Cindy Blackstock – Gitxsan First Nation

In 2007 as Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, Blackstock launched a human rights complaint against Canada.

The complaint stated that the federal government discriminated against First Nations children by underfunding First Nation child welfare services compared to the funding provided in the provincial system.

Over the next nine years, Blackstock had her funding cut, endured bureaucrats spying on her and was bullied by ministerial staff.

On January 26, 2016, in a landmark decision, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal agreed with Blackstock, that underfunding child welfare services amounted to discrimination.

Since Blackstock’s victory, the tribunal has issued four compliance orders against the federal government.

Blackstock continues to challenge discrimination against vulnerable First Nations children.