“Everything I've learned about food has a story about it. Whether it's my roots in Africa or it's in Pakistan I have so many stories from my grandmother and my aunt and mom, as well as my experience in Liberia. So, I go into the history of that food and then you know why it is prepared this way and how is it similar or different between the cuisines, because food is an integral part of our identity. I think most especially for ethnic communities when we come to another country, so food brings us together and I try to use that as a way of teaching my children.”
Born to Pakistani parents who had migrated to Liberia where Atiya grew up. In 1989 Civil War broke out forcing her parents to move again. They moved to Canada, where her family began to follow. At the time she was working for the United Nations and while her work took her around the continent the civil war had a deep impact on her, and she made the decision to follow her family. In Canada she worked at several non-profit organizations as well as the grocery chain Safeway in Human Resources where she was able to leverage her knowledge of her community to change the way they were served by the grocery chain. Including the shifting of products, brands and sales strategies. Most recently she had engaged her passion for politics and now serves with the Government of Alberta doing public outreach. Since moving to Canada Atiya has had three children with whom she shares her knowledge and passion for food. Interviewed by Caleb Derksen, Mac McGinn, Robin Whitteker, Stephen Wilks
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