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Welcome - Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Inspirational Quote

“Not the Queen’s land, not the government’s land— his land. That’s what he fought for.”

Indigenous journalist Bernelda Wheeler, speaking about Tommy Prince in Forgotten Warriors (NFB, 1997)

An enlarged Canadian stamp showcases a man with a red military beret with an aurora borealis and darkened forest in the background. Partially obscured.

CMHR, Aaron Cohen

The Witness Blanket

This exhibition highlights the truth about residential schools through the Stories and experiences of Survivors.

A large, curved freestanding wooden wall on which is mounted numerous small objects arranged in diamond and rectangular patterns. There is an open door in the centre of the wall. Partially obscured.

Photo: CMHR, Aaron Cohen

Foresights for Human Rights 2024

Report on national perspectives and priorities related to human rights.

A man stands in front of an illustrated blue and orange a map of Canada.

Indigenous history and human rights

Discover the stories of Indigenous people and communities. Learn about Canada's history of colonialism and genocide. Reflect on how we can collectively work towards reconciliation.

Close-up on a group of people wearing beaded jackets and vests performing on stage. In the centreer, a man wearing glasses, a hat, and a large, beaded medallion sings into a microphone.

Photo: The Canadian Press, Timothy Matwey

Plan your visit

Events

Opikinawasowin – The process of lifting children and growing sacredness

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Cost: Free, registration required

A traditional Indigenous structure, commonly called a tipi, made of sticks sits on a leaf-strewn forest floor, surrounded by cut logs. Partially obscured.

Community Corridor: Gone too soon

June 4, 2024 to December 2024

Cost: This space is free to access.

Purple poppies made of paper with names and messages from community members and family of those who have died as a result of a poisoned drug supply. Partially obscured.

Stories

What Is Two‐Spirit? Part One: Origins

By Scott de Groot

A poster featuring large artwork depicting two faces in dramatic colours and patterns, with background imagery including hands, standing figures and geometric shapes. A large title at the top reads “The 10th Annual International Two Spirit Gathering” and text at the bottom reads “August 27-31, 1997. Onamia, Minnesota.” Partially obscured.

Black Lives Matter and the struggle for racial justice in Canada

By Debra Thompson

A large group of people holding signs with slogans such as “Black Lives Matter,” “Enough is Enough” and “Your Silence is Betrayal.” Partially obscured.

The intergenerational effects of displacement

By Damhat Zagros

Watercolour painting of a group of adults and children, their faces obscured, standing in a field. All the women’s heads are covered and most people are carrying backpacks and have things in their hands. Partially obscured.

Conserving the Witness Blanket

By Skylar Wall, Cindy Colford, Carolyn Sirett, Stephanie Chipilski and Carey Newman

Many pieces of wood and other materials arranged in interlocking and repeating geometric patterns. Partially obscured.

Exhibitions

Ododo Wa: Stories of Girls in War

October 2019 to March 2025

A group of young women and girls in their teens stand together on the front porch of a building. Most are dressed in white blouses and blue skirts, with two girls also wearing blue sweaters. To the right, a doorway reveals a roomful of students sitting at wooden desks and writing on notepads. Partially obscured.

Climate Justice

June 2022 to December 2024

A crowd of youth hold protest signs and stand behind a large banner that reads “La Terre Mère,” or “mother earth” in English. Partially obscured.

Explore the Museum from home

Join Museum guides for virtual tours of our exhibits and architecture. Download our mobile app to check out the entire Museum, gallery by gallery. Discover our many special online experiences.

A smiling woman with light skin is filmed on a cell phone. She is wearing a lanyard with the words “Be inspired” and standing in front of an exhibit element made of horizontal strips of wood, some decorated with Indigenous art. Partially obscured.

Photo: CMHR, Scott Gillam

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