The Power of Indigenous Music

Chancellor Garritty’s Final Interview

When Peggy Garritty was appointed Chancellor in 2020, she could not have anticipated the many challenges that would face the University of Alberta throughout her term. In order to reflect on her four years as the U of A’s 22nd Chancellor, Peggy asked her friend and former colleague Glenn Kubish to take on the role as show host and interview her. In her final episode as Chancellor, Peggy reflects on her term and recalls some of the remarkable people and events that helped make it an enriching experience. Her interview with Glenn marks a period of her time at the U of A—and not a semicolon! The outgoing chancellor isn’t certain what the future holds for her, but she considers the U of A—between its students, faculty, staff and administrators—to be in good hands.

How can we solve the housing crisis?

Following Chancellor Garritty’s interview with Cheryl Whiskeyjack from Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society and Jordan Reiniger from Boyle Street Community Services about Edmonton’s housing crisis and what we can do to support unhoused people, it’s the audience’s turn. Folks who attend the live recording session tell their own stories and ask more questions of the panel, seeking to understand where the resolve and funding is to help people on Edmonton’s streets find permanent shelter.

Edmonton’s housing crisis

There are an estimated 3,000+ unhoused people living on Edmonton’s streets, a number that has increased significantly from where it was before the pandemic. University of Alberta Chancellor Peggy Garritty interviews Cheryl Whiskeyjack from Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society and Jordan Reiniger from Boyle Street Community Services about this housing crisis. Cheryl and Jordan share stories about the clients they work with every day, and the Chancellor asks them what can be done to address this issue, especially in light of the number of folks who have died over the past few months.

The Power of Indigenous Music

University of Alberta Chancellor Peggy Garritty chats with Adrian LaChance, a renowned Plains Cree dancer, singer, and helper, about Indigenous drumming, and what it means as a creative and cultural expression. LaChance plays a few songs on his hand drum and describes music as ceremony and a connection to the Creator.

The Music that Moves Us

University of Alberta Chancellor Peggy Garritty interviews Edmonton musicians Ben Spencer [https://www.albertamusic.org/directory-profile/ben-spencer-2/], Ellen Doty [https://www.ellendoty.com/] and Biboye Onanuga [https://www.albertamusic.org/directory-profile/biboye-onanuga/] about all things music: how inspiration strikes them, how they write songs, and how they know when a song is finished. Then, the Chancellor passes the mic to the audience who ask the musicians questions about criticism and the experience of writing music without lyrics.