The University of Victoria Libraries’ have appointed Ry Moran as the inaugural associate university librarian – reconciliation. Moran, a member of the Red River Métis, is the founding director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) at the University of Manitoba. The position is the first of its kind at a Canadian university.
Moran will serve on the UVic Libraries’ senior management team, and lead efforts to decolonize the university’s archives and collections, and integrate Indigenous ways of knowing into their work. An alumnus of UVic, he helped guide the creation of the national archive to document the residential school experience in Canada. Moran will begin the position in the fall.
The Centre is committed to its ongoing and valued relationship with the NCTR in continuing to ensure Indian Residential School records are accessible in services to truth-telling and reconciliation.
The Centre congratulates Moran on his new role, and looks forward to UVic Libraries’ continued efforts towards reconciliation.
Read the full announcement on the University of Victoria website. This story was also featured on CBC News.
Photo credit: Nardella Photography. Ry Moran holds one of three paddles carved by artist Carey Newman and designed by artists from different generations and nations for the 2019 Building Reconciliation forum. This paddle, painted by residential school Survivor Victor Newman, rests at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR). One remains at UVic while the other continues to travel across post-secondary institutions. This paddle is a symbol of the ceremonial bond created between the NCTR, UVic and the long work of Truth and Reconciliation in the country. As described by Moran: “Together, the three paddles represent that we are all in this together as we heal the past, present and future.” Pictured behind Moran is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)’s Bentwood Box carved by Coast Salish Artist Luke Marston and the TRC’s eagle staff.