January 28, 2026

Abortion in Manitoba: A Feminist Community-Based Approach to Abortion Access Research with Dr. Lindsay Larios and Emma Cowman

Event Date: January 28, 2026

Event Location: 108 St. John's College

Event Time: 1:00 - 2:30 pm

In collaboration with the Faculty of Arts, the Centre for Human Rights Research (CHRR) is hosting Dr. Lindsay Larios and Emma Cowman for a lecture titled ‘Abortion in Manitoba: A feminist community-based approach to abortion access research’.

The lecture will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 from 1:00 – 2:30 pm in 108 St. John’s College at the University of Manitoba – Fort Garry Campus. For information on getting to the University of Manitoba, see: https://umanitoba.ca/about-um/our-campuses/getting-here

This is a free event. No registration is required.

This seminar is a part of our annual Critical Conversations seminar series. This year, the seminar series will focus on feminist research methodologies, exploring various ways research is done within feminist and anti-oppressive scholarship.

About the Speakers

Dr. Lindsay Larios is an assistant professor in social work and interdisciplinary critical policy researcher. She studies citizenship and immigration in the Canadian context, in particular, as it intersects with family and reproductive politics and policies. Her most recent work focuses on the politics of pregnancy and childbirth and precarious migration as an issue of reproductive justice.

Emma Cowman (she/they) is in her second year of the Master of Social Work program. In 2023, Emma graduated from the University of Regina with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (honours) and a Bachelor of Arts in Women and Gender Studies. Her research interests include reproductive justice, 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, and gender-based violence. Emma is currently working on her thesis which explores 2SLGBTQIA+ experiences of accessing abortion care in Manitoba. Emma is also working on the “Abortion in Manitoba” project with Dr. Lindsay Larios, and working on various projects with RESOLVE. Outside of university, Emma is on the National Youth Advisory Board for Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights. Emma is working with the CHRR as a research assistant on the Just Waters project.

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January 22, 2026

Faces of Palestine, 1972: From a Document in 'The Manitoban' to the Current Crisis

Event Date: January 22, 2026

Event Location: 307 Tier Building, University of Manitoba

Event Time: 3:00 - 4:30pm

with UM Alum, Rachad Antonius [MSc/1973]

In collaboration with the Faculty of Arts and the Institute for the Humanities, the Centre for Human Rights Research (CHRR) is pleased to support UM Alum Rachad Antonius for a lecture titled Faces of Palestine, 1972: From a Document in The Manitoban to the Current Crisis.

The event will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 3:00pm in Room 307 Tier Building, University of Manitoba. For information on getting to the University of Manitoba, see: https://umanitoba.ca/about-um/our-campuses/getting-here

This is a free event. No registration is required.

About the lecture:

While a graduate student pursuing his Masters degree in Mathematics at the University of Manitoba between 1970 and 1973, Rachad Antonius helped publish a fascinating yet almost completely unknown dossier of articles, “Faces of Palestine”, in The Manitoban. This document was for him the beginning of a long-term engagement with the question of Palestine. He will present this archival document as an introduction to the problematics of campus activism on the question of Palestine from the early 1970s to the present. As well, he will propose a critical reading of the current situation in Gaza based on a historical perspective of the processes that led to it.

Faces of Palestine_The Manitoban_1972-12-07 Download

Sponsored by:

Faculty of Arts Endowment Fund

Institute for the Humanities

Centre for Human Rights Research

About the Presenter

Rachad Antonius, who until his retirement in 2021 was a Full Professor in the Department of Sociology at the Université du Québec à Montréal, is an expert on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, contemporary Arab societies, Arab uprisings, political Islam, and Arab and Muslim minorities in Canada. His recent books include La conquête de la Palestine. De Balfour à Gaza, une guerre de cent ans (Écosociété, 2024) and Islam et Islamisme en Occident. Éléments pour un dialogue (University of Montreal Press, 2023, co-authored with Ali Belaïdi). He is also a frequent commentator on events in the Middle East, appearing on networks such as CBC, BBC, France24, and Radio France International.

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January 13, 2026

Aadizookaan: Winter Storytelling Gathering

Event Date: January 13, 2026

Event Location: Manitoba Theatre for Young People

Event Time: 9:45 am - 2:00 pm

On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, join us for a winter storytelling gathering rooted in First Nations tradition with MC Rylee Nepinak, and storytellers Elder Margaret Lavallee, Jason Bone, Dennis Chartrand and Jason Parenteau. Doors open at 9:25 am.

The event will be held at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People (2 Forks Market Road).

This event is now full to capacity and we are unable to accept more registrations. Thank you for your interest!

Full Program Available Here:

Full Online Program MTYP Indg Storytelling_Jan 2026_Program Download

About the Presenters

Jason Bone is a cultural facilitator at Manitoba First Nation Education Resource Centre. He graduated from the university of Manitoba with a Masters of Arts, and a Bachelor of Arts, Indigenous Governance, from the university of Winnipeg. Jason is from Keeseekoowenin First Nation, near riding mountain national park. His cultural knowledge comes from the midewin teaching lodge, and from being an oshkaabewis (helper/writer) to the late Midewid(one who works with the sound of the drum) Ron Indian Mandamin (Iban).

Dennis Chartrand, a member of Minegoziibe Anishinabe (formerly known as Pine Creek). He currently works at NCI FM and hosts Da Minos Music Lodge Monday to Thursday evenings from 8 pm to 9 pm. He has also worked with the University of Winnipeg’s WiiChiiwaakanak Learning Centre, Indigenous Engagement, and the Oral History Centre, U of Manitoba, Indigenous Languages of Manitoba, NCI, and Mazinaate Publishing on an Indigenous Language radio show entitled ‘Aakoziiwigamig: An Ojibwe Radio Drama’. Chartrand is as known as voicing Darth Vader in the Ojibwe-dubbed Star Wars film, “Anangong Miigaading: A New Hope’.

Rylee Nepinak is a proud Anishinaabe who grew up off-reserve in Winnipeg’s North End and is a member of Sagkeeng First Nation in Treaty 1 Territory.

Rylee is one of the Co-Founders of Anishiative, a grassroots community organization that connects Indigenous youth to land-based education, Inner-city cultural and mental wellness opportunities.

Motivated by a state of emergency In Tataskewayak Cree Nation, Nepinak cycled across Canada raising money and promoting awareness about Indigenous youth suicide. Nepinak finished his journey in 40 days.

Rylee has also been involved in supporting relatives experiencing houselessness by means of coordinating the community warming tipis at the Thunderbird House every winter. The efforts of which helped lead to the beginning stages of an Indigenous-led warming space for houseless relatives called N’dinawemak.

Practicing lateral kindness, reclaiming identity, and promoting Indigenous youth voices are the driving forces behind Rylee’s mission here on Turtle Island.

Margaret Lavallee is an Anishinaabe Ikwe from Sagkeeng First Nation and an Elder in Residence at Ongomiizwin Education from the Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing at Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba.

Margaret’s experience comes from over 40 years in varied Human Relations responsibilities within the health care field. Margaret holds a degree in Bachelor of General Studies from Brandon University. She was also honoured by the University of Manitoba, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences with an honorary doctorate degree for her lifelong work for the Indigenous community in the health care field.

Margaret’s role as Elder in Residence for the last 17 years ensures Indigenous knowledge and world views are incorporated into all levels of student support at the University of Manitoba. Margaret assists with research, classroom presentations, and traditional cultural teachings for both staff and learners.

Jason Parenteau, a Lenape man born in Vancouver, a member of Moravian of the Thames Delaware Nation, and a recognized member of the Indigenous community in Manitoba. He has worked with Manitoba Justice and Dakota Ojibwe Child and Family Services providing culturally appropriate services. He founded the Roseau River Jiu Jitsu Club and he operates Miikwan Consulting & Indigenous Education.

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November 24, 2025

Documentary Screening: Fighting for Sustainable Empowerment (FSE) Project

Event Date: November 24, 2025

Event Location: Room E2-165

Event Time: 4:00-6:00 pm

Join us on Monday, November 24, 2025 for a documentary screening for the Fighting for Sustainable Empowerment (FSE) project. The Fighting for Sustainable Empowerment (FSE) Project aimed to develop and implement a pilot pedagogical model for the empowerment of newcomer students identifying as women through a University-based feminist karate program, which combines sports karate training and feminist theoretical classes. As a part of the project, women at the University of Manitoba gather to learn karate every Saturday night with Dr. Fabiana Turelli.

Together with participants, Dr. Turelli decided to create a film showcasing the project. The documentary project was a recipient of the CHRR’s 2024-25 Small Grants program, which helps University of Manitoba Faculty get new, interdisciplinary human rights research projects off the ground.

The event will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 pm in Room E2-165 in the Engineering & Information Technology Complex (EITC) 2 at the University of Manitoba Fort Garry campus. For information on getting to the University of Manitoba, see: https://umanitoba.ca/about-um/our-campuses/getting-here.

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An Evening on Cuban-Canadian encounters through music, art, politics and more with Karen Dubinsky and Jorge Nállim

October 29, 2025

Centre for Human Rights Research

On October 24, 2025, the CHRR, in collaboration with McNally Robinson Booksellers and the UM Institute for the Humanities hosted historians Karen Dubinsky and Jorge Nállim for an evening on Cuban-Canadian encounters through music, art, politics and more at the Atrium in McNally Robsinson Booksellers – Grant Park. This evening included a reading from Dubinsky’s latest book, Strangely, Friends: A History of Cuban-Canadian Encounters (Between the Lines Books) and a Q&A with the audience, followed by a book signing. Watch a recording of the book launch below.

November 04, 2025

Universal Human Rights: The case for strengthened domestic implementation in Canada with Alex Neve

Event Date: November 04, 2025

Event Location: 108 St. John's College, University of Manitoba

Event Time: 2:00 - 3:30 pm

In collaboration with the Masters of Human Rights (MHR) program, the Centre for Human Rights Research (CHRR) will be hosting Alex Neve for a lecture titled Universal Human Rights: The case for strengthened domestic implementation in Canada.

The event will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 2:00 pm in 108 St. John’s College, University of Manitoba. For information on getting to the University of Manitoba, see: https://umanitoba.ca/about-um/our-campuses/getting-here

This is a free event. No registration is required.