The Fat Oyster Reading Series returns to Fanny Bay Hall on Friday, Nov. 3 with Randy Fred as its featured author.
Fred will be reading from Tsqelmucwilc, a book authored by Celia Haig Brown with contributions by Fred, Gary Gottfriedsen, and Kamloops Indian Residential School survivors.
Tsqelmucwilc is the story of Kamloops Indian Residential School survivors, based on Haig Brown鈥檚 1988 book Resistance and Renewal, a groundbreaking history of the school and the first book on residential schools to be published in Canada. Given the 2021 discovery of unmarked graves at Kamloops Residential School, Tsqelmucwilc is especially relevant. Though the subject matter is heartbreaking, Fred brings personable, knowledgeable, and excellent storytelling. For those who want to learn more about the truth of residential schools, this will prove to be an enlightening evening.
Carrie Reid, prevention worker and member of Qualicum First Nation, will be introducing Fred and reading from her own writing.
Stewart Goodings opens the evening with a reading from his first novel My Friend, My Enemy inspired by years of visiting both Russia and Ukraine as a public sector consultant. Goodings is known by many in the Comox Valley for his help in organizing the much-loved Denman Readers and Writers Festival.
Fanny Bay Hall is located at 7793 Island Hwy S. Doors open at 6:30, and the event starts at 7 p.m.
Admission by donation.
