Celebrities help Canadian unions celebrate human rights victories
On Thursday evening, Canada’s unions will launch Rise Up!, a national human rights conference, with an opening night celebration featuring a DJ set by A Tribe Called Red, celebrity guest speakers including Daily Show Senior Correspondent Hasan Minhaj, author and MLA for Fort Rouge Wab Kinew, and Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard, vice-president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC).
“This is an opportunity to celebrate the victories and contributions of Canada’s unions, but also to highlight our human rights priorities and the work we still have ahead of us,” said CLC President Hassan Yussuff.
In a dramatic tribute to the struggle that has won an inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, a performance piece will combine Indigenous dancers, motion graphics and holograms, set to the music of A Tribe Called Red.
“Canada’s unions have actively supported and amplified calls from Indigenous women, their families, leaders and communities for a national inquiry into the cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. We celebrate the fact that the inquiry was finally called earlier this year,” said Yussuff.
“We will continue to offer our support to Indigenous communities across Canada,” he added.
During the reception, attendees will be invited to participate in a virtual reality experience simulating the harsh reality of being forced to flee one’s home as a refugee; but in this case, it’s as if it were happening here in Canada.
Other conference speakers will include actor and human rights activist Danny Glover, journalist and community activist Desmond Cole, and Executive Director of First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada Dr. Cindy Blackstock.
For more information, contact:
Chantal St-Denis
National Representative, Media Relations
613-355-1962
cstdenis@clc-ctc.ca
