MacEwan Journalism’s downtown community news site
Volume IV
No. 4 March 21, 2022
Finding fashion in a frigid city
Editor’s notebook: Is there such a thing as a uniquely Edmontonian sense of style? Location plays a role in fashion sense, but how does that apply in a prairie city that’s frozen for half the year?
Warming up the festival scene
After a two-year hiatus, the Winterruption YEG music festival is making a comeback with two weeks’ worth of performances that range from comedian Gavin Crawford to The Darcys, to Alberta’s own St. Arnaud.
Noisy protests shake the core
Protests against COVID-19 mandates have been plaguing the lives of residents in the downtown for more than a month, sometimes to the point that noise levels are becoming a threat to people’s health.
How to rename a neighbourhood
The Oliver renaming process has shown the kinds of problems that history can throw in the path of even the best intentions. One solution may be, as an activist has suggested, to make the whole process “Indigenous led.”
Gas prices are beginning to hurt
The invasion of Ukraine and the economic sanctions placed on Russia are fuelling high gasoline prices across the country. And, even oil-rich Edmontonians are starting to feel the pinch at the pump.
Film fest finally returns
Like a lot of regular events in the city, the Mosquers film festival was shut down by the pandemic. This year, it returned, to celebrate short films by Muslim filmmakers from Edmonton and around the world.
Old buildings that are new again
Edmonton has long been a city that values replacement over restoration. However, historic architecture may be finally getting a new lease on life. This photo feature explores the bits of heritage architecture that remains.
Driving people out of the public
Anti-homeless architectural features are supposed to keep people from staying long in public spaces, but this only propels the problem elsewhere. Our photographer searched the city for examples of hostile architecture.
Crime prevention by design
Preventing crime through city planning and space development has a long history in Edmonton, d that has made for some strange players in the urban-planning game. Our reporter asks, What does it mean for the people”?
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About us
Managing editor: Bailey Stefan
Assistant managing editor: Aubrianna Snow
Photo editor: Gina Bennett
Copy chief: Dustin Scott
Copy editor: Tim Johnson
Contributors: Jack Farrell, Brett Holden, Emilie Lavoie, Gerard Murray, Savannah Parker, Natasja Pitcher
Publisher: Brian Gorman PhD, associate professor of journalism
gormanb3@macewan.ca
No. 3 March 7, 2022
Do we care only for the privileged?
Editor’s notebook: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to a worldwide outpouring of love and outrage, which is as it should be. But what about the persecuted people we don’t demonstrate for?
A year to remember
After finishing in eighth place, and narrowly missing the playoffs, the MacEwan’s women’s hockey team is just finishing up its first season in the U SPORTS level of play. And, over all, the season can be called a success.
Janz vows not to back off
The city councillor has been cleared of wrongdoing in a complaint brought against him by the head of the Edmonton Police Association, yet the questions lingers of who are and who are not allowed to express themselves freely on social media.
Big city, little downtown
Edmonton is the fifth largest city in Canada so why doesn’t its downtown reflect that? Despite consistent population growth over the last five years, the ‘urban fringe’ remains uninhabited.
Unmasked and unheard
The province lifted its mask mandate for elementary and secondary schools Feb. 14 and, although the decision was lauded by the UCP as a return to normality, some students say they feel as though their feelings on the matter are being ignored.
Stories told by other voices
Mosquers film festival is back for its 13th edition, featuring a selection of short films celebrating the rich diversity of Muslim culture and community in Alberta and from around the world.
A walk through the city’s queer history
A look at the mission of Edmonton Queer History Project to make a previously unrecognized past visible, through a website and online map of important LGBTQ+ landmarks.
Between the spaces
Street art has long been a way for citizens to voice their concerns, demonstrate artistic skills, and make social commentary. The streets of Edmonton are no exception, as this selection of graffiti shows.
Uniting for Ukraine
Edmonton is home to one of the largest Ukrainian communities in the country. Recently, the city’s citizens hit the streets to stand up for the old country, after Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.
Back to City’s Centre
About us
Managing editor: Savannah Parker
Assistant managing editor: Bailey Stefan
Photo editor: Gina Bennett
Copy chief: Gerard Murray
Copy editor: Jack Farrell
Contributors: Brett Holden, Tim Johnson, Emilie Lavoie, Natasja Pitcher, Dustin Scott, Aubrianna Snow
Publisher: Brian Gorman PhD, associate professor of journalism
gormanb3@macewan.ca
No. 2 February 14, 2022
Edmonton’s other sports team
Editor’s notebook: The Canadian men’s national soccer team seems to be destined for the next World Cup, and the whole country is cheering them on. So why can’t Edmonton footballers get any love?
The long road to decriminalization
By the end of next month, Edmonton city council expects to have access to a report on how Toronto applied for an exemption to the Controlled Drug and Substance Act, which could lead the way to decriminalization.
Boutique bookseller supports YEG writers
Audreys Books is already a rarity as an independent bookstore that is surviving in the age of the Internet. And Audreys has established itself as perhaps our most important supporter of local writers.
What’s in a name? A lot
The community of Oliver, in the west end of downtown, is working on shedding its connection to an illustrious racist. Perhaps this is an indication of things to come for other places with problem names.
A tweetstorm in a teacup?
The head of the police association has been tweeting that the LRT is unsafe. A councillor is saying the staff sergeant in question is disgruntled because the city reallocated funds from EPS to social services.
Making the streets a bit less mean
The Bear Clan Patrol Group’s objective is to bring hope and comfort to the people who live on the streets of Edmonton. Our correspondent spends some time with the patrol as they bring “the necessities of life to our brothers and sisters.”
Making the streets meaner
It isn’t always easy to figure out what the so-called protesters are protesting. Even when you spend a day reading and photographing their signage, as our correspondent did, the messages become far less than clear.
Back to City’s Centre
About us
Managing editor: Brett Holden
Assistant managing editor: Savannah Parker
Photo editor: Gina Bennett
Copy chief: Natasja Pitcher
Copy editor: Emilie Lavoie
Contributors: Jack Farrell, Tim Johnson, Gerard Murray, Dustin Scott, Aubrianna Snow, Bailey Stefan
Publisher: Brian Gorman PhD, associate professor of journalism
gormanb3@macewan.ca
No. 1 January 31, 2022
Unity in a reconciled future
Editor’s notebook: The renaming process under way in the Oliver neighbourhood is a positive symbolic move – but insufficient. Symbolism rarely does much to improve people’s lives.
The demolition of ‘The Lookout’
This fall, the demolition of the historic El Mirador began, to make way for the new The Parks project. With the City’s revitalization plan, it seems as if more of these historic buildings may face a similar fate.
Changes on the way for transit
Earlier this month, city council faced criticism from transit users on the recently redesigned bus network. Now, the City plans to to make even more changes to the bus system amid the feedback.
Warehouse space outpaces office demand
With COVID-19 forcing many businesses to adapt, it has also forced a change in the spaces in which people work. Now, with the Omicron variant causing more people to work from home, warehouses may become the new office space.
Terror looms a world away
As Russia continues to threaten its closest neighbour with invasion, we take a look at how the situation over there is affecting Edmonton’s large Ukrainian population in Edmonton.
Back to City’s Centre
About us
Managing editor: Aubrianna Snow
Assistant managing editor: Brett Holden
Photo editor: Gina Bennett
Copy chief: Tim Johnson
Copy editor: Dustin Scott
Contributors: Jack Farrell, Emilie Lavoie, Gerard Murray, Savannah Parker, Natasja Pitcher, Bailey Stefan
Publisher: Brian Gorman PhD, associate professor of journalism
gormanb3@macewan.ca