The Our Children Our Way Secretariat, British Columbia's Indigenous Child and Family Services peak body, has taken its call for justice to the world stage.
At the recent 2026 United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held in New York City advocates carried the message: "First Nations children in Canada should not have to wait for justice. The law is clear."
Dr Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, said: "Domestic remedies are being exhausted for ending discrimination against First Nations in Canada."
Dr Blackstock and other First Nations leaders noted that Canadian authorities are ignoring legal binding orders of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and the Convention on the Rights of the Child as well as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, of which Canada is a signatory.
The advocates said First Nations children are subjected to lengthy service gaps, delays, and systemic barriers that no other children in Canada face; causing on-going harms.
Judy Wilson (Red Hummingbird), who attended the UNPFII as part of the British Columbia Native Women's Association, called for the UN to remind Canada of its duties both under international law and its own official policies.
"On behalf of our First Nations children, we respectfully call on the 2026 United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) and the international community to urge Canada to comply fully and in good faith with its domestic human rights decisions and its international legal obligations," she said.
"Canada must work with First Nations to implement proven, rights-based solutions & framework of the 'Loving Justice Plan' to end discrimination."
First Nations leadership, experts, and children co-developed The Loving Justice Plan, a comprehensive, evidence informed collective national plan grounded in substantive equality, prevention, and First Nations led solutions.
"In response to the CHRT order, instead of cooperating with First Nations to co-develop a single plan, Canada developed and implemented its own plan, despite not being approved by the Tribunal," Dr Blackstock said.
In a statement, Our Children Our Way noted: "All First Nations children are entitled to substantively equal, culturally grounded services consistent with their rights to dignity, safety, and wellbeing."
Mary Teegee-Gray, Chair of the Our Children Our Way Society, said: "We cannot forget that our children are gifts from the Creator and must be treated with love and respect."
"Asking for justice for our most valuable ones is not just a legal order or an Indigenous or Human right ... it is an inherent right," she said.
