2025 Human Rights Awards presented
Press Release
October 9, 2025
FREDERICTON – The recipients of the 2025 New Brunswick Human Rights Awards were honoured during a ceremony hosted at Government House in Fredericton today.
Anita Joseph of Elsipogtog First Nation received the Human Rights Award and Chinazam Igwe of Moncton received the Youth Human Rights Award.
“Anita Joseph and Chinazam Igwe are human rights champions who reach out beyond their traditional circles to bring New Brunswickers of all backgrounds together,” said Lt.-Gov. Louise Imbeault. “As community leaders, they advocate for lasting change while breaking down barriers and challenging systemic injustices. Their sustained efforts are leading to the creation of a society in which everyone is treated with more compassion, respect and equity.”
“This year’s recipients have made a major impact within their respective communities,” said New Brunswick Human Rights Commission chair Amber Chisholm. “Through their unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of equity and inclusion in all that they do, Anita Joseph and Chinazam Igwe exemplify what it means to be a modern-day champion of human rights.”
“I am extremely honoured to be a recipient of this prestigious award,” said Joseph. “I will continue to honour and carry it in my heart for the rest of my days.”
A respected figure within her community and throughout the province, Joseph is a formidable advocate for Indigenous health-care equity. For five years, she has been instrumental in a research study called Eimeg tan tleiaoltieg (We are home where we belong): Home for Life. The study aims to help Indigenous elders continue to live in their own homes as long as possible. A core part of the community-based research team, Joseph creates culturally safe spaces by interviewing Elsipogtog elders in Mi’kmaq, their first language. She also sits on the restorative justice committee in Elsipogtog and offers culturally compassionate end-of-life care to members of the community by providing prayers in Mi’kmaq.
Igwe is a Grade 12 student at Harrison Trimble High School who organized the first Elevate: Empowering Black Youth Summit last March. Hosted by Youth Innovation and Professional Empowerment, an organization founded by Igwe, the summit brought together more than 100 Black high school students from the Greater Moncton area. She has been dedicated to promoting human rights for racialized youth in New Brunswick from an early age. After immigrating to the province, one of Igwe’s first initiatives was to raise funds to buy books by Black authors and donate them to her middle school library to diversify its collection.
“I turned to books in middle school to navigate my early experiences with anti-Black racism, which led me to start a diverse book fundraiser,” said Igwe. “Over the years, my advocacy has grown through poetry, grassroots work and community projects promoting diversity and inclusion in New Brunswick. This award reminds me that human rights work is a collective effort, shaped by countless contributors here and around the world, from whom I continue to learn and collaborate.”
The New Brunswick Human Rights Award was established by the commission in 1988 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 2019, the commission created the Youth Human Rights Award to recognize the contributions of young New Brunswickers. The awards celebrate individuals and organizations who have advanced human rights, equality, diversity and inclusion in New Brunswick.
The award is a sculpture of walnut and maple designed and crafted by Lawrence Wuest of Nashwaak, and is on permanent public display at Government House.
Media Contact(s)
Alexandra Fournier, senior education officer, New Brunswick Human Rights Commission, alexandra.fournier@gnb.ca.
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