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."
