Career
Strickland was of Cook Islands Māori, Te Tai Tokerau heritage. She came from an abusive family and ran away from home in Otara at the age of 11 and began living on the streets of Auckland City. She was a sex worker for 25 years before leaving the industry and co-founding Te Aronga Hou Inaianei (TAHI), an agency aimed at helping prostitutes leave the sex industry, being run through the Mangere East Family Service.
Māori Party co-leader Tariana Turia described her as a dedicated advocate for at-risk groups.
She died of a suspected heart attack on Friday, 3 August 2012, aged 49.