Ry Moran
co-creator, composer
Ry Moran is Canada’s inaugural Associate University Librarian – Reconciliation at the University of Victoria. Ry’s role within UVic Libraries focuses on building and sustaining relationships to introduce Indigenous approaches and knowledge into the daily work of the Libraries and more broadly across the campus community. In so doing, Ry plays an active role in advancing UVic’s strategic goal of being a globally recognized leader in areas of reconciliation.
Ry came to this position from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) hosted by the University of Manitoba. As the founding director, Ry guided the creation of the NCTR from its inception. Along the way, Ry contributed to major national initiatives such as the creation of the National Student Memorial Register, designation of multiple residential schools as national historical sites, development and launch of the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, and a major educational broadcast which reached over three million Canadians.
Prior to the NCTR, Ry served with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). On the TRC’s behalf, he facilitated the gathering of nearly 7,000 video/audio-recorded statements of former residential school students and millions of pages archival records.
Ry’s life-long passion for the arts and music continues to be an important part of his life as he continues to write and produce original music. Ry’s dedication to the arts has taken many forms including serving as a faculty member at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, producing original music for film and television and writing and producing his own original music. Ry was recently nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for his work on Every Child Matters – a national reconciliation program which reached millions across the country broadcast by CBC, APTN and online.
Ry has long been involved in the promotion and advancement of Indigenous Arts including executive producing the New Constellations tour which featured Indigenous and Non-Indigenous performers. He worked closely with Gord Downie in the launch of the Secret Path and served on the board of Manitou Ahbee – Canada’s largest Indigenous music festival for 6 years.
Ry is a distinguished alumni of the University of Victoria and was awarded a Meritorious Service Cross by the Governor General. He has received multiple nominations for his musical works and was recognized by the Royal Canadian Geographic Society with a Gold Medal for his work on the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada. Ry was also featured in the CBC special We are Canada for his commitment and dedication to the advancement of Indigenous knowledge keeping and preservation efforts.
Ry is a proud member of the Red River Métis.