This Week on Campus — Oct. 19, 2026

BRANDON UNIVERSITY

Dr. Mythili Rajiva, author of “Girlhoods in Traumascape,” will give a guest lecture on Monday at 5 p.m., in the Gathering Space of the John E. Robbins Library. In her work, Rajiva asserts that girls and younger women constantly receive messages influenced by settler colonialism about sexual violence. She argues that we need to listen to them speak in their own voices about the impacts of media, parental worry, school surveillance and interactions with their peers.

The Brandon University New Music Festival returns on Monday and Tuesday, with concerts each evening at 7:30 in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall. Monday’s concert will feature the BU Orchestra with guest artists Janna Sailor, Rita Ueda and Megumi Masaki as they journey across cultures, places and identities through contemporary music. On Tuesday, works by BU composers and guests will be featured in an evening that will bring together diverse musical traditions and creative voices exploring movement, cultural connection and belonging. Admission is $20 for each concert. Saina Khaledi, who will be a guest performer for both concerts, will also give a presentation on Tuesday afternoon. Khaledi will give performance demonstrations and talk about the history of the santour, a hammered-string musical instrument, and Persian music. This presentation will take place from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., in the R.D. Bell Hall in the BU Music building. There is no admission fee, and all are welcome.

Dr. Tom Smith of Brigham Young University will talk about the dangers of bringing domestic dogs into bear habitats in a Science Seminar Series talk on Tuesday at 1 p.m. His team looked at more than 300 human-bear conflicts involving dogs to analyze potential risks and benefits. Dr. Smith will present his talk online, but there will be a live audience in Room 4-47 of the Brodie science centre. Email TeepleH@BrandonU.ca for more information.

BU is partnering with The Brandon Sun and Westman Communications Group to present two debates for city council candidates on Wednesday in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall. Candidates in Wards 1, 4 and 9 will participate in the first debate, starting at 5 p.m. The second debate, beginning at 7 p.m., will include candidates from Wards 6, 7 and 10.

The student-run New Democrats club at BU will host a discussion with Premier Wab Kinew on Thursday from 3 to 4:30 p.m., in the Gathering Space of the John E. Robbins Library. Kinew will discuss affordability, environment, reconciliation, student engagement and the future of Manitoba.

The Bobcats basketball teams play their season openers on Friday at the Healthy Living Centre, hosting the University of Winnipeg Wesmen. The women play at 6 p.m., followed by the men at 8 p.m. This is the final weekend of the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference soccer regular season, with the Bobcats hosting Providence University College on Saturday and Assiniboine College on Sunday at the HLC. The men play at 1 p.m., both days, with the women’s matches starting at 3:15.

» Rob Henderson

ASSINIBOINE COLLEGE

We are hosting a homecoming from Oct. 15 to 25. Lots of events and games to celebrate our 65th in style! Find out more at assiniboine.net/homecoming.

Join us for a day on the ice as we celebrate our 65th anniversary in support of Cougars Athletics! The Cougars funspeil curling bonspiel is taking place Nov. 6 at 10 a.m. at the Brandon Curling Club. Get a team together and come out for a fun day of curling action! Find out more at assiniboine.net/events.

Join Assiniboine College at the Neepawa Training Centre Open House on Tuesday to explore programs starting in January 2027 and get your questions answered. Meet with friendly staff, learn more about programs available in Neepawa, tour the training centre and get information about applying to Assiniboine. Find out more at assiniboine.net/events.

Our Cougars men’s and women’s volleyball teams are travelling to Winnipeg this weekend for games against the PCU Pilots. Meanwhile in soccer action, the women’s and men’s teams play host to the CMU Blazers Saturday at Cougars Field. Finally, our women’s hockey team kick off their home schedule on Saturday when they play host to the Jamestown Jimmies at the Brandon Sportsplex. All the info, including game times and Cougars team profiles, can be found at assiniboine.net/athletics.

Join us to celebrate the Advancement of the college. We will also celebrate outstanding alumni through the presentation of Assiniboine Alumni Association Awards. This event is being held at the Backyard on Aberdeen, Nov. 19 19 at 5 p.m. Tickets are $65. Find out more at assiniboine.net/alumniawards.

Are you attending the graduation ceremony on Oct. 30? Check your Assiniboine email for important updates.

» Shaun Cameron