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bia (Minister of Forests) v. Okanagan Indian Band case she worked on, which
achieved a historic costs award.8
Following the birth of her children, the rights of children evolved into
a priority area. Ardith’s work addressed the systemic problem of over-
representation of Indigenous children in care, contributing to the re-
envisioning of how we think about child welfare. Traditionally, child welfare
focused on the parent(s) and the state as key actors. Indigenous communities
were rarely, if ever, involved, and their contributions were
dismissed. Her work has been guided by an understanding that, in order to
stop the over-representation of Indigenous children in the child welfare system,
it is necessary to actively involve Indigenous communities in the child
welfare process and broaden who we see as valid legal actors in these
processes.
She authored a guidebook entitled Wrapping Our Ways Around Them: The
Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA), Aboriginal Communities
and Parents Plain Language Guidebook.9 The guidebook is widely distributed
to members of the bench, bar and Indigenous communities. This has
increased the knowledge and awareness of the judiciary, legal counsel and
communities regarding how they can help maintain community ties for
Indigenous children who are in care. The second edition of the guidebook,
published in 2021, focuses on federal child welfare legislation and empowering
Indigenous laws in that area.
Ardith has been recognized for her great contributions in law:
• In 2016, she received the Bill McFarland Award from the Parent
Support Services Society of BC in recognition for excellence in the
advancement of child welfare.
• In 2018, she was appointed Queen’s Counsel.
• In 2019, she received the CLEBC Leaders in Learning Award in
recognition of her commitment to mentorship, role modelling and
delivering learning opportunities to lawyers, particularly regarding
Indigenous laws and Truth and Reconciliation.
Now, she has been appointed a judge of the B.C. Supreme Court. Grand
Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the UBCIC, recognized her contributions:
Over the past three decades, Ardith has made immeasurable contributions
to our organization and member nations. We know her for her legal
rigor, brilliant mind, warm sense of humour, and principled commitment
to supporting Indigenous peoples and families and to the full and fair
enactment of Indigenous Title and Rights. As a BC Supreme Court judge,
she will be a shining light of justice – richly insightful, deeply knowledgeable,
and strong in advancing what is right.10