Episodes

Are Our Librairies Under Attack?
April 29, 2024

Are Our Librairies Under Attack?

On this episode of Humans, on Rights, we talk to Kirsten Wurmann, the Program Director for the Manitoba Library Association about how libraries are feeling pressure to remove certain books from the library and because of that libraries should not be neutral spaces.
Rich Thomas - A Champion for Diversity
April 18, 2024

Rich Thomas - A Champion for Diversity

As a young Black man growing up in Winnipeg Rich Thomas remembers his parents saying to him “you are living in a society where you are not the majority, and a s a young Black person, you are going to have to work twice as hard for half as much”. Those words had an enormous impact on his early years…
Dr. Martha Paynter: Pharmacare for Contraception
April 4, 2024

Dr. Martha Paynter: Pharmacare for Contraception

“We absolutely should have publicly funded prevention of pregnancy and not just publicly funded abortion.”
Levi Foy: Sunshine House is like “The Museum of Love”
March 21, 2024

Levi Foy: Sunshine House is like “The Museum of Love”

Sunshine House is a community drop-in and resource centre focusing on harm reduction and social inclusion. The team at Sunshine House, led by Executive Director Levi Foy, provide programming that fulfills people’s social, community, and recreational needs. Participants can come as they are and are …
Chef Rob on Food: Entertain Educate Engage
Feb. 22, 2024

Chef Rob on Food: Entertain Educate Engage

During the celebration of Black History Month, Chef Rob Thomas talks about how he plans to create a special dinner to celebrate how Black culture has influenced the food we eat. To further promote and celebrate Black History Month Chef Rob is doing a livestream on Thursday February 22 to demonstrat…
Ribbon Skirts: From Controversy to Celebration
Jan. 11, 2024

Ribbon Skirts: From Controversy to Celebration

Laura Brandon is a band member of Waywayseecappo First Nation, she has three adult children and is a grandmother. Laura Brandon wants to know that when it comes to discussing the ribbon skirt, she speaks only for herself. The good news is that Laura Brandon generously shares her personal views on t…
How Holidays Shape and Define Culture
Dec. 28, 2023

How Holidays Shape and Define Culture

Ever wonder why we celebrate holidays and what they mean to our culture? Holidays serve as a reflection of a society’s shared values, historical milestones, and unique tradition. Holidays offer key insights into cultural identities, showcasing and celebrating how diverse the world is.
If Airlines Can Move Horses safely, Why Can’t They do the Same for My Wheelchair?
Dec. 14, 2023

If Airlines Can Move Horses safely, Why Can’t They do the Same for My Wheelchair?

Peter Tonge show notes:If airlines can move horses safely by air…why can’t they do the same for my wheelchair?My guest Peter Tonge wants answers. And why not?
From Heroin Addict to Community Advocate
Nov. 23, 2023

From Heroin Addict to Community Advocate

Jacob Kaufman was born in Vancouver. His mom, who he tells us he loved very much, was also addicted to “pretty well everything.” Because of his mom’s addictions, Jacob was shipped from foster home to foster home where he was beaten ad had exorcisms performed on him. When Jacob was 14, he ran away f…
Sherry Gott: Children’s Rights and the Manitoba Advocate
Nov. 9, 2023

Sherry Gott: Children’s Rights and the Manitoba Advocate

Every child and youth in Manitoba has inherent rights. These rights are enshrined in the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). In Manitoba in 1985, Judge Kimelman released the Kimelman report based on the “Sixties Scoop”. In 1993 the Office of the Child Advocate opens in Ma…
Bre Calma: What is a pronoun? Why does it matter? And what to do if you make a mistake?
Oct. 26, 2023

Bre Calma: What is a pronoun? Why does it matter? And what to do if you make a mistake?

In the English language, our most commonly used pronouns (he/she) specifically refer to person’s gender. For queer, gender non-conforming, non-binary, ad transgender people, these pronouns may not fit, can create discomfort, and cause stress and anxiety.
Kemlin Nembhard: Period Poverty. Why it Should Be everybody’s business
Oct. 12, 2023

Kemlin Nembhard: Period Poverty. Why it Should Be everybody’s business

Fact: A study done in 2022 concluded that 1 in 4 Canadian women are forced to choose between buying meals and period products.
How a Textile Artist Used a Challenge in her Life to Pay it Forward
Sept. 14, 2023

How a Textile Artist Used a Challenge in her Life to Pay it Forward

Claire Sparling has always felt a need to learn how things are put together. Throughout her life, she has followed this instinct by developing skills in everything relating to textiles.
“When I was at the residential school I was taught that God was a punishing God. And I was punished a lot.”
Aug. 24, 2023

“When I was at the residential school I was taught that God was a punishing God. And I was punished a lot.”

It has taken Lorraine Daniels, a second generation Indigenous Residential School survivor, over 60 years to accept her Ojibway culture.
Why Do Men Buy Sex?
July 20, 2023

Why Do Men Buy Sex?

Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights and one of the most heinous crimes committed against individuals, particularly women and children. It is a modern form of slavery, involving the recruitment, transportation, harboring, or receipt of people through force, fraud, or coercion for …
“I see hope every day. I wouldn’t be doing this work if I didn’t have hope.”
June 29, 2023

“I see hope every day. I wouldn’t be doing this work if I didn’t have hope.”

Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair is an Anishinaabe writer, editor, and activist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. And his credentials are very, very impressive when you consider Sinclair is also a public speaker and media commentator...
Don’t
June 8, 2023

Don’t

Simple and to the point. It was the statement put out by the University of Brandon when Brandon School Division trustees heard from a local delegation’s call to remove 2SLGBTQ+ and sexual education resources from the school libraries. Our Humans, on Rights podcast guest, Ellen Bees is a middle scho…
Celebrating 50 years of Identity, Advocacy and Community
June 1, 2023

Celebrating 50 years of Identity, Advocacy and Community

Sally is a proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and so eloquently reminds us that “we all have a voice, find your voice, and use it. Your silence won’t protect you.‘’ And Jordan, who is a trans woman clearly articulates that “a lot of people don’t like people who are different from themselves. We…
Melissa Stone: Taking action to Make Homes for the Unsheltered Humans.
April 27, 2023

Melissa Stone: Taking action to Make Homes for the Unsheltered Humans.

Melissa Stone woks at Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata and is the coordinator for Astum Api Niikinaak and Amoo wig amig. Astum Api Niikinaak means “come sit at our home”. This project which offers affordable housing for people facing key barriers such as being unsheltered and addictions, alongside a communal l…
Diwa Marcelino: Community Organizer with Migrante Manitoba
April 13, 2023

Diwa Marcelino: Community Organizer with Migrante Manitoba

Millions of people are forced to leave their home country to find work. Each individual journey is filled with hope to rebuild and have a better life, but once they settle in their new home, the hardship doesn’t always stop there. Migrant workers face a much higher risk of vulnerability to exploita…
Rebecca Chartrand: .Language Lessons start at Home, Listen and Learn from your Elders
March 30, 2023

Rebecca Chartrand: .Language Lessons start at Home, Listen and Learn from your Elders

“The way to preserve a language is to start the lessons at home. And listen to your elders.” Elder Mary Houle When it comes to giving voice to language, Rebecca Chartrand, the President & CEO of Indigenous Strategies has a vo...
Devon Clunis believes the City of Winnipeg is THE example of how to do community well.
March 16, 2023

Devon Clunis believes the City of Winnipeg is THE example of how to do community well.

Devon Clunis solidified his place in history in 2012 when he became the first Black chief of police in Canadian history. Clunis immigrated from Jamaica with his family in 1975 at age 11 and he began his career in law enforcement with the Winnipeg Police Service in 1987.
“Love the Skin You’re In!”
March 2, 2023

“Love the Skin You’re In!”

"Where are you from?” I would be asked. “Oh, I’m from here” would be my response. Simple enough, right? Nope. During Black History Month, Winnipeg’s Rhonda Thompson-Wilson says cultural organizations play an important role i...
Darcy Ataman: Making Music Matter
Feb. 23, 2023

Darcy Ataman: Making Music Matter

As the Founder and CEO of Make Music Matter, Darcy Ataman, M.S.C., O.M. has dedicated his life’s work to bringing an alternate form of music therapy to survivors of sexual violence, conflict and trauma. Working in partnership with Nobel Laureate, Dr. Denis Mukwege, Darcy developed the Healing in Ha…