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Welcome - Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Inspirational Quote

“Indigenous women and 2Spirit people are indispensable to the future of Canada.”

2Spirit Elder Albert McLeod, author of The Re‐emergence of 2Spirit People in the 21st Century

A 2 Spirit man stands at a podium and speaks with poise. Partially obscured.

Photo: Thomas Fricke, CMHR

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.

Indigenous history and human rights

Discover the stories of Indigenous people and communities. Learn about Canada's history of colonialism and genocide.

A young woman with braided hair, wearing a maroon jacket and gray winter cap, looks forward resolutely. A red handprint is painted over her mouth and face.

Credit: Lorie Shaull, CC-BY 2.0

Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance

Saturday, June 28, 2025 — Experience pivotal moments that sparked Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ movement.

A group of people march down a city street. At the front of the group, on the left side of the image, two people hold a sign over their heads that reads “Love thy neighbour.” Slightly behind them is a sign that reads “Many of u are gay too!”

Photo: courtesy of Jearld Moldenhauer

Plan your visit

Events

The Spirit of My Quilts: Strength, Comfort and Healing in Artistic Expression

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Cost: Free event

Close-up of a flower on a quilt. Each of the petals is a different flowery fabric, while at the centre of the flower is fabric onto which is printed the face of an Indigenous woman in profile. Partially obscured.

A Canada Where We All Belong: Combatting Islamophobia is Everyone’s Responsibility

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Cost: Free event; registration requested

Dozens of people are gathered on a stage, most smiling and wearing the colour purple. Many are wearing hijabs. A banner hangs at the back of the stage that reads "Take Initiative. End Islamophobia. #OurLondonFamily." Partially obscured.

The Egg‐Laying Moon, Faith and Fiddleheads

Saturday, June 21, 2025

Cost: Free, registration required. As space is limited for these workshops, only those who pre-register can attend.

Fiddleheads, or fern shoots, grow in a sunny wood. Partially obscured.

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection

May 6, 2025 — November 2025

Cost: This space is free to access.

Large dark blue panels with white text and graphics displayed in the Community Corridor at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. The centre panel features a circular logo and commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. The two panels on either side present bilingual text in English and French. Partially obscured.

Exhibitions

Reclaiming Power and Place: Indigenous Women and Their Rights to Safety and Justice 

May 3, 2025 - April 5, 2030

Six red dresses and a white dress in the middle are suspended on wooden clothes hangers in front of a backdrop. A white star glows at the location of the heart on the central white dress. The backdrop features patterns on a birchbark texture. Some of the patterns are illuminated from behind to create glowing star-like features on the panels. Partially obscured.

Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge

January 31, 2025 to early 2026

A large group of protestors march through a city while two uniformed RCMP officers keep watch. In this black-and-white image, the protestors' signs and banners call for an end to discriminatory practices against members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Partially obscured.

Stories

The Symbol of Pride

By Karine Duhamel

Two large Pride flags waving proudly in a large crowd. Partially obscured.

Heartbeat of a People

By Dave McLeod

Close-up on a group of people wearing beaded jackets and vests performing on stage. In the centreer, a man wearing glasses, a hat, and a large, beaded medallion sings into a microphone. Partially obscured.

The Two Row Wampum

By Karine Duhamel

An image being projected onto a curved wall that is about nine feet tall. It is made up of many small squares and has the appearance of Indigenous bead work or a mosaic. The image is mainly made up of white squares, but it also features two thick blue horizontal lines that run parallel to each other. 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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