Humans, On Rights
Humans, On Rights is a podcast that features thoughtful conversations with grassroots human rights influencers, community leaders, policymakers, advocates, and educators. Host Stuart Murray, the inaugural President and CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, talks with guests about their passion for becoming human rights champions. Each episode explores how connecting education, mobilization, and action can lead to positive outcomes in the human rights field.
Episodes
Victor Mondaca: Harm Reduction on Winnipeg’s Streets
Victor Mondaca once slept by the river in Winnipeg with nothing but the clothes on his back. Today he works in executive leadership in community-based housing and co-founded Nahuen Consultation with his partner Amanda, training frontline workers, librarians, students and everyday Winnipeggers in de-escalation, harm reduction and how to reverse an overdose.We sat down with Victor, who is M
Sean Rayland-Boubar: From Incarceration to Red Rebel Armour
After years in a gang, addiction and 17 months in custody, Sean Rayland-Boubar, an Anishinaabe entrepreneur from Sagkeeng First Nation, built Red Rebel Armour, a Winnipeg streetwear company that hires people leaving the justice system. He's giving others the second chance he had to fight for, while still facing many of the same barriers they do.Sean tells Stuart why the gangs have always
Dr Lorena Sekwan Fontaine: Linguicide and the Fight for Indigenous Language Rights
When Dr. Lorena Sekwan Fontaine was a child, her aunts and uncles would turn their backs or leave the room whenever they spoke Cree. She thought they were hiding something from her. They were: the language itself, learned the hard way in residential schools, where speaking it meant being hit. That memory sits at the centre of this conversation with Stuart Murray, a wide-ranging look at wh
Lennard Taylor: Clothing as Identity, Dignity, and Belonging
Winnipeg designer, artist, and storyteller Lennard Taylor joins Stuart Murray to talk about clothing as identity, not just fabric. Lennard traces his path from a soccer career cut short by injury to two decades of painting, sewing, and dressing people out of his studio and boutique on Sherbrooke Street.Lennard pushes back against fast fashion, arguing that most people have lost the basic
Johise Namwira: Bringing the National Black Canadian Summit to the Prairies
Johise Namwira joins Stuart to talk about what it means to bring the National Black Canadian Summit to Winnipeg, and why she sees it as a movement rather than a moment. Namwira came to Winnipeg as a child after her family fled the Congo War, and later studied African studies at Oxford, a path that shapes how she talks about displacement, memory, and who gets left out of Canadian history.T
Holly Spence: Building Manitoba's Indigenous Tourism Industry
Indigenous Tourism Manitoba's work runs in two directions at once: on one side, indigenous business owners who need support getting market ready, connected to funders, and connected to each other. On the other, a public that often can't name a single indigenous-owned business. As CEO, Holly Spence has spent her career building the links on both sides, work she ties directly to what reconc
Kate Sjoberg: Homelessness and the Speed of Trust
Kate Sjoberg has been calling for more housing in Winnipeg since long before she became Executive Director of Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY). With over two decades in community development and nonprofit leadership, including prior roles at the Wrench, North Point Douglas Women's Centre, the Spence Neighbourhood Association, and Main Street Project, she's seen the city's homelessness
David Kron: "We're Not Going Away" - Rebuilding Manitoba's Broken Disability Support System
What does it mean to "age out" of a support system? For Manitobans with disabilities, it means renegotiating your entire life at 18, at 21, at 65 - arbitrary ages set by government departments that don't talk to each other.David Kron, executive director of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba, joins Stuart Murray to talk about “Equality, Dignity, and Belonging: Building a Better Sys
Vince Barletta: Manitoba Food Banks Weren't Supposed to Be Permanent
\When Harvest Manitoba opened in 1985, it was meant to be temporary. A stopgap for a rough economic patch. Today, they serve 1,200 families a day, and 30% of them have jobs.Stuart Murray sits down with Vince Barletta, President and CEO of Harvest Manitoba, to talk about what that shift means, and what it would actually take to build a Manitoba where the food bank isn't a permanent fixture
Dayna Steinfeld: The Notwithstanding Clause and the Silencing of Minority Rights
When governments can override the Charter before a court even looks at it, who's left to protect the people who can't protect themselves at the ballot box?Winnipeg labour and human rights lawyer Dayna Steinfeld joins Stuart to break down one of the most consequential constitutional debates in Canada right now: the expanding use of the notwithstanding clause, and what Manitoba's Bill 4 is
Ralph Bryant: State of the Queer — Manitoba's first-of-its-kind 2SLGBTQ+ Survey
As we move into Pride month, Ralph Bryant returns to Humans, On Rights. This time, the Rainbow Resource Center's Manager of Stewardship sits down with Stuart to dig into The State of 2SLGBTQ+ Communities in Manitoba 2026 — the first report of its kind in Manitoba.This report surveyed 623 queer Manitobans alongside 1,000 members of the general public. It provides, for the first time, a tru
KC Adams: Red Dress Day and the Art of Relational Making
Following Red Dress Day earlier this month, Stuart sits down with KC Adams, a Cree and Anishinaabe relational maker, curator, writer and educator based in Winnipeg, whose work uses photography, installation and public art to explore identity, cultural reclamation and the ongoing impacts of colonialism.KC brings both lived experience and creative practice to a rich conversation about Red D
Adrian Alfonso: Trails, Truth, and Reconciliation on Two Wheels
Adrian Alfonso has been building trails in Winnipeg since he was a kid ripping around on a BMX bike in South Osborne. Today, he's a cyclist, trail builder, Indigenous advocate, and founder of Clear Paths, a program that uses cycling routes and green spaces as a framework for Truth and Reconciliation education. Stuart sits down with Adrian to talk about what trails can teach us, what it me
Erna Buffie: Out on a Limb
Stuart Murray sits down with Winnipeg writer, filmmaker, and environmental advocate Erna Buffie. After more than two decades producing science documentaries for CBC's The Nature of Things, Erna has turned her attention closer to home — documenting why Winnipeg's urban forest is in crisis, and what it will take to save it. Her book Out on a Limb makes the case that trees aren't a civic ame
Suzanne Winterflood: Breaking Down Barriers in STEM
On this episode of Humans, On Rights, we sit down with Suzanne Winterflood, Program Manager of WISE Kinetic Energy — Manitoba's largest STEM outreach program. What started over 35 years ago as a small group of professors working to bring more girls into science and engineering has grown into a province-wide initiative reaching over 43,000 young people a year.And yet, Suzanne is the first
Bruno de Oliveira Jayme: Art, Activism, and the Power of Creative Dissent
On this episode of Humans, On Rights, we sit down with Bruno de Oliveira Jayme, a Brazilian-born artist, educator, and community arts practitioner who has spent 25 years making Canada his home. Now a full professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba, Bruno brings together curriculum theory, arts-based research, and a deep commitment to social justice. His work explo
Divya Sharma: Opting Out Is a Privilege
At 21 years old, Divya Sharma has already led a $16 million student organization, represented Manitoba at the United Nations in both New York and Geneva, and is writing her honours thesis on the human rights implications of artificial intelligence. Her story is a reminder that age isn't a barrier to meaningful change — and that the most powerful advocacy often starts right in your own com
Janet James: Leadership, Economic Equity, and the Work Nobody Sees
For our second Black History Month episode, we're going beyond celebration and into accountability. Stuart Murray sits down with Janet James, Edmonton entrepreneur and leadership strategist, whose journey from growing up as one of the only Black families in Lancashire, England to becoming a corporate executive and business owner is both a personal story of resilience and a lens on who get
Nadia Thompson: Celebrating 45 Years of Black History in Manitoba
Black History Month isn't just 28 days in February—it's a year-round commitment to education, connection, and celebration. We sit down with Nadia Thompson, chair of Black History Manitoba, to discuss the 2026 theme "Rooted in Legacy: Honouring a Century of Black History" and the organization's 45th anniversary milestone.Nadia shares the evolution from the Black History Month Celebration C
Helga Jakobson: A "Zero Waste" Forks and the Right to a Healthy Environment
When we picture zero waste, we often think of recycling bins or reusable coffee cups. But Helga Jacobsen sees something bigger: behind every piece of waste is a human story — someone who made it, someone who handles it, and communities who live with its impact.As Sustainability Coordinator at The Forks, Helga Jakobson is turning one of Winnipeg's most beloved gathering places into a livin
Bruce McIvor: What You Need to Know to Talk Reconciliation
If your goals for 2026 include actually moving the needle on reconciliation, lawyer Bruce McIvor has news: you need to get uncomfortable.The Manitoba-born author of Indigenous Rights in One Minute joins us to cut through the performative gestures and explain what reconciliation actually demands. Bruce breaks down centuries of Indigenous law and constitutional rights in plain language—then
Patty Weins: Transportation, Safety, and the Right to the City
We sit down with Patty Weins—author of That'll Never Work Here, host of the That's Her Problem podcast, and Bicycle Mayor of Winnipeg. Patty's journey from winter cycling newcomer to city-wide advocate reveals how transportation choices connect to mental health, physical wellbeing, climate justice, and the fundamental right to move safely through our cities.We're talking:Wh
Max Brault: Race to the Starting Line
December 3rd was International Day of Persons with Disabilities—a day meant to recognize the contributions and rights of people with disabilities worldwide. Today, we're sitting down with someone who's spent 40 years making sure that recognition turns into actual change.Max Brault—national leader in accessibility, author, and someone who lives with spinal muscular atrophy—doesn't just tal
Shohan Illsley: Harm Reduction and the Fight for Dignity
We sit down with Shohan Illsley, Executive Director of the Manitoba Harm Reduction Network, to explore how harm reduction is saving lives and restoring dignity to people who use substances across Manitoba. Shohan brings powerful insights into why compassion-based approaches are essential to addressing substance use in our communities.The Manitoba Harm Reduction Network operates 11 sites a
Dr. Marcia Anderson: Confronting Anti-Indigenous Racism in Healthcare
A recent Winnipeg Free Press article revealed an uncomfortable truth: Indigenous and Black patients in Manitoba wait longer in emergency rooms and are more likely to leave without receiving care. For Dr. Marcia Anderson, these aren't just statistics – they're a reality she's witnessed firsthand, both as a physician and through her father's near-fatal experience with racist healt
Andréanne Mulaire: Sustainable Fashion & Cultural Pride
We sit down with Andréanne Mulaire, co-founder of Anne Mulaire, a Winnipeg-based fashion company that has spent 20 years proving that ethical production, cultural heritage, and sustainability aren't just buzzwords – they're the foundation of a thriving business.Andréanne shares how she built a fashion brand that refuses to compromise, maintaining local production in Winnipeg, creating zer
Dan Lussier & Jennifer Rodrigue - Co-Habit: Building Inclusive Housing Solutions
We sit down with Dan Lussier, CEO of Réseau Compassion Network, and Jennifer Rodrigue from Co-Habit to discuss their groundbreaking partnership creating accessible, affordable housing that centers dignity and community.We're talking:Why Manitoba's housing crisis demands innovative solutions that go beyond just "affordable units"How Co-Habit is reimagining supportive housing for people wit
Clayton Sandy: Orange Shirt Day and the Journey of Healing
We sit down with Clayton Sandy, a knowledge keeper and educator who brings decades of experience in government and Indigenous advocacy to our conversation about Orange Shirt Day and the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.Clayton shares his powerful personal story - from growing up as the son of a WWII veteran who lost his Indigenous status through enfranchisement, to his own experience
Don Woodstock: The Man Who Made Manitoba Ditch the Plastic Bag
We sit down with Don Woodstock, author of "Unrelenting" and the grassroots activist who transformed recycling in Winnipeg. Don's journey from a farm in Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica to becoming the driving force behind Manitoba's shift from 33% to 99% recycling participation is a masterclass in persistent community organizing and environmental justice.Don shares how his grandfather's simple qu
Heather Fast: Environmental Rights as Human Rights
Heather Fast: Environmental Rights as Human RightsWhen the International Court of Justice issued a landmark advisory opinion on climate change this past July, it confirmed what environmental advocates have been arguing for years - that environmental protection is fundamentally about human rights. We sit down with Heather Fast, PhD candidate at the University of Manitoba's Natural Resource
Jamie Paris: Why 'Toxic Masculinity' Isn't Helping Anyone (And What Will)
We sit down with Jamie Paris, a University of Manitoba literature scholar whose research bridges Shakespearean drama with contemporary issues of race, gender and masculinity. Jamie brings a unique perspective to conversations about what it means to be a better man in 2025.As an educator first and foremost, Jamie's work focuses on helping foster the next generation through meaningful class
Michel Durand-Wood: Building an Affordable City for Everyone, Forever
We sit down with Michel Durand-Wood, better known online as "Elmwood Guy," a Winnipeg-based writer, community advocate, and author of "You'll Pay for This: How We Can Afford a Great City for Everyone Forever." Michel shares his journey from concerned neighbour to influential voice in municipal finance and urban planning.We're discussing:How noticing decline in his Elmwood neighbourhood sp
Kerstin Roger on Elder Abuse
We sit down with Dr. Kerstin Roger, a researcher and advocate tackling an urgent but often overlooked human rights issue: the abuse of older adults. Dr. Roger shares why this isn't just a family matter—it's a fundamental question of human dignity and rights.We're talking:Why age has been historically left out of human rights frameworksHow different communities define aging differently, an
Stanislas Bell: Breaking Barriers at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
We sit down with Stanislas Bell, Manager of Visitor Services at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and the first Black manager in a position of power at the institution. Originally from Cameroon, Stanislas shares his journey from teenage immigrant to community leader, including a life-threatening encounter with medical racism that shaped his commitment to serving others.We're talking:Mo
Brigette DePape: Climate Justice and Community Action
We sit down with Brigette DePape, project manager and climate planner at Narratives Inc, who brings together climate advocacy, education, and community action in powerful ways. As someone who's been part of the climate justice movement for over 15 years, Bridgette offers both personal insights and practical solutions for addressing our climate crisis while building resilient communities.H
Aaron Pollock: Architecture as Human Rights - Designing Spaces for Justice and Inclusion
Aaron Pollock: Architecture as Human Rights - Designing Spaces for Justice and InclusionIt's Pride month, and we're sitting down with Aaron Pollock, associate architect at Number TEN Architectural Group and the lead architect behind the Rainbow Resource Centre's groundbreaking phase two expansion. Aaron brings together his passion for inclusive design with real-world expertise in creating
Dr. Stanley Amaladas: Trust, Rights, and Human Dignity
We sit down with Dr. Stanley Amaladas, Director of the Mauro Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Amaladas reflects on his journey from Malaysia to Canada and shares a powerful story about his citizenship interview that shaped his understanding of human rights, responsibility, and dignity.We're exploring:How an uncomfortable citizenship interview became a les
Carly Gray and Ron Thiessen: Land Stewardship and Environmental Education
We sit down with Ron Thiessen, Executive Director of CPAWS Manitoba, and Carly Gray, Environmental Education Manager, to discuss conservation initiatives in our province and the importance of connecting with nature.We're talking about:The ambitious goal of protecting 30% of Manitoba's land by 2030 (currently at 11%)The Seal River Watershed Indigenous Protected Area initiative in northern
Dr. Rehman Abdulrehman: Developing Anti-Racist Cultural Competence
We welcome back Dr. Rehman Abdulrehman to discuss his new book, "Developing Anti-Racist Cultural Competence." In this episode, he breaks down how traditional approaches to cultural competence often centre whiteness and view other cultures through a colonial lens. Instead, he offers a transformative framework that begins with self-reflection about our own biases.We're talking:Why tradition
Haran Vijayananthan: Awareness vs. Activism
We sit down with Haran Vijayananthan, Community Health and Wellness Director at Klinic Community Health Center. Haran shares his experience challenging the Toronto Police Service over their handling of missing persons cases and his current work making healthcare more accessible to marginalized communities right here in Winnipeg.We're talking:Why "awareness" without action falls short in c
Devon Clunis: "ONE: A Story of Hope in Our Time"
Stuart Murray sits down with Devon Clunis, the first Black Chief of Police in Canadian history, to discuss his new autobiography "ONE: A Story of Hope in Our Time."Devon shares his journey from a small Jamaican village without running water to becoming a transformative leader in the Winnipeg Police Service. More than just a memoir, Devon's book serves as a catalyst for meaningful conversa
Ralph Bryant: Mental Health Advocacy
We sit down with Ralph Bryant – a writer, filmmaker, and mental health advocate who's making waves in Winnipeg's community. Originally from the Bronx, Ralph brings a unique perspective to mental health advocacy, particularly focusing on Black men's mental health through his documentary project "On the Verge."In this episode, Ralph shares:His personal journey through mental health challeng
Behind the Mic: 100 Episodes of Human Rights in Winnipeg
For our milestone 100th episode, veteran journalist and Winnipeg Free Press columnist Dan Lett takes over the interviewer's chair to dig into host Stuart Murray's journey from Canadian Museum for Human Rights CEO to human rights podcast creator.Murray opens up about discovering Winnipeg's rich but often overlooked human rights community, sharing stories of local champions like Dilly Knol,
Byron Williams & Taylor Galvin: Lake Winnipeg's Fight for Rights
When Byron Williams and Taylor Galvin sit down to discuss their unprecedented legal case, one thing becomes clear - they're fighting for something much bigger than themselves. The duo is part of a landmark effort to grant legal rights to Lake Winnipeg under Section 7 of Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms - the first case of its kind in Canada.In this episode, we explore how tradition
Theodore Biggs-Engel on Systems Mapping and Gender-Affirming Care
We sit down with Theodore Biggs-Engel, a transgender activist, researcher, and fourth-year health sciences student at the University of Manitoba who is using systems mapping – a method for visualizing how different parts of complex systems interact and influence each other – to better understand gender-affirming care.As president of the Rainbow Pride Center and queer representative on the
Joy Smith: Human Trafficking Prevention
On this episode of Humans, On Rights we talk with the Founder of the Joy Smith Foundation. Joy Smith’s journey, and the history behind the Foundation, are testimony that the actions of one individual can make a difference for so many others.Joy jumped into action after learning no laws yet existed in Canada to protect victims, or to bring perpetrators to justice. She decided to run, and w
Evelyn Forget: Basic Income in Canada
Poverty is a human rights issue. A “Basic Income” is a policy idea centered on providing all individuals within a society with a regular, unconditional payment from the government. This payment is intended to cover essential living expenses, ensuring everyone has a financial safety net regardless of their employment status, income level, or personal circumstances.From 1974 to 1979 Manitob
Matthew Cutler: Foresights for Human Rights
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights recently released a survey called Foresights for Human Rights. This national survey offers numerous and interesting insights into the human rights landscape of Canada. Matthew Cutler, my guest on this episode of Humans, on Rights and the vice-president of exhibitions at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights talks about how respondents felt less free to
Cody Chomiak: Human Rights and AI
"AI is likely to be either the best or the worst thing to happen to humanity” - Stephen HawkingCody Chomiak, a recognized voice in the field of artificial intelligence, and the Vice President of Marketing, Travel Manitoba shares his thought provoking comments on how AI is changing the world before our very eyes. Chomiak reminds us that what was once science fiction, we now carry systems p
Craig Brown: Anti-Racism In Sport
Sport is not an equal plying field. We need to change the game. Craig Brown from Anti Racism in Sport talks about how the lack of empirical information that details the experiences of First Nations, Inuit, Metis, Black, Racialized and Religious Minority communities in sport in Winnipeg became the backdrop for the Anti Racism in Sport organization. Out of the research, Brown talks about th
Somia Sadiq: Inclusive, Transformative Change
With over 15 years of experience as a peacebuilder and certified environmental professional, Somia Sadiq the founder and CEO of Narratives Inc. has been exploring how inclusive planning and Indigenous led solutions are crucial in advancing human rights locally in Manitoba and more broadly.In this episode of Humans, on Rights, Somia shares multiple stories and examples of how she and her t
J Fiedler: Human Rights. Sexual Education Research Centre
J Fiedler is a sexuality educator originally from Detroit, MI. They have a background in HIV/AIDS, 2STLGBQIA+ culture & inclusion and Comprehensive Sexuality Education. Over the years J has facilitated workshops in various territories around Manitoba from The Pas to Vita. They now live in Winnipeg and they are a member of the Sexual Education Research Centre (SERC)In this episode, J t
Molly McCracken: Rectifying Manitoba’s Pay Gap
Pay discrimination and inequality persist in Manitoba with women earning, on average, 71 % of what men earn.To talk about this disparity, we talk with Molly McCracken, Director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives - Manitoba office. Molly talks about a very indepth, well researched, and well written document called “Tired of Waiting : Rectifying Manitoba’s Pay Gap”.She has over
Darcy Ataman: Travel Safe
Darcy Ataman is a Canadian humanitarian, music producer, and the founder and CEO of Make Music Matter, an organization that uses music therapy to help survivors of conflict and trauma. He created the Healing in Harmony program, which integrates music therapy with psychological support to assist individuals in recovering from traumatic experiences, particularly survivors of
Carol Off: At A Loss For Words
Over the course of her incredible career, Carol Off has reached a level of journalistic excellence that has been equalled by few. She has covered conflicts in the Middle East, Haiti, the Balkans and the sub-continent. As well as events in the former Soviet Union, Europe, Asia, the United States and Canada. She reported the fallout from the 9/11 disasters with news features and documentari
Cathy Ching: Human Rights Book Award Winner
Cathy Ching and the South Central Regional Library System were recently recognized by the Manitoba Library Association alongside the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers as the inaugural Human Rights Book Award.Cathy Ching talks about how Manitoba libraries are upholding fundamental values of intellectual freedom, inclusion and diversity despite recent calls for censorship and the hara
Hafsa Altaf: Modern Modest Women
Fashion by Hafsa is a progressive artistic line of clothing designed for the modern modest woman. Hafsa uses influences from her experiences from different cultures to create a unique line of modest clothing. Being designed to be worn by anyone regardless of belief is important as Hafsa’s vision is to bring the old world into the new world, to respect the past while modernizing to pr
Cordella Friesen: YMCA-YWCA
In this episode of Humans, on Rights Cordella shares the interesting fact that the YMCA-YWCA is the largest child care provider in Manitoba, the YMCA-YWCA operates Camp Stephens, and has four dedicated community hubs that serve in the areas of mental health, fitness, aquatics, newcomer programming, employment services and community play. With over 20 years of leadership experience in the
Shane Henderson: Human Rights. Welcome Place.
Welcome Place is a well-known organization in Winnipeg, Manitoba, dedicated to helping refugees and immigrants settle in the city.The origins of Welcome Place can be traced back to the post World War II period when various religious and community groups in Manitoba began to provide assistance to European refugees. Throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s Welcome Place expanded its services
Suzanne Carrière: If We Can All Be Friends, We Can All Move Forward
Canada’s first Métis citizenship judge, Suzanne Carrière, has presided over 1,950 citizenship ceremonies, personally welcoming over 145,000 newcomers into the Canadian family. As one of only 9 citizenship judges in Canada, she uses her platform unfailingly to speak about reconciliation being a shared responsibility of all Canadians, whether Indigenous or non-Indigenous, whether born here
What the RCAF and the 2SLGBTQ1+ Community Have In Common
What the RCAF and the 2SLGBTQ1+ community have in common.In this episode Major Jackie Zakhar discusses how she went from working at a local Subway sandwich shop in a small community to becoming a Major in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Major Zakhar has served her country in several roles, such as senior duty officer at One Canadian Air Division to Department of Air Operations Chair at
Canada. Are we truly a bilingual country?
More than 50 years after passing the passing of the Official Languages Act, 1969, Canada’s official languages face new challenges. Despite a 50 percent increase in bilingualism since 1969 and a record number of youth who are studying French as a second language, the growth rate of Canada’s official-language minority communities is slower than overall population growth. Fact. There are one
Kate Sinclaire: Adult Film Maker; Human Rights Advocate
Adult Film Maker; Human Rights Advocate Kate Sinclaire has been making body- and sex-positive adult film and photography in Winnipeg since 2008.Her kind presence and dedication to showcasing people for who they are has changed the lives of countless people that have either collaborated with her or simply have been able to enjoy her work.Kate not only creates art that inspires and empowers
Diane Roussin: Indigenous Social Innovation
Diane Roussin is an Anishinaabe ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᒃ community leader passionately committed to the pursuit of mino bimaadiziwin(the good life) for all families and children. Her in-depth knowledge of Indigenous issues and solutions flow directly from her strong sense of identity and worldview. She is a proud member of Skownan First Nation in Agowidiiwinan Treaty 2 Territory.Diane is currently the Proj
Are Our Librairies Under Attack?
On this episode of Humans, on Rights, we talk to Kirsten Wurmann, the Program Director for the Manitoba Library Association about how libraries are feeling pressure to remove certain books from the library and because of that libraries should not be neutral spaces. Libraries need to be accountable to our community and our community is comprised of people from a myriad of backgrounds. She
Rich Thomas - A Champion for Diversity
As a young Black man growing up in Winnipeg Rich Thomas remembers his parents saying to him “you are living in a society where you are not the majority, and a s a young Black person, you are going to have to work twice as hard for half as much”. Those words had an enormous impact on his early years. And when we spoke on this episode of humans, on Rights Rich talked about how he took the w
Dr. Martha Paynter: Pharmacare for Contraception
“We absolutely should have publicly funded prevention of pregnancy and not just publicly funded abortion.”On this episode oh Humans, on Rights we talk with Dr. Martha Paynter, Dalhousie School of Nursing scholar, researcher, writer, nurse, activist and board chair of Wellness Within about why she wrote her book Abortion to Abolition: Reproductive Health and Justice in Canada. Dr. Paynter
Levi Foy: Sunshine House is like “The Museum of Love”
Sunshine House is a community drop-in and resource centre focusing on harm reduction and social inclusion. The team at Sunshine House, led by Executive Director Levi Foy, provide programming that fulfills people’s social, community, and recreational needs. Participants can come as they are and are not expected to be “clean” or sober.Sunshine House has an abundance of programming – Brunch,
Chef Rob on Food: Entertain Educate Engage
During the celebration of Black History Month, Chef Rob Thomas talks about how he plans to create a special dinner to celebrate how Black culture has influenced the food we eat. To further promote and celebrate Black History Month Chef Rob is doing a livestream on Thursday February 22 to demonstrate one of his signature dishes. In addition to the livestream, the chef is preparing a specia
Ribbon Skirts: From Controversy to Celebration
Laura Brandon is a band member of Waywayseecappo First Nation, she has three adult children and is a grandmother. Laura Brandon wants to know that when it comes to discussing the ribbon skirt, she speaks only for herself. The good news is that Laura Brandon generously shares her personal views on the history, the importance, the celebration, and the learning that comes from the making and
How Holidays Shape and Define Culture
Ever wonder why we celebrate holidays and what they mean to our culture? Holidays serve as a reflection of a society’s shared values, historical milestones, and unique tradition. Holidays offer key insights into cultural identities, showcasing and celebrating how diverse the world is.But are we, in Winnipeg, in Manitoba reflecting just how diverse and therefore inclusive our holidays are?
If Airlines Can Move Horses safely, Why Can’t They do the Same for My Wheelchair?
Peter Tonge show notes:If airlines can move horses safely by air…why can’t they do the same for my wheelchair?My guest Peter Tonge wants answers. And why not? Airline travel can be stressful for anyone, and particularly for a person with a disability. A disabled traveller has the usual concerns, such as scheduling and connections, but also the additional concern about the safety of t
From Heroin Addict to Community Advocate
Jacob Kaufman was born in Vancouver. His mom, who he tells us he loved very much, was also addicted to “pretty well everything.” Because of his mom’s addictions, Jacob was shipped from foster home to foster home where he was beaten ad had exorcisms performed on him. When Jacob was 14, he ran away from his foster home and began a life on the street with a new family, the street commun
Sherry Gott: Children’s Rights and the Manitoba Advocate
Every child and youth in Manitoba has inherent rights. These rights are enshrined in the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). In Manitoba in 1985, Judge Kimelman released the Kimelman report based on the “Sixties Scoop”. In 1993 the Office of the Child Advocate opens in Manitoba.In this Humans on Rights podcast, we talk with the Manitoba Advocate, Sherr
Bre Calma: What is a pronoun? Why does it matter? And what to do if you make a mistake?
In the English language, our most commonly used pronouns (he/she) specifically refer to person’s gender. For queer, gender non-conforming, non-binary, ad transgender people, these pronouns may not fit, can create discomfort, and cause stress and anxiety.Bre Calma (they/them) is a non-binary queer. They have an extensive education background, and they were most insightful when they thought
Kemlin Nembhard: Period Poverty. Why it Should Be everybody’s business
Fact: A study done in 2022 concluded that 1 in 4 Canadian women are forced to choose between buying meals and period products. On this episode of Humans, on Rights, the Executive Director of the Women’s Health Clinic, Kemlin Nembhard (she, her) shares her views on the challenges women face when it comes to purchasing period products. Kemlin’s experience growing up in Winnipeg as a child o
How a Textile Artist Used a Challenge in her Life to Pay it Forward
Claire Sparling has always felt a need to learn how things are put together. Throughout her life, she has followed this instinct by developing skills in everything relating to textiles. From a very young age, Claire has been sewing, knitting, spinning and weaving, never missing a chance to add new skills to her repertoire.But it’s not just the sewing, knitting, spinning and weaving that k
“When I was at the residential school I was taught that God was a punishing God. And I was punished a lot.”
It has taken Lorraine Daniels, a second generation Indigenous Residential School survivor, over 60 years to accept her Ojibway culture. As a student at the Indigenous Residential School, we were taught that God was a punishing God, and she and other children were forever being punished and not loved. She recounts that Indigenous children were not allowed to converse with other family memb
Hennes Doltze: Why Do Men Buy Sex?
Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights and one of the most heinous crimes committed against individuals, particularly women and children. It is a modern form of slavery, involving the recruitment, transportation, harboring, or receipt of people through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation.In this episode of Humans, on Rights our guest, Hennes Do
“I see hope every day. I wouldn’t be doing this work if I didn’t have hope.”
Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair is an Anishinaabe writer, editor, and activist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. And his credentials are very, very impressive when you consider Sinclair is also a public speaker and media commentator who was recently named to the “Power List” by Maclean’s magazine as one of the most influential individuals in Canada. He has help
