Being both First Nations and a third-year chemical biology student makes Ursal Williams something of a role model not only to her family, but also to her community in Williams Lake and to other Aboriginal students.
Williams says she is driven to do well in her studies and doesn’t mind admitting to that. What’s uncomfortable is being thought of as someone others look up to.
“I wanted to go into science because I wanted to become a doctor,” says Williams of a decision that goes back to Grade 10 when a guest visited a science class. “Even when the courses were difficult, I didn’t give up because science was the way that I wanted to go. I didn’t care if science was difficult. It was my priority and I had to do it. I had to get good grades, too.”
Williams is a member of Stone Indian Band of the Carrier People. She is the second member of her immediate family “mom, dad and two sisters” to complete high school and the first to pursue post-secondary. Her sisters are 18 and seven.
VALUABLE RESEARCH
William’s need to do well has already paid off in a big way. Last summer she was part of a four-person team sampling surface soil for the Seton Lake Indian Band (near Lillooet area)The Band alleges that decommissioned mines “some dating about 100 years” had buried equipment and that dangerous levels of heavy metals and other toxins have been making their way into the groundwater and other water systems. They believe this leaching has led to a host of illnesses and premature deaths. The study was funded by Toxic Free Canada, an arm of the Labour Environmental Alliance.
The Phase 1 results turned out to be inconclusive while being a career-building experience for Williams. She not only got to participate in real-world research “something few second-year students get the opportunity to do”. Williams also co-presented the findings to members of Seton Lake Indian Band as well as at a conference. Furthermore, Williams was living proof that First Nations students can excel in science.
“The First Nations community was so pleased to see Ursal,” recalls Dr. Kingsley Donkor, TRU Assistant Professor, Chemistry, and one of two instructors overseeing the project”. They were so pleased to see a First Nations student doing science and research. I’m sure people took inspiration. They didn’t say so, but I can tell you the people we met, there was a sparkle in their eye when they saw Ursal.”
Dr. Jon Van Hamme, TRU Assistant Professor, Microbiology, and student, Kyle Burns were the others participating in the study, which was paid for through a $20,000 Seton Lake Indian Band applied for from Toxic Free Canada Group. This was the first of a two-phase study that next will analyze tissue from fish and wildlife. Dr. Donkor says Phase 2, which has still to be approved, should provide more revealing data.
CHANGE IN CAREER PLAN
There’s been a change in plans thanks to her science courses, last summer’s research and her instructors all helped open Williams’ eyes to the myriad of options available to her. Now, she is seriously looking at pharmacology after completing her undergrad, which should be in about 18 months.
Her career ambition may have shifted, but in no way has Williams’ passion for science faltered. In fact, it’s probably stronger than ever and that’s not only great for Williams, but also for the many others who look to her as a source of inspiration.
For more information about Science at TRU, check out www.tru.ca/science
