Unofficial UWSA General Election 2025 Results

March 5th, 2025

Congratulations to all the winners! Here are the unofficial UWSA General Election 2025 results*:

International Women's Day Action Plan!

March 5th, 2025

International Women’s Day (IWD) has been around for over a hundred years. Since 1911, IWD belongs to all who care about women and gender equality. IWD is about celebrating non-binary and women’s achievements. Raising awareness about discimination and taking action to forge gender parity. All IWD activity is valid, that’s what makes IWD so inclusive. – www.internationalwomensday.com

Thank you UWinnipeg Human Rights and Diversity Office for creating this International Women’s Day Action Plan and Info Graphic.

Below you can find a list of resource and businesses. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.

Small Businesses:

• Anishinaabe Girl Designs – 165 Lilas St. @anishinaabegirl
• Black Market Provisions – 550 Osborne St. – @blackmarketprovisions
• Lucky Koi – 1100 Portage Ave. @luckykoichinese
• Dark Shugar – 1225 St. Mary’s Rd. @darkshugar
• The Sugar Freak – 216 Osborne St. @thesugarfreak_
• Made by Megs – 15 St. Annes Rd. @madebymegss
• Prairie Sky Books – 871 Westminster. @prairieskybooks
• Drop In Dance – 1379 Portage Ave. @dropindancewpg

Educate:

• Re-Storying Education | Decolonizing Your Practice Using a Critical Lens – by Carolyn Roberts

• Around the Kitchen Table: Métis Aunties’ Scholarship – Edited by Laura Forsythe and Jennifer Markides

• The Iron Rose The Extraordinary Life of Charlotte Ross, M.D. – by Fred Edge

• Naturally Woman: The Search For Self In Black Canadian Women’s Literature – by Sharon Beckford

• Compelled To Act: Histories Of Women’s Activism In Western Canada – Edited by Sarah Carter, and Nanci Langford

• Falling Back in Love with Being Human | Letters to Lost Souls – by Kai Cheng Thom

Advocate & Get Involved:

• West Central Women’s Resource Centre – 640 Ellice Ave. @wcwomensctr
• Ka Ni Kanichihk: Go Ask Auntie – 102-765 Main St. @goaskauntie
• The Elizabeth Fry Society – 544 Selkirk. @elizabethfrysocietyofmanitoba

“We must open the doors and we must see to it they remain open, so that others can pass through.” “Sisterhood is powerful.” – Rosemary Brown, politician and activist

Click here to download the info graphic.

No Consultation, No Consent: An Update on Bill 33

March 29th, 2021

As Bill 33 continues to move quickly through the procedural steps to becoming law, the Provincial Government has not consulted the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association yet. The UWSA has not consented to the proposed overreach of power to take control of our student fees and our tuition rates.

“This bill has added extra stress for those students that would be negatively affected by this legislation. These students deserve and have the right to be heard regarding this bill. The negative impact could see many students that rely on the services provided through the UWSA be a huge factor if they can further their education or not,” says Jonathan Henderson, UWSA Vice-President of External Affairs. “Especially through the pandemic, there are already uncertainties in many of our futures, especially those that have been placed in even harder situations due to this pandemic. For the Minister to ignore us is unacceptable.”

The UWSA questions the vagueness of the Bill and calls on Minister Ewasko, who oversees post-secondary education in Manitoba, to provide clearer language that excludes student union fees from being affected. 

The UWSA strongly opposes the Bill’s current wording that gives the government new and absolute power over student fees. 

“There has been no willingness from the Minister to meet and hear from students and their concerns. The lack of effort, the dismissal of Student leader’s voice and the Minister’s decision to delegate communication to his office staff is disappointing,” says Shawna Péloquin, UWSA President. “We want meaningful consultation, and we will not stay silent when the Minister chose to call us pawns.”

We call on the Minister to Scrap Bill 33. Without consultation, there is no consent. We call on the Minister to establish meaningful dialogue and consultation with student unions and include them at the start of any process when setting directions and priorities for post-secondary education.

Get involved by signing up to speak when the bill goes to committee hearings and sign this petition at cfsmb.ca/bill33.

Report to the membership on structural reforms at the UWSA

March 8th, 2021

This report to the UWSA general membership provides background information on the incidents that occurred in 2020 at the UWSA that highlighted the need to restructure the organization. It includes recommendations made by an external consultancy firm, Catalyst Research and Communications, to facilitate the process and the resulting reforms implemented by the UWSA.

Please click here to download the report: UWSA Reforms Report to the Membership

Please click here to download the UWSA Reforms Graphic

This report is meant to be the beginning of a long process of restructuring the organization to make it truly decolonial and create a safe space for discussion. The implemented reforms will be periodically reviewed by the Board and updated as needed. Please review the report and provide your feedback here: UWSA Reforms Feedback

Black History Month Resources

February 23rd, 2021

To celebrate Black History Month, we have compiled a list of black resources recommended by UWSA directors and staff. You can find different local organizations and businesses to support, books to read, influences to follow, and much more!

Read:

1. The Skin We’re In by Desmond Cole
2. Black Life by Walcott & Abdillahi
3. So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
4. Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
5. The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas
6. The Journey of Little Charlie, Bud, Not Buddy, and more by Christopher Paul Curtis

Buy:

1. Vintage clothing: Velvet Tundra Vintage
2. Silk masks: Clems Studios
3. Hair and beauty:
   • Elizabeth Hair and Braiding
   • Lola’s Beauty Gallery & Salon
   • Zizu Barber Shop
4. Ethnic foods and hair products: Dino’s Grocery Mart
5. Art: Tanisha Salakoh

Watch:

1. The Skin We’re In
2. When They See Us
3. Moonlight
4. 13th
5. Time: The Kalief Browder Story

Listen:

1. Ordinary Black Girl Podcast
2. Gentler by Maya Fleming

Follow:

1. @pegcitylovely
2. @kendramorous
3. @iharterika
4. @adriennemareebrown
5. @migrantscribble
6. @sandymhudson
7. @strategiccharmboutique
8. @stylemydreams
9. @miss_chi_fitness

At UWinnipeg:

1. Student organizing: Black Students’ Union
2. Courses: ENGL-3708: topics in Canadian Literature: Black Canadian Writers

Attend, Donate, and Support:

1. blackownedmb.com: Black business director
2. west.afrobiz.ca: Black business directory
3. bhmwinnipeg: Fundraisers, events, and training
4. Pilgrim Baptist Church: Black History Month Events
5. @theblacklabelwpg: Winnipeg’s Black Creatives’ Collective
6. Black Space Winnipeg: Events, artist demonstrations and workshops
7. QPOCWinnipeg: Events for Queer and Trans Identified Black, Indigenous & People of Colour
8. Justice4BlackLivesWPG: Community Organizers in Winnipeg

For a PDF copy, click here: Black History Month Resources

Justice for Eishia: A message and call to action on ending police brutality towards Indigenous youth

February 5th, 2021

On Thursday, January 28, 2021, the Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) of Manitoba recommended that no charges be filed in the murder of 16-year-old Eishia Hudson.

UWSA President, Shawna Péloquin says, “This is a clear message to Indigenous people in Winnipeg and beyond from the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS), which is that there is no transparency or empathy when an Indigenous life is taken as a result of police intervention. The show of force demonstrates that as Indigenous people in this city, our life is not a guarantee but is subject to police approval. It a reminder for all the Indigenous student in this institution and myself that we are surviving a genocide in action, and that our Indigenous youths and elders are disproportionally targeted.  The opportunity to attend University was stolen from Eishia Hudson, yet the WPS continues to defend that the officer who was armed and trained to serve and make him a victim in this tragedy somehow. Why should this police officer be given another chance to open fire at an Indigenous youth? This is not a tragedy of police intervention. It a recurring pattern of power and violence imposed upon Indigenous families and communities empowered by the colonial nature of police services.”

The University of Winnipeg Student Association stands in solidarity with the Hudson Family, our Indigenous students and Indigenous youth. We support Hudson’s parents’ call for an inquiry, which would be broader in scope than the inquest required under the Fatal Inquiries Act and examine issues of systemic racism.

Support Eishia’s family by following the results of the upcoming inquest and raising awareness on social media using the following hashtags: #JusticeforEishia #JusticeforEishiaHudson and #NotAnotherIndigenousLife, or by donating to the family in their fight for justice through this Go Fund Me page.

Notice of Resignation for UWSA VPSA, Melanie William

February 4th, 2021

On January 27, 2021, The UWSA Board of Directors accepted and ratified the resignation of the 2020-2021 UWSA Vice President of Student Affairs, Melanie William. In August 2020, former UWSA President, Jibril Hussein and VPEA, Breanna Belisle had also tendered their resignations to the board.

Over the summer, former executives shared several experiences of harassment and discrimination while at the UWSA, following which the 2020-21 Executive team were placed on administrative leave. During this period, they experienced significant mental harassment and threats on social media from the UWinnipeg community as well.

The UWSA acknowledges the experiences shared by the former executives in their letters and strongly supports the decision to center their mental health. As an organization, we commit to doing more to prioritize students’ well-being and safety over institutional expectations.

We recognize the role UWSA plays in protecting and nurturing the well-being and potential of UWSA members. Oppression or harassment in our communities – online or offline – is never okay and we plan to work towards creating safer and non-violent spaces for discussion.

We recognized that we are working and learning in racist and colonial system, and that we have to be uncomfortable, transparent, and resilient to outroot these realities from our communities. For information on the steps we’re taking to address institutional racism at the UWSA, please refer to our previous post here.

To review Melanie’s letter of resignation, please click here: January 27 BOD Open Session Minutes (Draft)

Responsibility, Decolonization, and Integrity in the UWSA Election Process

January 29th, 2021

Over the past few months, the UWSA has been working to restructure our bylaws and policies to minimize the harm caused by our election process. To guide us through the process and figure out the best path forward, the UWSA Board of Directors have been working with an external consultant at Catalyst Research & Communications.

On October 15, 2020, we released a statement outlining some emerging conclusions, where we acknowledged the need to increase transparency, encourage safe and open discussions, and address racism and oppression. One of the ways that the UWSA committed to doing this is to restructure the elections process to make it safer for candidates and voters.

To ensure that the harm done during the 2020 General Election is not repeated, and work on creating an anti-oppressive election framework, the UWSA Board of Directors voted to postpone the 2021 General Elections from February-March, 2021 to March-April ,2021. This change shifts the nomination period, where candidates can apply to run for a director, senator, or regent position to March 1 – 11 and moves the voting period to March 29-31.

The UWSA has also restructured the role of the Chief Elections Commissioner and created two Elections Campaign Facilitator positions to increase accountability and support the elections better. Interested candidates can apply for both roles through the UWSA website by clicking here.

The UWSA will release some election reform proposals with new campaign rules, director roles, and a safer complaint process in the upcoming weeks.

While these are just the initial changes, creating structural change at the UWSA is a continually evolving and collaborative process. To facilitate this, a student feedback process will be available by February 12.

All UWinnipeg students are welcome to attend the UWSA Board of Directors Meeting on February 10, where the election reform proposal will be presented before final approval on February 24. To register and receive the Zoom meeting link, please email Administrative Assistant, Thomas Hanan, at t.hanan@theuwsa.ca by 4:30 PM using your UWinnipeg webmail address and your Student ID Number.

In solidarity,
The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association

An Update on Alternate Grading Options for Fall 2020

December 23rd, 2020

On December 22, 2020, the University of Winnipeg Senate voted to pass the UWSA Motion on Alternate Grading Options for Fall 2020.

For Fall 2020 courses, University of Winnipeg students will be able to make a request to exclude a grade from the calculation of their GPA.

Additionally, students who have received a passing grade for Fall 2020 courses will also be able to request a grade of ‘S’ (Standing) for their course instead. A ‘Standing’ grade will not be included in their GPA calculation.

Before making a request to exercise either option, interested undergraduate students will have to consult an academic advisor and graduate students will have to consult their program advisor. Your request must be submitted by February 12, 2021, and their choice(s) will be noted in your transcript.

Students who have been found guilty of academic misconduct in 2020-21 will not be eligible to make use of either option.

Please note that:

• Grades excluded in the calculation of their GPA will not be used to calculate GPA for program progression and/or graduation GPA requirements. Students who require a certain grade for program progression must not choose the ‘Standing’ option.
• Where specific course grades other than ‘Standing’ are required to satisfy UW pre- requisite requirements, for entry into other courses, or admission to other programs, and to satisfy any other program requirements, course grades will continue to be used. A grade of “Standing” cannot be used to satisfy a pre-requisite where a specific letter grade is normally required.
• What constitutes a passing grade will be determined by the specific faculty.

Academic and Career Services Advisors are there provide guidance on these alternative grading options. Students can contact them at 204.786.9257 or advising@uwinnipeg.ca.

Please visit UWinnipeg’s list of frequently asked questions on final grading options for further information related to alternate grading options.

Motion for Alternate Grading Option for UWinnipeg Students to be Voted on by UWinnipeg Senate on December 22, 2020

December 16th, 2020

The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association President, Shawna Péloquin is working with UWSA Senators and UWinnipeg Faculty towards providing students with a flexible grading option for the Fall Winter 2020/21 Term. An amended version of the GPA Calculation Motion that was passed by the UWinnipeg Senate on April 8, 2020 will be voted on by the Senate on December 22, 2020.

If passed, students will be able to access this option when their grades for the current term are released up until February 12, 2021.

We recognize the academic, financial, and personal challenges that many UWinnipeg students are facing due to the pandemic and the impact it has on their education. UWSA is working with UWinnipeg departments and boards towards providing students with options to alleviate some of your hardships.

Updates on the motion will be available at the UWSA website on December 23, 2020. Until the motion is passed, we would like to strongly encourage students to access support if and when they need it. Some of the available supports are listed below:

• Academic and Career Services Advisors are there to provide guidance with appeals and exam accommodations. Students can contact them at 204.786.9257 or advising@uwinnipeg.ca.
• UWSA Staff can help you with academic advocacy or appeals. Please email vpsa@theuwsa.ca for more information.
• Student Counselling staff are currently working remotely and would be pleased to assist you via phone or Zoom video counselling. Student can reach them at 204.988.7611 or studentwellness@uwinnipeg.cafrom Monday-Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
• UWinnipeg’s Remote Teaching, Learning, and Research Hub provides valuable tips and resources to help students and educators succeed while working remotely.

In solidarity,
The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association