Debra Foxcroft, O.B.C., Honoured with 2025 Janusz Korczak Medal for Lifelong Advocacy in Children’s Rights

(Lək̓ʷəŋən Territory aka Victoria, BC, April 28, 2026). In a ceremony held at Government House, Debra Foxcroft, O.B.C., was formally presented with the 2025 Janusz Korczak Medal in Children’s Rights Advocacy by Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth, Representative for Children & Youth. The prestigious award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to the rights and well-being of children and youth.

Ms. Foxcroft, a proud Tseshaht woman, has dedicated nearly five decades to the promotion and protection of children’s rights within both provincial and federal child and youth care systems. Throughout her distinguished career, she has been a tireless champion for systemic change, advocating for the safety and dignity of the most vulnerable members of society.

In 1981, Chiefs from Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) called upon Deb to design and implement child and family services within their 14 Nuu-chah-nulth Nations, and transfer child welfare services from the province to the Tribal Council.

This began a movement of communities beginning to bring their children home to ensure that their children have connection to family, community, culture, language and belonging.

In 1985, Usma Nuu-chah-nulth Child and Family Services, B.C.’s first Indigenous Family and Child Services Agency, opened with Deb’s leadership. In 2025 the Agency received the BC Reconciliation Award, coinciding with their 40th Anniversary. Congratulations to Kelly Edgar and Team at ‘Usma’.

This commitment to children and innovation continued to shape Deb’s career, going on to be elected as president of Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and representative on the First Nations Health Counsel, Assistant Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Children & Development, and founding board member for the Caring for First Nations Children Society, the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society, and the National Indian Child Welfare Association Board (USA).

Across these roles, Deb has sought to raise awareness about and address systemic discrimination within Canada’s child welfare system. A recipient of the Order of British Columbia in 2003, she was recognized for her honesty, integrity, strength and steadfast commitment to leading forward systemic transformation.

Today, a proud and loving Grandmother, she generously shares her cultural and leadership knowledge and teachings as a matriarch supporting the Our Children Our Way Society, the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth and the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society.

She also continues to work tirelessly to protect the rights of children, serving as a co-chair for the National Children’s Chiefs Commission and representing BC as a Commissioner.

Through this work she continues her dedication to addressing discrimination against First Nations in Canada’s child welfare system and ensuring that all First Nations voices are included in child welfare reform process, aligning with UNDRIP and the orders of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.

This is only the beginning of the story … video clips, quotes and more will be in the June issue of Our Children Our Way News.