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. And when we spoke on this episode of humans, on Rights Rich talked about how he took the words of his loving parents to heart.Rich Thomas shares his personal story of running his own business, his challenges and his success and his realization that regardless of how successful his business was, he was never acknowledged or recognized as the manager….simply because of the colour of his skin. That is when Rich recognized that he needed to establish himself as a champion for diversity. He believed that if he could chart a path as a successful champion of diversity, he could chart a course and mentor other marginalized people to becoming leaders.Today Rich Thomas is a leadership coach. Rich is the Founder and Global Chair of Jet in Colour, an employee resource group focussed on marginalized ethnic communities currently spanning Canada, the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.As an avid collector of shoes, the large majority Nike shoes, Rich is a classic example of “just do it”.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“We absolutely should have publicly funded prevention of pregnancy and not just publicly funded abortion.”On this episode oh Humans, on Rights we talk with Dr. Martha Paynter, Dalhousie School of Nursing scholar, researcher, writer, nurse, activist and board chair of Wellness Within about why she wrote her book Abortion to Abolition: Reproductive Health and Justice in Canada. Dr. Paynter believes that the history of abortion decriminalization and critical advocacy efforts to improve access in Canada deserve to be better known. Ordinary people persevered to make Canada the most progressive country in the world with respect to abortion care. But while abortion access is poorly understood, so too are the persistent threats to reproductive justice in this country: sexual violence, gun violence, homophobia and transphobia, criminalization of sex work, reproductive oppression of Indigenous women and girls, privatization of fertility health services, and the racism and colonialism of policing and the prison system.Paynter encourages Canadians to ask their health-care providers about prescribing medical abortion through pharmaceutical drugs such as Mifepristone. Through further conversations with patients on abortion care, Paynter is confident that Canadian health-care providers will grow in confidence around providing access to abortion care, ultimately allowing the topic to become more normalized in Canadian society.You can tag @marthpaynter on X, and @wellnesswithinns on Instagram and Facebook.Full Transcription:https://www.soundoff.network/show/humans-on-rights/dr-martha-paynter/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 not expected to be “clean” or sober.Sunshine House has an abundance of programming – Brunch, 2S/Trans ID Peer Support, Street Feet, Gizhiwenimin, Like That and a first of its kind, very innovative program called MOPS or the Mobile Overdose Prevention Site.In 2022 Sunshine House was granted the opportunity to start a Mobile Overdose Prevention Site, also knowns as MOPS. Sunshine House started service delivery as Manitoba’s first and only formal; overdose prevention site on October 28, 2022. During the months leading up to the launch the staff at Sunshine House decided on the locations in the community where MOPS would be stationed. Purchased an RV and got staff trained in first aid and emergency overdose response. According to Executive Director Levi Foy “we chose an RV as the mobile unit on advice from the community who wanted to keep a comfortable and “homey” setting as opposed to a medical van.The community was very receptive from the start, and once word started to spread Sunshine House was seeing 90 visits a day with 20 people a day using drugs in the RV.Sunshine House has created a safe, warm space where those who enter the doors are welcomed to feel like this is their home. Making that possible is evident by the passion that Executive Director Levi Foy has for the team at Sunshine House and the community that it serves.Facebook: Sunshine HouseInstagram: sunshinehousewpgWeb site: www.sunshinehousewpg.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 demonstrate one of his signature dishes. In addition to the livestream, the chef is preparing a special menu for a Winnipeg Jets hockey game as the Jets celebrate Black History Month. Go Jets Go!According to Chef Rob, being a chef is akin to being a mad scientist. He explains that while you are always trying to make the last meal your best, you are already planning on how you can make improvements to the next culinary creation.When Chef Rob was asked about the relationship between importance of celebrating Black History and the preparation of food, the one take away that Chef Rob would like those that participate in his live stream show or participate in person is “I would love for the participants to take away that there is so much more to the cuisine than just what’s being shown to them. I’m not expecting someone to become a great historian on Caribbean food but take some of that knowledge that you you’ve learned and then just dig a tiny bit deeper just to further your knowledge and history a little.”You can get Chef Rob’s recipes to some of his signature dishes through the Home Trends magazine (https://canadianhometrends.com) and on his active social channels listed below.A Transcription for this episode is available here. www.chefrob.cawww.facebook.com/Chef.Rob.Thomaswww.linkedin.com/in/chefrobthomashttp://instagram.com/chefrobthomasSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 the history, the importance, the celebration, and the learning that comes from the making and the wearing of the Ribbon Skirt.When 10 year old Isabelle Kulak drew international attention when she wore a ribbon skirt to a school formal event and was sent home because the school authorities said “the skirt did not match her shirt”. And part of that international attention was Manitoba Senator Mary Jane McCallum presenting a bill to parliament that would declare every January 4th as National Ribbon Skirt Day.In this episode, Laura talks about her personal journey as it relates to the wearing of a ribbon skirt. She shares what the colours mean and how they are interpreted.Through the conversation Laura’s passion for the important role that the ribbon skirt can play when it comes to reconciliation is both refreshing and educational.A Transcription of this episode will be made available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.But are we, in Winnipeg, in Manitoba reflecting just how diverse and therefore inclusive our holidays are?Dr. Rehman Abdulrehman thinks we need to add a number of more dates to the holiday calendar. Dr. Abdulreham, is a clinical psychologist with the Clinic Psychology Manitoba and founder of Lead with Diversity. In our conversation Dr. Abdulrehman recalls that Winnipeg has been dubbed one of the most racist cities in Canada, and the goal is to make Winnipeg one of the most inclusive. He goes on to say that if we truly celebrate peoples differences and acknowledge where they come form and their holidays, they will feel a sense of belonging.Dr. Abdulrehman has just written a book titled, Developing Anti-Racist Cultural Competence.Here is the link: https://www.hogrefe.com/us/shop/culturally-sensitive-psychotherapy-95396.htmlA Transcription of the episode is available here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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? Airline travel can be stressful for anyone, and particularly for a person with a disability. A disabled traveller has the usual concerns, such as scheduling and connections, but also the additional concern about the safety of their mobility equipment.According to Tonge, worldwide, airlines have a poor record for safely transporting mobility equipment.This can be explained that the airlines treat mobility equipment like luggage. So if your mobility equipment is damaged, you go to the lost and/pr damaged department. It is treated like a missing suitcase rather than a vital piece of medical equipment.Peter Tonge brings a broad range of experience to his work. University degrees, specializing in international trade, a law degree, specializing as a criminal defense attorney.Tonge has his own podcast “Talking Rotary” and stas fit and active as a wheelchair fencer and as a member of a local “murder ball ” team.Facebook -PeterATongeA Transcription of the episode is now available here. LinkedInInstagram - patongeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 from his foster home and began a life on the street with a new family, the street community family. Jacob spent time on the street working as an exploited youth.At age 19, Jacob decided he was done with that street life and moved to Winnipeg where he got his first job working at Club Regent casino. And it was during this time that Jacob decided he wanted to give back to the community, those unsheltered people, who took him in and saved his life. Jacob has been on the forint lines of safe injection sites in Vancouver to working with people with different intellectual abilities. Jacob now resides in Winnipeg and over sees the public washroom project in Winnipeg. He also serves as a Board Member of Main Street project.One of Jacob’s career highlights was the Tedx talk he did in March 2023. In this TEDx talk, Jacob Kaufman shares his journey from living on Vancouver streets to leading a resource center for Winnipeg’s unsheltered, emphasizing the power of hope.A transcript of this episode is available here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Manitoba.In this Humans on Rights podcast, we talk with the Manitoba Advocate, Sherry Gott, about how important it is to have the role of an Advocate for children to track issues identified in the Advocacy Services Program.The top 5 Children’s Rights that needed protection identified by the Advocate were the Right to express opinions and be heard; the Right to contact with family; the Right to quality services while in government care; the Right to food, clothing, and a safe home and the Right to physical and mental health care.A transcript of this episode can be found here. Sherry Gott is committed to make sure that the voices of young people are heard and that their Rights are respected.https://manitobaadvocate.caSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.Bre Calma (they/them) is a non-binary queer. They have an extensive education background, and they were most insightful when they thoughtfully captured why pronouns matter in a gender debate. Bre lays out how pronouns play a crucial role in respecting and affirming individuals’ identities, reducing discrimination and stigma, supporting mental health and well-being, and promoting inclusivity and understanding.Bre included a deep and rich list of books and social connectors to learn, understand and introduce pronouns to our everyday conversation.A Transcription of the episode can be found here. Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality by Sarah McBride;We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib;How We Fight For Our Lives by Saeed Jones;A History of My Brief Body by Billy-Ray Belcourt;Stolen Bodies, Reclaimed Bodies: Disability and Queerness by Eric Clare;How to They/Them: A Visual Guide to Nonbinary Pronouns and the World of Gender Fluidity by Stuart Getty.Madison Werner – she/her (@madisonwerner)Casey Tanner – she/they (@queersextherapy)Meg Emiko Lee – the/them (@megemikoart)Erika Hart – she/they (@iharterika)Mellissa Fabelo – she/her (fyeahmfabelo)Erica McNabb – they/them (@sexederica)Ruby Allegra – they/them (@rvbyallegra)Mari Wrobi – they/them (@genderfenderbender)Erika Gail – they/them (@mentalhealthfemme)Sarah Epperson – she/her (@sarah.epperson)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fact: A study done in 2022 concluded that 1 in 4 Canadian women are forced to choose between buying meals and period products. On this episode of Humans, on Rights, the Executive Director of the Women’s Health Clinic, Kemlin Nembhard (she, her) shares her views on the challenges women face when it comes to purchasing period products. Kemlin’s experience growing up in Winnipeg as a child of Jamaican immigrants in a predominately white school system shaped her identity as an activist and a feminist. Kemlin talks about how the current health system devalues women, leading to less research and resources for their health issues. She explains that while there is a push for reusable products, which may drive down the costs as well as decrease the environmental impact, these reusable products may not be comfortable or feasible for everyone. We talk about the stigma surrounding menstrual products and how this topic should be part of the school curriculum. Finally, Kemlin reminds us to “take time to honour yourself and take action for yourself before asking others to do it."Women's Health Clinic on InstagramWomen’s Health Clinic Winnipeg on FacebookA Transcript of this episode can be found here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. From a very young age, Claire has been sewing, knitting, spinning and weaving, never missing a chance to add new skills to her repertoire.But it’s not just the sewing, knitting, spinning and weaving that keeps Claire busy. In addition to designing and creating costumes for professional actors, both in the theatre and in movies, Claire is also a puppy raiser for the CNIB. Claire was given her puppy, Yuki when she was ten weeks old. Claire will be “socializing” Yuki for the next 12 to 18 months. The art of “socializing” means that Yuki is presented with numerous everyday events. Taking the bus to work, going into a busy coffee shop are but just two examples of how Claire and Yuki send their time together, socializing. Once Yuki has achieved her basic training, she will then graduate to be trained professionally as a CNIB guide dog for someone who has visibility issues. Claire admits it means the world to her knowing the life changing ability a guide dog brings to a human being.Claire is somewhat reluctant to talk about her dyslexia. As she explained in our conversation, she dealt with it at an early age and rather than dwell on her diagnosis, she would rather use it as way to pay it forward. Which is why, on a sunny day in Winnipeg, as I was waiting to order my coffee, I met this CNIB puppy trainer who takes great pride knowing that through her training Yuki, she is positively changing the lives of another human being.A Transcription of this episode is available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It has taken Lorraine Daniels, a second generation Indigenous Residential School survivor, over 60 years to accept her Ojibway culture. As a student at the Indigenous Residential School, we were taught that God was a punishing God, and she and other children were forever being punished and not loved. She recounts that Indigenous children were not allowed to converse with other family members, such as a brother or sister, or talk during meals and that pulling their hair and getting the strap were normal forms of punishment because the children were considered sinners.Today Lorraine Daniels is the Executive Director of the National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada Inc. The National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada Inc. was established in 2018 for the Indigenous Residential School Survivors; to create a memorial for those who went through the experience and honour the survivors, their families and community. It was established as a place to heal, to understand and to move forward. And it was established as one of the 10 Principles of Reconciliation included in the 94 calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions final report.Lorraine Daniels shares that her work at the Museum has given her the opportunity to learn more about her Ojibway culture as it was forbidden in the Residential Schools she attended. She talks about how she was shamed of her culture and stripped of her language but has since learned how to balance her Christian faith and accept her Ojibway culture. “Forgiveness is essential to my healing journey and to be kind to others.”A transcript of this episode is available here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 the purpose of sexual exploitation.In this episode of Humans, on Rights our guest, Hennes Doltze talks about the work that he and his team are doing to engage man and boys to prevent sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. Doltze is the project lead of the EmpowerMen project which is part of the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre Inc.The Empower Men project activates individual men and communities through education, online engagement, law enforcement, support services and research to challenge the cultural norms of sexual exploitation. Doltze shares his teams work explaining what is sexual exploitation and human trafficking, why EmpowerMen focusses on buyers of sexual acts, and what the many resources available to buyers of sexual exploitation which can be found on their website. You can access a transcript of this episode here. Empowermen.caSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 who was recently named to the “Power List” by Maclean’s magazine as one of the most influential individuals in Canada. He has helped organized Idle No More Winnipeg events and he frequently speaks on Indigenous issues on CTV, CBC and APTN. In 2018, he won Canadian columnist of the year at the National Newspaper Awards for his bi-weekly columns in The Winnipeg Free Press and is a featured member of the “Power Panel” on CBC’s Power & Politics. Sinclair won the 2019 Peace Educator of the Year from the Peace and Justice Studies Association based at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He was also previously named one of Monocle Magazine’s “Canada’s Top 20 Most Influential People.”He is also one half of the very entertaining and informative podcast Niigaan and the Lone Ranger (Winnipeg Free Press reporter Dan Lett being the other half) and in this episode of Humans, on Rights we talked about how Canada Day should be viewed through the lense of reconciliation. And Niigaan confirmed that parts of Canada Day will still feature the old style maple surypy sweet experience.Twitter @NiigaanwewidamInstagram niigaanwewidamFacebook: Niigaan James SinclairPodcast: Niigaan And The Lone RangerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 school teacher and is a member of People for Public Education who believe that public education should be universally accessible, be publicly funded and free for families, provide equal opportunities for students, engage in public decision making and serve the public interest. Ellen Bees talks about her passion to become a teacher because a teacher had a profound impact on her life as a young student. It was at that moment Ellen realized that teaching and helping others was her professional calling. She created a blog called teacherbees.ca where she reviews books and posts lessons for other educators. So, you can appreciate and understand her deep disappointment when a delegation proposed a ban on certain books form the schools’ libraries. Ellen’s views on this attempt to censor certain books are clear and to the point. But she also wanted to be clear that all the comments in this podcast are her personal views. I think you will agree that Manitoba is very fortunate to have teachers like Ellen Bees.Twitter: People for PublicEd on twitter @publicEdMBA transcript of this episode is available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 need to have honest communication, there needs to be honest communication between both sides to understand each other” The Rainbow Resource Centre in partnership has launched an exhibit called “If These Walls Could Talk” which is a 50-year retrospective of 2SLGTBQ+ activism in Winnipeg. The exhibit is powerful, honest, and is an affirming statement that the 2SLGBTQ+ people have always been a part of Winnipeg society. They have a history and it’s a history that needs to be told with their voice. Please visit the Manitoba Museum and see this most important educational, emotional, and challenging exhibit.Twitter: @ManitobaMuseumInstagram : ManitobamuseumManitoba Museum- YouTubeFacebook : Manitoba MuseumInstagram: rainbowresourcecentreFacebook : RainbowResourceCentreA transcript of this episode is available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 lodge with culturally sensitive support services is the result of organizations End Homelessness Winnipeg, the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre, Eagle Urban Transition Centre and Thunderbird House coming together.In this episode of Humans, on Rights Melissa Stone shares her passion for helping people and how she became involved with the Astum Api Niikinaak project. She contrasts the fact that at the end of her work day she can go home to her house with heat and food and a bed with those unsheltered who spend their entire life on the street searching for those bare necessities. Melissa believes that she and her team have created homes for folks who are going to start their healing journey and just need a little support. The Important Links: Facebook @MaMawiWiChiItataCentreTwitter @Ma_MawiA Transcript of this episode is available here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 exploitation in the workplace in large part because of their limited access to information and support networks, networks not just in social networks within governance framework, but networks that we take for granted like our relatives and friends.On this Humans, On Rights episode, Stuart meets with Diwa Marcelino. Diwa is a community organizer with Migrante Manitoba, a Canadian grassroots organization that advocates for the rights and welfare of migrant workers.“We need to take a look at the unjust laws that allow migrant workers to come to Canada with a precarious status which leads to exploitation. The rights that we've had for hundreds of years, migrant workers still don't have many of them. And that's a travesty - that's a shame for a so-called democracy like Canada.” - Diwa MarcelinoA Transcription of the episode is available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“The way to preserve a language is to start the lessons at home. And listen to your elders.” Elder Mary HouleWhen it comes to giving voice to language, Rebecca Chartrand, the President & CEO of Indigenous Strategies has a voice. A very strong voice. Rebecca whose leadership style is based on Indigenous ways of teaching and learning, which orient towards holistic perspectives and contributions strives to ensure” we are all paddling the same canoe towards a common goal.”Rebecca shares her story of how she worked in the Seven Oakes School Division engaging students, parents, teachers, trustees, the superintendents, the administrators to dream, to create a vision of introducing a two-track system. One was an English track, the other was an Ojibwe track. She wanted to allow children to learn about their culture, And working with Elder Mary Kashin, language was to be at the heart of it. Rebecca created 15 Ojibwe bilingual books and the link is captured below. Rebecca wants the reader to know that if you follow the link, the books are free.Rebecca Chartrand is a strong proud Anishinaabe woman. She is game changer. And in this conversation Rebecca openly shares how we can build bridges between Indigenous and Non -Indigenous communities. I will be interested in your views of this local global thinker.https://www.7oaks.org/Resources/indigenouseducation/Pages/Ojibwe-Bilingual-K-4-Book-Series.Follow Rebecca on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ind_strategyA Transcription is forthcomingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.