“Most museums are created to celebrate the past. This museum is being created to change the future,” begins the introductory video to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, now under construction in Winnipeg, MB. The museum is being built on hallowed land at the historic Forks, which has been a meeting place for Canada’s First Nations people for thousands of years. Winnipeg itself has always been one of Canada’s most culturally diverse cities, with a rich arts scene strengthened by its First Nations, Métis and Francophone communities.

The physical home of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is scheduled for completion in 2012. It’s a cutting-edge museum centred on ideas rather than on artifacts. It proposes to take visitors on their own life-changing journey. That’s one that will stretch over 4,366 sq m (47,000 sq ft) of exhibit space, accessed by a series of ramps or bridges. A stairway and elevator will lead to the Tower of Hope, a 100-m (328-ft) glass structure with views over the city. Now you can watch the daily construction progress via two webcams on the museum’s website.

People’s own stories will help shape the museum’s ever-changing exhibitions.  Visitors to the museum’s website are also invited to contribute by sharing their own stories. If you’ve suffered discrimination, or if your story could be used to inspire debate and stimulate dialogue, you can become part of the human rights museum’s archives.

Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights have created a “Shine” pin you can buy and wear, too, to show your support—for the museum, and for all human rights.

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