WINNIPEG – A farm boy turned lawyer has become one of the prime movers of the yet-to-be-built Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Yude Henteleff, who has received the Order of Canada for his human rights work in Canada and overseas, told Canadian women’s institutes members that one-third of the $300 million needed to build the museum in Winnipeg has been raised. That includes $22 million a year in operational funding from the federal government.
Henteleff, who was raised on a market garden near St. Vital, Man., after his grandfather lost his farm during the Dirty Thirties, said the idea for the museum came from his former law partner, the late Izzy Asper, whose family is contributing to the project.
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Construction is to begin next year and the museum will open by 2012.
“It’s rare for a dream to become a reality,” Henteleff said.
He said it is fitting that the museum be in Canada because of this country’s multiculturalism and because of notable Canadian citizens who have furthered the cause of human rights:
- Lester Pearson, who won the Nobel prize for creating the peacemakers’ concept.
- Nellie McClung, who won voting and legal rights for women.
- The men and women who have served the United Nations, including John Humphries, author of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“It’s time the rest of the world knew about us.”
The museum will be interactive and go beyond the bad stories of genocide and racism. Henteleff said it will also include victories.
All exhibits will include three themes: the rights of children, women and disabled.
He said people can learn how to make the world a better place by learning about past shameful deeds as well as positive responses.
“As a Canadian I have always lived with hope. I knew it would get better.”
