As Muslims in Canada watch coverage of the people of New Zealand showing support and solidarity with local Muslim communities after the terrorist attacks against two mosques in New Zealand, they have also been learning more about the Indigenous peoples of New Zealand, the Maori.

When engaging in charity, we often think of people in other countries around the world as the only ones in need of humanitarian help. We ignore the needs of people - specifically the Indigenous communities - in Canada. The living conditions of Indigenous communities in Canada are as bad, if not worse, than many poverty-stricken communities in underdeveloped countries.

Humility is a great teacher, if we let it do its work. As a community figure committed to equity and social justice, I strive to continuously learn and often, that means learning from my own mistakes, however embarrassing.

Edmonton is a city with a small town reputation, and yet it is home to North America’s one and only Muslim Film Festival.

Italian Canadian Nakita Valerio is a community organizer based in Edmonton, Alberta, in addition to running her own editing business at “The Drawing Board”.