'I've been to the very edge of Hell': Saskatoon veteran brings stories to remote areas
Saskatoon resident Kevin Hicks served in the British Army for nine years and now he’s taking what he learned and teaching students in some of Canada’s most remote areas.
“I’m a good storyteller, but I'm a bit different than other people because I've been in action. I've been to the very edge of Hell and I inject that kind of a passion into my stories," he said.
Hicks served in the Royal Military Police from 1976 to 1985. He was involved in the Cold War, troubles in Northern Ireland and confrontation on the Turkish border of Cyprus.
Afterward, he joined the Civil Police before working at Warwick Castle, one of the largest castles in the United Kingdom.
He would then jump into a full-time business teaching history lessons at schools all around Europe while making stops in the United States and Australia.
“My great-grandfather was killed in the Somme and simply lost. I have had this passion from a very early age asking 'who was he?' 'Where did he die?' And nobody can answer the questions. So I began to look even as a young kid, anything to do with my family history.”
He and his wife Julie moved to Saskatoon in April 2019 and shortly after he began teaching history sessions at schools. He teaches students about the First World War, the Holocaust and medieval and Roman history.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit he shifted online. His business History Squad works with Connected North, a program linking students in remote areas of Canada to museums, art galleries, indigenous role models, individuals with unique stories, and giving students virtual field trips.
“Kevin has knowledge that so many students won't be able to learn about in their communities that are so far away,” said Mali Bickley with Connected North.
“He can bring that authentic learning by bringing those museum experiences and personal stories to the students by showing them real museum-quality objects.”
Hicks taught at schools all over Nunavut, Northern Ontario and also the Yukon.
“When I look on the map and see just how remote some of these people are, I think to myself, my goodness me, and to have the 'wow' response that I get from them. I feed off that enthusiasm,” Hicks said.
Hicks can be found at the Saskatoon Museum of Military Artifacts giving guided tours in his spare time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
'I feel honoured to say I was his friend': Wayne Gretzky remembers Bob Cole
Tributes continue to pour in for Bob Cole as his family has confirmed a funeral will be held for the legendary broadcaster Friday in St. John's, N.L.