Cindy Blackstock on Clash Actions

Cindy Blackstock on Clash Actions

From Warrior Life by Pam Palmater | Warrior Life Studios

April 17, 2026 · 1h 11m

About this episode

Cindy Blackstock discusses the clash between class actions and human rights regarding Indigenous peoples in Canada.

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…

People in this episode

Host: Pam Palmater

Guest: Cindy Blackstock

Topics covered

  • class actions
  • human rights
  • Indigenous rights
  • ethical concerns
  • legal reform

Keywords

  • class actions
  • human rights
  • Indigenous children
  • ethical concerns
  • legal reform

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, Warrior Life Studios

Books & works: Clash Actions: Indigenous Peoples' Human Rights and Class Actions

Places: Canada, Gitxsan Nation

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