Wickee Cussee – Randy Fred
Vancouver Island University
Randy Fred is a member of the Tseshaht First Nation, Port Alberni. He has lived in Nanaimo most of his life. Before school he lived in Barclay Sound, the Deer Group and Broken Island Groups, now Pacific rim Park. He survived 9 years in the Alberni Indian Residential School. He began his working life as an accountant but loss of eyesight led him into the multi-media field. He founded Theytus Books, Canada’s first ab original-owned and operated commercial book publishing company. He founded One in Spirit Healing Arts Society, which is becoming more active in central Vancouver Island.
Algmxaa – Murray Smith
Coast Mountain College
Murray Smith (Algmxaa) is a Tsimshian Elder from the Lax Kw’alaams Band and an Elder in Residence at Coast Mountain College. A residential school survivor, Murray has dedicated much of his life to supporting healing and community wellness through his work as an addictions and drug counsellor, cultural knowledge keeper, and advocate. Known for his powerful storytelling and deep commitment to community, he regularly shares his experiences, teachings, and perspectives on reconciliation, recovery, and the protection of the land and waters of northern B.C.