EDMONTON—The last thing Mishel Assiniboine wanted her 5-year-old son to find at the front door of their Leduc home was a racist letter accusing the family of “ruining the neighbourhood.”

“We do not like your kind around here … We see in your house and you portray an Indian lifestyle. This is not accepted here. If you cannot take care of your property then go back to the Indian reservation where it is accepted,” read the anonymous letter, which is signed, “Your friendly neighbours.”

The letter seems to be inspired by a similar incident in St. Albert in October, as it says, “St. Albert got rid of their Indians and so can we.”

“My first reaction was: Is it a joke? And I remembered the story from St. Albert,” said Assiniboine, who has lived in Leduc for almost 20 years.

At first, Assiniboine thought someone had copied the letter from St. Albert. But as she read more and saw it specifically referenced her neighbourhood, she realized she was targeted.

Assiniboine posted the letter to a Facebook group called Leduc & Area Mamas, where it was widely shared.

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“I was scared, my fingers were shaking when I was about to post it. But I felt I needed to post it because these types of stories need to be heard,” Assinoboine said, noting she expected to get “ripped apart.”

“It’s been the complete opposite. It was all supportive. There were no negative comments at all,” she added. “That’s when the tears came out and I started to cry.”

Irfan Chaudhry, director of MacEwan University’s Office of Human Rights, Diversity, and Equity, said while it’s always concerning to see the spread of racist rhetoric, it’s also uplifting to see how people rally against it.

“It’s unfortunate it takes these things to bring the community together. But also it highlights that those intolerant viewpoints are really things that a small segment of the population harbours,” he said.

He noted that it’s not an isolated incident — when a similar letter was sent to the St. Albert family, the community organized a block party in support. When a Muslim barbershop owner recently had his business defaced with anti-Islamic graffiti, he used it as an opportunity to reach out to other faiths and is soon holding a hate-crime awareness event.

“In stories like these, it’s often the response from the community that is more empowering,” Chaudhry said.

“That might not change your hateful views. But it will remind you that your views are in the minority.”

In a statement, Leduc Deputy Mayor Bill Hamilton expressed his “deep disappointment” in the letter.

The city also added that it is reaching out to the family through Family and Community Support Services. A spokesperson for Leduc RCMP confirmed they are in the early stages of investigating the letter.

Assinoboine said while the experience was unnerving at first, the community response she’s received online and from friends and neighbours has reinforced her love for the city. A few people have suggested holding a celebration block party when the weather warms up.

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“Like I said before, I did feel a little bit scared that same day. But after all the support and the people contacting me, and saying this is not right … I still love Leduc. I would recommend living there. This is just one bad person.”

Full text of the letter

Happy New Year!

To the very unwanted and hated neighbours in Corinthia Park.

It is very obviously that you are hated by all of the neighbours in Corinthia Park and Camelot Ave. area.

We do not like your kind around here.

You are ruining the neighbourhood. You do not take care of your house. There are toys all over the yard and your roof is horrendous.

There are too may people living in one house. We see in your house and you portray an Indian lifestyle. This is not accepted here.

If you cannot take care of your property then go back to the Indian reservation where it is accepted.

We will continue with the numerous complaints to Leduc RCMP & Bylaw.

This will not stop until you are gone. Move out. Move out.

We gave you the land and you need to respect the generosity.

St. Albert got rid of their Indians and so can we.

Your friendly neighbours

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