Guidelines for Stories

Click on a question to view our answer.

1. What kinds of stories is the Museum looking for?
2. In what form should I present my story?
3. I know a story to share, but it is not my own. Do I tell you about it?
4. What will the Museum do with my story?
5. How will you select stories to use in the Museum?
6. Are all submitted stories guaranteed to be in the Museum?
7. Can I tell you my story in confidence?
8. Will I receive any financial reward for sharing my story?
9. How will I know if my story appears in the Museum?
10. Additional questions to guide your online submission.

Q: What kinds of stories is the Museum looking for?

We hope to collect a range of stories: past events or current events; stories from Canada or from other countries; stories that involve you personally or members of your family or community.

Stories can include (but are not limited to):

• Experiences of discrimination, or unfair or unequal treatment
• Experiences of threat or harm based on who you are or what you believe
• Stories of overcoming and/or confronting discrimination
• Opportunities that came about because human rights were or are being protected or upheld
• Recognition or awards given for resisting discrimination and upholding freedom and opportunity
• Stories of how you treated others unequally or unfairly because of who they are or what they believe
• People or events that have inspired you to respect and honour human rights and responsibilities
• Images, symbols, objects, words, music, or art that symbolise human rights to you

Q: In what form should I present my story?

If you submit your story online, you can record it on video (make sure we have clear sound!), submit it as text in a PDF or Microsoft Word document, or submit photographs. Submissions can be made in either official language.

Q: I know a story to share, but it is not my own. Do I tell you about it?

Yes! We are relying on you to point us in the right direction. Please let us know if there are individuals or groups we should be speaking to by referring us through the link below. or by attending a public roundtable held in your area.

Invite a friend to share a story

Q: What will the Museum do with my story?

We may use your story in a variety of ways. For instance, your story may help shape the permanent exhibitions at the Museum, may be used as a quotation on a wall or as part of a multimedia display. Stories may be used to direct our researchers and designers, may appear in print material or materials for schools distributed by the Museum, or may be used to educate others on the work of the Museum.

Please note: We reserve the right to use submitted stories in whole, in part, or not at all, depending on the needs of the Museum.

Q: How will you select stories to use in the Museum?

With support from the Content Advisory Committee, a range of experts, and our exhibition designers, the Museum's curatorial team will select stories for use in exhibitions based on a number of criteria. We are most likely to select

• Stories that are symbolic or representative of a wider experience or event of historical significance
• Stories that are particularly moving or evocative
• Stories that enable the Museum to ask others to consider their own experiences, attitudes, and actions
• Stories that allow us to make linkages and connections between people, experiences, and ideas
• Stories that help to clarify a particular idea or emotion

Q: Are all submitted stories guaranteed to appear in the Museum?

Unfortunately, we do not have the space to accommodate all individual stories in the Museum. However, all submitted stories will be considered when our curators develop storylines for Museum exhibitions. Also, many stories will serve as background material, helping to shape our public programs and future exhibitions. Whether or not it appears in the museum, your story will make a difference!

Q: Can I tell you my story in confidence?

As a national public space for dialogue and reflection, the Museum will be gathering only stories that can be shared. When submitting a story, we ask that you read and accept a waiver permitting us to use your stories for the benefit of others.

Q: Will I receive any financial reward for sharing my story?

The Museum does not pay for submitted stories, however your story will be acknowledged.

Q: How will I know if my story appears in the Museum?

You will receive notification from us via e-mail if your story is to appear in a specific place in the Museum.

Additional questions to guide your online submission to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Q: What stories do you think need to be in the Canadian Museum for Human Rights? What would you be disappointed about if it were missing from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights?

Q: Are there specific events that you or your group see as a human rights success or failure?

Q: What do you see as our human rights challenges of the future?

Q: Do you have suggestions for
Who we should interview for personal stories?
Objects or images that are iconic of particular human rights stories and that trigger a particular emotional response?
Specific ‘things’ we should feature in the museum- such as objects, documents, photographs, film and video, diaries, journals, memoirs, music, art etc? Do you know where we can find these?

***We will not be collecting artefacts at this time, nor doing oral history interviews, but would appreciate knowing where and how to find the people you suggest and the ‘things’ you find important

If you have any further questions or concerns on story submission, please contact the Museum at 1 877 295 6639 or email info@humanrightsmuseum.ca.
 

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