Even though one of Montreal's most respected journalists decided to step out of the media spotlight and head a non-profit organization, it's not the last you'll hear from Anne Lagacé-Dowson.

Recently named director-general at Tolerance Foundation, a group of educators teaching students about the effects of bullying, Lagacé-Dowson first became an anti-bullying advocate when she found out her daughter was being teased by her classmates.

It's no secret that the media love to sensationalize violence and conflict, but this is particularly dangerous for marginalized communities like First Nations.

"‘If it bleeds it leads' isn't new, and it's not unique to Aboriginal issues," says Duncan McCue, an Anishinaabe reporter who covers Aboriginal affairs for CBC's The National.

"The problem, though, is when it's focused on a racial group you end up with the concern that Indians are being painted as problem people."

The people of Hobbema, Alberta, are well use to this attitude.

Healthy Options Project Skopje (HOPS) is the recipient of the 2010 International Award for Action on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and Human Rights Watch announced this week. The award, which recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations that protect the rights and dignity of people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, was presented in Vienna, Austria, at the XVIII International AIDS Conference. Here is a description of their program and challenges.

The Republic of Macedonia remains a country with a low rate of HIV. In fact, with 129 cases, it has the lowest reported number among southeastern European countries.

Canadian activist Kevin Neish smuggled photos off the Mavi Marmara, the lead ship in the Free Gaza flotilla that was raided violently by Israeli troops last week, killing nine peace activists.

Neish's photos were published Monday in the Middle East, in the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet and in this blog along with images taken by others, to name but two. Two are reproduced here for rabble, and he is awaiting the return of the remainder.

Rezeq Faraj was the co-founder of the group Palestinian & Jewish Unity, and a president of the Canadian Arab Federation. He died Oct. 24, 2009.

It's Friday, January 29, and the dining room at Nyood is packed. Vegetable antipasto, panko-crusted chicken, and malta braised short ribs are coming out of the kitchen of the restaurant in Toronto, courtesy of head chef and Food Network personality Roger Mooking. The lights are dim and the music is loud. Champagne and wine are flowing. A Tribe Called Quest is pumping from the speakers and diners are getting up to dance.

The front of the restaurant is glowing dimly in the light of a projection floating over the DJ booth on the rough white wall opposite the bar. On screen is the restaurant's twitter feed, which is shifting with updates in real time.

It is Feb. 15th, Louis Riel Day in Manitoba, and Métis curator and writer Cathy Mattes is talking about two of her favourite subjects -- art and Louis Riel. She is telling a story about two very different monuments to Louis Riel that were created for the Manitoba Legislature.

"In 1971, a statue depicting Louis Riel as a naked, tormented figure was erected on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature as part of Manitoba's centennial celebrations," Mattes explains.