In this episode we visit Anthropology professor Charles Menzies and dig into his extensive research on the Gitxaała First Nation on British Columbia’s north coast.
Professor Menzies’ book People of the Saltwater came out in August. It combines his anthropological research with personal stories about connecting with his own roots in the community.
The Gitxaała have lived continuously in the area — it’s in central B.C. a little south of Prince Rupert — for millennia. People of the Saltwater explores the changes that were wrought by industrialization and the Gitxaała’s ability to weather those changes within their community.
Professor Menzies asks some big questions about the role of Indigenous researchers at UBC and blew our minds a little by giving us a taste of the depth of our province’s history.
You can listen to our interview with Charles Menzies here.
In this episode Brittany and our UBC Journalism colleague Dominika Lirette also dropped by a term paper study session in Totem dining hall to speak with Philosophy professor Michael Griffin about his role as Professor-in-Residence at Totem Park.
After we hear from Professor Griffin about the role of the Professor-in-Residence, we meet some first year students who all seem to be coping remarkably well at a stressful time of term.
Hear our conversation with Professor Griffin and the Totem first years here starting at around 21:30.