Manitoba Heritage Theses

Permanent URI for this collection

http://hdl.handle.net/1993/3098

Contains full text Manitoba-related theses dating from 1902 to the present.

The University of Manitoba Libraries gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Manitoba Department of Heritage, Culture, Tourism and Sport in the digitization of many of these theses.

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 6498

Open Access
The impacts of phenological mismatch on reproductive success in a declining migratory aerial insectivore
(2025-03-05) Olson-Brissaud, Clémence; Garroway, Colin (Biological Sciences); Davoren, Gail (Biological Sciences); Fraser, Kevin
Faced with the advancement of spring due to climate change, avian species must adjust their phenological timings in response. However, as the mechanisms underlying organisms’ phenology widely vary, responses to altered ecological conditions may differ, which can cause a phenological mismatch resulting in population declines in migratory species. To better understand the mechanisms and effects of these mismatches, I studied the timing of breeding in a long-distance migratory songbird, the purple martin (Progne subis), and compared it to the timing of its key resources. I first investigated whether mistiming between purple martin breeding stages and insect emergence negatively affected reproductive success. I found direct evidence for the impact of phenological mismatch on martins’ reproductive success, where greater misalignment between peak energetic demand of the nest and peak prey availability resulted in lower fledge success. Next, I investigated whether there were fine-scale differences in the environmental phenology of local breeding sites, and if so, were birds able to align the timing of nesting with this variation. I found that while peak insect variability varied widely (0-49 days) at the micro-habitat scale, nest timing did not, suggesting that birds were misaligned with available resources at this scale. Overall, my results show that phenological mismatches negatively affect migratory birds’ reproductive success, and that the lack of synchronization with microhabitat variation may indicate that temperature—shown to influence the timing of egg laying—does not necessarily translate to birds' synchronization with resources at a micro-habitat scale. This rare evidence of direct effects of a mismatch of migratory songbird timing on fitness can help us better understand causes of population declines in purple martin and other aerial insectivores. Future studies should further investigate the mechanisms driving the timing of breeding, such as individual quality and carry-over effects of migration, as well as the population-level consequences of phenological mismatch in martins and other aerial insectivores.
Open Access
Urban pathways to justice: exploring Indigenous women’s urban park, trail, bike and nature experiences and impacts on wellness
(2025-03-21) Nicholson, Leah; Johnson, Jay (Kinesiology and Recreation Management); Rice, Brian (Kinesiology and Recreation Management); Redvers, Nicole (University of Western Ontario); Hatala, Andrew; McGavock, Jon
Introduction: This study focuses on Indigenous women’s experiences of urban biking, trail, park and nature experiences and impacts on wellness using an Indigenous gender-based analysis plus lens created by the B.C. Minister’s Advisory Council on Indigenous Women (MACIW). The goal of this study was to explore Indigenous women’s experiences of urban biking, park and trail use and nature experiences in the context of settler colonialism that emphasizes the historical and present-day cultural oppression experienced by Indigenous women that impacts urban wellness experiences. The research questions include Indigenous women’s experiences of urban trails, parks, biking and nature experiences and how do these experiences impact wellness; the role of gender for Indigenous women’s equitable access to urban spaces; and barriers to Indigenous women’s urban land experiences. Methods: The methods in this qualitative study were a blend of Indigenous and western research methods as “two-eyed seeing”. The study was guided by an Indigenous women’s advisory committee through several collaborative meetings throughout the study who also provided cultural protocols for the sharing circle. Data collection included Indigenous methods of conversational interviews (n=9) and a sharing circle (n=10). Interpretative phenomenological methodology and methods informed the analysis guided by the MACIW Indigenous gendered based analysis plus lens. A decolonizing approach with community participatory research methods guided the methods. Results: Indigenous women’s experiences of urban wellness activities reveal barriers to these activities embedded in settler colonial racism and misogyny toward Indigenous women that results in violence and extensive safety barriers in accessing safe urban land. Despite these barriers, Indigenous women resist and reclaim urban spaces as sites for cultural resurgence, while reinstating Indigenous women’s gendered roles as Matricidal leaders, caregivers, educators, and protectors of the Land that fosters their wellness. Family and community wellness as interrelated with personal wellness was an essential aspect of Indigenous women’s wellness models, drawing in cultural understandings of wellness. The wellness of the Land and its inhabitants are also a fundamental interrelated aspect of Indigenous women’s wellness. Implications: Women described a myriad of spiritual, mental, physical and emotional benefits from safe park, trail and bike use, grounded in Indigenous concepts of wholistic wellness centred on family and community wellness. Nature as kin is a fundamental aspect of women’s lives that supports wellness. Yet, the women and their communities cannot experience these benefits if settler colonial city-making barriers to safe urban land are not addressed. The barriers Indigenous women and their communities face is an issue of justice, whereas access to safe urban land and wellness is a profound right of Indigenous women and their communities.
Embargo
Reconciliation may occur: treaty narratives as entwined disconnection
(2025-03-26) Monkman, Dane; Patzer, Jeremy (Sociology and Criminology); Rounce, Andrea (Political Studies); Ladner, Kiera
This thesis presents an in-depth exploration of Treaty Number One and its broader implications regarding the conflicting narrative frameworks that shape Indigenous-settler relations in Canada. Central to this exploration is the understanding that Treaty Number One, the first Numbered Treaty signed between Indigenous nations and the Canadian state, embodies narratives that remain unresolved and contested. Further I argue that these narratives are multifaceted and oftentimes irreconcilable due to their distinct cultural, historical, and political contexts. In developing this argument I demonstrate how the treaty was perceived by the Crown as a means to assert colonial control and expand settlement, while Indigenous perspectives considered it an agreement beginning a relationship of coexistence and mutual respect. Next, utilizing critical and decolonial theories, I explore the utility in conceiving of Indigenous peoples as subaltern groups resisting the hegemonic narrative of the colonial state and argue that Canada’s approach has been one of reinforcing its dominance through coercion and assimilation. Finally engaging with the TRC’s Calls to Action, I propose that reconciliation cannot be achieved by combining or assimilating narratives into one dominant story. Instead, I call for an ongoing dialogue valuing diverse perspectives that acknowledge the complex interplay of narratives that constitute our understanding of treaties. Ultimately, this thesis concludes that a more comprehensive understanding of treaties can only be achieved through recognizing and valuing the multiplicity of narratives, grounded within material conditions and understanding of colonial power dynamics. In other words, a reconceptualization of treaty relations that embraces the possibility of multiple truths coexisting, rather than striving for a singular reconciled narrative which defines the nation.
Open Access
Facilitating antimicrobial stewardship in the outpatient hemodialysis setting
(2025-03-26) Lawrence, Courtney K; Lakowski, Ted (Pharmacy); Zhanel, George (Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases); Battistella, Marisa (University of Toronto); Zelenitsky, Sheryl
Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) encourages appropriate antimicrobial use to improve outcomes. Initiatives include preventing infection and optimizing antimicrobial use (i.e., right drug, dose, and duration). Infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality among patients receiving hemodialysis. Although this population would benefit from AMS, initiatives are limited. In response, three studies were conducted. The first was a study of hemodialysis bloodstream isolates (n = 1024). Pathogen distributions and antimicrobial susceptibilities were used to evaluate empiric antimicrobial combinations. Most isolates (>70%) were gram-positive. Using cefazolin over vancomycin reduced gram-positive coverage by >30%. Gram-negative coverage varied by <1%, with no advantage for broader agents, e.g., meropenem. These findings assist in optimizing empiric antimicrobial selection for bloodstream infections (BSIs) in the hemodialysis setting. The second was a study of hemodialysis catheter-related exit-site infections (ESIs, n = 113) and BSIs (n = 64). The impact of new infection prevention measures on infection rates and risk factors for infection were evaluated. ESIs dropped by 60% with new measures, then increased slightly over time. BSIs declined by 85% over time, which was associated with new measures and reduced temporary catheter use. ESIs preceded one-third of BSIs. These findings highlight the necessity for ongoing surveillance, reinforcement of prevention measures, and strategies to address ESIs to reduce BSI risk. The third was a pharmacokinetic study of cefazolin (n = 20) and ceftazidime (n = 18) in patients receiving hemodialysis. The pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicodynamics were characterized and used to evaluate current dosing practices. For both drugs, the protein binding and volume of distributions were similar to other populations, while the elimination half-lives were >15-fold longer compared to patients with normal kidney function. In the cefazolin cohort, there was greater interindividual variation in half-life attributed to residual kidney function. The analysis identified limitations in using a one-dose-fits-all approach. It highlighted the importance of considering residual kidney function, body weight, the interdialytic period, and pathogen susceptibility to optimize dosing. These findings can be used to develop adaptive dosing approaches that improve the treatment of infections in this high-risk population. Given the lack of data, this work represents significant progress in facilitating AMS in the hemodialysis setting.
Open Access
Discovering and dreaming: long-term care healthcare aide perceptions of structural empowerment
(2025-03-17) Elias, Jocelyn; Care, Dean W. (Nursing); Doupe, Malcolm (Community Health Sciences); Scanlan, Judith
Background and objective: Chronic and emergent care challenges have led to diminished quality of care in many long-term care (LTC) facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Healthcare aides (HCAs) occupy a strategically important role in achieving improved resident care outcomes yet continue to experience disempowerment through authoritarian working conditions. The aim of this study was to develop a robust description of HCA perceptions of how organizational structures empower them and the desired dream state for such structures. Approach: This study used a qualitative descriptive research design informed by Kanter’s theory of structural empowerment within an appreciative inquiry (AI) framework. AI was chosen for its optimistic egalitarian approach towards organization change; it provided a platform for HCA voices to be heard, protected, and valued. Sampling used volunteer participants and involved convenience and snowball sampling. Ten HCA participants were recruited from four Winnipeg LTC sites. Semi-structured virtual interviews were used to gather rich descriptive data, allowing for an understanding of participant perspectives. Findings: Two main themes emerged from the data: i) What is Important to Healthcare Aides; and ii) Challenges. These participants care about their residents, their job satisfaction and team functioning but experience numerous challenges in their work. They lack access to opportunities for education, resources (i.e., staffing and time), and support from managers and organizations; they also endure difficult, stressful, and dangerous working conditions and retention is inadequately prioritized by the LTC sector. Modifiable organizational structures have the potential to improve resident care by empowering healthcare aides and may to be mediated by the functionality of teams and the use of regular healthcare aides. Conclusion: Empowering healthcare aides is a means to improve the well-being and satisfaction of these essential workers and represents a strategy for ensuring these workers have what they need to provide quality care to residents.

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