Wickee Cussee, also known as Randy Fred, will be talking at North Island College on Jan. 23 from 6–8 p.m. at the Q̓ə pix ʔidaʔas Gathering Place at the Campbell River campus, 1685 South Dogwood St.
“There is a great hunger for learning about reconciliation,” Fred said. “I want to share my knowledge to help clarify how we can proceed together to continue working on advancing reconciliation."
NIC's Office of Indigenous Education and Office of Global Engagement have organized the Indigenous Speaker Series to bring together NIC staff, faculty, students and broader communities.
Fred is a Tseshaht First Nation Elder, writer and publisher. He talked about his experiences with Celia Haig-Brown for the book Resistance and Renewal, which, published in 1988, was one of the first books to discuss residential schools in Canada.
In the decades since, he has recounted his experiences many times about surviving nine years at Alberni Indian Residential School.
For the upcoming talk, he will share his thoughts on reconciliation based on his own real-world experiences and perspectives. He will also touch on the importance of Indigenization and decolonization as crucial aspects in the reconciliation journey.
“Reconciliation can be confusing, but I want to attempt to simplify it using my personal truth,” he said. “Reconciliation need not be scary, and I will illustrate this with personal experiences. I will share stories about Indigenous ways of knowing and how this knowledge can benefit us all.”
Fred worked as an accountant but changed paths following the loss of his eyesight. He started writing, broadcasting and founded Theytus Books, the first Indigenous owned and operated publishing company in the country.
He also started the One in Spirit Healing Arts Society, a non-profit organization enabling transformative healing arts through connection with community, nature and First Nations wisdom.
Fred will be the second speaker for NIC’s Indigenous Speaker Series. Chief Janice George, Squamish Nation hereditary chief, gave the first talk in November. The event is free, though people should reserve online to save a seat.
