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TRU: Workshops blast stereotypes about Indigenous peoples

by ahnationtalk on March 20, 2019258 Views

March 19, 2019

Before coming to TRU, Richard Abankwa’s version of Indigenous people in Canada was one of stereotypes, misconception and untruths. But after going to workshops for new international students, that all changed.

“I really got to learn that they were here first and they were here far, far, far longer than anybody else. I learned that they didn’t migrate from India like I thought, that they didn’t come from anywhere; they were here first,” said Abankwa of the workshops held during orientation week. He arrived in 2016 from Ghana to do a Master of Business Administration, and one day hopes to use his degree to go into business for himself.

Those workshops and similar ones are part of TRU World’s efforts to address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action as they apply to newcomers. The efforts are also part of TRU’s overall efforts through its Coyote Project.

Among other things, orientation introduces new arrivals to elders, the territorial acknowledgement, an explanation for the acknowledgement and a historical overview of this country’s first people. A drumming workshop also gave Abankwa the opportunity to learn about the instrument itself, how to play it, the cultural significance, and to compare the instrument to those back home.

“I didn’t know the Indigenous people were going to teach us how we should live life, that we should always extend a helping hand whenever someone else is in need,” Abankwa said. “The person doesn’t have to be black like me, doesn’t have to be white, doesn’t have to be brown. We are all the same human beings, but different colours. We are all the same people.”

So moved by these learnings, he’s shared them with family and friends in the hopes of making a difference in Ghana, working from the bottom up.

“You build a nation by starting with the family. If our family sets an example in our neighbourhood by acting as one and showing peace and love toward one another, the other people around the community may copy us. Then that sense of community will lead into the territories, and the territories will lead into the whole country. My mom said, “‘Wow, you’re really learning a lot in Canada,’ and I said, ‘Yeah, you brought me here to learn, so I’m learning.’”

Some of TRU’s World’s other indigenization efforts include exchange partnerships, field trips, cultural events and immersive short-term stays.

Exchange partnerships (some examples)

Through an informal exchange, Indigenous students from Australia’s University of Tasmania and University of Sydney spent part of February 2019 in Kamloops, where they learned from local Indigenous students, elders, educators and the community.

The visitors to Canada learned about Indigenous resilience, land rights, history, storytelling, language and traditions. They also participated in a workshop about Knowledge Makers, an Indigenous undergraduate research program at TRU.

In the summer of 2018, a TRU elder and a student visited Australia to share their cultural and historical perspectives, returning with observations of their own.

In fall 2018, a nursing faculty member and three Indigenous students did an Indigenous cultural exchange at the Universidad Intercultural del Estado De Mexico, in San Felipe del Progresso, Mexico. There, they shared TRU’s experiences with reclamation, revitalization of traditional healing practices and the relationship between reconciliation and traditional healing.

TRU LEAP

Organizers of the activities-based Leadership Experience and Activity Program (LEAP) weave Indigenous events, themes and context into the schedule when possible. The Kamloopa Powwow is among the summer fixtures and Adams River salmon run in October is an opportunity to explain the importance of the fish to Indigenous people, from food and symbolic perspectives.

Future trips to Hat Creek Ranch near Ashcroft could include Indigenous components, while other trips could include teachings from Indigenous elders and students.

“My goal for 2019 is to experiment with including Indigenous elements in the LEAP programming,” said LEAP Coordinator Jillian Folk. “If we are excluding Indigenous elements and perspectives from our institutions, then we are not presenting a Canadian cultural experience, but really a ‘Western’ one.”

IDays

TRU World’s annual celebration of international culture, diversity, ideas and research includes a variety of Indigenous events, from hands-on workshops to research and guest speakers. A number of events are preceded by a territorial acknowledgement and elder blessing.

Immersion and short-stay students

Each year, 900–1,000 people come to TRU for short-term training and summer immersion, with stays lasting two weeks to three months. During their time here, they hear at least one version of the story Abankwa heard.

“Every short-term student has a three-hour hour course on Indigenous culture,” said TRU World Director, Administration and CFO, TRU World Global Operations Larry Peatt. “They have the opportunity to make a dream catcher, while the facilitator talks further about Indigenous culture.”

Going far by including others

As TRU strives to be inclusive and pursue the right things in life, we demonstrate how in time, individuals, organizations, communities and countries can become bigger and better versions of themselves.

Abankwa believes TRU is on the right path.

“There’s an African saying that if you want to go far, you go with someone; but if you want to go fast, you go alone,” he said. “There’s a difference between you going fast, and you going far.”

NT5

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