Mishel Assiniboine has owned her home in the Edmonton suburb of Leduc, Alberta for 20 years.
“The schools in the area are really awesome,” Assiniboine said. “The daycares or programs we’ve been involved in are really welcoming and amazing.
“We have long-term friends here, so do my kids, so we have a lot of support and a really great community.”
While they’ve had some vandalism and visits from city bylaw officers based on anonymous complaints about her uncut lawn or un-shovelled walkway, a letter received on New Year’s Day was the first outright taste of racism they’ve experienced in a long time.
Assiniboine found the letter stuffed into the railing to her home.
“We do not like your kind here,” part of the letter read.
It went on to say that too many people lived in the home and that they’re “ruining the neighbourhood.”
The five bedroom home houses the family of six.
The letter went on to say that they should go back to the reserve.
“We gave you land and you need to respect the generosity,” said the letter.
Assiniboine was shocked.
“There’s some anger, some sadness, some people are scared. A lot of us don’t really know what to think about it. It’s shocking,” she said.
Leduc Deputy Mayor Bill Hamilton was quick to condemn the letter.
“We do not tolerate any kind of hateful behaviour,” he said in a statement released on Jan. 1.
“We are working with the RCMP to ensure the appropriate steps are taken to investigate this letter and ensure the family’s safety.”
Police are investigating the case and bylaw services is examining to see if the same person who lodged earlier complaints is responsible.
Victim’s services has reached out to the family.
This latest letter is eerily similar to one left for an Indigenous family in another Edmonton suburb last fall.
I choose to encourage her and remain positive as she does. Yes, initial reaction to such blatancy of a hateful letter can and will cause an emotional stir, but she states that it is a great community, one that provides good programming with amazing people. She also states that there’s support, friendships that have flourished over time both for her and her children. There is a lot of good going on for this family, even when faced with adversity she identifies this positive environment she currently resides in. The coward will be discovered in time.
I choose to encourage her and remain positive as she does. Yes, initial reaction to such blatancy of a hateful letter can and will cause an emotional stir, but she states that it is a great community, one that provides good programming with amazing people. She also states that there’s support, friendships that have flourished over time both for her and her children. There is a lot of good going on for this family, even when faced with adversity she identifies this positive environment she currently resides in. The coward will be discovered in time.
Your kind? Omg and giving us land my goodness ?? Who the hell does this person think he is god?? People could die any time should really think about there lives to meet there maker because we’re not promised tomorrow everyone of us and land really belongs to to God and God alone first Nations people lived here before God fearing people we are known to be spiritual and closer to God and we can curse people if we wanted to but since we are known to be generous let Our maker take control because he’s the who’s going to punish the wicked people.
do not comment on this incident, that is exactly what this or these individuals want to see. Leave it to the Human Rights Tribunal or other such agency to give the family justice in the face of racism.
Your kind? Omg and giving us land my goodness ?? Who the hell does this person think he is god?? People could die any time should really think about there lives to meet there maker because we’re not promised tomorrow everyone of us and land really belongs to to God and God alone first Nations people lived here before God fearing people we are known to be spiritual and closer to God and we can curse people if we wanted to but since we are known to be generous let Our maker take control because he’s the who’s going to punish the wicked people.
do not comment on this incident, that is exactly what this or these individuals want to see. Leave it to the Human Rights Tribunal or other such agency to give the family justice in the face of racism.