Have you met Crystal Swan, Student Recruiter in the Faculty of Native Studies? Spend the next few minutes getting to know her a little better.
Where is your favourite place on campus?
The hill in the Arts/Business Quad. I spent a lot of time there when I was an undergrad — just hanging out, studying, and admiring Convocation Hall.
Tablet or paper?
Paper all the way — I’m pretty old school.
Name one thing you’ve brought to work from home.
My painting (pictured left). I finished it a couple of weeks ago and I thought it would look nice in my office. I recently picked up painting again after a ten year break. It’s a pretty good pastime; it’s very therapeutic.
What is the one thing you can’t live without?
My two cats. They’re named Penny and Jack, and they’re pretty much my best buddies.
If you won airfare to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Disneyland, 100%. That’s been my dream trip since I was four years old. I want to see and do it all — eat some dole whip, buy some mouse ears — the whole thing.
You can invite anyone — alive or dead, real or fictional — to dinner. Who would it be?
My late mosôm (grandfather) Gilbert. He passed away before I was born so I never actually got to meet him, but he sounds like such a great person. He overcame a lot: he was a residential school survivor, he was a World War II veteran... He had nine kids, and I’m told that he’s where I got my interest in arts and my strong will from. It would be cool to sit down and visit with him.
If you could switch jobs with someone else on campus for a week, what would you do?
Murphy the ALES Dog! That would be so much fun, being able to nap all day and make people happy.
What does “uplifting the whole people” mean to you?
I think it means meeting people where they’re at in life. Being able to find or create your own pathways for people so that they can attain their goals and be successful regardless of what their circumstances are.
If you could solve any problem in the world, what would it be?
I would say climate change. The rate at which it’s happening is very anxiety inducing. It’s a big issue that needs to be addressed.
What 3 words best describe your U of A experience?
Challenging. Rewarding. Fun.
About Crystal Swan
Crystal is Cree and Dënesųłiné from Cold Lake First Nations. She previously worked in the Office of the Registrar before joining the Faculty of Native Studies as Student Recruiter. She is a proud UAlberta alumna, completing her BA in Native Studies and Sociology. In her spare time, you can find her knitting, painting, going on river valley walks, and binge-watching Forensic Files with her cats.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.