Rights Here, Rights Now

​The entire student body and staff at Grant Park High School dedicated a full day to explore human rights in Canada, examining the history, current issues, potential solutions and positive actions to help make the world a better place.

Rights Here, Rights Now, held on April 17 at the school, featured over 60 guest speakers, activists and performers.

“Students are passionate about so many issues,” said Katie Delay, one of the student organizers. “We know kids have this passion, but they don’t necessarily know how to channel it. Today we have all of this information here so students can find something they really care about and help to change.”

After Grant Park sent some student delegates to a human rights conference sponsored by the Manitoba Teachers’ Society and Manitoba Association of School Superintendents last school year, students wanted to bring that same opportunity to their own backyard.

“It’s important have this right at the school—one of the key factors of this is accessibility for students,” said Grade 10 student Sam Kimelman. “No one has to travel anywhere and it is all free for the students.”

Morning keynotes included Karen Busby, professor and Director of the Centre for Human Rights Research at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law. Other presenters included Indigenous artist KC Adams, Indigenous writer/storyteller Duncan Mercredi and a pair of WSD alumni—community activist/St. John’s High School grad Michael Champagne and former refugee/Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute graduate Muuxi Adam.

Local humanitarian/social justice organizations, such as West Broadway Youth Outreach and the United Way, were invited to have info booths in the main hallway. Organizers hoped to offer students opportunities to make a difference in their own communities.

“My biggest hope is that kids will want to become more involved after today,” Sam said. “We want to put words into action.”

Another key element was talking about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its Calls to Action for Canadians. When it comes to human rights, residential schools represent one of Canada’s lowest points.

“While we are talking about broader issues, we are primarily focusing on reconciliation,” Katie said. “Certainly in Canada that is the key human rights issue right now.”

The conference, months in the planning, was entirely driven by over 30 student organizers.

“All of the work that has gone into this for the last year have been the students, who have been here Saturdays, early mornings, late nights…we all really appreciate the work they have done,” said Principal Susan Anderson.

Ms. Anderson also praised the students’ collaborative spirit. Last month, when some student activists wanted to stage a schoolwide walkout in protest of the Parkland shooting tragedy, they asked Grant Park staff to take part.

“They said ‘do you think the teachers would be interested in what we have to say? Can we do this as a community?’” she said.

“Students want to do things with us, together. And we are so lucky to be in that position.”

Katie said students hope to continue operating a Rights Here, Rights Now student group following the conference to champion human rights projects at Grant Park.