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Unsettled: Journeys in Truth and ConciliationAuthor: George Lee & Jessica Vandenberghe
Unsettled: Journeys in Truth and Conciliation builds upon the 94 calls to action of Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, from the perspectives of Indigenous cohost Jessica Vandenberghe, settler cohost George Lee, and their Indigenous and settler guests. We start from the belief that conciliation in Canada is an ongoing project, individually and collectively, as the country moves beyond colonial thinking to build a nation of nationsone free of racist, pro-assimiliation policies, and one that honours treaties and other commitments to Indigenous peoples. Want to keep the conversation going? Donate here: https://ko-fi.com/unsettledjourneys Language: en-us Genres: News, Politics, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Episode 39: Heart to Heart, Music to Music—How the Songs We Sing Propel Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Process , feat. Eric Alper
Episode 39
Friday, 5 June, 2026
Send us Fan MailProminent music publicist and SiriusXM radio host Eric Alper explores the intersection of the music industry, systemic barriers for Indigenous artists and the way forward for truth and conciliation in Canada.In this conversation with cohosts Jessica Vandenberghe and George Lee, Alper reflects on his 30-year career, his lifelong passion for the magic of storytelling in music, and why he adopts the mindset of a "shameless idealist" when fighting to get musicians heard."I keep saying yes to doing things for no other reason that I just like and love music, and I like being around people that make magic happen, because I can't play a single note," Alper says. "I've never written a song before. You stick me in a recording studio, I've absolutely no idea, zero, what and how anything is done." But what he does know is that the entertainment industry has historically excluded and exploited Indigenous voices. At the same time, he notes that classifying Indigenous music as a distinct genre undervalues the breadth of musical styles within the scene today.Among the Indigenous artists and acts Alper highlights are Francis Baptiste, Tom Wilson, Crystal Shawanda, Northern Cree, Susan Aglukark, Mattmac, Mike Bern, Duke Redbird and Donita Large.Also getting a special shoutout is the non-Indigenous group Sultans of String and its cofounder Chris McKhool for their groundbreaking collaborations with Indigenous acts in Canada, resulting in the album Walking Through the Fire.McKhool has "kind of been a beacon" for people trying to right the wrongs against Indigenous communities and individuals in Canada, Alper says.Support the showJoin our Facebook community: www.facebook.com/UnsettledJourneys/Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unsettledjourneys/Become a paid subscriber: https://ko-fi.com/unsettledjourneysQuestions, comments, suggestions, offers to volunteer:unsettledjourneys@gmail.com
