For Reg Sam, it's an exciting new mandate. As the Pathways/Student Success supervisor with the Education Department, his job will be to ensure that Nuu-chah-nulth students receive every opportunity to develop to their full potential.
Sam currently serves as Prevention and Training Coordinator for Mental Health within NTC Community Human Services. He takes over in his new role with NTC Education on July 28.
"I haven't had a chance to read through everything yet," he said, but the goals are straightforward.
"Basically, it's about finding ways and interventions to promote better learning strategies and lifelong learning, as well as creating that pathway for student success."
Finding that pathway means taking the time to learn what makes each student tick, he explained. In today's job market, there are many opportunities beyond the university path, most notably in the skilled trades. The trick is to help each student discover his or her true calling.
"Not every student is the same. Not every Nuu-chah-nulth student is the same. To identify that, our workers will be here to support each individual student the best way we can to ensure that they have the same opportunity as their fellow student."
Son of Betty Knighton and the late Charlie Sam, Reg has a traditional name, Chimaook.
"It was given by my family in Tseshaht. It means, roughly, 'the one who cuts and distributes whale on the beach.'"
The role carries great significance in Tseshaht whaling culture, and Sam takes his culture seriously.
"I was raised very culturally. I learned song and dance. I put a good dent into language and I look forward to furthering that expertise in our Nuu-chah-nulth language. I always strive to learn a little bit more of what it means to be Nuu-chah-nulth. Part of that is our language revitalization."
Growing up on the Tseshaht reserve, Sam attended Sproat Lake School, AW Neill and Alberni District Secondary School, and was set to graduate in 2001, before a family illness brought a detour in his education plans.
"I eventually graduated from Vast in 2002. It suited me because my dad had cancer and I had to take care of him."
In 2003, he began an Arts 1 program at Vancouver Island University, but had to withdraw after one semester following the death of his father.
By that point, however, he realized a general arts program wouldn't provide the career opportunities he had identified.
"I moved away and upgraded my high school. I took chemistry, biology and math. In 2005, I was accepted into the Native Indian Teacher Education Program at UBC. I began studies in 2006."
Sam explained that, while NITEP provided teacher education for First Nations students, the curriculum and certifications – not to mention the workload – are identical to the mainstream program.
"I moved to Vancouver in 2006 and I lived on Commercial Drive."
Sam said while there was a bit of a culture shock when he moved into the ethnically and culturally diverse neighbourhood, he grew to enjoy it.
"At first, you explore, and I became accustomed to it really quickly. I utilized those tools that I learned here, and I never forgot where I came from."
In 2011, Sam graduated with B.C. Level 5 teacher's certification. That year, he moved to Nanaimo to undertake his Master's degree in Leadership at Vancouver Island University, while at the same time working as an administrative assistant in Mental Health at NTC.
"I would commute to work in Port Alberni and attend school every other weekend."
In September that same year, he was offered the job of training coordinator for CHS Mental Health. Then one year later, CHS, as part of a reorganization of the prevention program, re-established the suicide prevention coordinator position, and Sam took on the role of prevention and training coordinator.
The program promotes community/suicide awareness and provides community wellness training, with the goal of developing the capacity within the community to recognize and deal with crisis situations such as suicide attempts.
"It's a four-part training where participants learn self-awareness and communication, Counselling Skills 101 – that includes grounding and boundaries, crisis response and critical incidents."
The latter two components involve role-playing exercises and a free-flowing exchange of ideas and experience in order to prepare the students for real-life situations. In his role, Sam coordinates the facilitators and ensures that the training respects and conforms to Nuu-chah-nulth culture while at the same time delivering the best current mental health practices and principles.
"I am also responsible for the engagement of the [class]. If I feel people are not engaged, if I see them twiddling their thumbs or looking out the window, I would stop and we would do something to bring that attention back."
Sam added that all of the facilitators are from NTC or are themselves Nuu-chah-nulth members. All hold the requisite degrees or certifications.
His current role ends with the Southern Region Youth Wellness Camp, which takes place on July 22 at Arrowvale Campground. The event includes workshops with the RCMP, on Suicide Awareness, the Law of Attraction and the Nuu-chah-nulth Wellness Wheel.
"All of it will be encompassed by the Nuu-chah-nulth way of life. There will be cultural teachings throughout the morning and evening."
Sam said the new coordinator would take charge of camps for the Central and Northern Regions. That job is still posted, he added.
Don't expect any big changes right away, Sam said. He plans to grow into his new role rather than come in trying to re-invent the wheel.
"I'm going to focus on appreciating what has already been done, and take what has really worked and make it better in ways that will benefit all stakeholders: all teachers, all principals, all committees. The goal is to create a growth mindset, as opposed to 'Lesson A, Lesson B, Lesson C, and hopefully at the end of Lesson C you'll get an A.'"
As part of his duties, Sam will also represent NTC on a range of community education committees including School District 70.
