To mark the 10^th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (PDF, 655 Ko) , The Commission highlighted 8 initiatives that have promoted the recognition and respect of Indigenous rights throughout Québec over the past decade.

The jury composed of Ghislain Picard (Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador), Viviane Michel (President of Quebec Native Women), Alexandre Bacon (cofounder of Cercle KISIS) and Béatrice Vaugrante (Executive Director of Amnistie internationale Canada francophone), has presented the award at a public event on December 10th 2017.

News release on the ceremony
Learn more about the theme for 2017
Facebook photo album of theceremony 

 

Avataq Cultural Institute is a non-profit charity organization incorporated in 1980 with an all-Inuit Board of Directors living in Nunavik. Its mandate is to protect and promote Inuit language and culture so that Inuktitut and Inuit culture may be preserved for present and future generations. Avataq has continually returned to seek out and consult the wisdom and leadership of Inuit Elders, and to this day is guided by the concerns, hopes, and long-term vision expressed by Elders.
Avataq's Website 
Watch the video on Avataq on our Youtube channel 

On the picture : Rodha Kokiapik who accepted the Award on behalf of the Avataq Cultural Institute

Sébastien Grammond, judge to the Federal Court, and Christiane Guay, associate professor at the Université du Québec en Outaouais and a social worker, have been working, for nearly ten years, to expand knowledge regarding governance in Indigenous communities in the field of youth protection, an area that remains poorly documented in francophone Indigenous communities. Their work has, among other things, contributed to recognize, for the first time in Québec, Indigenous legal traditions, including customary Aboriginal adoption.
Watch the video on Grammond and Guay on our Youtube channel  (in French)

On the picture : Sébastien Grammond and Christiane Guay who received the Award

The Centre des Premières Nations Nikanite de l’Université du Québec à Chicoutimi provides Indigenous UQAC students a welcoming place that offers the guidance and educational support they need to foster their academic success, in keeping with their culture. The Nikanite Centre also educates the academic community and the general public about Indigenous realities and cultures.
The Centre Nikanite's Website 
Watch the video Centre des Premières Nations Nikanite on our Youtube channel  (in French)

On the picture : Marco Bacon who accepted the Award on behalf of the Centre des Premières Nations Nikanite

The Montréal First Peoples Festival (Présence autochtone) is an annual ten-day event held on unceded Mohawk territory for the past 27 years. The stated purpose of this annual cultural event is to foster kinship among peoples and respect for differences in a spirit of friendship. It is a place where cultures can meet and reconciliation can occur.
Présence autochtone's Website 
Watch the video on Présence autochtone on our Youtube channel  (in French)

On the picture : André Dudemaine who accepted the Award on behalf of the Montréal First Peoples Festival

The Atikamekw Nehirowisiw Declaration of Sovereignty seeks to raise awareness of and ensure the recognition of Atikamekw Nehirowisiw ancestral rights within the general population of Québec and Canada. This declaration has helped to emphasize Atikamekw presence on the territory during traditional activities and has fostered a new respect from non-Indigenous users.
Website 
Watch the video about Atikamekw Nehirowisiw Declaration on our Youtube channel  (in French)

On the picture : Grand Chief Constant Awashish who accepted the Award for the Atikamekw Nehirowisiw Declaration of Sovereignty

The Ndakinna Office of the Grand Conseil de la Nation Waban-Aki documents traditional uses and occupation of the Ndakinna territory by the W8banakiak people (Abenakis) in order to ensure protection for their ancestral rights. The Office’s consultations have help build constructive dialogue between promoters, organizations and government ministries in favour of Nation members and to be the voice of the W8banakiak people throughout the territorial planning process.
Ndakinna Office's Page 
Watch the video on the Ndakinna Office on our Youtube channel  (in French)

On the picture : Suzie O'Bomsawin surrounded by the team of the Ndakinna Office of the Grand Conseil de la Nation Waban-Aki

The Institut Tshakapesh’s Sous le Shaputuan program offers awareness activities are open both to youth in elementary, high schools, colleges, universities, and to the general public throughout Québec. Over the past 10 years, the Institut Tshakapesh’s Sous le Shaputuan program has introduced more than 100,000 young people of all ages to Innu culture.
Sous le Shaputuan program's Page  (in French)
Watch the video about Sous le Shaputuan on our Youtube channel  (in French)

On the picture : Evelyne St-Onge who accepted the Award on behalf of the Sous le Shaputuan program

Natasha Kanapé Fontaine, poet/performer, actress, visual artist and Indigenous and environmental rights activist. Kanapé Fontaine is an Innu from Pessamit, in Québec’s Côte-Nord region. Her artistic and literary approach aims to bring people from different origins together through dialogue, discussion, sharing of values, and through the “tanning of hides”, a metaphor for scratching below imperfect thoughts and consciences.
Natasha Kanapé Fontaine's Website 
Watch the video on the Kanapé Fontaine on our Youtube channel  (in French)

On the picture : Natasha Kanapé Fontaine

2016

The Commission presented its 2016 Rights and Freedoms Award to Annie Pullen Sansfaçon and her daughter Olie Pullen in recognition of their work on behalf of the rights of trans children.

To celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR ), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966, the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse had chosen to highlight the economic and social rights as the theme of its 2016 Rights and Freedoms Award. The other finalists were Action travail des femmes  and the Fondation du Dr Julien .

News release anouncing the 2016 recipients
Learn more on economic and social rights

2015

To mark the 40th anniversary of the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and the Commission has launch a call for nominations to honor 40 people who defend and promote the rights and freedoms in Québec. Due to this special event, the Rights and Freedoms Award has not been awarded in 2015. Read the news release

To find out the names and actions of the recipients, visit our special Website: 40ansdelaCharte.org .

2014

Equitas - International Centre for Human Rights Education was given the Rights and Freedoms Award 2014 in recognition of its human rights education programs for youth and children in Montréal. 
News release anouncing the winner 
News release on the ceremony

In the picture : Jacques Frémont, president of the Commission, with Ian Hamilton, director of Equitas.

2013

The Commission has awarded its 2013 Rights and Freedoms Award to Steve Foster, in recognition for his exceptional contribution to the advancement of rights and freedoms of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgender communities (LGBT), during a ceremony that was held on December 10, in Montréal.
News release on Steve Foster, recipient of the Rights and Freedoms Award 2013

In the picture : Jacques Frémont, president of the Commission, with Steve Foster. Credit  : Jean-Charles Hubert.

2012

In 2012,Journal de la Rue  has been awarded the Rights and Freedoms Award.
News release

In the picture : Mr. Gaétan Cousineau, president of the Commission, with Raymond Viger and Danielle Simard, co-directors of the Journal de la Rue and the Minister of Justice, Bernard St-Arnaud.

2011

Wapikoni mobile

2010

Tolerance Foundation

2009

Regroupement des organismes Espace du Québec (ROEQ)

2008

The honourable Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré of the Québec Court

2007

Mr. Laurent McCutcheon

2006

Mr. André Paradis

2005

Coalition pour le maintien dans la communauté (COMACO)

2004

Espace Outaouais

2003

Ms. Lorraine Doucet, Service Accès Scolaire of the Regroupement pour la trisomie 21

2002

Mr. François Saillant, Coordinator of the Front d'action populaire en réaménagement urbain (FRAPRU)

2001

Father Emmett (Pops) Johns, Founder and facilitator of organizations dedicated to the assistance of homeless youth

2000 - Special Edition

In order to mark the 25th anniversary of the coming into force of the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, the Commission recognized the work of women and men who contributed to its creation :

• Mr. Jérôme Choquette
• Mr. Jacques Yvan Morin
• Mr. Maurice Champagne (posthumously)
• Mr. Paul-André Crépeau
• Mr. Francis Reginald Scott
• Mr. Robert Normand
• Mr. Daniel Jacoby

The Commission also honoured the following people who were involved in the Ligue des droits et libertés' Charter drafting project :

• Mr. Jean-Louis Roy
• Mr. Léo Cormier (posthumously)
• Mr. André Morel
• Mr. Fernand Morin
• Ms. Monique Rochon
• Mr. René Saint-Louis
• Ms. Monica Matte
• Ms. Lisette Gervais (posthumously)
• Mr. Jacques Desmarais
• Ms. Aline Gobeil
• Mr. Jacques Tellier

1999

Association québécoise pour les troubles d'apprentissage (AQETA)

1998 – Special Edition

In order to mark the 50th anniversary of the coming into force of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Commission has given regional prizes as well as a grand prize, which the regional recipients were qualified to receive.

Recipients of the Regional Prizes 1998

Bas-Saint-Laurent
Ms. Nikole DuBois, Originator of the project « Antidote Monde »
and
Ms. Marie-Josée Baril, Founder and General Director of the Maison de quartier de Jonquière

Québec
La Croisée

Mauricie
Espace Mauricie

Estrie
Mr. Gérard-Pierre Ti-I-Taming
Involved in the struggle against racial discrimination

Outaouais
Mouvement international Nicolas-Gatineau
and
Mr. Yvon Nepveu
and
Mr. Jean-Marie Viola

Côte-Nord
Association septilienne des loisirs, des sports et de la culture pour personnes vivant avec un handicap

Nord du Québec
The Abbot Réjean Roberge (posthumously),  Humanist

Nunavik
Mr. Zebedee Nungak,  Inuit Nation Leader

Baie-James
Mr. Ted Moses
For his involvement and support of the protection of the First Nations' rights

Gaspésie < Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Ms. Marie-Thérèse Forest
For her involvement in the promotion and the advocacy of women's rights

Chaudière-Appalaches
Ms. Louise Mathieu
For her involvement en favor of youth and family

Laval
Mr. Raymond Chrétien, Originator of the project « Sois branché »
Organisation devoted to the prevention of violence in the school environment

Lanaudière
Le Mouvement des personnes d'abord de Joliette
Organisation working with people with disabilities

Laurentides
Mr. Prudhomme, Founder of the Société d'Autisme des Laurentides

Montérégie
Association des retraités et préretraités de la région de Sorel

Centre du Québec
Sortie de secours, from the Sainte-Marie de Princeville highschool
Group devoted to preventing violence against youth

Recipients of the Grand Prize 1998

Montréal
Ms. Martha Bishop
For her exceptional involvement in the advocacy of people struggling with mental illness

Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Ms. Monique Sioui (posthumously)
For her exemplary contribution in the reconstruction of social health in aboriginal communities

1997

Ms. Lucie Lemieux-Brassard, Retiring President
Confédération des organismes de personnes handicapées du Québec (COPHAN)

1996

Mr. André Leclerc, Founder and General Director of Kéroul

1995

Comité provincial des malades

1994

Comité Ethnies-Familles, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur of Montreal

1993

Résidence Yvon-Brunet pour personnes âgées
and
Ms. Simonne Monet-Chartrand (posthumously), Humanist

1992

Ms. Michèle Rouleau, Former President, Quebec Native Women (QNW)

1991

Mr. André Jacob, Head of the Département de travail social of the Université du Québec à Montréal

1990

Association québécoise des droits des retraité-es et pré-retraité-es (AQDR)

1988

Ligue des droits et libertés

2010

The Val-d’Or Native Friendship Centre
For the annual organization of the Gabriel-Commanda Walk

2009

La Maison Bleue

2007

Group of students from the Collège Mont Notre-Dame de Sherbrooke
For the initiation of a school project on the exploitation of women's bodies and hypersexualisation.

2003

The Organisation of the Marche pour la paix (Walk for freedom), driven by kids and attended by 1 000 people at Montmagny on March 22, 2003

2002

Cible Famille Brandon
and
AQDR Drummond

2001

Mr. Camil Bouchard, Professor and researcher in psychology
and
Quebec Native Women (QNW)

1999

Réseau Enfants Retour Canada

1997

Programme d'accès à l'égalité of the Service de police de la Communauté urbaine de Montréal (SPCUM)
and
Ms. Thérèse André, Painter

1992

Mr. Lucien G. Landry, President of the Conseil général des usagers du CSSMM
and
Mr. Jean-Yves Vachon, Human Rights' Advisor of the Centre de la communauté sourde du Montréal métropolitain

1991

Collège Bois-de-Boulogne
and
Théâtre Parminou