Cindy Blackstock facts for kids

Cindy Blackstock OC FRSC (born c. 1964) is a Canadian Gitxsan activist. She works to improve child welfare for First Nations children. She is the executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada. She also teaches at McGill University in the School of Social Work.

Early Life and Important Work

Cindy Blackstock was born around 1964 in Burns Lake, British Columbia. She studied at several universities, including the University of British Columbia, McGill University, Loyola University Chicago, and the University of Toronto. She earned multiple degrees, including a PhD in social work.

People often describe her as a strong voice for fairness for First Nations people in Canada. She speaks out about how public services often treat First Nations children and families unfairly. This includes things like healthcare and education.

Fighting for Children's Rights

In 2007, Cindy Blackstock and her organization, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, took a big step. They filed a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Act. They said that the Canadian government was not giving enough money for child welfare services on First Nations reserves. This meant First Nations children were not getting the same support as other children in Canada.

The government tried to stop the complaint many times. But the case kept moving forward through the courts.

A Major Court Decision

On January 26, 2016, a very important decision was made. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled that the Canadian government was indeed discriminating against First Nations children. This was because of how they funded child and family services. The Tribunal also said that First Nations children should be able to get government services just like other children. This is known as Jordan's Principle.

The Tribunal ordered the government to stop this unfair treatment. It also kept watch to make sure the government followed the rules. The Tribunal later issued more orders because the government was not fully following the first decision. These orders highlighted how important it was for the government to act quickly.

Ongoing Efforts for Fairness

In response to these orders, the government started providing many services to First Nations children. This included things like mental health support and building repairs.

A documentary film called We Can't Make the Same Mistake Twice was made about Cindy Blackstock and this important court case. It shows the long fight for justice.

Have a Heart Day

Cindy Blackstock also started "Have a Heart Day" in 2012. This event takes place every February 14th. Young people lead this day to raise awareness about fairness for First Nations children. It is celebrated in many cities across Canada.

Awards and Recognition

Cindy Blackstock has received more than 50 awards for her work. These include the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards in 2011 and the Amnesty International Person of Conscience Award in 2017. She also received the Janusz Korzak Medal for her work defending children's rights. Many universities have given her honorary degrees to recognize her important contributions.