Canadians Out In The World

This is the service uniform of Lotta Hitschmanova. 

She came to Canada as a refugee during the Second World War, and at war's end founded the Canadian branch of the Unitarian Service Committee, which still carries on her work today. She spent her working life in service to those affected by war.

The apartheid question in South Africa was a thorny diplomatic issue for decades. Canadian governments in turn opposed it.

In the 1980s, the movement globally against apartheid resonated with society. The Canadian government under Brian Mulroney pushed for economic sanctions against South Africa- while his allies Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher would have preferred less overt steps. Despite the many flaws of the man (as many a Canadian would attest to), this stance on principle is worth respecting.

Nelson Mandela never forgot that Canadians were outspoken in opposition to apartheid, having a warm relationship with the country and the people, and he was made an honorary citizen of Canada right here at the Museum.

This quote speaks volumes, and rings true.

Christina Briand was one of a number of Mounties posted in Haiti on a UN detail in 2010 when a massive earthquake struck the country. She worked on rebuilding an orphanage.

People in her hometown raised money in support of the reconstruction.

Both Canadian government and non-governmental agencies actively get involved in emergency response around the world.