Maple News reports that Mandela Kuet, a community builder born in South Sudan and raised in Winnipeg’s North End, is working to bridge the divide between Indigenous and newcomer communities in Canada. Guided by personal experience and grassroots activism, Kuet is fostering cultural understanding and empowering youth to become change-makers.
Kuet arrived in Winnipeg at age 13, settling in a neighbourhood known for its socioeconomic challenges and its deep Indigenous roots. Over the years, he saw how misconceptions and historical trauma affected both newcomer and Indigenous populations. “Each group thinks the other gets more opportunities,” Kuet explains, pointing to lingering mistrust rooted in systemic inequality, poverty, and a lack of shared understanding.
Rather than accept the divide, Kuet took action. He uses open discussions and storytelling to illuminate Canada’s colonial past and the intergenerational trauma faced by Indigenous Peoples, while also sharing the harrowing experiences of many newcomers fleeing war and persecution. “Everyone is just trying to survive,” he says — a powerful reminder that compassion must underpin community relations.
In 2019, Mandela co-launched Real Talk Winnipeg with Indigenous activist Michael Redhead Champagne. This bold podcast tackles hard-hitting topics such as racism, cultural identity, and public perceptions around social support. By challenging stereotypes on both sides, the show fosters empathy between communities that are often unfairly pitted against each other in the public imagination.
Kuet also founded The Hood Fams, a local non-profit that offers at-risk youth — particularly those who are Indigenous, racialized, or newcomers — a safe space for mentorship and personal development. Through workshops and leadership training, the initiative aims to divert youth from the criminal justice system and empower them to lead positive change.
His mentorship work has already borne fruit. One of his mentees, Gode Katembo, went on to found Sports Without Boundaries and the Manitoba African Cup of Nations — initiatives that use sport to engage marginalized youth and build unity across cultures.
Kuet’s community-driven efforts reflect the shifting demographics of Winnipeg, where immigrants make up 25% of the population and the city holds the largest urban Indigenous community in Canada. As both groups navigate complex social issues and systemic inequity, visionaries like Kuet are proving that building community isn’t just possible — it’s essential.
Through Real Talk Winnipeg, The Hood Fams, and hands-on mentorship, Mandela Kuet is showing that mutual understanding, respect, and empathy can lay the foundation for a stronger, more inclusive Canada. His work is a model for other cities grappling with similar cultural divides.
Maple News celebrates Kuet’s story as a shining example of how immigration, when paired with community engagement, can help heal historical divides and foster a future built on unity.