Canadian Museum for Human Rights
85 Israel Asper Way R3C 0L5 Winnipeg, MB, Canada

On International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime, read about Paul Herczeg and Yasmin Ullah, who survived genocide and experienced the very real consequences of "othering". Othering is the process of identifying a specific group of people as inferior based on a perceived difference, setting the stage for discrimination or persecution. Have you seen othering in the world around you?

On the anniversary of John Lennon's death, we're reminded of when the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet performed his iconic song "Imagine" (arr. Skelly) in the Garden of Contemplation. When listening to this song, what do you imagine a better world should look like?

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, has intensified. As COVID-19 cases strain health services, other essential services, such as domestic violence shelters and helplines, have reached capacity. We can take action to recognize and prevent gender-based violence experienced by women, girls, trans, and non-gender-conforming people across Canada and around the world. We can support local services that help people escape from dangerous situations. We can make a difference.

Trans, two-spirit, non-binary and gender diverse people continue to face discrimination and violence. We observe #TransgenderDayofRemembrance to pay respect to the memory of those killed by anti-transgender violence. Transphobia, hate and intolerance have no place in Canada . #TDoR

What does a Canadian senator have in common with Star Trek's Captain Jean-Luc Picard? Star Trek has offered an intelligent, socially conscious approach to science fiction since it debuted in 1966. While the intergalactic adventures of characters boldly going where no one has gone before may seem like pure imagination, often, they have a lot more in common with the real world than you might think. Read about some of these similarities and discover a few of the hidden Easter eggs celebrating human rights defenders.

Join Dr. Rumman Chowdhury for a discussion on your rights to health, education and privacy in the age of artificial intelligence.

This podcast on the weaponization of social media in Myanmar is worth a listen.

Today we remember the 14 women at Polytechnique Montréal who were targeted and killed on this day in 1989 because of their gender. December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women - a day to remind ourselves to continue to stand up against gender-based violence. The 14 women who lost their lives are:... Geneviève Bergeron Hélène Colgan Nathalie Croteau Barbara Daigneault Anne-Marie Edward Maud Haviernick Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz Maryse Laganière Maryse Leclair Anne-Marie Lemay Sonia Pelletier Michèle Richard Annie St-Arneault Annie Turcotte See more

On Remembrance Day, we honour and remember all those who have served and who continue to serve, fighting for the freedoms that we enjoy today.

Planning to visit the Museum? We are open this Saturday but will be closed Sunday through Tuesday, opening again on Wednesday, October 28. Amazing fall photo shared by anthony_urso on Instagram.

What can you do in 20 minutes? Make a quick dinner, vacuum your floors, or how about relax and take a tour of some of our Museum galleries? While the Museum's doors are closed so we can do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we invite you to join Carly on a tour through the Indigenous Perspectives and Canadian Journeys galleries.

Do you need an uplifting, hopeful evening? Join host Peter Mansbridge alongside Chantal Kreviazuk and many more performers on November 18 for the Friends of CMHR’s Gala 2020: Raising Our Voices. Click the link below for ticketing details.

Lest we forget. Tonight and tomorrow night, the Israel Asper Tower of Hope will be lit red to mark the sacrifice of the fallen and to honour all those who serve in defence of our rights and freedoms.

Using a person's pronouns is essential to respecting their gender identity. On International Pronouns Day, we are sharing a video from True Colors United on how to share your own pronouns, and ask someone what pronouns they use.

In this 2013 photo by Ossie Michelin, Amanda Polchies kneels in prayer with an eagle feather in her outstretched hand. She faces a line of police sent to break up a Mi'kmaq blockade opposing fracking in their territory. Seven years later, the Mi'kmaq continue to fight for their rights. Sipekne'katik First Nation lobster harvesters are facing violence and intimidation as they exercise treaty rights that have been upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada for decades. As this crisis has unfolded the RCMP has been criticized for not protecting the property and safety of the Mi'kmaq community. This makes a stark contrast to the photograph, which reminds us that armed and uniformed force is often exerted against Indigenous communities that attempt to claim their treaty rights.

Allies say Ms. Harris is acutely aware of her place in history. She views her work as connected to both the civil rights leaders who came before her the ancestors, as she calls them and the generations she hopes to empower.

Join the Arthur V. Mauro Institute for Peace & Justice for a conversation about Economic Justice during and in the aftermath of COVID-19.

The theme of Islamic History Month is "Resilience and Achievements of Black Muslims." We invite you to meet Ali Duale, who came to Canada as a refugee from Somalia and made his home in Halifax, NS. He gives back to his community as a firefighter, mentor and volunteer.

Grade 7-12 teachers: We're offering free virtual field trips every Thursday in October during Culture Days! In this 45-minute virtual field trip, your class will explore human rights ideas through an artistic lens. You will use a piece of paper and your thoughts and reflections to explore various artistic ways of expressing human rights. Our program interpreters will lead you through artistic journaling and the exciting views of art and human rights at the Museum.

November 8 is Indigenous Veterans Day - a day to remember the long and brave military history of Indigenous people in Canada. Dick Patrick was a Second World War veteran who was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished conduct. Despite single-handedly capturing dozens of German soldiers and officers in a remarkable act of bravery, after returning to Canada, Patrick was arrested 11 times for the simple act of trying to order a meal. Why? The restaurant refused ...to serve Indigenous people. Read the story of Dick Patrick, a man whose fight against oppression didn't end when the war did.

October 18 is Persons Day. Before this day in 1929, women were not recognized as "persons" who could be appointed to the Canadian Senate. Five women petitioned the Supreme Court of Canada and argued that women met the definition of "persons." These women - Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Emily Murphy and Irene Parlby - are now known as The Famous Five. Their petition was denied, so they appealed to the Privy Council of England. On October 18, 1929, th...e Privy Council declared that the definition of "persons" in the British North America Act did include women. The following year, Cairine Wilson became Canada's first female senator. The persons decision meant women were no longer excluded by definition from serving as senators. But it did nothing about the requirements for land ownership, wealth, and citizenship that effectively continued to exclude many women - including Indigenous women - for many more years.

Today, the Province of Manitoba announced new restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19. The Museum is already operating within these new guidelines to keep visitors, volunteers and staff safe. Our safety protocols include timed ticketing, mandatory masks, frequent cleaning, plastic barriers and big, open spaces to allow for social distancing. Visitors are asked to complete the Manitoba online COVID-19 screening tool before entering and we collect visitor information for contact tracing purposes. Click the link to see all the guidelines and safety precautions for visiting the Museum.

Fifty years ago today, the Government of Canada invoked the War Measures Act to stem a wave of political attacks and kidnappings carried out by the Front de libération du Quebec (FLQ). The FLQ was a radical separatist movement that fought for Québec independence. This was only the third time in Canadian history that the War Measures Act had been invoked. The other two times had been during the First and Second World Wars. The act allowed the federal government to ban the FLQ,... suspend civil rights, and declare martial law across Canada. During this period, known as the October Crisis, more than 450 Canadian citizens were arrested and detained with most never being charged. The October Crisis raised questions about the balance between personal rights and public security. Today, the government’s actions during an emergency are subject to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Photo: The Canadian Press, photograph by Peter Bregg

"It's really exciting to have this change finally announced today and for non-binary people to be able to access a gender marker on their driver's license that they identify with and not be forced to fit into a box that that is not accurate for them," Sam MacKinnon said. Manitobans who are nonbinary now have the ability to make new choices about gender identifiers on their Manitoba driver's license or identification cards. This marks another step forward in recognizing the rights of non-binary people in Canada.

October 12 formerly known as Columbus Day is celebrated as Indigenous Peoples' Day in many communities of the United States. While the day formerly marked Columbus’ discovery, it has now become a day to recognize the long history of Indigenous people who have lived in the Americas since the beginning of time. "Trace" by renowned artist Rebecca Belmore connects the Museum to the land and honours the enduring presence of Indigenous people. From a distance, it resembles an enormous blanket. Up close, 10,000 red-clay beads can be seen, imprinted by the hands of diverse community members who have left their own "trace" in these pieces of the earth.

Our new CEO Isha Khan talks about burgers, community and human rights. And why representation matters.