Cory Cardinal (1983-2021) was a Cree writer, prisoner justice advocate, and founder of Inmates 4 Humane Conditions, a prisoner-led advocacy group. Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and a member of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. Cory devoted many years to advocating for his incarcerated kin, highlighting systemic issues like overcrowding, unhygienic conditions, and lack of access to adequate medical care and other supports inside prisons. Through his writing, artwork and organizing, Cory gifted us with his astute analysis of the structural racism and colonial function of the penal system in Canada, as well as modeling an ethics of care that informs our work. He passed away on June 9, 2021.
