News release details

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) has extended its popular summer program of free outdoor tours into the fall. The tours, which will continue on Saturdays until October 12, encourage visitors to reflect on the human rights rooted in our lives and local history. To date, more than a thousand people have participated in the 2013 tour program — including visitors from Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, Texas and California, as well as a number of travel journalists.

The themed tour is offered in English and French, exploring the stories and examples of human rights that are all around us, including hands‐on activities and games. The tour is a human rights journey intended to provoke discussion about various concepts the Museum will present when it opens, while showcasing its stunning architecture from different vantage points.

Tied to the historic and contemporary landscape around the CMHR, the hour‐long tour touches on themes ranging from Indigenous issues to French‐language rights to labour rights and immigration. A brief description can be found below.

• When: Tours will continue on Saturdays up to and including October 12, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. in English and at 3:30 p.m. in French. There is no need to reserve to participate at these times, but please arrive early as tour size may be limited. Special tours for five or more people can also be booked by calling (204) 289‑2123, TTY (204) 289‑2050 or by e‑mailing info@museumforhumanright.ca.
• Where: All tours begin at Via Rail Union Station, 123 Main Street.
• Language: Tours are offered in English and French, with ASL interpretation available upon request.
• Join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at #CMHRTour and on FlickR at CMHRTour.

About the tour

Rights are responsibilities we all share. Everywhere you look is a human rights story. This inspiring outdoor tour is tied to the historic and contemporary landscape around the CMHR. It explores how human rights affect us every day, in our own back yards. The stops focus on:

1. Labour rights. Union Station was a witness to Canada's most famous labour upheaval — the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike, a milestone in labour rights.
2. Treaty rights and immigration. The Forks is an ancient and modern meeting place and the site of Treaty 1 land. It was also the first stop for thousands of immigrants.
3. Women's rights. The Exchange District was a place of women's suffrage. In 1916, Manitoba was the first province to grant women the right to vote.
4. French‐language rights and Métis rights. St. Boniface is rich in human rights history. Louis Riel was one of the first Canadians to draft a bill of rights.
5. Human rights now. At the skateboard park in The Forks, visitors will be invited to think about contemporary human‐rights issues that are reflected all around.
6. The CMHR. The Museum's architecture incorporates human rights symbolism in every component, promoting respect for others, reflection, dialogue and awareness.
7. Hands‐on activities. Visitors will be invited to participate in activities designed to inspire a vision and hope for a better future.

Currently under construction in Winnipeg, the CMHR is the first museum solely dedicated to the evolution, celebration and future of human rights. It is the first national museum to be established in Canada since 1967 and the first outside the National Capital Region. It opens in 2014.