Based in Pembroke, Ontario, Chrystal Toop is the founder of Blackbird Medicines, a community healing justice practice dedicated to honouring lived experience through harm reduction and trauma‑informed care.

Blackbird Medicines promotes strength and love through public speaking, written works, and community workshops. Central to its mission is advocacy for Indigenous death work education, empowering individuals and communities to navigate grief and loss with confidence.

As part of this commitment, Blackbird Medicines creates valuable learning tools such as the Indigenous Death Deck, the Indigenous Death Worker Apprenticeship Workbook, and the Grief & Loss Workbook — all designed to facilitate understanding and healing. The social enterprise also offers education programs like the Indigenous Death Worker Training Program and Allyship in Death Work, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills needed to support their communities effectively.