Rambling with… Trevor Hurst

St. Vital

Trevor Hurst and I go way back. The first time I saw him he was singing in a high school production of Li’l Abner at Virden Collegiate Institute in Virden, Man. – I believe it was Jubilation T. Cornpone.

Even way back then you could see Trevor’s potential. We crossed paths several times over the ensuing years as he realized his musical potential, singing with several bands, including some on Winnipeg’s bar scene in the late 1980s, ultimately winding up with the successful, Vancouver-based rock band Econoline Crush.

When I worked as a mobile DJ for Look Music Services out of Brandon, I once played his brother’s wedding, where Trevor also sang an a cappella song.

These days, Trevor still tours with a version of Econoline Crush but his full-time gig is as a registered psychiatric nurse and community wellness worker at Sioux Valley Dakota Reserve. We connected via email and I got to find out more about his life.

In fact, I asked just one question… he did the rest.

1) So, Trevor how do you find the time for your two careers and your family?

I have three kids, two boys and a girl. Balancing everything in my life can be difficult and sometimes I have to say no to certain activities or opportunities.

I generally prioritize family over opportunities, as the kids won’t be kids for long. The balancing act or lack thereof can take a toll on your personal life. Unfortunately, I am currently going through a divorce which exacerbates the challenges that I face as a father, nurse, and musician.

Life can throw you some curve balls and I have learned that it’s best to accept the things I cannot change. I didn’t want to be in this situation but here I am. The ups and downs of the music business educated me pretty quickly, whether I liked it or not. I have experienced some amazing moments and some humbling moments. I realize now at this point in my career how blessed we have been to have the success and the fans we have. It has been and continues to be an incredible journey.

My career in nursing has been illuminating and rewarding. I have worked in two Dakota communities. Canupawakpa Dakota Nation (near Oak Lake, in southwest Manitoba) was my first placement and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation (west of Brandon) is my current place of employment. I have learned so much about the Dakota people and their culture.

Canadians have much to learn from all of our Indigenous communities. The history has been whitewashed, and the cultural genocide has never been accurately recorded. Systemic racism is still an ugly reality in today’s society. The strengths and beauty of these people are overlooked, misunderstood or ignored. Hopefully, within my role as a wellness worker and advocate I can help bring about positive changes to these communities and people that I hold close to my heart.