The Centre for Human Rights Research regularly hosts a variety of events. These include workshops, interviews, roundtables, and seminar series.

Below you will find additional information about each of our previous events including summaries, podcasts, and video recordings.

Videos of the Centre’s past events can also be found on our YouTube Channel as well as the Robson Hall YouTube channel.

A Discussion with Dr. Karlee Sapoznik Evans, CHRR Visiting Community Researcher & Deputy Manitoba Advocate for Children & Youth (2023)

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 here.

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

At the Forks: Virtual Launch (2021)

The Centre for Human Rights Research (CHRR) presents: At the Forks: A Virtual Launch. 

At the Forks is a project led by Dr. Adele Perry, Director of the Centre for Human Rights Research alongside Dr. Kiera Ladner and the Mamawipawin Centre for Indigenous Governance and Community Based Research at the University of Manitoba. At the Forks will feature accessible, open access writing that deals with the intersection of Indigenous and human rights in and around the prairies and northwestern Ontario.

Our virtual launch features a discussion with:

  • Dr. Adele Perry, Director of the Centre for Human Rights Research and Principal Investigator, At the Forks
  • Dr. Kiera Ladner, Director of Mamawipawin Centre for Indigenous Governance and Community Based Research at the University of Manitoba
  • Amy Jackson, Research Assistant and Web Design, CHRR
  • Kayla Lariviere, Research Assistant, CHRR

Conferences (2010-2019)
Commemoration Matters: History, Human Rights and the Politics of Commemoration (2020)

Commemoration Matters: History, Human Rights and the Politics of Commemoration

December 4, 2020

  • Dr. Sean Carleton, History and Native Studies, University of Manitoba
  • Dr. Laura Madokoro, History, Carleton University
  • Dr. Melanie Newton, History, University of Toronto
  • Dr. Omeasoo Wāhpāsiw, Education, University of PEI

Chair: Dr. Adele Perry, director of the Centre for Human Rights Research, University of Manitoba

Links:
http://activehistory.ca/
Artist Hew Locke: https://www.apollo-magazine.com/colst…
Context for Bristol protests: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2…
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/edw…
Macdonald and Downton Abbey: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j…
Anse Cafard: https://www.uncommoncaribbean.com/mar…
Radical love! https://www.thebentway.ca/event/sips-…
Monument Lab, started by Canadian Ken Lum https://monumentlab.com/
https://jeremydutcher.com/

Question to ponder: Anyone thinking about how to commemorate all those we have lost and who will be lost, disabled or rendered impoverished in the current pandemic?

The Constitution and the Declaration: Discussing Indigenous Rights with Dr. Jeremy Patzer (2021)

The Centre for Human Rights Research (CHRR) presents “The Constitution and the Declaration: Discussing Indigenous Rights” with Dr. Jeremy Patzer.

Interviewed by Kayla Lariviere, CHRR/ISSIP Research Assistant, August 18, 2021.

Critical Conversations Seminar Series (2012--)

The Centre for Human Rights Research organizes an annual seminar series on the University of Manitoba’s Fort Garry campus.

Please find links below to access written summaries, podcasts, and video recordings of past seminars.

Borders and Human Rights (winter 2023)

Human Rights and Historic Wrongs (winter 2022)

Sexual and Reproductive Rights (fall 2019)

Reproductive, Sexual and Gender Rights (fall 2018)

The Right to Water and Sanitation in First Nation Communities (fall 2017)

The Idea of a Human Rights Museum (fall 2015)

Truth and Reconciliation (2014-15)

Sexual and Reproductive Rights (2013-14)

First Nations and the Right to Water (2012-13)

Doing the Work (2021)

The Centre for Human Rights Research (CHRR) presents: “Doing the Work: A virtual Q & A on what settlers need to know about the residential school system in Canada.”

On Thursday, August 12th 2021, the CHRR hosted a virtual Q&A session where our panel answered submitted questions and suggested available resources to help increase awareness and education about residential schools and the impact of colonialism in Canada. You can find a list of the suggested resources here.

This panel discussion was hosted by the CHRR in collaboration with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Elder Betty Ross and Knowledge Keeper Clayton Sandy opened this important event.

Panelists included: Dr. Sean Carleton, University of Manitoba, Dr. Brian Gettler, University of Toronto, Dr. Erin Millions, University of Winnipeg, Dr. Adele Perry, University of Manitoba, Kara Sievewright, Artist, Dr. Andrew Woolford, University of Manitoba, and  Monique Woroniak, City of Winnipeg.

Fighting for Reproductive Rights in 2022

On July 13, 2022 the Centre for Human Rights Research at the University of Manitoba hosted an informative, webinar roundtable discussion “Fighting for Reproductive Rights in 2022.”

This discussion brought together a variety of scholars and advocates – and those who identify as both – including Karen Sharma, Nahanni Fontaine, Kemlin Nembhard, Dr. Sarah Elvins, and Dr. Lindsay Larios, to provide context, information and solidarity as we move forward.

To access a list of additional resources for reproductive rights click here.

Housing Discrimination and Human Rights (2023)

On Apr. 5 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.

Panelists included:

  • 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

Read the full CCHR report: “Sorry, it’s rented.”

Human Rights and Resistance in 2021

For the first time, the Centre for Human Rights Research (CHRR) commemorated Human Rights Day (December 10th) with a community-generated discussion on Human Rights and Resistance in 2021.

Moderated by the CHRR’s Director, Dr. Adele Perry, special guests Dr. Idris El Bakri, Leah Gazan, Isha Khan, Breanne Lavallee-Heckert and Louise Simbandumwe fielded questions submitted by the community — and one another. The conversation included: The most urgent human rights issues for 2022, promising avenues for Indigenous and Newcomer solidarity, joy as an act of resistance and the centrality of resistance in making change, the false distinction between Indigenous rights and human rights and the importance of understanding rights and responsibilities in the context of relationships, and so much more.

Given all the events of this year, the discussion was timely and powerful bridging action and reflection, reclaiming and hope. The CHRR was honoured and privileged to serve as a host.

In case you missed the event a video recording is available below and can also be found on our Facebook page and the Robson Hall YouTube channel.

Imagining the Peg as a Human Rights City (2022)

The Centre for Human Rights Research (CHRR), in partnership with the Centre for Social Sciences Research and Policy acknowledged Human Rights Day (December 10th) with a conversation with scholars, practitioners, activists, and people who identify as all three on ‘Imagining the Peg as a Human Rights City,’ on Dec. 9, 2022.

We were joined by panelists, Dr. Warren Clarke (Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Manitoba), Dr. Nathan Derejko (Assistant Professor and Mauro Chair in Human Rights and Social Justice at the UM Faculty of Law), Reanna Merasty (Artist, Author, and Chair of the Welcoming Winnipeg Committee), Dr. Joel R. Pruce (Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of Applied Research and Learning at the University of Dayton Human Rights Centre), and Karen Sharma (Executive Director of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission and member of the UM Master of Human Rights Program Committee). Introductory remarks were from Leah Gazan, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre, NDP critic for Women and Gender Equality; Children, Families and Social Development; Deputy Critic for Housing. Erica Bota, an illustrator from Thinklink Graphics also participated in the event behind the scenes, graphically recording the conversation.

In case you missed the event a video recording is available below and can also be found on our Facebook page and the Robson Hall YouTube channel.

To access a list of resources on human rights cities, click here.

Isha Khan in Conversation with Dr. Adele Perry (2021)

Canadian Museum for Human Rights President Isha Khan in conversation with Dr. Adele Perry, director of the Centre for Human Rights Research, University of Manitoba on Feb. 16, 2021.

Land Back (2021)

Centre for Human Rights Research (CHRR) presents: A screening of the David Suzuki Foundation’s LAND BACK

  • Aimée Craft – Co-Producer, LAND BACK video series; Author; Associate Professor, University of Ottawa
  • Danielle Morrison – Lawyer; Narrator; University of Manitoba alumna
  • Taylor Galvin – President, Indigenous Concerns on the Environment (UMICE); University of Manitoba student

The LAND BACK video series consists of three videos. We showed the first of the series (Land Governance: PAST) live on April 22, 2021. We welcome you to watch videos two and three in the series (PRESENT and FUTURE, respectively) on the David Suzuki Website.

Hosted by Dr. Adele Perry, Director, Centre for Human Rights Research, Distinguished Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba

CHRR
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHRRManitoba
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CHRRmanitoba

David Suzuki Foundation
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidSuzukiF…
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidSuzukiFDN

Decolonizing Water
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decolonizing…
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DecolonizeWater

Manitoba 150 Disrupted (2021)

Centre for Human Rights Research (CHRR) presents: Manitoba 150 Disrupted – March 16, 2021:

  • 150 Seen Through the Lens of Treaty One (Aimée Craft, Associate Professor, French Common Law, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa)
  • kwaatanihtowwakiw/A Hard Birth organized by the Winnipeg Art Gallery acknowledges, through visual and performative encounters, the Métis role in the foundation of the Province of Manitoba (Dr. Sherry Farrell Racette, Associate Professor, Department of Visual Arts, University of Regina).
  • Manitoba 150 x HBC 150 (Dr. Erin Millions, Research Director, Manitoba Indigenous Tuberculosis Photo Project)
  • A Girl Called Echo, Métis and History (Katherena Vermette, Writer in Residence, Center for Creative Writing and Oral Culture, University of Manitoba)

Chair: Dr. Adèle Perry, Director, Centre for Human Rights Research, Distinguished Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba.

Read a summary of the panel discussion here.

Warning: Explicit Language.

Follow CHRR:
Website: http://www.CHRR.info
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CHRRManitoba
Twitter: http://twitter.com/CHRRmanitoba

Pride Month: A Conversation with Dr. Jocelyn Thorpe (2021)

The Centre for Human Rights Research (CHRR) presents: Pride Month: A Conversation with Dr. Jocelyn Thorpe. June 22, 2021.

UN Declaration on the the Rights of Peasants: What it Means for Canada (2021)

Centre for Human Rights Research presents: UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants: What it Means for Canada – Feb. 24, 2021

  • Why is UNDROP necessary? (Geneviève Savigny, La Vía Campesina’s Peasant Rights Collective, Confédération Paysanne, France)
  • What Does UNDROP Mean for Canada? (Jessie MacInnis, La Vía Campesina’s Peasant Rights Collective, National Farmers Union)
  • The Rights of Migrant Farm Workers in Canada (Nadia Lambek, human rights lawyer & chair, Canadian Association for Food Law and Policy)

Chair: Dr. Annette Aurélie Desmarais, Canada Research Chair in Human Rights, Social Justice and Food Sovereignty, University of Manitoba

Read a summary of the panel discussion here.

What Could Harm Reduction Look Like in Manitoba? (Not Just Winnipeg) (2023)

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. Panelists included 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), and Shohan Ilsley (Manitoba Harm Reduction) in a discussion to help us imagine what harm reduction could look like in Manitoba (not just Winnipeg). This roundtable was facilitated by Kohkum Leslie Spillett.

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.

Work, Care, and Human Rights in the Age of COVID (2020)

Work, care and human rights in the age of COVID Roundtable Discussion Oct. 7, 2020

  • Stripped of dignity: Death and dying in the time of COVID, Harare, 2020 Dr. Joyce Chadya, Department of History, University of Manitoba
  • Planning and projects in a COVID-19 environment Councillor Roxanne Greene, Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, Ontario
  • Towards equitable and educative experiences in a pandemic Matt Henderson, Assistant Superintendent, Seven Oaks School Division
  • Childcare before, during and after COVID Dr. Susan Prentice, Department of Sociology, University of Manitoba
  • Older persons’ rights: Isolation, agism and pandemic responses Dr. Mary Shariff, Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba

Chair: Dr. Adele Perry, director of the Centre for Human Rights Research at the University of Manitoba

Held in Anishinaabe, Inninu and Métis territory, almost 150 years after the signing of Treaty 1.

Read a summary of the discussion here.

Workshops (2010-2018)
  • Genocide Prevention (2018)
  • Clean Water Litigation (2015)
  • Queer Health Roundtable (2015)
  • Privacy, Access, and Copyright for Residential School Records (2014)
  • Celebrating First Nations and Métis Research Partnerships (2012)
  • Colonial Genocide (2012)
  • Unfinished Business: Human Rights Issues in the 21st Century (2010)