Event Type: Past Event

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November 28, 2023

Innocents Behind Bars: Systemic Racism and Wrongful Convictions

Event Date: November 28, 2023
Event Location: Canadian Museum for Human Rights

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Centre for Human Rights Research (University of Manitoba), and the Faculty of Law (University of Manitoba) co-organized and sponsored a public event on November 28, 2023 “Innocents Behind Bars: Systemic Racism and Wrongful Convictions.” There were over 125 people in attendance, as well as 25 people joining online.

The panel brought together leaders of the police torture justice/reparations movement in Chicago, into conversation with those working on demanding justice for Indigenous and racialized peoples wrongly imprisoned here in Canada.This event is inspired by the July 2023 release of Allan Woodhouse and Brian Anderson who were wrongfully imprisoned for a murder they did not commit and spent almost fifty years fighting to clear their names. Brian Anderson and members of his family were in attendance and Allan Woodhouse was able to join virtually.

We were honoured to welcome:

  • Amanda Carling, CEO, BC First Nations Justice Council
  • James Lockyer, Founding Director, Innocence Canada
  • Alice Kim, Director of Human Rights Practice, Centre for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture
  • Gregory Banks, Torture Survivor and Learning Fellow, Chicago Torture Justice Center (joining virtually)
  • Facilitated by Dr. Niigaan Sinclair, Indigenous Studies, University of Manitoba
  • Opening remarks from Elder Robert Greene, Canadian Museum for Human Rights

We hope this event will encourage a rethinking about the intersections of racism, policing, wrongful convictions, and the prison system throughout Turtle Island, and urge us to consider alternatives to how we understand safety and justice for all.

Resources

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/ZWMDvs3kTN0

Download the Graphic Recording: https://chrr.info/resource/innocents-behind-bars-systemic-racism-and-wrongful-convictions/

The art featured in this event poster is titled “Hummingbird” (2015), and is an unfinished painting by Peter Collins, that he was working on in the final days of his life. Peter Collins was a Canadian artist and activist who was sentenced to life in prison at the age of 22. During his time various prisons around Kingston, Ontario, Peter was an ardent activist for those living with HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C in prisons. He was a tireless advocate for reform calling attention to systemic racism and injustice, both inside and outside the prison environment, through his artwork and writings. Denied compassionate leave to spend the end of his life with friends and family, Peter died in prison at the age of 53. For more about Peter and his art, please see Lockdown Galleries: Art and Voice of Peter Collins. © Robert Collins

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October 06, 2023

An Event in honour of the Provincial Day of Awareness & Education and the National Day of Action for MMIWG2S+

Event Date: October 06, 2023

Speakers:

Dr. Karine Duhamel

Dawn Chartrand, Laughing Yoga Instructor

On October 6, 2023, Indigenous Engagement and Communications and the Centre for Human Rights Research at the University of Manitoba for an event in honour of the Provincial Day of Awareness & Education and the National Day of Action for MMIWG2S+ (which is held annually on October 4). The free event included a talk by Dr. Karine Duhamel on “She is Sacred: Reflections on the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.”

Karine Duhamel is Anishinaabe-Métis and a member of Red Rock First Nation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Allison University, a Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University and a Master’s degree and PhD in History from the University of Manitoba. From 2018 to 2019, she was Director of Research for the historic National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, drafting the Final Report, directing the Legacy Archive, and managing the Forensic Document Review Project. She is now Director of Indigenous Strategy for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, working to implement the strategic plan focused on supporting Indigenous research and researchers.

After a health break, the group participated in a Laughing Yoga Workshop with Dawn Chatrand who advocates for laughter as a form of medicine. Dawn is a visual artist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba and is from Rolling River First Nation. A married mom and koko, Dawn began painting in 2017 and was inspired to express her visions, dreams, and experiences through art. Dawn is a singer and songwriter, musical entertainer, and a certified Yoga and Laughing Yoga Instructor.

A community art piece in the style of a star blanket, created by Jessica Slater.
This Community Art Piece is a mosaic in the style of a Star Blanket with each of its 128 tiles painted by survivors and families of MMIWG during the Vancouver Community Hearings. The activity was led by Jessica Slater, a Cree artist, and was made at Saa-ust Centre in Vancouver which was a pop-up location for Statement Gathering during the Hearings. Available at: www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/artists/community-art-piece/

Resources

Watch a recording of Dr. Duhamel’s lecture.

Installation by Jessica Slater and survivors and families of MMIWG during the Vancouver Community Hearing

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September 29, 2023

Teach-In For Reconciliation

Event Date: September 29, 2023

Speakers:

Dr. Sean Carleton on combating Residential School denialism

Dr. Cary Miller on the Doctrine of Discovery and the Pope’s apology

Marc Kruse on the Peace and Friendship treaties which were formed at the Treaty of Niagara

Prof. Brenda Gunn on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Series: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

On September 29th, 2023 In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Nursing Students’ Association in collaboration with the Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous), the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, the Centre for Human Rights Research, the University of Manitoba’s Student Union, PINE (Pathway to Indigenous Nursing Education), and the Indigenous Students’ Association will be hosting a full day of events.

Orange Shirt Day is held in honour of Phyllis Webstad, a residential school survivor who had her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school in Williams Lake, B.C. Learn more about Orange Shirt Day at https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thenextchapter/full-episode-sept-26-2020-1.5736195/orange-shirt-day-creator-phyllis-webstad-reflects-on-inspiring-a-movement-1.5738490

Resources:

Watch the Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q11WOQQvs0

Resource Guide: https://chrr.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/DoingTheWork_Resource-Guide.pdf

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June 16, 2023

When the land hurts: Indigenous feminism on suicide, environmental violence, and the struggle for inhabitability.

Event Date: June 16, 2023

Speakers:

Dr. Jeffrey Ansloos, University of Toronto

On June 16, 2023, the Centre for Human Rights Research hosted Dr. Jeffrey Ansloos for a seminar entitled “When the land hurts: Indigenous feminism on suicide, environmental violence, and the struggle for inhabitability.”

Jeffrey Ansloos, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Indigenous Health and Social Policy and the Canada Research Chair in Critical Studies in Indigenous Health at the University of Toronto. He holds appointments in the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, the School of Cities, and the Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health. His scholarship examines social, political, environmental, and affective dimensions of Indigenous health inequality, focusing on suicide, housing, and mental health and policing. Dr. Ansloos directs the Critical Health and Social Action Lab, a hub for community-engaged research and action for health justice with communities, funded by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Canadian Institute for Health Research, and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. He is a member of the Royal Society of Canada, College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists. Ansloos is a citizen of Fisher River Cree Nation and is Cree and English. Born and raised in Treaty 1, he presently resides in Tkaranto.

Resources

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/9l5Drl5oEGg?si=wHNfq3_s-9-lh0kK

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May 04, 2023

An Event in Honour of Red Dress Day

Event Date: May 04, 2023

Speakers:

Sandra Delaronde, Manitoba Implementation Committee of MMIWG2S+

Gerri-Lee Pangman, Red Dress Pin Workshop

May 5 marks The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People, also known as Red Dress Day. This day honours the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual Plus (MMIWG2S+) people in Canada by encouraging learning and building awareness to end violence against MMIWG2S+.

On Thursday, May 4, Indigenous Engagement and Communications and the Centre for Human Rights Research are holding An Event in Honour of Red Dress Day: Seminar and Red Dress Pin Workshop.

Resources

Learn more on UM Today: https://news.umanitoba.ca/an-event-in-honour-of-red-dress-day/

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April 20, 2023

What Could Harm Reduction Look Like in Manitoba (Not Just Winnipeg)?

Event Date: April 20, 2023

Speakers:

Dr. Marcia Anderson, Ongomiizwin

Tristan Dreilich, Manitoba Harm Reduction Network– Selkirk

Dr. Shawna Ferris, Women and Gender Studies, University of Manitoba

Levi Foy, Sunshine House

Shohan Ilsley, Manitoba Harm Reduction

Facilitated by Kohkum Leslie Spillett

Welcome from Dr. Margaret Lavellee

Harm reduction is founded in public health, community, and social justice. Health, safety, and freedom from discrimination are all rights enshrined in Canadian, Indigenous, and international laws and protocols. They have also become highly politicized points of policy here in Manitoba – with sharp distinctions between urban and rural realities. The focus on political calculation rather than health and wellness has led to an increasing amount of neglect, hospitalizations, and deaths of fellow Manitobans – particularly in the wake of the COVID pandemic.

On Apr. 20, 2023 the CHRR hosted a roundtable with practitioners, scholars, and advocates (and those who identify as a combination of all three) involved in harm reduction throughout the province.

The event was co-organized by the Centre for Social Science Research and Policy (UM), the Centre for Human Rights Research (UM), Ongomiizwin, and University of Winnipeg’s Global College.

Resources

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/JM1j881qmcM

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April 14, 2023

Every Two Hours: A Special Report on Children and Youth Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence in Manitoba

Event Date: April 14, 2023

Speakers:

Dr. Karlee Sapoznik Evans, Deputy Manitoba Advocate, Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth

Series: Visiting Community Researcher Talk

On Apr. 14, 2023, the Centre for Human Rights Research hosted a presentation with our Visiting Community Researcher, Dr. Karlee Sapoznik Evans, Deputy Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth.

Dr. Evans discussed Manitoba Advocate’s latest special report. The report, the first of its kind, follows 671 Manitoba children and youth exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) in April 2019 in order to understand their pathways through service responses from police, Victim Services, and Child and Family Services. The report repositions children exposed to IPV as centrally-impacted victims with rights to services. Informed by the voices of young people with lived experience, the Manitoba Advocate’s Elders Council, and service providers, it contains seven recommendations to improve the effectiveness and responsiveness of services for children, youth, and families in Manitoba. Read the report at: https://manitobaadvocate.ca/wp-content/uploads/MACY-Special-Report-Every-Two-Hours.pdf

If you would like to access the recording of this event please contact chrrman@umanitoba.ca.

Resources

If you would like to access the recording of this event please contact chrrman@umanitoba.ca.

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April 05, 2023

Housing Discrimination and Human Rights

Event Date: April 05, 2023

Speakers:

Dr. Megan Earle, Canadian Centre for Housing Rights

Mary Burton, Fearless R2W

Azarias Butariho, New Journey Housing

Dr. Nancy Hansen, Disability Studies, University of Manitoba

Ryan McKay, Indigenous Input into Local Housing Project, Spence Neighbourhood Association

On Apr. 5, 2023 the Centre for Human Rights Research (CHRR) and the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR) co-hosted a virtual webinar to learn about the CCHR’s new discrimination audit report and engage with local advocates, community workers, and researchers in a discussion about housing discrimination in Winnipeg.

About CCHR’s discrimination audit report: The Canadian Centre Housing Rights (CCHR) recently published a discrimination audit report called “Sorry, it’s rented.” Measuring Discrimination Against Newcomers in Toronto’s Rental Housing Market. The report examines the level of discrimination faced by newcomers in Toronto’s rental market, and how race, gender and parental status increases the likelihood of discrimination when searching for rental housing. The discrimination audit found that newcomers in Toronto face up to 11 times as much discrimination as non-newcomers when searching to secure rental housing. It also found that racialized newcomers experienced more discrimination compared to non-racialized newcomers when calling to inquire about a rental listing, and that certain family statuses compounded the experience of discrimination. The panel was chaired by Yutaka Dirks, CCHR.

Read the full report: https://housingrightscanada.com/reports/sorry-its-rented-2022/

Resources

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/exO8U6Q1edY

Mural by Christopher Statton and Megan Wilson, 2015

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April 03, 2023

Rethinking Borders: Transnational Movements, Resistance, Identity, and Gender

Event Date: April 03, 2023

Speakers:

Dr. Lorena Fontaine, University of Winnipeg

Dr. Shauna Labman, Univeresity of Winnipeg

Dr. Rob Lorway, University of Manitoba

Dr. Shayna Plaut, Centre for Social Sciences Research and Policy, University of Manitoba

Dr. Lori Wilkinson, University of Manitoba

Series: Critical Conversations 2023

In collaboration with Global College at the University of Winnipeg, our third critical conversation took place on Apr. 3, 2023.

The conversation was wide-ranging and touched on a variety of topics. Panelists identified – based on their research and expertise – the borders that matter, how they matter, who made them and why, as well as what they cross, both literally and metaphorically. They also discussed the limits and power of borders, the ways in which their research (or the subjects of their research) cross borders, the research and/or activism that has most guided or inspired them, and the kind of research that is most needed to meet the challenges of the present. The virtual panel was chaired by CHRR Director, Dr. Adele Perry. ASL interpretation provided by Tania MacNeil and Brenda Rutherford.

Pacific-centred map. DEMIS Mapserver/Wikimedia
Pacific-centred map, Available at: DEMIS Mapserver/Wikimedia

Resources

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE7SY7I5rb8&list=PLmq6CUaUQOLr29XFBQNU7PQoN4fTcIAYQ&index=2&t=4s

Pacific-centred map. DEMIS Mapserver/Wikimedia

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March 15, 2023

Thinking in Pictures

Event Date: March 15, 2023

Speakers:

Dr. Sean Carleton, University of Manitoba

Gord Hill, artist and writer

Kara Sievewright, artist and graphic designer

Dr. Julia Smith, Labour Studies, University of Manitoba

Series: Methods and Mediums in Human Rights

On Wednesday, March 15th, 2023, CHRR hosted a virtual workshop learning from activists, artists, writers, and researchers passionate about using comics, history, and art in human rights research and for social change. This workshop was facilitated by Dr. Adele Perry.

Resources

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqZx0_rDtLM&list=PLmq6CUaUQOLp-FoDRO6aGF0Jz_Wy4bM-P

A collage of graphic novels from Graphic History Collective

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