UWSA By-Election 2023 Candidates

October 18th, 2023

The UWSA By-Elections 2023 Voting is almost here. Vote for which candidate will represent your voice on campus!

Voter’s Guide

Read all the bios of each candidate and learn about how voting works! Download the voter’s guide here: By Election Voters Guide 2023

Candidates

Environmental Ethics Director

• Mantej Singh

Recreation and Athletics Director

• Dylan Stroski
• Jashanpreet Singh

Women, Trans & Non-Binary Students’ Director

• Clay Mykietowich
• Harman Ghataura

UWSA Senator

• Muhammad Arqam Naveed
• Parth Kaushik
• Soban Fiz

For all information about Elections, visit theuwsa.ca/elections.

Statement of solidarity to students affected by conflict in Israel and Gaza

October 13th, 2023

With the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza that has resulted in the loss of many innocent Palestinian and Israeli lives, we want to express our solidarity with students who have been affected by the violence and strongly condemn any acts of discrimination, including Antisemitism and Islamophobia.

We kindly request everyone to be respectful and caring towards one another during this challenging time. As the UWSA, our utmost priority is to provide support and assistance to all students.

Here is a list of mental health and support resources in Winnipeg and throughout Canada that you may find helpful: theuwsa.ca/mental-health-resources

In solidarity,
The UWSA

Unlocking Opportunities: The Power of Student Groups in Your Business and Economics Journey

October 13th, 2023

Dear Faculty of Business and Economics Students,

I hope this message finds you well as you embark on your academic journey at the University of Winnipeg. As the Business and Economics Director of the Student Association, I want to highlight the invaluable benefits of actively participating in student groups during your time here.

Enhanced Engagement: Getting involved in student groups allows you to immerse yourself in the vibrant campus community. It’s not just about attending classes but becoming integral to our academic environment.

Exploring Opportunities: Keep a vigilant eye out for open vacancies in our faculty’s student groups. These positions are not just titles but opportunities to shape your academic and professional future.

Real-World Experience: Student groups provide an excellent avenue to gain real corporate experience while navigating the demands of academic life. This hands-on experience can set you apart in the competitive job market.

Leadership and Communication Skills: Involvement in student groups symbolizes your commitment to leadership and enhances your communication skills. The business world highly values those qualities.

Networking: Building a robust network is essential in today’s business landscape. Student groups offer a unique platform to connect with peers, faculty, and professionals in your field.

Stay Informed: Always monitor opportunities such as co-op programs, CPA recruitment, and internships. Our faculty updates their career page with these valuable openings.

Faculty Newsletters: Don’t forget to check your faculty’s newsletters regularly. They provide invaluable information about events, opportunities, and developments within our academic community.

Social Media Connection: Follow our student groups on social media platforms to receive real-time updates, event notifications, and valuable insights from fellow students.

Faculty of Business and Economics student groups: BASA+FESA+UWASA+JDC WEST

Remember, these student groups are here for you. They are vital to your academic journey and can significantly enrich your overall university experience. So, seize these opportunities, engage actively, and let your time at the University of Winnipeg be a stepping stone to a promising future.

Best wishes,

Sahil Lekhi

Business and Economics Director

University of Winnipeg Student Association

Truth and Reconciliation Week at the UofW

September 25th, 2023

Truth and Reconciliation Week is a time to reflect and honour those who have been victims and survivors of the Residential School history and legacy. Learning through raising awareness and commemorating the truth of the Canadian and Indigenous history from First Nations, Métis and Inuit Elders and Knowledge Keepers is essential in understanding that truth from the Indigenous lens. Please take time to engage and learn about this truth by attending events, reading a book, or watching a movie or TV show by an Indigenous creator.

There is a Flag Raising today at 10:00 a.m. on the front lawn of the UofW, and on Friday, we will be doing our annual orange shirt giveaway and a smudging station. Watch our Instagram stories for updates on activities and events happening on campus and throughout our community. For those of us who are Indigenous, take time to make sure your mental health is in balance during this challenging week. The steps toward reconciliation cannot happen without learning the truth first.

Miigwetch
Jonathan Henderson
UWSA VPEA

Resource Links:

• Truth and Reconciliation Week page: https://theuwsa.ca/truthandreconciliation-week/
• UWSA Reconciliation and Decolonization page: Reconciliation and Decolonization Page 
• Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action: Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action 
• Five Years after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Report and Calls to Action: https://theuwsa.ca/2020/12/5-years-trc/ 

UWSA By-Election 23 Nomination Forms Available

September 18th, 2023

UPDATE: The Nomination Form has been updated as it was missing the UWSA Senator position—apologies for any inconvenience.

By-Election Nomination Form 2023 – Candidates must submit a completed nomination form to the Chief Elections Commissioner at cec@theuwsa.ca by 6 PM on September 28, 2023, to be eligible to run in the 2023 UWSA By-Elections.

Vacant Positions

• Environmental Ethics Director
• Recreation and Athletics Director
• Women, Trans & Non-Binary Students’ Director
• UWSA Senator

Candidate Guide

By Election_Candidate Guide 2023

For any questions, please email, cec@theuwsa.ca. theuwsa.ca/elections

UWSA Student Beach Field Trip

July 25th, 2023

You’re invited to the UWSA’s Student Beach Field Trip to Grand Beach! Come with us for a day of fun in the sun. It’ll only be $15/student for a bus ride to the beach.

Pre-register for the event here: Beach Field Trip pre-register

You will be fully registered for the event once you have paid the $15 deposit at the Info Booth. Info Booth is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11AM – 3PM

You must submit your waiver to Info Booth or email it to events@theuwsa.ca. Waiver is available here: https://theuwsa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/UWSA-Events-and-Services-Fillable-Waiver.pdf

Beach Day Information:

• Date and Time: Tuesday, August 8 from 8:30AM – 5:00PM
• Location: Grand Beach
• Pick-Up Location: 400 Spence Street
• Departure time: 9:00AM. Please show up on time or risk not being on the bus.

Things you should bring:

• Water bottle and Snacks
• Sunscreen
• Money if you’ll be buying food
• Towel
• Swimsuit
• Anything you need to have fun!

For any questions, email events@theuwsa.ca

National Indigenous Peoples Day message from Jonathan Henderson

June 21st, 2023

Happy Indigenous Peoples Day on behalf of the UWSA! On this day, we celebrate the Indigenous peoples of this land and honour the history of their beautiful culture and heritage. We also recognize and celebrate the resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis across Canada.

This day, for generations, has been celebrated by Indigenous groups and communities on June 21 because of the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.

We ask students to participate in events around the city; our social media outlets will post events throughout the day. Concerts and events will be at the Forks from 1:00-9:00 PM.

Here are some events happening. You can find more on the UWSA Instagram story:

• Wednesday, June 21
  • 9:00 AM Start – Smudge The North End Walk: Indigenous Vision for the North End (221 Austin St N)
  • 9:00 AM till 2:00 PM – Beading (9 AM), Feast (1 PM), Cookie Decorating (2 PM): North Point Douglas Women’s Centre
  • 10:00 AM Start – Pipe Ceremony: Mount Carmel Clinic
  • 11:00 AM Start – Circles for Reconciliation National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration: SGT Tommy Prince Place
  • 1:00 PM till 2:30 PM – Sacred Fire & Feasting of Drums: North End Women’s Centre
  • 1:00 PM till 9:00 PM – WA-SAY Healing Centre presents the 2nd Annual Indigenous Day at The Forks
    • 1 PM – 5 PM: Pow Wow, Drum Group (Spirit Sands Singers)
    • 5 PM – 9 PM: Live Concert
• Friday, June 23
  • 7:30 PM till 11:30 PM – Grippin’ Sage Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration: WAG – Quamajuq

Enjoy the day and reflect in your hearts on what you can do for reconciliation in honouring our Indigenous brothers and sisters of Turtle Island.

Happy Indigenous Peoples Day,

Jonathan Henderson

UWSA Vice-President External Affairs

Welcome the 2023-24 UWSA Executives

May 26th, 2023

We want to officially introduce your 2023-24 UWSA executives. They started their term at the beginning of May and have been working hard on their goals for the year!

🎉Welcome to the UWSA team 🎉

Left to right: Christine Quiah (Vice-President Student Affairs), Jonathan Henderson (Vice-President External Affairs), Tomiris Kaliyeva (President)

Supporting University of Winnipeg trans students and faculty

May 24th, 2023

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.