Cindy Blackstock on "Clash Actions"

Cindy discusses how class actions and human rights often clash

In episode #181, we hear from Dr. Cindy Blackstock, a member of the Gitxsan Nation and Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society. She is a well-known advocate and public educator on the rights of Indigenous children and families in Canada. Cindy is a frequent guest on the Warrior Life Podcast, providing us with important updates on her work to push Canada to end racial discrimination against Indigenous children and families.

Today, she shares the article that she and I published in the Genealogy journal called: "Clash Actions: Indigenous Peoples' Human Rights and Class Actions. She and I talk about our research on how class actions do not always protect the rights of Indigenous peoples. We also discuss the serious ethical concerns raised by some class action lawyers and recent court cases. We end with our ideas on how the system could be reformed.

You can find the open-access (free) journal article: "Clash Actions: Indigenous Peoples' Human Rights and Class Actions" here:

https://www.mdpi.com/2313-5778/9/4/122

The court case we referenced is called: Nootchtai v. Nahwegahbow Corbiere Genoodmagejig Barristers and Solicitors, 2025 ONSC 6071 (CanLII) found here:

https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2025/2025onsc6071/2025onsc6071.html

You can find more information about Cindy's work at the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society here:

https://fncaringsociety.com/i-am-witness

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Hi! I’m Dr. Pam Palmater, an Indigenous lawyer, professor, author, and podcaster. I create educational videos, podcasts, blogs, and other content about Indigenous issues. I am a citizen of the Mi’kmaw Nation and a member of Eel River Bar First Nation from Mi’kma’ki (Mi’kmaw territory in New Brunswick, Canada).

I am the producer and host of the Warrior Life Podcast, which helps lift the voices of Indigenous leaders, advocates, land defenders, water protectors, actors, artists and even chefs! https://www.warriorlifepodcast.ca

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