Humans, On Rights

December 3rd was International Day of Persons with Disabilities—a day meant to recognize the contributions and rights of people with disabilities worldwide. Today, we're sitting down with someone who's spent 40 years making sure that recognition turns into actual change.Max Brault—national leader in accessibility, author, and someone who lives with spinal muscular atrophy—doesn't just talk about accessibility. He's helped ...

We sit down with Shohan Illsley, Executive Director of the Manitoba Harm Reduction Network, to explore how harm reduction is saving lives and restoring dignity to people who use substances across Manitoba. Shohan brings powerful insights into why compassion-based approaches are essential to addressing substance use in our communities.The Manitoba Harm Reduction Network operates 11 sites across the province, connecting peop...

A recent Winnipeg Free Press article revealed an uncomfortable truth: Indigenous and Black patients in Manitoba wait longer in emergency rooms and are more likely to leave without receiving care. For Dr. Marcia Anderson, these aren't just statistics – they're a reality she's witnessed firsthand, both as a physician and through her father's near-fatal experience with racist healthcare.As a Cree Anishinaabe physici...

We sit down with Andréanne Mulaire, co-founder of Anne Mulaire, a Winnipeg-based fashion company that has spent 20 years proving that ethical production, cultural heritage, and sustainability aren't just buzzwords – they're the foundation of a thriving business.Andréanne shares how she built a fashion brand that refuses to compromise, maintaining local production in Winnipeg, creating zero-waste collections, and offering s...

We sit down with Dan Lussier, CEO of Réseau Compassion Network, and Jennifer Rodrigue from Co-Habit to discuss their groundbreaking partnership creating accessible, affordable housing that centers dignity and community.We're talking:

• Why Manitoba's housing crisis demands innovative solutions that go beyond just "affordable units"
• How Co-Habit is reimagining supportive housing for people with profound physical disabilitie...

We sit down with Clayton Sandy, a knowledge keeper and educator who brings decades of experience in government and Indigenous advocacy to our conversation about Orange Shirt Day and the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.Clayton shares his powerful personal story - from growing up as the son of a WWII veteran who lost his Indigenous status through enfranchisement, to his own experience in the 60s scoop, to building a ca...

We sit down with Don Woodstock, author of "Unrelenting" and the grassroots activist who transformed recycling in Winnipeg. Don's journey from a farm in Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica to becoming the driving force behind Manitoba's shift from 33% to 99% recycling participation is a masterclass in persistent community organizing and environmental justice.Don shares how his grandfather's simple question - "Is it bigger than you, so...

Heather Fast: Environmental Rights as Human RightsWhen the International Court of Justice issued a landmark advisory opinion on climate change this past July, it confirmed what environmental advocates have been arguing for years - that environmental protection is fundamentally about human rights. We sit down with Heather Fast, PhD candidate at the University of Manitoba's Natural Resource Institute and policy advocacy dire...

We sit down with Jamie Paris, a University of Manitoba literature scholar whose research bridges Shakespearean drama with contemporary issues of race, gender and masculinity. Jamie brings a unique perspective to conversations about what it means to be a better man in 2025.As an educator first and foremost, Jamie's work focuses on helping foster the next generation through meaningful classroom discussions about identity, di...

We sit down with Michel Durand-Wood, better known online as "Elmwood Guy," a Winnipeg-based writer, community advocate, and author of "You'll Pay for This: How We Can Afford a Great City for Everyone Forever." Michel shares his journey from concerned neighbour to influential voice in municipal finance and urban planning.We're discussing:

• How noticing decline in his Elmwood neighbourhood sparked Michel's passion for muni...

We sit down with Dr. Kerstin Roger, a researcher and advocate tackling an urgent but often overlooked human rights issue: the abuse of older adults. Dr. Roger shares why this isn't just a family matter—it's a fundamental question of human dignity and rights.We're talking:

• Why age has been historically left out of human rights frameworks
• How different communities define aging differently, and the global variations in life...

We sit down with Stanislas Bell, Manager of Visitor Services at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and the first Black manager in a position of power at the institution. Originally from Cameroon, Stanislas shares his journey from teenage immigrant to community leader, including a life-threatening encounter with medical racism that shaped his commitment to serving others.We're talking:

• Moving from Cameroon to rural Man...

We sit down with Brigette DePape, project manager and climate planner at Narratives Inc, who brings together climate advocacy, education, and community action in powerful ways. As someone who's been part of the climate justice movement for over 15 years, Bridgette offers both personal insights and practical solutions for addressing our climate crisis while building resilient communities.How early experiences connecting wit...

Aaron Pollock: Architecture as Human Rights - Designing Spaces for Justice and InclusionIt's Pride month, and we're sitting down with Aaron Pollock, associate architect at Number TEN Architectural Group and the lead architect behind the Rainbow Resource Centre's groundbreaking phase two expansion. Aaron brings together his passion for inclusive design with real-world expertise in creating what he calls "purpose-built queer...

We sit down with Dr. Stanley Amaladas, Director of the Mauro Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Amaladas reflects on his journey from Malaysia to Canada and shares a powerful story about his citizenship interview that shaped his understanding of human rights, responsibility, and dignity.

We're exploring:

• How an uncomfortable citizenship interview became a lesson about rights, power, and re...

We sit down with Ron Thiessen, Executive Director of CPAWS Manitoba, and Carly Gray, Environmental Education Manager, to discuss conservation initiatives in our province and the importance of connecting with nature.

We're talking about:

• The ambitious goal of protecting 30% of Manitoba's land by 2030 (currently at 11%)
• The Seal River Watershed Indigenous Protected Area initiative in northern Manitoba
• Efforts to estab...

We welcome back Dr. Rehman Abdulrehman to discuss his new book, "Developing Anti-Racist Cultural Competence." In this episode, he breaks down how traditional approaches to cultural competence often centre whiteness and view other cultures through a colonial lens. Instead, he offers a transformative framework that begins with self-reflection about our own biases.

We're talking:

• Why traditional cultural competence models c...

We sit down with Haran Vijayananthan, Community Health and Wellness Director at Klinic Community Health Center. Haran shares his experience challenging the Toronto Police Service over their handling of missing persons cases and his current work making healthcare more accessible to marginalized communities right here in Winnipeg.

We're talking:

• Why "awareness" without action falls short in creating real change
• How Haran's ...

Stuart Murray sits down with Devon Clunis, the first Black Chief of Police in Canadian history, to discuss his new autobiography "ONE: A Story of Hope in Our Time."

Devon shares his journey from a small Jamaican village without running water to becoming a transformative leader in the Winnipeg Police Service. More than just a memoir, Devon's book serves as a catalyst for meaningful conversations about unity in diversity duri...