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”.

Two primary objectives of the residential school system were to remove and isolate children from the influence of their homes, families, traditions and cultures, and to assimilate them into the dominant culture. These objectives were based on the assumption Aboriginal cultures and spiritual beliefs were inferior and unequal. Indeed, some sought, as it was infamously said, “to kill the Indian in the child.” Today, we recognize that this policy of assimilation was wrong, has caused great harm, and has no place in our country. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, official apology, June 11, 2008