Dec. 8, 2025

Pictured above: Musical performance by Don Amero at the Raising Our Voices 2025 Gala.

On November 17, Raising Our Voices 2025 Gala hosted by the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, brought together community members to highlight the importance of sharing human rights stories of resilience and strength that shape Canadian history, an effort The North West Company was glad to support.

Friends is a non-profit dedicated to sustaining philanthropic support for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) in Winnipeg, MB, while empowering human rights champions and upstanders across Canada and around the world.

Marking the 11th anniversary of the museum, this year’s gala featured keynote speaker Michelle Douglas, LGBT purge survivor, 2SLGBTQI+ activist, community leader, and the Executive Director of the LGBT Purge Fund. Drawing on her own lived experiences, Michelle shared an impactful message about courage, perseverance, and advocacy in the face of human rights violations. Her story echoed the themes highlighted in the CMHR exhibition Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge, which was celebrated at the event.

The evening also featured a performance by acclaimed singer-songwriter Don Amero, who is of Cree and Métis heritage. In addition to touring across Canada and engaging communities with his powerful vocals and inspiring storytelling, Don is also a passionate advocate for Indigenous communities and broader social issues.

By honouring these human rights champions and their stories, The North West Company joins the momentum of advancing inclusion, promoting equity, and building stronger communities that welcome and uplift diverse individuals.