Canada

Cathy Woodgate didn’t live to see the outcome of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal inquiry that bears her name.

She died in September 2021 from muscular dystrophy, a degenerative muscle disorder that had plagued her since childhood. As a student Woodgate was the slowest in her class, and she later told her children about a gym teacher who hit her with basketballs and yardsticks when she lagged, resulting in low self-esteem and a lifelong aversion to physical activity.

The RCMP investigated the former teacher following allegations of physical, emotional and sexual abuse by former students at two northern B.C. schools. While that investigation didn’t result in charges, it eventually led to the case now before the federal human rights tribunal. Woodgate et al. v. RCMP is an inquiry into the RCMP’s handling of the investigation, which First Nations complainants say was incomplete and racially biased.

Since the complaint was referred to the tribunal for inquiry in 2020, three of six complainants — all of whom are members of Lake Babine Nation — have died.