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. The Edmonton as a Human Rights City: A Living Legacy of Activism 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. 

Read all about the March 2025 soft launch of the Edmonton as a Human Rights City project here.

Edmonton as a Human Rights City: A Living Legacy of Activism is made possible through the support of the New Horizons for Seniors Program with the Government of Canada, the Alberta Heritage Awareness Grant, and the Edmonton Heritage Council. We also wish to send special thanks to the City of Edmonton Archives for their partnership on this project and their commitment to receive, preserve and provide access to records that tell the story of Edmonton and the People who call it home. Finally, we are grateful to Defining Moments Canada for being this project’s digital host and education partner.