Skip to content

NOSM University names Cindy Blackstock as chancellor

Blackstock, a renowned activist and member of the Gitxsan First Nation, is the founder and executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society
dr-cindy-blackstock
Cindy Blackstock was named chancellor of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University on Thursday.

THUNDER BAY — The Northern Ontario School of Medicine University has named a prominent Indigenous children's advocate as its chancellor.

The school, Canada's first independent medical university, on Thursday announced that Cindy Blackstock will serve as its inaugural chancellor.

Blackstock, a renowned activist and member of the Gitxsan First Nation, is the founder and executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and a professor at McGill University.

“I have a lot to do in this role and I am going to do everything I can to live up to this really amazing honour,” Blackstock said. 

“I serve at your request, and I will do everything that I can to bring honour to this amazing endeavour, and I am so excited to be joining you, thank you very much.” 

Blackstock will serve a four-year term and will be formally installed as chancellor at the university's first convocation ceremony, which will be held next May.

She was introduced by NOSM University president Dr. Sarita Verma during a video announcement.

“[Blackstock's] known mostly for her work on Canadian Human Rights tribunal, Human Rights Landmark ruling in 2016,” Verma said. 

“But she's continuing, Cindy, even yesterday I believe, to continue to fight for those rights and to launch appeals and cases to get true equity and [her] true passion, working with children is to address the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation calls to action.” 

The school also announced its inaugural board of governors.

The new governors, joining Blackstock and Verma, include Craig Abotossaway, Imran Bagha, John Beaucage, Angela Carter, Kristy Côté, Mark Hartman, Mark Hurst, Nancy Jacko, Virginia May Katt, Ashley Larose, Sue LeBeau, Dawn Morissette, Shemer Ratner, Susan Soldan, John P. Stenger, Sarita Verma, Joy Warkentin 

“We will continue to listen, learn and work hard to cement NOSM University locally, nationally and internationally as a major part of the solution,” Verma said. “This is a momentous time in our short history, and I am excited about the future.” 



Justin Hardy

About the Author: Justin Hardy

Justin Hardy is a reporter born and raised in the Northwest.
Read more


Comments

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks