Muriel Stanley Venne

Muriel Stanley Venne

Law and Justice (2004)

Ms. Stanley Venne has made a name for herself as a champion of human rights in the Province of Alberta. This Métis woman’s career as a human rights advocate began in 1973 when former Premier Peter Lougheed appointed her one of the first seven commissioners to the Alberta Human Rights Commission. In honour of her commitment and work in the area of human rights, Ms. Stanley Venne was presented with the Alberta Human Rights Award on the 25th Anniversary of the Alberta Human Rights Commission.  Ms. Stanley Venne has also spent much of her career working on behalf of women. She founded the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women, an organization that strives to promote opportunities for women. As president, she hosted the Aboriginal Women’s Human Rights Symposium and the Gathering Our Strength – Violence Against Aboriginal Women Conference in Edmonton. Her booklet,The Rights Path – Alberta, was endorsed by Mary Robinson, the United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights. Ms. Stanley Venne’s efforts have been recognized by many groups and organizations. She received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, the Appreciation Award from the Native Counseling Services of Alberta, the Métis Woman of the Year Award from the Women of the Métis Nation and the Outstanding Young Woman Award from Canadian Merit. Many say that Ms. Stanley Venne’s work in the areas of human rights and social justice has led to empowerment for many Aboriginal people. Tenacious and tireless, Ms. Stanley Venne has advanced the fair and equal treatment of Aboriginal people within all levels of society.