Isaac C. Phills, OC (January 11, 1896 – March 9, 1985) was a Canadian steel worker and the first Black man to receive the Order of Canada.
He served in the First World War with the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
[4] The writer Calvin Ruck quotes Phills as saying, In Sydney after the war started, quite a few Blacks volunteered for active service and were told point blank, "We don't want you.
Phills' Order of Canada citation reads in part: A Cape Breton steel worker of West Indian origin, who raised a large family and despite many difficulties, gave them a good education and start in life and set a fine example in the community.
[9]An article from the Cape Breton Post echoes the citation, stating that Phills, as the first Black man to receive the Order of Canada, is important for the role he played in showing the immigrant community of Whitney Pier that any man could overcome hardship through hard work and determination and build a prosperous life for themselves and their family in a new land.