Local arts groups recognized for supporting human rights

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This article was published 08/12/2010 (5659 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Children and teenagers just knew they’ve been watching entertaining plays at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People or in their schools for almost three decades.

But the Canadian and Manitoba human rights commissions and the Manitoba Association for Rights and Liberties knew the young people were being more than entertained.

On Tuesday night the theatre company was one of two recipients of the 2010 Human Rights Commitment Award from the three organizations.

“At first glance it might seem unusual for human rights and childrens’ theatre to be connected,” said MTYP artistic director Leslee Silverman. “But we are Winnipeggers and we do it all.”

Silverman said past plays have entertained young people with stories on the internment of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War, aboriginal students sent to residential schools, and local poverty.

Denise Lysak, MTYP general manager, said thousands of young people see the theatre’s productions staged in their own schools every year.

Musician Fred Penner, one of the people who nominated MTYP for the award, said many of the plays deal with the very issues that young people are grappling with in their own lives while looking at the world around them.

“Many of the images you don’t soon forget,” Penner said.

“As a Winnipegger involved in the arts, they are doing an incredible job supporting human rights.”

The other co-winner of the human rights commitment award was Ernesto Griffith and Winston Moxam of Winesto Films for their film Billy. The film details the life of Billy Beale, an Afro-Canadian who moved from the United States to Swan River, Man., in 1906.

Two young people on Voices: Manitoba Youth in Care Network Leadership Team, were awarded the 2010 Sybil Shack Human Rights Youth Award for creating a Free Hug Day campaign and documenting it on video.

MHRC chairman Jerry Woods said the awards were given out in celebration of International Human Rights Day being held this Friday. He said this year’s commitment awards were handed out to artworks and groups that promoted respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

“Our arts community did not disappoint,” said Woods. “The nominees were all so very impressive.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca