Canadian Museum for Human Rights

It's important that Canada has a Museum for Human Rights given its international reputation and values of respecting human rights and advocating for peace and non-violence. The museum itself is very modern, well-sectioned, adequately staffed and has all the amenities you'd expect of such a world class facility. The exhibits are also very well organized, and impactful in making you stop, observe, think, feel, absorb and reflect on what you've just experienced. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is the hands down the museum where I stayed the most and stopped the longest in front of a display. Visiting this museum should be on everyone list.

One of the best museums I’ve ever been to… Incredibly engaging, profound and architecturally amazing. Bravo to the curator and to Canada for knocking out of the park. We were only there 2 1/2 hours, but we easily could’ve spent all day.

Worth a visit. Make sure to plan to spend a good enough time here, there's much to see and learn. Every floor is sure to offer a learning experience. If you get hungry, there is a coffee shop at the top floor or the cafe down in the first level that was really good!

Human Rights museums are always a heavy experience, but also incredibly important to visit. This museum did a good job covering a variety of historical events and cultures, but I also thought there was maybe a bit too much open space on each floor. Maybe it would have felt less empty if it had been a busier day, but I left feeling like they could have added a lot more considering the available space. Still well worth the visit, but probably a museum I wouldn’t go back to.

A very informative and interesting museum. The whole layout was exceptionally good. The timeline in the first exhibit is spectacular. So much thought has been put into the architecture, film footage, information and moving from one section to another. There are gradual slopes up to each level lit by alabaster walls which allows one to reflect as they get to the next level. Highly recommend.

A Place Where Truth Meets Hope The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is more than a museum—it is a living conversation between the past and the future. Each gallery speaks with honesty about humanity’s darkest chapters, yet each also whispers of courage, resilience, and the possibility of change. It is a place that holds tragedy with reverence, but also extends a hand toward hope, reminding us that we are all responsible for shaping a more just world. Beautiful, moving, and unforgettable—this is a place that will stay with you long after you leave.

This building is fabulous. The architecture is inspiring and dramatic. The walkways through the building and up to the top are lite beautifully. The exhibits include native stories about Canada and some of the trials we have gone through over our history. Me must remember the past but focus on a brighter future. The blanket to remember residential schools brought tears to my eyes. My favourite great uncle Andy Petiquan and his siblings were taken from their homes and put in MacIntosh residential school. They had needles put through their tongues for speaking the language. One day they escaped and made a perilous three day journey home. My uncle Andy and his brother braved the elements. My uncle survived but his brother died due to exposure from the trip. At least he died at home and not in an unmarked grave. I want to forgive and get over this atrocity but it hurts so bad. The kind of people you meet at this museum are different. They are friendlier, kinder and seem genuinely more understanding. It’s just got a totally different vibe as soon as you enter. The coffee shop upstairs would be a great place to take a date. The tickets are inexpensive and affordable at under $20. Take the walk and stairs to the top of the building for a romantic view. If you don’t like stairs or are handicapped there’s an elevator. What a lovely view of Winnipeg. The museum attracts a trendy crowd. This is one of the best places to visit in Winnipeg. The staff are very knowledgeable and friendly and courteous. There is even a level to sit quietly for people who need time to recover from the emotional exhibits. The level is called the garden of contemplation; you can hear water trickling as it runs through the stone ponds. It’s got a colourful souvenir shop. There is a coat check for those who are dressed heavily for the winter. There’s a place to get coffee and snacks and also to eat outside. I highly recommend this Winnipeg attraction for a date, family outing or just something to enjoy for yourself. There’s lots of parking across the street in the paid parking lot. There’s lots of room for buses and the parking is fair. Warning, some of the exhibits are very stirring emotionally. We have a disgraceful past as a country. It’s something we must grow through and learning more about it is part of that process. I couldn’t help but cry watching the residential school videos and viewing the blanket and the making of it… I left feeling hopeful and optimistic for a better future

The whole layout is really good, so much information about First Nations and human rights. You need a lot of time in hand to fully explore this. A fun LED spotlight spot on the main floor is where kids would love. It follows you and shows various colors. First Monday of the month is a free entry.

While in Winnipeg I had the opportunity to visit the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. It's seven layers of education and enlightenment. Everything in the museum is done with purpose including the fact that you start in the bottom which is a darker area and move your way up into areas with more light because it's a journey of enlightenment. There were quite a few exhibits centered around Canadians that have made a difference and left their mark when it comes to human rights, but the museum pays homage to heroes around the world. One of my favorite exhibits was an interactive circle on the floor. When we stood apart we each had our own circle which represents what we believe. As we got closer to each other the circle wasn't as defined and we started to merge representing the fact that we learn from each other sharing what we know and believe. When we all walked close together it burst into this big colorful circle representing that together we can learn and grow and make the world a better place. You can even climb to the top of the tower of hope and look out across Winnipeg. They did a great job at telling stories of human rights activists and inspiring others to take a stand for what is right. We even had a delicious lunch at the ERA Bistro in the Museum. I'd totally recommend the carrot fries and the House Ice Tea (Watermelon Mint). It was a beautiful experience that I highly recommend to everyone.

Super cool museum on one of the most important subjects - basic human rights. It's the only one it's kind. There are seven floors plus a right floor that's a tower view of the city (not worth it). There's a gender neutral restroom on every level and a mid size souvenir shop on the ground level. Each floor covers a different aspect of rights ranging from a time line of when rights were first proposed or won across the world, to the holocaust and other genocides, to a history of rights in Canada. They don't pull punches and they don't refrain from showing graphic photos. It's a great look at the progression of acceptance.

Definitely make a stop here if you find yourself in Winnipeg. Discounted tickets are available on Fridays after 5pm, but it is absolutely worth the price of a regular ticket. Convenient parking right across the street. There is a free coat check in the main lobby across from the ticket counter, so no need to worry about carrying around your winter gear. Bathrooms were spacious and very clean. The architecture is absolutely breathtaking. Quite a wide range of topics have been covered by the exhibits. Visiting the enclosed observation tower is a very nice way to end your visit.

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is a must visit if in the Winnipeg area. There are exhibits here that you never thought you would see here, and they make you reflect on how you view human rights and the world after seeing them. Since the topic of human rights is so abstract and often involves many ideas of all kinds, you will find exhibits covering human rights all over the world. They also have some great interactive exhibits too for people of all ages. The price of admission is also not too steep when you consider how long you will spend here. Plan at least two to three hours to cover all the exhibits in full detail. Architectural fans will especially love being here, the building is an absolute masterpiece. And at the top of the museum, you will be greeted to amazing 360 degree views of the City of Winnipeg. Don't miss it, unless you have a fear of heights. Climbing up the stairs from the last exhibit to the top can be very dizzying! All in all, Winnipeg should be proud to have a place like this right in their own city! This museum is one of a kind, and honestly, this is a place I would expect to find in Ottawa.

This museum is 80% ramps. The other 20% is atrium. Imagine one of those fold out brochures museums have to present an overview of their collections. Now imagine that as a space you can enter, where each panel of the brochure is a gallery and they're all separated by a very long ramp. I understand that the idea is to give us lots of time to contemplate. The thing is, if you've managed to not totally avoid the news for the past few years, there's not going to be any new information. The galleries present a little smorgasbord of human rights atrocities, without going in depth on any of them. In a confusing twist, Toronto's Bata Shoe Museum has more content on the impact of colonialism than the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. If you're a fan of impractical architecture that looks dramatic in architectural photographs, which, I have to admit, I am, you'll have a boner for this building. If you're interested in learning about the history of human rights in Canada you're better off going to the CBC website and finding a documentary or two.

When I lived in Winnipeg, there was plenty of talk about creating a human rights museum. Shortly after I left and moved back to the GTA, Israel (also known as Izzy) Asper, who owned the CanWest Global Communications (yes, as in Global television), got the ball rolling. It took many years to develop this human rights museum. I returned to Winnipeg in 2011. When I drove past The Forks, I saw the museum being developed. When I was last in the city, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights was fully operational. I decided to drop by for a visit. This museum is conveniently located at The Forks, where it's a nice to place see the Red and Assiniboine rivers converge, shop and eat, and hang out on a warm summer day. I had no problem finding a parking spot in the morning and walking over to the museum. Adult admission was $18. It's worth it. There are eight floors. You start from the bottom and work you way up. There are ramps with marble. You do get quite the workout. I would imagine that there's an elevator. I know at there is going up to the Tower of Hope. It can be a difficult experience visiting this museum. You immerse yourself in various human struggles that have occurred. I reflected a ton. Some issues are still ongoing. The red dresses at one exhibit, representing missing and murdered aboriginal women in Manitoba, was fresh in my mind. Same-sex marriage is still forbidden in many countries these days. Canada was the fourth in the world to legalize gay marriage. In my final year of high school, I did an independent study on human rights and chose a few countries. Many of the thoughts that I had putting together that study came to life during the four hours that I was here. It was interesting simulating being in prison and being in solitary confinement. It was cool seeing artifacts from our history, such as pens used by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Queen Elizabeth II to sign the Proclamation of the Constitution Act in 1982. I felt that the exhibits kept on getting better as I made my way up the museum. One of my favourite moments was writing about what I felt about certain issues in the world. I filled out one of them with a pen initially. The pen that I had died and I ended up using a Crayola marker instead! I loved the interaction and posting my words up on the wall. I spoke to a security guard after that who said that I needed to go up to the Tower of Hope. He said that you can get the best views of Winnipeg there. He was correct. I got amazing views of the city, especially of the downtown area. I love this museum. It is modern and had thought-provoking displays and exhibits. I'd love to return again. (131)

Loved this museum. Deff recommend stopping in the fourth floor at the little cafe, say Hi to Chris behind the counter, and head on up to the top. Such a wonderful museum :)

It's crazy how polarizing the design of this museum was. Despite what locals say, I really like this building and how it's become an icon of the Winnipeg skyline. Considering it's a museum dedicated to human rights, do definitely come in not light hearted. There were definitely exhibits where you would be like "I can't believe they did that", "that is so cruel", "I wanna find that person and show him who's boss". The museum expands beyond the current Mandela exhibit, which is a good starting point for the rest of the exhibit and something that many visitors probably know a bit about. After that exhibit, the other exhibits are in a progression order from earliest to latest as you move higher up the museum. It's definitely a different museum from others I've been to, and something that really fits the theme of this city (think General Strike and women's right to vote). I recommend it to others, especially during the $5 special on Wednesdays.

I love touristy attractions and museums but find this museum "meh!". From the outside, this museum is a piece of art in itself. The architecture is actually fascinating with every window of this building being a different shape and size. The interior designs of this place is also pretty fascinating. 8 (maybe more?) stories of different landings and walkways make the place look like art. I wish the content of the museum was as fascinating as the architecture. For the most part, I felt the material redundant and not necessarily tailored to Canada. Not sure you can find enough history for this grand museum. Walking through the place, you will notice a lot of unnecessary empty space. There is enough to still spend hours here but I felt like the building was too grand for the concept of human rights. It is cool that Winnipeg has something like this but I fear the demand will not live up to the museum's costs and it'll eventually be shut down.

If you are remotely close to Winnipeg, you will be missing out of you don't visit this museum. I had a week to burn exploring Winnipeg Manitoba or Regina Saskatchewan. This museum alone made me choose Manitoba and Winnipeg. The Mandela exhibit was also a driving factor. Each exhibit was well developed and educational, moving, emotion filled. I hope to go back and visit again. As you move through the exhibit you are traveling up by ramps or elevators and there is also a lookout tower even higher it also has stairs or an elevator and allows for beautiful views that can be calming after visiting each exhibit.

Very very good. Difficult at times to see everything in there, but a must see if you are in Winnipeg (I would even travel to Winnipeg just to see it!) The floors are broken up into different exhibits and interactive things to do. There is a good mix of building awareness about human rights, the history of human rights, as well as work being done to achieve human rights for all. Overall it strikes a good balance. There is also a delicious bistro you can eat at before or after. Best to schedule at least three and a half to four hours for the museum, and be prepared for lots of walking. This is a true Canadian treasure that every Canadian should see at least once! Very well done and highly recommended.

We spent an afternoon here as a family group. Each person was overwhelmed by the amazing architecture and the beautifully crafted displays. The building itself has an exterior of limestone from local quarries, and rampways lined with alabaster from Spain. We started at the top of the spire, the Tower of Hope. Stunning views of Winnipeg in all directions. Choice of elevator or stairs to reach this - and chairs to sit in while you take in the view. Working our way down, we marvelled at the alabaster, lit from within, guiding us down and through this spectacular building. Lots of places to sit and rest as you walk through the exhibits. The building is on sacred land, so indigenous folks may visit free of charge any time to honour their heritage. Yes, this place had a rocky start - put that in the past and visit a building which is truly breath-taking in its design, and global in its reach. Pictures do not do this work of art justice. Stories from every part of our planet outline people, geography, history and stories. A mighty effort!

What the heck do you put in a museum for Human Rights? Dinosaur Museum: Dinosaurs Art Museum: Art Human rights: Humans? Thanks to human rights, this is certainly not the case. Human rights is a far less tangible concept. It's an ever changing and powerfully emotional narrative of ideas, stories, people, and experiences. It's a journey that hasn't always been forward and is very much ongoing. Representing Human Rights in museum... Where do you even begin? You begin from the ground up. Literally. Everything about about this building has been built from the ground up to represent Human Rights and take visitors on an interactive, experiential and symbolic journey through the building. The entire building is a symbol From the outside, the building uses prairie grass and stone and expands upwards into the sky with a glass spier. The sky coloured glass walls wrap protectively around its contents, like the wings of a mother dove. Starting your visit on the ground level, the museum is an upward journey from darkness into light. Using these crazy awesome backlit quartz (I think it's quartz) ramps that are reminiscent of Hogwarts, you gradually work your way through interactive and artistic exhibitions that reveal more and more daylight. The path is not straightforward, but it does gradually go upward to where you can see more and more. Artsy, right? Art and human rights aside, you get a pretty sweet view of Winnipeg from the top. The only downside is you're already in Winnipeg's most beautiful building so you can't look at it... The glass elevator is fun to ride. This is the most kickass thing in Winnipeg.

$18.00 for adult fee. Worth every penny. It's the nicest building in Winnipeg. Good, helpful staff. Guided or self guided. Amazing architecture and marble. Views are stellar. Great content.

I feel like my human rights were violated by having them trap me in this monstrosity for two hours. It's not just bad. It's surprisingly bad. It's embarrassingly bad. It wasn't supposed to happen this way. We were actually quite looking forward to exploring this museum, especially considering the fascinating topic, the considerable hype and the massive expenditure. But there's very little here. Granted, they keep reminding you that 'some of the galleries are not open yet'... but even if these unopened spaces are full of spectacular things like animatronic Gandhis and holographic race riots, it still won't be enough. As it stands there are four completely pointless galleries that deal with a mishmash of unrelated and unconnected issues. Issues are explored at a trivial level, and the overuse of iPads make this an experience that could easily be mimicked at home. 'Human Rights' are only seen from one angle, not as the complicated issues that they actually are. A shamefully Eurocentric vision of a world viewed with a selective filter. Unfortunately, it's curation by committee. A highly politicized, ulterior-motive filled committee. Five of us went with eager expectations, we all walked out with exceptional disappointment. Why is this museum here?

How can you see the architecture of this museum and NOT go? The inside of the museum is just as beautiful as the outside. Absolutely stunning. The first floor had a Nelson Mandela exhibit that was so moving. It's hard to believe that this is the only human right museum - it's important for us to remember our history and to keep striving to treat one another better. I was a little concerned that my kids would be bored (6 and 11), but there are quite a few interactive activities, which held their interest. My entire family enjoyed the experience. It was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Winnipeg. Don't miss this opportunity!

Went late on a Wednesday night at 7pm for their $5 after 5pm special. 2 hours wasn't enough time to properly go through everything so that was unfortunate. But we did the best we could. My friend who went another night commented on how little it featured Indigenous history and I have to say I agree... although it was interesting and wonderful to see highlights of other events in the world that people definitely need to know about. The current and continuous colonization of Indigenous people in Canada. Also agree, lots of wasted space inside... Overall I learned a lot here but they could definitely improve their exhibits.

A beautiful place to visit if you are visiting Winnipeg. Recently opened and dedicated to the human rights cause. A must see if you visit here.

I enjoy frequenting museums and such, mostly art. This building has SO much space within it, just too bad they couldn't utilize all of it. There is a mix of some artwork within the exhibits as well as a lot of Canadian history. Walking is something to be expected and with such a large building, it's gonna be a lot. The gift store has a bit of stuff for sale, a lot of it is Native replicated items. Kind of pricey, but there are student discounts which doesn't amount to a whole lot less than full priced admission. Worth a visit for a first time.

Based on what a Winnipeg-based friend told us, this museum didn't have the most auspicious beginning, with delayed opening and running over budget and I feel like the early reviews reflect that. But with everything up, running and open, this is a must-stop site in Winnipeg, IMO. Yes, there is a lot of walking (though I don't know what museum doesn't have this "problem") but I actually really love the way the museum is organized and laid out. Instead of walking through sterile rooms, the museum is laid out differently on every floor and the walkways are ramps through the middle of the space. The museum somehow manages to be both incredibly modern and still "earthy" - though it's sleek and shiny, it incorporates elements of the outside and utilizes its location on the Forks to give sweeping views from the upper floor windows. Seeing as indigenous rights are one of the focuses, I really thought the melding of interior and exterior was on-point and well done. The museum is poignant and leads to a lot of thoughtful introspection. I thought they handled sensitive material really well and also managed to grasp and convey the subtleties of the issues. There are a couple of spots that invite visitor comments and I loved the idea of sparking conversation that's always evolving. Overall, I definitely teared up a couple of times, I learned quite a bit and I'm very glad we made the time to stop here. Note: The Museum is closed on Mondays.

Great place to learn where we were and where we r now as human's. Everthing is in video and picture form. I get the feeling the building is sponsored by Israel. The top tower is delicate to Israel and they have the whole 4th level just for Holocaust. I was disappointed when i couldn't find a single showing of major human right's violations happening right now or from the past getting equal attention. This list includes the human rights violations happening in Palestine and inside Israel right now! Not a single picture!!! Human right's Museum should be a place to learn and teach peace, not a place of business.

This place is awesome. We visited last week, and were amazed at architecture and the design. Very different and very modern. Cost per person is about $15 (Canadian) with an extra $ 5 for a guided tour. All galleries and eight floors are now open. The 8th floor is technically the Tower Of Hope, which offers a great view of Winnipeg! Lots of good stuff here - not just Canadian History. I had never heard of the Holodomor, and it was one of the many new things I learned about during my visit. Well worth a visit if you are in Winnipeg.

Must see in Winnipeg! Wow this museum is huge! Be sure to plan at least 3 hours to get through it. Multiple exhibits on human rights from across Canada and the world. Each floor deals with a separate topic and has interactive exhibits and takeaways. The staff are all super knowledgable and willing to answer any questions. The museum is laid out so you start on the bottom floor and work your way to the 7th floor on a series on inclined ramps , so plan on a lot of waking. At the top you have the option to go even higher to the lookout tower and get a 360 view of downtown Winnipeg and the forks area. The ticket line can sometimes get long and cause a wait so tickets can be purchased online. This is a must see in Winnipeg and a very well done and put together museum !

I came here here times in two days when I was visiting family in Winnipeg. Everybody needs to go to this museum. They should open branches all around the world. Amazing.

I don't often give a negative review , but in this case , I feel justified. our tour group felt the same way. what were they thinking?? the museum is a huge monument. not very easy for seniors to navigate. I was very disappointed. just tell me who did it , when , where why and what happened, in a format that is easy to understand and follow. I think the taxpayers for hosed big time . $351 million ?????

Love this place. I often come here to bring my thoughts in order. I like to come before closing when there is no crowd. Admired by architecture. Creates a sense of greatness and something ancient. After visiting I had a deep and slightly sad feeling. every first Wednesday of each month is a free entrance, no admission after 4 pm, but it may be crowded

A museum dedicated to human rights? Really? When I first heard about the CMHR I was a bit curious. On a recent visit to Winnipeg I was very curious, so we went. The architecture of the building is word-class. The time and energy into designing the space, choosing materials, etc. could be a museum on itself. There is an audio guide tour that you can download for your phone and use throughout the museum. You just need to bring your own headphones. I think they might charge you a fee if you want to borrow theirs. In any case, I don't think the audio guide is worth it. The audio is poor at times and most of the time the exhibits have screens to read. As you progress upwards the it makes you feel like you are having a transformative experience. Each floor is dedicated to certain parts of human rights. I can't say I really remember too much except for a few interesting exhibits. The pano exhibit sponsored by Calgary was quite interesting and full of info. Again, what really was most memorable to me was the building and how leading edge it is. At the end of the museum you are near the top and then realize there's more to it. At the very very top there is an observation deck that gives you an amazing view of the city. I would've thought there would be something a bit more existential up there like a plaque or a tree to symbolize freedom.... nope, nothing. I think maybe in a few years I'll go back to see if this 3-star attraction can be bumped up to a 4 or 5-star one. It seems being such a new museum they would fill in the obvious voids.

Visited the museum for the first time on Canada's 150th (July 1st). Admission was $5.00 so I thought I would take a look around. Many interactive displays and history of Canada and the journey to all the rights we enjoy now. Lots of walking and I did walk up 108 stairs to the tower for a great view of all of Winnipeg. Didn't get a chance to see the whole museum thoroughly, but I will return. Really enjoyed the few hours I spent on Canada Day at the museum!

Amazing must see museum. The architecture pulls you and and through the exhibits. A great well rounds museum covering human rights issue, history and hero's from around the world and throughout time.

Absolutely beautiful building! Lots of empty space and walkways. I have been to much more immersive and meaningful museums. I walked away thinking what man does to man is terrible. I would like to have walked away with a strong feeling of wanting to help stop evil and hatred. It is a beautiful place but I think more should have been done with the impact it leaves on people.

This was one of the most powerful museum experiences I have had. The tour itself takes about 3 hours, but you can easily spend almost double that reading through all of the material. The modern inclusion of interactive videos is really neat!

Beautiful architecture! I was so impressed by the building that I did not pay much attention to the exhibits. I did notice and was very impressed by the interactive exhibits. Very well done! I will have to come back and pay more attention to the exhibits next time!

Beautiful. Educational. Too bad they don't have a museum like this in the United States and in Hawaii in particular.

A giant building of mostly empty space and a long uphill trek to hide the lack of actual museum. It isn't wheelchair friendly, the bathroom toilets look pre-peed in and the stall doors don't stay closed. Sharing is caring people. Hell if you are taller than 6ft 6in you'll have to duck to keep from being brained by the next level of endless walkways because apparently tall people weren't worthy of consideration. There are minimal actual exhibits and most convey less information then the summary section of a wikipedia page. Most of the exhibits could have been made by junior high students with a decent computer. Some exhibits are unreadable because they were made for screens wider than the ones they are being displayed on so you get half sentances. There is a jewish holocaust in nazi germany section but no mention of the african genocides or the chinese holocaust. The architecture is pretty much the only thing of value and you don't need to pay $15 to look at that. Although if you bring a small jacks ball it might be worth the $15 to see it go down all the paths.

Amazing architecture and design. This place is going on my list of things to do again. Been here 15 minutes

Amazing building and amazing museum canada needs. Think it didn't deal with aboriginal issues like it could have and I understand the controversy but overall really worth the visit!!

Staff was more interested in talking to eachother. Seeing cluttered, untidy work spaces/desks were 100% detremental to the experience. Went in right before a museum led tour group. Couldn't enjoy anything (especially the contemplation space) because the tour group was soooooooo loud. Whole family was disappointed. Save your $50.