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Welcome - Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Inspirational Quote

“Before you can even talk about reconciliation, you have to know the truth.”

Elder Betty Ross in the film Return to the Falls

An indigenous woman is in a canoe on a lake with an orange life jacket. She seems at serene. Partially obscured.

Photo: Eppo Eerkes, @eppodirects

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.

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.

Beyond the Rainbow Brunch

Sunday, May 25 — Make your morning shine bright! Come for a joyful brunch sprinkled with performances by local drag artists.

A drag performer with purple hair and a silver and black dress speaks in front of a group having brunch.

Photo: CMHR, Annie Kierans

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.

A carved wooden box, showing the carved face of a person with a painted red hand over their mouth.

Photo: CMHR, Aaron Cohen

Plan your visit

Events

Upstander Showcase

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Cost: Free

In a museum gallery, students exhibit projects on easels. Two students speak with adults about their work. Partially obscured.

Beyond the Rainbow Storytime 2025

Sunday, May 25, 2025

Cost: Free event; registration appreciated

A table with a black tablecloth and colourful books relating to 2SLGBTQI+ Partially obscured.

Stories

Reconciliation: A movement of hope or a movement of guilt?

By Karine Duhamel

Carved wooden face Partially obscured.

Canada’s Indian residential schools: Childhood denied

A group of boys in pyjamas kneel on single beds, heads bowed and hands clasped as if in prayer. A woman stands in the room, her hands clasped in the same way. Partially obscured.

We are Roma

By Gina Csanyi-Robah with Shayna Plaut, Ph. D.

A painting of the Romani flag, which is blue on top, green on the bottom and has a red chakra that looks like a wagon wheel in the centre. Partially obscured.

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

By Albert McLeod

Un groupe de personnes portant des pancartes sur lesquelles on peut lire « 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations » marchent au centre d’une rue de la ville, tandis que des gens regardent derrière des barrières de part et d’autre de la rue. Partially obscured.

Exhibitions

Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge

January 31, 2025 to early 2026

Un grand groupe de protestataires défile dans une ville tandis que deux agents de la GRC en uniforme surveillent la scène. Sur cette image en noir et blanc, les pancartes et les banderoles réclament la fin des pratiques discriminatoires contre les membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+. Partially obscured.

Strength in Numbers: The Polish Solidarity Movement

January 2020 to August 2026

Une femme portant une robe coupe sa main à un mégaphone placé à sa bouche. Elle se tient debout au-dessus d’une foule de personnes rassemblée devant un portail, avec deux drapeaux flottant à proximité. 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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