Human Rights Awards

The Human Rights Awards are presented annually by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights to recognize outstanding contributions to human rights of people in Alberta.

This year, in celebration of the International Day of Peace, the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights and Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani will celebrate the 15th Annual Human Rights Awards on September 21, 2023 at Government House.

“As we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is critical to recognize those that make those efforts every day to strengthen our social fabric. Often thankless work, these heroes are ones that amplify and mobilize community in important ways and we need them more than ever. Without them, our communities would not be the same and many would be left behind.” Renée Vaugeois, Executive Director, John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights


Types of Awards:

  • Human Rights Champion:  Recognizes those working to make their community a better place; a place where all are included, valued, participate and belong.

  • Gerald L. Gall Award: For outstanding contribution to and demonstrated excellence in the protection and promotion of human rights in Canada through legislative change.

  • Randy Palivoda Award for Public Service: For outstanding contribution and demonstrated excellence in the protection and promotion of human rights in their role as a public servant.

  • The Honourable Salma Lakhani Award for Leadership in Pluralism and Reconciliation: An award granted to a young person (under the age of 30) who has shown leadership and a steadfast commitment to advancing meaningful reconciliation and peaceful co-existence of the diverse cultures in Canada. The award is a celebration of achievement and excellence to promote diversity, harmony, collaboration and connection. Winners exemplify and model values of inclusion, cross-cultural connection and equity.

These awards are for individuals of all ages, businesses or organizations that are making a positive contribution to the lives and well-being of people in our community. These recipients are those that are actively promoting, fulfilling, protecting or educating on human rights and making the community a place where all belong, are included and participate.


2023 Award RECIPIENTS

Human Rights Champions

Vee Duncan (1987-2023) was born in Williams Lake, BC and was half-Secwépemc, half-Squamish Nation. Facing the impacts of inter-generational trauma, Vee experienced addiction, incarceration, and homelessness for many years. In March 2021, he walked from Calgary to Edmonton dragging a shopping cart to raise awareness about homelessness and Indigenous mental health, and then founded a non-profit called Nék̓em (“to change something”) to continue his community outreach and awareness-raising work. The name Nék̓em was chosen to honour the Secwépemc values of caring for the community that Vee learned from his grandparents. Vee led Nék̓em’s efforts to dismantle harmful colonial biases in existing support services, build resilience and support within the houseless community, and mentor Indigenous Warriors to heal from inter-generational trauma and care for the community. Vee drew strength and inspiration from connecting with Indigenous ceremony and teachings, including participating in the Sundance and being a Pipe Carrier.

Mark Brave Rock grew up in Moses Lake and went to school in Cardston. From humble beginnings, Mark built a committed Blackfoot-led group that started in October 2018 and which has been instrumental in upholding people’s human rights, called SAGE Clan - standing for Serve, Assist, Guard and Engage. Along with a team of volunteers, the Clan patrols multiple times a week in the areas of Lethbridge, Alberta, ensuring those experiencing homelessness and addiction receive basic needs and supplies, while providing companionship and building relationships. Through this work, Mark and SAGE Clan are trying to redefine what front line workers look like, destigmatizing homelessness and addiction, and utilizing a more natural approach that is rooted in dignity, connection, genuine care, and the shared experience of humanity.

Sunpreet (Sunny) Singh Johal is lauded by numerous supporters as a passionate advocate for social justice, combating hate crimes, and promoting anti-racism. Sunny has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives at the local level, dedicating themselves tirelessly to empowering and advocating for marginalized groups. In their role with the Alberta Hate Crimes Committee (AHCC) and as a student researcher at Grant MacEwan University, their research and efforts have centered on hate crimes and the far-reaching impacts on community, raising awareness about human rights violations and implementing pragmatic solutions to address these pressing concerns.With an unwavering commitment to social equality, Sunny Johal continues to lead and make significant strides in the fight against hate and discrimination.

Rehma Khan is an incoming MSc in Public Health student at the University of Alberta and is passionate about social justice, health equity, and human rights. Her work focuses on promoting initiatives surrounding sexual and reproductive health advocacy, and improving health outcomes for immigrant women and girls. In Edmonton and on the campus community, she has led and supported many initiatives to promote gender inclusivity and youth leadership, and her work with the Canadian Advisory of Woman Immigrants has also focused on sexual and reproductive health advocacy, research and education. She has most recently been working in Edmonton and rural communities to address health barriers and address the gaps in information that students have around sexual and reproductive health.

Marco Luciano is director of the Alberta chapter of Migrante, a non-profit organization that recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary on September 9, 2023. Marco is also founder and lead of several groups dedicated to upholding the rights of undocumented Migrants and Temporary Foreign Workers, including the National Committee of the Migrants Rights Network and the International Migrants Alliance. The work that Marco and Migrante do has supported many non-status migrants to gain status in Canada and avoid deportation, produced several research papers and policy submissions on these issues, and supported the immediate needs of migrants and compatriots through referrals, advocacy and campaigns. Marco is described as a force who strengthens, motivates, and leads with kindness, humility and courage.

The Honourable Salma Lakhani Award for Leadership in Pluralism and Reconciliation

Adebayo Katiiti is a Ugandan born Black transgender man widely recognized as the founder of Raricanow, an organization dedicated to supporting 2SQTLGBI+ refugees and newcomers in Canada. Driven by an unwavering dedication to eradicating all forms of oppression, Adebayo focuses particularly on combating anti-Black racism while advocating for mental health and social justice within gender-diverse communities. Adebayo has served as board member, QTBIPOC liaison, cultural guide and Black Trans elder and advisor to many groups, councils and movements locally and globally. Alongside being a passionate human rights activist, Adebayo is a multi-disciplinary artist, musician, and songwriter, a certified Life Coach and is currently pursuing studies in Professional Counselling and Immigration and Citizenship Law. Through these endeavours, Adebayo aims to raise the bar on gender and racial equity, build inclusive and diverse spaces, and further empower marginalized communities and contribute to positive change on a systemic level.

Gerald L. Gall Award

Temitope Oriola is Professor of Criminology and Sociology and Associate Dean in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta. A decorated researcher and teacher, Professor Oriola has received multiple national and international recognitions and is well known for field-defining sociological research on terrorism and policing, leadership and service to his discipline, and commitment to mobilizing knowledge in support of informed public debate. Internationally, he is known for his work on terrorism studies. In Canada, Professor Oriola’s scholarship focuses on policing and use of force and the implications for human rights, and is one of Canada’s most sought-after public intellectuals on police reform.

    • 2022: Dicky Dikamba, Ganiyat Sadiq, Deborah Dobbins, Patricia Paradis

    • 2021: Judith Gale, YEG Community Response to COVID, Cameron Noyes, Ivana Palacios, Camp Pekiwewin, Bethel Pantry, and Lise Robinson

    • 2018: Lyn, Mahamad Accord, Greg Lopez, Ahmed Knowmadic Ali

    • 2017: Allan Garber, Catherine Anley, YEON SOO Ha, Kyle Fairall (Queerflex), Dr. Junaid Jahangir, Scott Harris

    • 2016: Robert P. Lee, Paula Kirman, Ruth Adria, Kristina De Guzman, Roy Pogerzelski

    • 2015: Nicholas Ameywaw, Bernadatte Iahtail, Renee Laporte, Judy Lytton, Danielle Munroe

    • 2014: Brianna Olson, Amarjeet Sohi, Marni Panas, Mohamad El Daly, Velvet Martin

    • 2013: GRIT -Getting Ready for Inclusion Today, Butterfly Moon Project Empowerment, Mackenzie Martin, Amin Amir, Jim Gurnett, Dennis Edney

    • 2012: Shawnay McRorie, Mark Cherrington, Tom Engel, Indo-Canadian Women's Association, Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights, University of Alberta, Consent Ed

    • 2011: Dr. Ernest Khalema, Claire Edwards, Edmonton Food Bank, ArbreDeVie Fine-Arts World Fellowship, Plan It Sound

    • 2010: Lucas Crawford, Rabia Sheikh, Prostituition Awareness & Action Foundation of Edmonton (CEASE), INspired Youth Inclusion Action Group, OMNI Diversity Television

    • 2009: Yvonne Chiu Justin, Nshimirimana, HIV Edmonton, iDance, Parlour Magazine

    • 2008: Neil Kennedy, Joanne Cave, Wicihitowin Circle, SAAIRCY, Shaw Conference Centre

    • 2007: Akbar Ganji, Patricia Hartnagel, David Egger,t NAAR (Centre for Race & Culture), Earth's General Store