SAM TSURUDA Class of 2006 Interviewed by Michelle Noble | December 2016
W
ith a heart as big as her ambition, Sam Tsuruda graduated in 2006 as Mulgrave’s first
Aboriginal student. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UVic and a Master in Public Health from UBC with a focus on Aboriginal health research, Sam knew she wanted a career that would benefit others; thus she followed a path that brought her back to her roots. She is now working with Indigenous communities where she is fighting for social justice, working to reduce educational disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, and striving for wellness and equity within these communities. Her passion for giving back is admirable, and you can feel her zeal for social justice through her words. We are very honoured to share this week’s Alumni Spotlight Series with you featuring 2006 Mulgrave alum, Sam Tsuruda.
ABOVE: Sam and her Reciprocal Consulting team.
When you graduated from Mulgrave
her company is based on mentoring
it’s an exchange of values and
and went to the University of
Indigenous undergrad students
worldviews, of experiences and
Victoria, did you know what you
who want to pursue graduate
knowledge systems. All of what we
wanted to do with your career? How
school. When I told her about my
do is centered around issues that
did your path end up leading you to
passion for working with Indigenous
are close to our hearts, and since
where you are now?
communities, and my goal for going
our work is mainly with Indigenous
to grad school to eventually give
programs and organizations, most
back to my own community, she
of what we do relates to our families
graciously took me under her wing.
and communities. The majority of
I’ve gotten to work with her and the
our clients are also connected to
team at Reciprocal Consulting ever
the fight for social justice, wellness
since.
or equity for Indigenous peoples,
When I graduated from Mulgrave, I only knew that I wanted my career to benefit others - that was the extent of it. I ended up doing my BA in Psychology at UVic, and graduated from that program in December of 2010. The path from then to my
How would you describe what you
career can only be explained by pure
do and your approach to program
intention and a series of fortuitous
evaluation?
events. I came into contact with Dr. Kim van der Woerd, who is an incredible mentor, researcher and friend. Kim’s mission is to reduce the educational disparities that persist between Indigenous and nonIndigenous peoples, so the model of
and I am grateful to care so deeply about their work. It helps that our team functions like a family around a kitchen table, where we can grapple
Well in one sentence, I strive to be a
with the ‘big stuff’ and also laugh
listener, story-teller and messenger.
along the way.
That’s maybe not Google’s definition of program evaluation, but it works for me. The research our team does is relational and collaborative;
What is your favourite part of doing research with Indigenous communities?
purpose of existing is to connect with people and the land. When I go to visit my community, the Spuzzum First Nation in the south of the Fraser Canyon, I always spend time at my great-grandma’s fishing hole. It’s been in her family for hundreds of years, and when I sit there, I feel that she is with me. Although I never got to meet her, my great-grandma is the reason I do the work that I do, and she continues to guide me in my life. When I travel to different territories, it has become part of my practice to ask the Creator for a safe journey, and to ensure we do our work in a way that is for the greater good. When I sit down to do an interview, I pray that I can create a safe space for people to feel comfortable to share; that I treat that interaction with utmost respect and hold others’ words sacred. These connections to the living world, the spirit world, and the land all support and guide me more than I can probably describe. Who was a role model for you at ABOVE: Sam’s great-grandmother’s fishing hole.
Mulgrave? How did they teach you to think differently or help shape
There’s nothing quite like being in
wounded phase. However, there is
community. It is such an honour
also not enough attention paid to
to witness the work that people
the positives of this healing journey,
Lee Hardy and Antony Wilson are
do on the ground and to celebrate
and that is an equally important
two teachers that stand out. Mr.
their strengths, all while building
side of the story. Shining a light on
Hardy loved to push us to think
relationships and friendships. Our
others’ efforts and success in these
outside the box, and it was in his
communities are still in a state of
communities is definitely one of my
class where I discovered my love
healing from our colonial history
favourite aspects of our work.
for debating. (By debating, I mean
and intergenerational trauma that is at the root of so many Indigenous health issues and inequities. In many cases, we are arguably still in the
What guides you in the work that you do? To my core, I believe that the
your perspective?
gathering data as evidence - the arguing part was not my jam). So it’s not shocking to see where I’ve ended up.
“
TO MY CORE, I BELIEVE THAT THE PURPOSE OF EXISTING IS TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE AND THE LAND.
”
Mr. Wilson had this unconditional
lens. With this information in a
understanding and empathy. In my
support for me. I had this belief
liberal political context, we are
eyes, these are the building blocks of
that if I came up with a good idea or
starting to see conversations and
reconciliation.
goal, he would help me find a way to
relationships evolve. Although this
My role in reconciliation is one I’ve
make it happen, which was a pretty
isn’t a specific ‘highlight’, witnessing
been critically questioning: How are
empowering feeling. These are two
various levels of government and
Indigenous peoples called to act, and
teachers who are fantastic at their
complex bureaucratic systems be
what is our role in this movement?
jobs, in part because they make
open to Indigenous world views and
I don’t quite have the answer, but
young people feel heard and that
strengths-based research is deeply
one small way that I can contribute
they have value. Beyond that, they
rewarding. It’s really about time!
is through storytelling and
encourage students to use their gifts for a cause greater than themselves. I think every young person deserves to feel like that. What has been a highlight of your career so far?
Why is it important to contribute to reconciliation, and how do you see your role in that?
listening – reciprocally engaging in reconciliation conversations with an open heart and mind, and creating safe spaces for dialogue. I’m also
My hope is that people understand
passionate about contributing to the
that reconciliation is something
evaluation of the Calls to Action one
that impacts the entire population
day, but that’s a whole other story.
When I began my career, we were
to varying degrees, and that we all
working within a conservative
can contribute to this movement.
government, whose priorities
I think that most people could
devastated and dramatically
read the Calls to Action or look on
impacted services and programming
Reconciliation Canada’s website and
among Indigenous organizations
be able to identify a role they can
and communities. Since then,
play. I know that we are challenging
the Truth and Reconciliation
our own team and the field of
Commission of Canada released
program evaluation to be culturally
With full disclosure, I want to
its Summary Report and Calls
responsive, advocates and allies.
say that these are my views that
to Action. This work has marked
One of our Elders, Albert Marshall
represent the teachings I’ve received
a significant step for Aboriginal
from the Eskasoni First Nation
so far. In one sentence, honouring
peoples’ fight toward justice and
in Nova Scotia, said to us, “It is
the roots of the territories that
truth telling, and demonstrates
human nature to talk about what
we live, visit and work on is an
that everyone has a responsibility
is dear to our hearts, and the
intrinsic part of reconciliation. To
to contribute to reconciliation. Our
central ingredient to life is love.”
explain that a bit more, it is a way
consulting team tries to weave the
And I think that’s the crux of
to acknowledge the ancestors who
Calls to Action into our evaluation
relationship building and connecting
came before us, who continue to
and research, and approach our
authentically with one another -
guide us, and to honour the earth
projects through a reconciliation
it’s a way for us to develop mutual
that continues to provide for us.
At the opening ceremony of the new Senior School, some of the Squamish First Nations members came to do a ‘blessing’ of our school’s iconic totem pole. Why do you think it’s important to honour the roots of our local communities?
SAM TSURUDA
ABOVE: Sam with her mom at her UVic graduation ceremony.
ABOVE: Sam and her YWCA youth mentorship group.
Acknowledging traditional territory
Reciprocity is a key value to me, and
our young people. To that end, I also
is also a way to examine our own
since I’ve received such incredible
chair the Board of the McCreary
privilege as settlers; it is humbling
mentorship in my life, I’ve wanted
Centre Society, which is a not-
to reflect on and honour the
to keep the circle going. About
for-profit youth health research
generations of First Peoples who
five years ago I began volunteering
organization. McCreary values youth
sustained themselves by protecting
at the YWCA Indigenous Youth
engagement and empowerment, and
the waters and taking care of the
Mentorship program. This group is
they took a chance on hiring me to
land that we are fortunate enough
called Circle of Sisters, and it’s just
lead an Aboriginal youth research
to call home. Mulgrave is situated on
that - a circle of Indigenous women
project back in 2011. This was a
an absolutely stunning part of the
and strong role models who get to
pivotal step in my research career,
traditional territory of the Squamish
learn life skills and cultural teachings
and I continue to try to give back to
First Nation, and that is fantastic
together. I can’t count the number
McCreary in any way that I can.
that they came to do a blessing of
of life-changing discussions we’ve
the totem pole. I would love to hear
had about the impact of racism
students’ reflections about that
and discrimination on our health,
There are some hilarious ones
ceremony and their thoughts on this
the impact of colonization on our
that come to mind, but I think the
question!
bodies and our families, and what it
cake goes to watching the school’s
means to identify as an Indigenous
production of Alice in Wonderland.
woman. This group is far beyond a
Brendan Archibald’s performance as
philanthropic venture though; they
the White Rabbit was impeccable.
As Deputy Head Girl at Mulgrave you were very involved in giving back to the community and volunteering your time. How has philanthropy continued to be an important aspect of your life?
Favourite Mulgrave memory?
are my family. I believe there is no better investment than our children and
Sam Tsuruda, 2016