Edmonton as a Human Rights City: A Living Legacy of Defenders

As North America’s first Human Rights City, designated by the United Nations Development Programme, Edmonton has long been a hub for human rights action. 

The foundations of Edmonton’s human rights movement were laid by community activists in the 1960s and 1970s and have carried on throughout the decades. Their work on Indigenous rights, women’s rights, environmentalism, anti-war peace action, multiculturalism and opposition to nuclear weapons and power has left a lasting imprint. Despite their profound impact, this rich history has yet to be comprehensively documented and celebrated.

As these pioneering human rights defenders reach the later years of their lives, there is an urgent need to preserve their experiences, teachings, and wisdom. This project aims to capture and share their stories, ensuring that current and future generations of Edmontonians can learn from their struggles and achievements. These histories offer valuable insights and inspiration for civic action and engagement.

Forthcoming will be a series of videos and lesson plans that teachers will be able to use in their classrooms to inspire younger generations to reflect on their role as change agents in the community and understand the value of citizenship engagement.

This project has been possible thank you to the support of Edmonton Heritage Council, New Horizons for Seniors Program and Alberta Heritage Awareness Grant.