humanrightsradio

Understanding Kurdistan

Gord Barnes and Jim Hutchings talk with Barzan Slaeman about the history of the Kurds and the current situation in Kurdistan and in neighboring countries.

Too Many countries still have the death penalty--including our neighbour to the South

Today Tatenda Chikukwa, Gordon Barnes and Jim Hutchings touched on a number of long time issues, including the death penalty.  We also mention that a special guest, via skype, will be talking with us at our local AGM held later this month.

Transgender Awareness Week in Saskatchewan

Jim Hutchings talks with Jett Brewer and Mikayla Schultz about Transgender Week in Saskatchewan.  They discuss the progress that has been made over the last few years in the attitudes of the public, governments and the medical establishment with regard to the needs and rights of the transgender community.

Why U of R Cheer Team Picture was Offensive

Today, Tatenda Chikukwa, Gord Barnes and Jim Hutchings discussed what the uproar was about when the U of R cheer team had their group picture taken as "cowboys and indians".  This included excerpts from a thoughtful piece by UBC doctoral student and former member of the UofR cheer team, Holly Ann McKenzie.  We also touched on a number of human rights situations in other parts of the world

Homeless in Regina

Today Human Rights Radio spoke with Tyler Gray, HIV Strategy Housing Co-ordinator for Carmichael Outreach about Homelessness in Regina.  We discuss the Housing First concept in which housing is considered an integral part of the health strategy for people in various life difficulties.  Jurisdictions which have embraced this concept are experiencing improved results in their efforts to provide opportunities and improvement in the lives of disadvantaged people.  It is also noted that this concept results in lower use of the various emergency services with attendant  lower costs.

Marking International Women's Day

March 8th is International Women's Day so Crystal Giesbrecht and Jim Hutchings talked about what it is all about and why it is still needed in 2014.  There are issues, some of them life and death, still needing to be resolved for women, both in developed and developing countries.  Amnesty continues to speak up for the rights of women everywhere.

Freedom to Read: We talk with RPL Writer in Residence, Gail Bowen

Today Gord Barnes and Jim Hutchings spoke with Gail Bowen, well-known author of the Joanne Kilbourne Mystery series and much more.  We talked about the "Freedom to Read" event at the Regina Public Library and the fact that many writers have had their works suppressed over the years including some well known Canadian authors.

Have a Heart Campaign: Giving Indiginous Children a Fair Shake

On our Valentines Day show, Gord Barnes and Jim Hutchings spoke with Rachel Janze of the Aboriginal Student Centre at the University of Regina about the "Have a Heart" campaign.  This campaign is raising awareness about the disparity that exists between aboriginal and non-aboriginal children's access to educational and social services.  Rachel tells us what activities have been planned at the U of R in support of this campaign.

Queen City Hub: New cultural centre for Regina

Today Human Rights Radio had an opportunity to speak with Jenn Bergen, Co-founder of Queen City Hub.  Gord Barnes and Jim Hutchings asked Jenn to explain the raison d'etre of Queen City Hub and how it promises to make a positive change in the cultural life of Regina.

A brief look at the life and music of Pete Seeger

Pete Seeger died January 27.  The iconic activist and folksinger was 94 and continued in his activism and singing to the very end. He was chopping wood at his home 10 days before his death.  Gord and Jim give a brief description of Pete Seeger's life and we listen to a few of the many songs Pete wrote and sang.