Mandela Kuet, a Sudanese-born community advocate in Winnipeg, is making waves for his efforts to bridge cultural divides between Indigenous Peoples and newcomers to Canada. Having immigrated from South Sudan in the late 1990s, Kuet grew up in Winnipeg’s North End — a neighbourhood historically rooted in Indigenous culture and now increasingly home to immigrant families. He has firsthand experience of the misunderstandings and shared struggles that often create tension between these communities.
According to Maple News, Mandela’s approach is grounded in empathy, dialogue, and practical support. Rather than letting mistrust fester, he facilitates conversations that confront stereotypes and shift narratives. He educates newcomers on the history and lasting impact of colonization, residential schools, and systemic discrimination faced by Indigenous Peoples. Simultaneously, he highlights the trauma, conflict, and displacement that refugees and immigrants endure.
“In the end, everyone is just trying to survive,” Kuet says. That belief fuels his work to build understanding and reduce conflict in Winnipeg’s diverse communities.
Kuet co-founded Real Talk Winnipeg in 2019 alongside Indigenous activist Michael Redhead Champagne. The podcast explores complex issues such as racism, cultural identity, parenting, and public services. Through open dialogue, it challenges the pervasive myth that one group receives preferential treatment over another, and encourages collective healing and cooperation.
In addition to his media work, Kuet founded The Hood Fams, a non-profit that offers mentorship, drop-in programs, and leadership development for youth from Indigenous, racialized, and immigrant backgrounds. The goal is to keep vulnerable young people away from gangs and the justice system by fostering community roots and positive engagement.
His mentorship has had tangible impacts. One of his protégés, Gode Katembo, launched two community initiatives — Sports Without Boundaries and the Manitoba African Cup of Nations — both aimed at unifying youth through sports.
Kuet’s work is particularly significant in Winnipeg, a city with both the largest urban Indigenous population in Canada and a rapidly growing immigrant community. Census data indicates immigrants make up 25% of the city’s population, and the Indigenous population rose by 9.4% from 2016 to 2021. These groups frequently live side by side, often competing for the same resources — which makes Mandela’s community-building efforts not only timely but essential.
Maple News spoke with several community members who praised Kuet for his calm leadership style and commitment to social equity. His grassroots efforts have become a model for resolving inter-community friction through shared understanding and collaboration.
As Kuet continues to grow The Hood Fams and mentor future community leaders, he offers a powerful example of how lived experience, compassion, and action can shape a more inclusive Canada.