Synopsis — Pakistan Alberta
   
In 1975, DAD moves his wife, MOM, and their three children, NAZIA (14), RAJA (12), and ANITA (10) to Calgary from Pakistan. Dad has worked in Calgary for two years and is already well adjusted, but the rest of the family has a hard time fitting in. Things don't get any easier when Dad, Mom, and Nazia get into a car accident landing the latter two in hospital. Fortunately, Nazia recovers quickly and is sent home to care for her younger siblings while Mom remains in hospital. Shortly afterwards, Raja and Anita start attending school and Raja quickly finds out that "being a Paki is the worst thing in this country". He is constantly taunted and bullied by other students and has a hard time making friends. Raja also starts getting into trouble at home after a misunderstanding leads to accusations of stealing. At one point, Dad even threatens to send him back to Pakistan, a threat that has also been extended to Nazia after Dad becomes suspicious of her relationship with a neighbourhood boy. Desperate to stay in Canada, Nazia runs away from home in the middle of the night leaving a distraught Raja to fend for himself. A few days later, Raja attends a canoeing trip that requires him to pair up with POTTER, the class bully. While paddling along, Raja watches as his Native American classmate, MARK, falls into the water and smashes his head on a rock. Raja tries to steer the canoe towards him but Potter refuses to help. With no other options Raja jumps in, forcing Potter to realize the danger his classmates are in. Potter quickly takes control of the situation, ordering Raja to swim to shore while he rescues Mark. Once all three are safely ashore Potter gives Raja the class prize and apologizes for his actions. That evening Raja comes home excited to tell his parents about his day, but before he can get the news out, he realizes that Nazia has finally returned home.