Edmonton as a Human Rights City: A Living Legacy of ACTIVISM

Edmonton’s history is rich with people who have dedicated their lives to ensuring that everyone—especially the most marginalized—has access to basic human rights. From local champions like Tom Engel, Carola Cunningham, and Jim Gurnett, to globally connected movements such as the Raging Grannies and Project Ploughshares, our city’s activism reaches far beyond its borders, shaping conversations on justice, dignity, and equality around the world.

Edmonton as a Human Rights City: A Living Legacy of Activism is a lesson plan series inspired by video interviews that capture the stories, strategies, and lived experiences of these change makers. Each lesson connects local struggles to global movements, invites reflection on systems of exclusion, and challenges learners to imagine how they can take action within their own communities.

Together, these lessons offer educators and students a meaningful resource for sparking dialogue, deepening understanding, and inspiring the next generation of advocates. They invite learners to see how activism rooted in Edmonton has shaped—and continues to shape—human rights work far beyond our city.

This year-long project was inspired by Patti Hartnagel and Michael Kalmanovitch and facilitated by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, in collaboration with the City of Edmonton Archives.

Check out the lesson plans

watch the project playlist

We are deeply grateful for the generous support of the Edmonton Heritage Council, the New Horizons for Seniors Program, the City of Edmonton Archives, and the Alberta Heritage Awareness Grant. Their commitment to preserving and sharing Edmonton’s activist history helps ensure that these stories continue to educate, empower, and inspire future generations.