(Where Gumbo was #511)
Gumbo was visiting the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, situated in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba, near the historic junction of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers (“the Forks”). Congratulations to Marilyn Jones and George G, who recognized where Gumbo was!
The museum’s unique architecture is eye-catching, as the building stands tall and overlooks the city from its perch on the west bank of the Red River.
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is the first museum in the world dedicated to the history and understanding of human rights. The museum is the product of the imagination and money of Israel (Izzy) Asper. Mr. Asper was a Canadian media entrepreneur who came up with the idea of building a museum that would explore human rights. He provided $20 million seed money for the project. Federal, provincial and city governments liked the idea and were immediately supportive, providing logistical and financial assistance.
The Museum was designed by architect Antoine Predock, who took his inspiration from the landscape. In his own words, the museum is: “Carved into the earth and dissolving into the Winnipeg horizon, the abstract ephemeral wings of a white dove embrace a mythic stone mountain of 450 million-year-old Tyndall limestone. The structure is a timeless landmark for all nations and cultures – a symbolic apparition of ice, clouds and stone set in a field of sweet grass.” Mr. Predock’s vision is lofty, but the result is memorable.
Construction of the museum began in 2009 and it opened in 2014. It was the first national museum to be built outside of Ottawa in almost 50 years.
I came to Winnipeg frequently before CoVid to visit my elderly father, who lived here. CoVid put an end to that and I’m sad to say that my father deteriorated and died, and I was not able to visit him for more than 18 months. It’s a crime how the reaction to a virus kept old people from being with their loved ones.
I’d driven by this museum a number of times and have admired its unique look. When we attended my dad’s memorial service this past spring, in what was likely one of my last trips to the city, I decided it was time to visit the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
There are a lot of interesting things to see in the museum, but for me by far the highlight of the visit was the fascinating architecture. The building is designed so that you ascend it from ground level by a series of pedestrian ramps. The ramps are lined with alabaster, which is lit from within, providing it with a unique and beautiful look.
(Alabaster line walkways lead you through the Museum’s exhibits)
One of the core elements of the building is a unique limestone known as Tyndall stone, which is rich in fossils and quarried not far from Winnipeg.
(The first ramp is partially lined by Tyndall stone — see top left side of the photo)
The upper reaches of the building contain an elaborate supporting steel network, with windows providing panoramic views.
There are many galleries which examine a variety of topics related to human rights, with themes including “Indigenous Perspectives,” “Canadian Journeys” and “Examining the Holocaust.” It’s impossible to cover them all, but I’ve included a sampling below.
An Introduction to Human Rights:
A display showing a timeline of 100 selected moments in human rights from throughout the ages and around the world.
Canadian Journeys
This is the largest gallery in the Museum which explores dozens of Canadian’s stories. Most are told on the large screens you see in the photos below, the images changing frequently:
Some other highlights included the signing of the Canadian Bill or Rights in 1960 by Canadian Prime Minister, John Diefenbaker, a milestone in Canadian legislation.
The story of Viola Desmond, whose image is featured on the Canadian $10 bill (the flip side of the currency is an image of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights) ….
The road to acceptance of gay marriage….
The sad story of native children being shipped to schools well removed from their homes, and some of the abuses they suffered….
The fight for women’s rights….
The journey of the Metis…
A large exhibit features the horrific story of the Holocaust, something that was close to Mr. Asper’s heart….
There is an interesting display of art used in the search for human rights, and so much more.
An interest area of the museum is the Stuart Clark Garden of Contemplation, featuring a large collection of hexagonal lava rock columns. As the name implies, it’s a space in which to sit and reflect….
Your ascent of the Museum ends with a visit to the Israel Asper Tower of Hope, at the top of the building, which offers panoramic views across the city.
(views of Winnipeg from the Asper Tower of Hope)
I am a strong proponent of human rights and individual liberty, but I am not a fan of self-flagellation and this museum has elements of that. No society is or has ever been perfect, and I think the goal of a civilization is to recognize and learn from its mistakes so as to improve the current situation. This museum seems to obsess on wrongs of the past and does not give balance to the tremendous progress that has been made. There are few nations in the world that have done more for human rights than Canada, but if one visits this museum you might end up with the impression that it was one of the most reprehensible countries in the world. Nothing could be further from the truth.
So if you go, enjoy the beautiful building. Learn what you can from the exhibits, and move on from there.
