Canadian Museum for Human Rights

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"A lot of work needs to be done: The first thing is to acknowledge colonialism, then teach our children and one another."

Elder Sherry Copenace, Teacher, Social Worker, Grandmother

An Indigenous woman with dark features wears a grey ribbon skirt and a black shirt that reads "Braids, Tobacco, Moccasins and Ribbon Skirts". She's holding a bronze bowl and standing in front of a mic. Partially obscured. — Photo: CMHR, Krista Anderson

The Witness Blanket

September 20, 2024 to September 20, 2027

Experience the connections between human rights and our shared history in each of the multi‐dimensional, quilt‐like sections of the Witness Blanket.

Exhibition details

A museum exhibition featuring a large, curved freestanding wooden wall on which is mounted numerous small objects arranged in diamond and rectangular patterns. In the foreground, there circular benches creating an inviting space for visitors to view and contemplate the exhibit. Partially obscured.

Indigenous history and human rights

Discover the stories of Indigenous people and communities. Learn about Canada's history of colonialism and genocide.

A young woman with braided hair, wearing a maroon jacket and gray winter cap, looks forward resolutely. A red handprint is painted over her mouth and face. — Credit: Lorie Shaull, CC-BY 2.0

Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance

Saturday, June 28, 2025 — Experience pivotal moments that sparked Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ movement.

A group of people march down a city street. At the front of the group, on the left side of the image, two people hold a sign over their heads that reads “Love thy neighbour.” Slightly behind them is a sign that reads “Many of u are gay too!” — Photo: courtesy of Jearld Moldenhauer

Plan your visit

Location

Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Hours

Closed Today

Admission

Adult General Admission:

$22

Events

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection

May 6, 2025 — November 2025

Learn about this organization’s work to protect the human rights and dignity of all young people.

Program details

Upcoming Events

Exhibitions

Reclaiming Power and Place: Indigenous Women and Their Rights to Safety and Justice

May 3, 2025 - April 5, 2030

Exhibition details

Six red dresses and a white dress in the middle are suspended on wooden clothes hangers in front of a backdrop. A white star glows at the location of the heart on the central white dress. The backdrop features patterns on a birchbark texture. Some of the patterns are illuminated from behind to create glowing star-like features on the panels. Partially obscured.

Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge

January 31, 2025 to early 2026

Exhibition details

A large group of protestors march through a city while two uniformed RCMP officers keep watch. In this black-and-white image, the protestors' signs and banners call for an end to discriminatory practices against members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Partially obscured.

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Stories

The Two Row Wampum

By Karine Duhamel

An image being projected onto a curved wall that is about nine feet tall. It is made up of many small squares and has the appearance of Indigenous bead work or a mosaic. The image is mainly made up of white squares, but it also features two thick blue horizontal lines that run parallel to each other. Partially obscured.

The Re‐emergence of 2Spirit People in the 21st Century

By Albert McLeod

A group of marchers carrying signs that read “2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations” are walking down the centre of a city street while onlookers watch behind barriers on both sides. Partially obscured.

Canada’s residential schools

Explore resource guide

A Museum exhibit showing a black-and-white photo of children sitting in rows at school desks. Two desks, similar to those in the photo sit in the centre of the exhibit. A headline on a text panel reads “Childhood Denied.” Partially obscured.

Heartbeat of a People

By Dave McLeod

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. Partially obscured.

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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.

Start Exploring

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