S O C I A L J U S T I C E E D U C AT I O N AT T H E H E A RT O F WO M E N ’ S H U M A N R I G H TS F E B RUA RY 2 8 - M A RC H 1 , 2 0 1 6 WINNIPEG, MB

Welcome to the 2016 Women’s Symposium Every year, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation holds a women’s symposium which is hosted by one of its Member organizations. The symposium aims to gather teacher leaders and representatives of women’s groups from across the country to study a particular theme or issue which will strengthen the status of women and improve the situation for women within the teaching profession and the broader societal context. This year’s theme is:

Social Justice Education at the Heart of Women’s Human Rights This year, we are extremely grateful to The Manitoba Teachers’ Society for its invaluable help in the planning and hosting of the symposium. A special thank you also goes to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights for preparing an informative and inspiring presentation on Women’s Rights in Canada and around the world. We hope you enjoy your stay in Winnipeg as we explore together the social justice issues that disproportionately affect women, dialogue around strategies to improve the status of women and girls, and honour the centennial of the right to vote first obtained by women in Canada!

In response to health concerns, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation has developed a ScentFree Policy. Scented products such as hair spray, perfume, and deodorant can trigger reactions such as respiratory distress and headaches. We thank you in advance for not wearing these products at the Symposium.

Social Justice Education at the Heart of Women’s Human Rights CTF/MTS Women’s Symposium Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre (Unless otherwise stated, presentations will be made in English.)

Sunday, February 28, 2016 5:30 pm

Registration Victoria Inn, Embassy Ballroom

6:30 pm

Wine and Cheese Reception

7 pm

Introductions Norm Gould, President of The Manitoba Teachers’ Society, CTF Vice-President Heather Smith, President of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation

Political Perspective on the Status of Women in Canada Niki Ashton, New Democratic Party MP for the riding of Churchill—Keewatinook Aski

Finding Freedom by Shamin Brown Powerful slam poetry challenging the marginalization and social isolation that keeps the voices of women and children in the sex trade silenced behind shame.

Monday, February 29, 2016 Breakfast on your own 8:15 am

Bus from Victoria Inn to Canadian Museum for Human Rights

9 am

Welcome to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) Dr. John Young, President and Chief Executive Officer, CMHR

9:05 am

Overview of Speak Truth to Power (STTP) Canada Heather Smith, CTF President Bilingual visuals – Questions can be asked in either French or English.

Rosemary Sadlier, President of the Ontario Black History Society and one of the 12 human rights defenders of STTP Canada Questions can be asked in either French or English.

10:15 am

Break

10:30 to 11:30 am

A Museum with a View and a Vision An overview of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights’ rich educational resources that are available to teachers including curriculum links to exhibits along with a rundown of available educational programs, now and planned for the future. Mireille Lamontagne, Manager of Education Programs and Special Projects, CMHR Bilingual visuals – Questions can be asked in either French or English.

Social Justice Education at the Heart of Women’s Human Rights CTF/MTS Women’s Symposium Monday, February 29, 2016 11:30 am

Quiet by Mary Black A spoken word piece on living as a quiet Indigenous woman in the inner-city. This piece brings voice to the SILENT issues that plague our communities and our lives.

11:40 to 1:15 pm 1:30 to 4:00 pm

Walk to Clay Oven Indian restaurant www.clayoven.ca/

Women’s Rights Today Isabelle Masson, Researcher and Curator, CMHR The Museum’s professional staff will walk participants through experiential activities to help gain awareness of the journeys women and girls faced and are still facing to gain human rights in Canada. Participants will come to realize how gender expectations and systemic barriers shape their own perspectives, behaviours and attitudes and how they can limit being able to realize one’s full human potential. They will feel inspired by the many ordinary and extraordinary figures they will encounter in the Museum who work hard to achieve gender equality in Canada and in the world. Specifically, this program will treat the subject of gender equality and women’s rights in Canada and in the world and aims at deconstructing the barriers that jeopardize gender equality and equity through the following objectives:    

To understand the concepts of gender and gender equality and how they relate to women’s rights. To understand how gender norms create social expectations that create social pressure ultimately leading to the denial of human rights. To understand that the struggle for gender equality has existed for a long time in Canada and around the world and is still on-going today. To identify women as leaders who can and do exercise agency to make a difference in their lives and in the world. Bilingual visuals – Questions can be asked in either French or English. Round table exercise will be available in French and English.

4:30 pm

Departure from the Museum – Free Time to explore the Forks shops and area

6 pm

Bus transportation back to Victoria Inn from the Forks

Social Justice Education at the Heart of Women’s Human Rights CTF/MTS Women’s Symposium Monday, February 29, 2016 7 pm Embassy BallroomVictoria Inn Hotel

Celebration of the Centennial of the Right to Vote First Obtained by Women in Canada The Honourable Patricia Hajdu, Minister of the Status of Women

Dinner followed by a musical performance by Good Karma Co. (a.k.a. the Good Karma Collective), which brings together three young women – all established singersongwriters in their own right – employing vocals and multi-instruments to develop a diverse and natural home grown sound.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016 Breakfast on your own Group A (morning) / Group B (afternoon) 8:30 am

Group B (morning) / Group A (afternoon)

Anti-Oppression Education 8:30 am Workshop

Action Plan to Address Violence Against Women 

Dr. Alex Wilson, Associate Professor and Director of the Aboriginal Education Research Centre at the University of Saskatchewan



Diane Redsky – Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Human Trafficking Barb Byers – on the new initiative Domestic Violence at work (DV@Work). Bilingual visuals – Questions can be asked in either French or English.

10:00 am – Break 10:15 am

Anti-Oppression Education 10:15 am Workshop (continues)

Women Can Be the Difference! – A Panel   

11:00 am

Nancy Peckford, Equal Voice Bobbi Taillefer, The Manitoba Teachers’ Society Catherine Hart, Teacher and Activist, Winnipeg, MB

Moving to Action Facilitated by MTS staff Round table discussions will be available in French and English.

Social Justice Education at the Heart of Women’s Human Rights CTF/MTS Women’s Symposium 11:30 am – Lunch 12:30 pm

Stolen Girls by Hope McIntyre This movement based piece remembers the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in Nigeria in April 2014. Why is it that women are used as pawns in the wars between men?

12:40 pm Groups A and B switch programs. 3:30 to 4 pm

Closing Comments and Evaluations

Social Justice Education at the Heart of Women’s Human Rights CTF/MTS Women’s Symposium Biographies (in order of appearance)

Norm Gould is the President of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society and also a Vice-President of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF). He is in his 20th year as a teacher in Manitoba, and in his second year as a CTF Vice-President. Prior to becoming President of MTS, he had held various positions, including as MTS VicePresident, member of the Provincial Executive, President of the St. James-Assiniboia Teachers’ Association and teacher in St. JamesAssiniboia. Norm holds a M.Ed. with a specialization in educational law, and has recently obtained his Certified Risk Manager (CRM) designation from the University of Winnipeg. Heather Smith was elected as President of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation for the period of July 2015 to July 2017. Until June 2015, Heather Smith was a principal and teacher at Janeville Elementary School just outside Bathurst. The former president of the New Brunswick Teachers’ Association holds a Bachelor of Child Study degree in Elementary and Special Education and a Master of Education in Literacy from Mount Saint Vincent University. Heather has taught for 32 years at the elementary level, all in New Brunswick with her teaching duties primarily split between Kindergarten and Grade 4. Niki Ashton was first elected federal Member of Parliament for the Churchill riding in 2008 and re-elected in 2011—then re-elected in 2015 in the redrawn riding of Churchill—Keewatinook Aski. A former instructor with University College of the North, Niki has an MA in International Affairs from Carleton University and a BA in Global Political Economy from the University of Manitoba—where she is pursuing her PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies. She is fluent in four languages: English, French, Spanish and Greek (her mother tongue) and has studied four others.

Dr. John Young began his role as President and CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights on August 17, 2015. Prior to accepting his position with the Museum, Dr. Young was an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), where he excelled as both an educator and administrator. During his time at UNBC, Dr. Young served as Interim Provost and Vice President Academic and prior to that was the Dean of the College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences. Recognized by UNBC for his teaching excellence, he has been a visiting professor in the United States and Japan and has lived and worked in Germany and Russia. Dr. Young has also worked with the Canadian Parliamentary Centre, as a director of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and on the CMHR Board of Trustees from 2012 to 2015. Rosemary Sadlier has been the president of the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) since 1993. As president, she contributes to the recognition of Black history though education, research and outreach programs, and has been recognized and honored for her tireless work. Rosemary’s pressure was central to the Canadian government’s 1995 decision to make the celebration of Black History Month a national annual event. Rosemary has presented nationally and internationally – including to the United Nations – on the subjects of Black Canadian history, curricula, and anti-racism. She has also researched and written prolifically about Black history and Black Canadian history. She has degrees in teaching and social work. Her roots in Canada reach back to preConfederation: her mother’s family can be traced to 1840, while her father’s ancestors arrived in New Brunswick in 1793.

Social Justice Education at the Heart of Women’s Human Rights CTF/MTS Women’s Symposium Mireille Lamontagne holds an Advanced B.A. in Anthropology, a diploma in Cultural Resource Management and a Professional Specialization in Cultural Sector Leadership. Her career has focused on work in Canadian museums, heritage and archaeology, especially in museum education and cultural programs at the Department of Canadian Heritage, The Manitoba Museum, and Parks Canada. She is currently the Manager of Education Programs and Special Projects at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Isabelle Masson is a political scientist. She joined the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) in 2010. She is the ResearcherCurator responsible for the development of the exhibitions featured in the gallery Rights Today. Isabelle studied at the Université du Québec à Montréal and York University in Toronto. Her research experience includes field research in Southern and Eastern Africa. The Honourable Patty Hajdu was elected as the Member of Parliament for the riding of Thunder Bay–Superior North in the October 2015 general election, and was appointed by the Prime Minister to serve Canadians as Minister of Status of Women on November 4, 2015. Patty has been building consensus on ways to improve the lives of people living Northwestern Ontario for more than 20 years. She is well known and well respected within the community for her work on substance use issues, harm reduction, housing, and public health. Prior to her election to the House of Commons, Patty was Executive Director of the Shelter House in Thunder Bay - an essential community resource providing the basic needs of life, dignity, and comfort to those in need. Patty holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from Lakehead University and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Victoria. As a Minister and Member of Parliament, Patty continues her professional and personal journey that has always included service to the community and social advocacy. This experience along with her compassion for others makes Patty uniquely qualified to address the challenges that women and girls face in Canada today.

Dr. Alex Wilson is Swampy Cree from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. She is an Associate Professor and the Academic Director of the Aboriginal Education Research Centre at the University of Saskatchewan. Her scholarship has greatly contributed to building and sharing knowledge about two-spirit identity, history, and teachings; Indigenous research methodologies; anti-oppressive education; and the prevention of violence in the lives of indigenous peoples. As a community activist and Idle No More organizer, her work also focuses on interventions that prevent the destruction of land, water and bodies. Diane Redsky is the Executive Director of the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata (Ma Mawi) Centre. As a proud mother of three children and a Kookum (grandmother), Diane is a band member of Shoal Lake First Nation #40. She has long worked to address the myriad of issues facing Winnipeg’s Aboriginal community in all areas all areas of health, justice, education and social services. She has served in both a professional and volunteer capacity with local, national and international agencies and has become a strong advocate for Aboriginal children’s and women’s issues. From 2011 until 2015, Diane was Project Director for the Canadian Women’s Foundation National Task Force on Human Trafficking of Women and Girls in Canada. Barb Byers began as a social worker in Saskatchewan where she addressed issues of poverty, youth unemployment, aboriginal concerns, equality for all and labour rights. After serving as President of the Saskatchewan Government Employees Union (SGEU) and as Saskatchewan Federation of Labour President (SFL), she was elected as a CLC Executive Vice-President in 2002 and as Secretary-Treasurer in May 2014. Among many files, Barb has been responsible for labour education; employment insurance; and issues of concern to women workers, workers with disabilities and gay, bi-sexual, lesbian and transgender workers. Barb’s strong community roots led her to become founder of the SFL Summer Camp for Youth in Saskatchewan and co-founder of the Prairie School for Union Women.

Social Justice Education at the Heart of Women’s Human Rights CTF/MTS Women’s Symposium Nancy Peckford is originally from Newfoundland and Labrador and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government and minored in French and Economics at Smith College, one of the top ranked liberal arts colleges in the US. Nancy returned to Newfoundland to complete a Masters degree focusing on the formation of women's political interests in the 1970s and 1980s in Canada. After being selected as a Canadian Parliamentary Intern in 1999, she came to Ottawa to serve in a non-partisan capacity in the offices of Susan Whelan (Liberal Party) and Bob Mills (Reform Party). She subsequently worked with several NGOs to lead national campaigns on a variety of policy initiatives. A mother to three young children and partner to Craig, Nancy has had the opportunity to work on a number of political campaigns from the nomination up. Bobbi Taillefer has worked for teachers at the Manitoba Teachers’ Society for the last 18 years – staff officer in bargaining, personnel, professional services and French Language

services. As well, she was Assistant General Secretary and commenced as General Secretary in 2015. Prior to joining the Society she was a high school teacher and principal in Winnipeg. She, her husband, Paul and their doggies enjoy travelling and adventures on the hiking trails.

Catherine Hart has been a teacher and GSA advisor at West Kildonan Collegiate since 2010, where she found her passion for working in solidarity with students to find their voices through writing and activism. In 2014, Catherine joined the Executive of the Seven Oaks Teachers’ Association as Equity and Social Justice Chair, and went on to become Vice President in 2015. Through MTS’ Teacher Action Cohort (2014-2015) and Teacher-Led Learning Team (2015-present), Catherine works with other teachers to promote equity and inclusion in our classrooms.

Social Justice Education at the Heart of Women’s Human Rights CTF/MTS Women’s Symposium Getting to the Museum The Museum is located at 85 Israel Asper Way, at The Forks, in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. You’ll find the main entrance adjacent to a skateboard park and a statue of Mahatma Gandhi. The Group Entrance is at the lights where Mahatma Gandhi Way and Israel Asper Way meet. The actual address is: Canadian Museum for Human Rights 85 Israel Asper Way Winnipeg MB R3C 0L5 Public parking is available at metered lots around the Museum. The Forks provides free parking in the parkade just past the Museum’s Main Entrance, although this parking is limited to three hours in duration. There is also a parking lot directly across from the Museum’s Group Entrance where the daily parking rate is $9. Winnipeg Transit has 33 routes that service The Forks and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. With stops on Main Street just outside Union Station, on William Stephenson Way, and on Israel Asper Way, getting to the Museum by bus couldn’t be easier. Use Winnipeg Transit’s online trip planner, Navigo, to determine which bus number to take and to plan your trip to the Museum: http://winnipegtransit.com/en/navigo For cyclists, the Museum has bike racks at the Main Entrance and the Group Entrance. WHERE TO G O AND WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET HERE Once you have arrived at The Forks and are in front of the Museum on Israel Asper Way, make your way to the Group Entrance. Enter from the far right door. Check in with Security at the desk. We will greet you there. We will provide you with a blue lanyard that you must keep on you at all times when in the Museum. This lanyard will give you access to the Museum’s classrooms, where the seminars will take place, as well as access to the galleries. You will be asked to hand in your lanyard at the end of each day. **Please note that the lanyard does not include entry into temporary exhibitions. To visit a temporary exhibition while on site, the regular temporary exhibit and other admission fees apply.

Social Justice Education at the Heart of Women’s Human Rights CTF/MTS Women’s Symposium What to expect DRAMATIC JOURNEY - USING OUR R AMP SYSTEM The Museum offers a journey from darkness to light. You enter the Museum at ground level, into a space that has a subterranean feel. You gradually work your way higher on a series of inclined ramps that reveal more and more daylight. There are six levels of exhibits and 11 galleries. The unique architecture parallels a human rights journey – it requires some effort and has a few twists and turns, but can be very rewarding to complete.

FOOD AND BEVERAGES ERA Bistro is a restaurant located on the main floor that offers full course meals and take-away sandwiches, chips, fruit and pastries. Eating and drinking is not permitted in the galleries. You’re welcome to eat or drink in Bonnie & John Buhler Hall on the Main floor, or on Terrace C on Level 5. Please do not bring foods containing nuts into the Museum.

Wear comfortable shoes if you are walking and keep your camera ready – natural light combined with lit, alabaster-covered ramps is always a favourite for photographers.

All catering in the Museum is contracted with Era Bistro, the restaurant in the Museum. No outside catering allowed. You may bring your own bag lunch to the Museum if you are participating in Education programming.

You can take photographs in the Museum’s core 11 galleries, but no flash. Photos must be for personal use and not commercial use. Tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted.

DRINKING FOUNTAINS Drinking fountains are located next to the washrooms on Levels 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

USING THE ELEVATORS If you want to visit a particular gallery, or simply prefer not to use the ramp system, the elevator in Bonnie & John Buhler Hall stops at all gallery levels, from levels 2 through 7. A second elevator boarding from the Garden of Contemplation on Level 3 accesses the higher level galleries and the Tower of Hope. Using the elevators gives you the option of visiting the galleries and the Tower of Hope in any order that you like. VISITING THE ISRAEL ASPER TOWER OF HOPE The Tower of Hope offers panoramic views of Winnipeg. You can access the Tower via elevator, or alternatively, if you are comfortable with heights, you may choose to climb the winding stairs. Since capacity on the Tower is limited, for reasons of safety, you may experience a wait for access to the Tower. During busy visitation periods such as seasonal holidays and long weekends, wait times can extend up to 30 minutes or longer.

ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITIES Please consider avoiding the use of scented products out of respect for those with environmental sensitivities. TEMPERATURES Dress warmly. Due to the preservation needs of rare artifacts, the Museum strictly controls temperature and humidity throughout the building and exhibit galleries. As a result of this common museum practice, you can anticipate average temperatures of 19 to 20°C (66 to 68°F). We encourage you to bring a sweater or light jacket in case you need it during your visit. If you forget, keep our Boutique in mind! It offers several fashionable options for keeping warm.

Social Justice Education at the Heart of Women’s Human Rights CTF/MTS Women’s Symposium PERSONAL BELONGINGS Coat racks are located near the Group Entrance area and will be assigned to your group, free of charge. Coats and belongings may also be kept in the classroom while you are visiting the galleries as the classrooms are always locked. Backpacks are not allowed inside the galleries and must be left behind. You can also check your backpack at Coat check near Ticketing and Information at the Main Entrance. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS The Museum is fully accessible. If you have any special requirements please contact us in advance to help us accommodate your needs. Please remind your tour guide before your program starts about any adjustments needed to tour routes to reduce the amount of walking or to provide sitting breaks. INCLUSIVE DESIGN AND

ACCESSIBILITY

We’ve worked hard to make our exhibits and programs inclusive and accessible to everyone. No matter who you are, we will connect you to human rights subject matter. Our ramps are built to code and offer resting places at regular intervals. All of our videos include open captioning, descriptive video, American Sign Language and Langue des signes québécoise. Pick up a mobile device with accessibility features at Ticketing and Information when you arrive, or ask our staff for information about how we can meet your specific needs. We also encourage you to download the Museum App for a self-guiding tool. WIFI ACCESS There is WiFi access in the classrooms and in the galleries. You will not need to log in as access is public.