Blackstock to receive honourary degree

May 24, 2016. The University of Saskatchewan will present Cindy Blackstock with an honourary degree at its June 2 spring convocation. Blackstock, as executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, carried the cause of First Nations children’s rights all the way to the Federal Court of Appeal in a decade-long legal campaign that resulted in a landmark decision in January by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. “We are proud to have the opportunity to celebrate her commitment, courage and conviction, and her many achievements…,” said U of S President Peter Stoicheff. Blackstock will be recognized as a champion of children’s rights and awarded an Honourary Doctor of Laws. Blackstock, 51, is a member of the Gitxsan Nation in B.C., an associate professor at the University of Alberta, and an accomplished author and keynote speaker. She will be one of six honourary degree recipients at this year’s U of S spring convocation ceremonies.