Cindy Blackstock

Cindy Blackstock is a Canadian Gitxsan activist, social worker, and professor at McGill University’s School of Social Work. Renowned as Canada’s “relentless moral voice” for First Nations equality, Blackstock has highlighted systemic injustices in public services for Indigenous children, youth, and families. In 2007, Blackstock was party to a human rights complaint alleging that the federal government’s underfunding of child and family services on First Nations reserves constitutes discrimination. After a lengthy legal battle, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ultimately ruled in favor of the complaint in 2016 after which the federal government provided over 200,000 products and services to First Nations children in following years.

Blackstock’s advocacy extends beyond legal battles; she initiated Have a Heart Day, an annual youth-led event advocating for Indigenous children’s rights. Her contributions have been recognized with over 50 awards, including the National Aboriginal Achievement Award and the Amnesty International Person of Conscience Award.