Canadian Museum for Human Rights

08/29/2026

Sharing our stories and experiences is part of who we are. Today, social media is a tool that can give anyone a platform, but throughout history, people like Carrie Best and Henry Bibb found their own ways to reach audiences in the fight against slavery and anti-Black racism.

You can learn more about the history of enslavement and early Black life in Canada in At the Knees of Our Ancestors, a new permanent exhibit coming to the Museum in September 2026. https://bit.ly/4hJ5Kwt

08/28/2026

Did you know that the first-ever large-scale LGBT rights rally in Canada happened on this day in 1971 in Ottawa? The rally was to promote and advocate for a document known as "We Demand".

Organized by Toronto Gay Action, LGBT activists created the We Demand document to call for changes to remove discrimination from Canadian laws and policies, including ending the LGBT Purge.

As a direct result of the rally, the Immigration Act of 1976 was amended, removing the ban on gay men from travelling and immigrating to Canada.

Although some changes were made, progress remained slow. It would take until 1996 for Canada to completely ban discrimination based on s*xual orientation through Bill C-33.

Now, more than 50 years later, the stories of those who fought back are coming to light. Our exhibition, Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada's LBGT Purge, speaks to decades of human rights violations against 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians in the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP and federal public service.

If you're in Winnipeg, explore the exhibition in our Level 1 gallery. Or, if you're in the Vancouver area, you can see the pop-up exhibition, currently on display at the West Vancouver Memorial Library until September 15.

Photos: Jearld Moldenhauer

08/25/2026

Our hearts are working overtime today as we join the world in mourning the loss of the great Dolly Parton.

Along with her iconic music and acting career, Dolly was a fierce advocate for reading and education, an ally to the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and a champion for women's rights.

In 2023, we screened the documentary, "Still Working 9 to 5", which examines the 40‐year evolution of gender inequality and discrimination in the workplace since the 1980 release of the classic seminal comedy "9 to 5".

You can learn more about the documentary, Still Working 9 to 5, here:
https://stillworking9to5.com/
https://vimeo.com/731979447?fl=pl&fe=sh

Watch it on various streaming platforms, or for free (with ads) on Tubi.

Still Working 9 to 5 features Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, Dabney Coleman, Allison Janney and Rita Moreno and explores what has changed for women over the last 40 years since the release of the hilarious workplace comedy 9 to 5 in 1980.

08/22/2026

Congratulations to the LGBT Purge Fund , which worked in collaboration with Canadian Heritage and the National Capital Commission (NCC) on developing Thunderhead, Canada's first ever 2SLGBTQI+ National Monument in Ottawa.

The team at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights also worked with the LGBT Purge Fund to create the exhibition Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge. The exhibition opened in 2025.

Both the monument and the exhibition recognize generations of discrimination faced by 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada - including the cruelty of the historic LGBT Purge, when 2SLGBTQI+ members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP, and the public service were systematically harassed and fired. They also acknowledge the colonial roots of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia, honours the resilience of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and invites Canadians to reflect on the work that remains.

If you’re in the Ottawa or Winnipeg areas, we encourage you to visit and learn more about this important chapter in Canada’s history.

📷 : Thunderhead, Canada’s first ever 2SLGBTQI+ National Monument.

08/21/2026

Take a look at some archival photos of everyday Black family life in Canada with Museum curator Alia Aluma.

Image 1: Members of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, 1943
Photo: Public domain, Library of Congress

Image 2: Orville Wright Pool grand opening, Chatham, Ontario, 1963
Photo: Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society

Image 3: Children in Little Burgundy, Montreal Quebec, about 1981
Photo: Graeme Clyke, Concordia University Library, Special Collections and archives

Image 4: One of Africville's water wells, 1960s
Photo: Bob Brooks, Nova Scotia Archives

Learn more about the history of enslavement and early Black life in Canada in At the Knees of Our Ancestors, a new permanent exhibit coming to the Museum in September 2026.

08/20/2026

On Saturday, August 22, you can experience the vibrant tapestry of Indigenous culture and artistry at Roots and Reconciliation: An Indigenous Artisan Market.

Market admission is FREE; the event runs from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Items for sale include exquisite beadwork, carvings, textiles, and more - each piece telling a unique story of tradition, resilience and cultural pride.

- Little Bird
- Native Royalty
- Borealisbeading
- Rare Gem Studio
- Ogichidaa'kwe Creations
- Fox n' Fuddle
- BrassCrafts
- Dotter of the Earth
- Melissa Designs
- Bead Diva Inc
- KHDesigns204
- Anishinaabe Girl Designs
- Aurelia and Family Indigenous Leather and Beadwork
- Fat Daug
- L'amour Skincare
- Deadly Creeations
- Color Street
- Sweetgrass Sweethearts
- Lii Roozyii Trading Co.
- SWW Anokaajiganan
- TKO

08/18/2026

Did you know the Museum offers monthly workshops that explore a variety of moon, pole and tea teachings in the Inninewak (Cree) tradition?

This month, our workshop is called Ohpahowi‐Pîsim – Flying Up Moon, which takes lessons from the goose. Like geese that take flight despite storms and long journeys, we are called to move forward with purpose, guided by a deeper knowing. In choosing growth, we need to stop worrying about failing because failure is a state of mind.

The method of teaching will utilize Indigenous pedagogy as well as incorporate traditional tea and burning of traditional medicines. Participants will discover their relatedness and interconnection with human rights and balance.

These workshops are free, but registration is required in advance. Click the link for more session info or to register.

Investigate your connection to Wahkowtowin, Self‐Growth, and Human Rights

08/15/2026

Join us on Saturday, August 22, for Roots & Reconciliation: An Indigenous Artisan Market!

This FREE event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and features local artisans and entrepreneurs selling everything from intricate beadwork and carvings to beautifully woven textiles.

Here is the second round of vendor announcements:
- BrassCrafts
- Dotter of the Earth
- Melissa Designs
- BeadDivaInc
- KHDesigns204

Check out our previous post for more participating vendors.

Learn more here: https://humanrights.ca/roots-reconciliation-indigenous-artisan-market

08/14/2026

From newspaper editors and journalists to conductors of the underground railroad, who were some of the people who risked their lives to fight for the abolition of slavery?

Learn more about the history of enslavement and early Black life in Canada with “At the Knees of Our Ancestors,” a new permanent exhibit coming to the Museum in September 2026.

https://bit.ly/4hJ5Kwt

Thumbnail photo: Public domain, Library and Archives

08/12/2026

Shop for the perfect gift for a loved one, or just a treat for yourself - all while supporting local Indigenous makers and entrepreneurs!

Today, we're highlighting the first group of vendors you can find at our FREE event, Roots & Reconciliation: An Indigenous Artisan Market on August 22! Here, you can find everything from beadwork and carvings to beautifully woven textiles.

Here is just a peek at the vendors you'll be able to check out. Stay tuned because we'll be revealing more vendors in the days to come!
- Little Bird
- Native Royalty
- Borealis Beading
- Rare Gem Studio
- Ogichidaa'kwe Creations
- Fox n' Fuddle

Click the link to learn more.
https://humanrights.ca/roots-reconciliation-indigenous-artisan-market