg Suit Drive
April 11th, 2023
What: Suit Up Winnipeg’s Suit Drive
We are looking for students, faculty, staff, and the public who have gently used men’s formal wear – suits, blazers, shirts, slacks, shoes, and more to donate.
Where: The University of Winnipeg. Items to drop-off locations by car to Marsha Hanen Way or in person to the Bulman Centre.
When: April 27 from 7:00 am until 1:00 pm.
Vaisakhi Celebration on April 14
April 4th, 2023
Celebrate the festival of Vaisakhi with the UWSA as we gather in the Bulman Centre to share food, prayers, performances, and socialize! Vegetarian lunch will be served. All students are welcome to attend! RSVP here.
*Please do not bring any tobacco, meat, or alcohol into the space*
*Sikh students can get exam deferral. Prayers will be from 11:00 am-12:30 pm*
Vaisakhi, or Baisakhi, was originally a spring harvest festival celebrated in the northern Indian state of Punjab. The festival gained religious significance for Sikhs when Guru Gobind Singh – the 10th and final living guru for Sikhs – created the Khalsa in 1699. For more on the history and significance of Vaisakhi, visit here.
Screening of DAWN, HER DAD & THE TRACTOR on March 31st
March 27th, 2023
Writer/Director/Actor Shelley Thompson is delighted to announce the creation of a new fund, to support trans youth, at Phoenix Youth Programs.
The DAWN Fund will be launched on March 31, 2023, the International Trans Day of Visibility, with a series of screenings of Thompson’s feature film DAWN, HER DAD & THE TRACTOR, winner of the 2022 Nova Scotia Masterworks Prize.
DAWN, HER DAD & THE TRACTOR tells the story of a young trans woman returning home after the death of her mother to make peace with her estranged father. As Dawn and her dad begin to restore the old family tractor, they cautiously rebuild their relationship and come to understand the mechanics of the heart.
The story evolved from Thompson’s experience of living in a rural Nova Scotia setting and being a parent to a young trans man – singer-songwriter T. Thomason.
On March 31, 2023, funds raised at a number of screenings in schools, universities, churches and public libraries will bolster the fund, including at The University of Winnipeg in The Hive (Lockhart Hall). Thompson’s hope is to see every March 31st helping to build and continue the fund with educational screenings.
This fund could not have been imagined without the help of the team at Phoenix Youth Programs, and the support of DAWN’s producer, Terry Greenlaw.
This Friday, March 31, at 6:00PM you can join us to watch DAWN, and make a donation to the DAWN fund at The UWSA Hive at the University of Winnipeg (515 Portage Ave). Pay what you can entrance – No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
TW: Language, Assumed Violence for Trans Individual , Death of Family Member, Deadnaming/Misgendering
Please RSVP through the Eventbrite page: Eventbrite Page
Check the DAWN Website, www.dawnandherdad.com
