Celebrating Child Rights Hero Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Recipient of the 2023 World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child
With our hearts beaming, the Indigenous Child & Family Services Directors Our Children Our Way Society celebrates and congratulates Dr. Cindy Blackstock as a Child Rights Hero and her achievement of the 2023 World Children’s Prize, also known as “The Children’s Nobel Prize,” through The World’s Children’s Prize Foundation!
“This award is the embodiment of Dr. Blackstock. It recognizes changemakers and champions of children. Cindy’s impact will reverberate through time, making the lives of those not yet born, better,” says Mary Teegee, Chair.
The World’s Children’s Prize program is one of the world’s largest annual education programs empowering children to become changemakers who can stand up for the equal value of all people, the Rights of the Child, democracy, and sustainable development. Annually, the World’s Children’s Prize selects a number of Child Rights Heroes whose work inspires both children and adults around the world. Globally, children and youth between the ages of 10 and 18 years cast their vote, and for 2023, they voted for Dr. Cindy Blackstock for her 30-year journey to end discrimination against First Nations children!
The Indigenous Child & Family Services Directors Our Children Our Way Society could not think of a more deserving person to receive this prize. A fierce advocate of First Nations children, Dr. Blackstock worked with her entire spirit to support the win of a human rights complaint filed against the Government of Canada in 2007. This victory has resulted in a settlement agreement that will provide compensation to children, youth and families harmed by Canada’s discriminatory funding practices and support long-term reform to ensure discrimination never happens again. Says Mary Teegee on behalf of the Indigenous Child & Family Services Directors:
“Today, along with the children of the world, we are celebrating this phenomenal Gitx’san warrior. Thank you does not begin to express the gratitude we have for her.”
To learn more about the World’s Children’s Prize Foundation, please visit https://worldschildrensprize.org
Listen – CBC Morning Live: https://cbchls.akamaized.net/delivery/news/2023/10/06/cindy-blackstock-oct6-13-07-55/cindy-blackstock-oct6_5000kbps.mp4
More – McGill REPORTER: Dr. Blackstock was presented the award by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden in a ceremony at Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred, Sweden. Previous winners include Malala Yousafzai, Nelson Mandela, and Desmond Tutu.