Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) opened its doors to Indigenous high school students from across the region this week for a special event focused on their future.
Open Doors, Open Minds welcomed Indigenous students to KPU Surrey on May 3 to meet current students and instructors, attend mock classes, and learn about KPU’s Indigenous services for students.
The annual event allows the university to connect with Indigenous youth, identify potential interests, and allow them to explore opportunities available at KPU. It’s also a chance to address barriers that may hinder their education and life goals, says Gayle Bedard, associate vice president of Indigenous leadership, innovation and partnerships at KPU.
“We want to reach out to Indigenous youth and share with them some of the possibilities they have after high school. With many paths in front of these bright young students, Open Doors, Open Minds is meant to inspire students and help them achieve their highest potential,” says Bedard.
Offering words of inspiration and encouragement was keynote speaker Simon Baker, a Squamish/Haida/Cree actor and producer based in Metro Vancouver.
“I look at our next generations and see huge potential. It’s their time to open this door to success and be the leaders they are destined to be. Our elders and ancestors had to overcome these terrible atrocities that happened with colonization, and they will forever be there to help lead us forward with the knowledge they left us,” says Baker.
Baker has numerous acting roles to his credit. He’s known for playing Charlie Muskrat in the TV series North of 60, portraying Young Thomas Builds-the-Fire in the film Smoke Signals, hosting the documentary series Native Planet, and recently starring in the long-running TV series Outlander. He also produced and acted in the new film Hey Viktor!, which is set to premiere in June at the Tribeca Festival in New York.
That experience in acting and producing taught Baker about failure and rejection.
“It’s hard to fail at anything especially when you know you are worthy, or you have put in the time and effort,” he says. “I have done 20-plus auditions and haven’t landed one role. I have filled out applications for grants and have been denied. This is life. How you turn a negative into a positive is totally up to you. Failure and rejection are tools for one to become stronger and more resilient.”
Baker encouraged Indigenous youth to set goals – both short and long term – and not to be afraid to ask for help.
“The realistic goals can be easy ones such as finishing a resume, finishing a paper, or reaching out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. Making those goals daily will help you to be proactive and help you motivate yourself every day.”
School representatives interested in attending the next Open Doors, Open Minds event at KPU are asked to register in advance.