For Nisichiwayasihk Cree Nation Chief Angela Levasseur, Jordan’s Principle funding was vital for her child, Ryan, who has dyslexia.
“I recall Ryan being unable to read in grade three. As a First Nations mother and educator for 22 years, that broke my heart. It broke my husband’s heart,” Levasseur said.
Thanks to support from Jordan’s Principle, Levasseur was able to secure tutoring for Ryan.
“By the time Ryan was in grade eight, they were reading at a grade ten level,” Levasseur said.
Levasseur’s family is among tens of thousands who rely on Jordan’s Principle to access services and supports for their First Nation children.
On Friday, chiefs in Manitoba, federal election candidates and frontline workers gathered at the Forks in Winnipeg to demand urgent action on Jordan’s Principle.
Chiefs call for federal action
Jordan’s Principle was established in 2007 to ensure First Nation children can access the health, social and educational supports they need.
It’s named after Jordan River Anderson–a boy from Norway House Cree Nation who died in 2005 after Canada and Manitoba fought over who would pay for his at-home care.
Chiefs who spoke at the Friday rally said Canada has failed to deliver on Jordan’s Principle, leading to First Nation children falling through gaps in the system.
“This mess that we see right now with this program is not because of First Nations, it’s not because of leadership,” Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson said. “It’s because of government. It’s because of Canada.”
Ahead of Monday’s federal election, chiefs called on all parties to prioritize funding Jordan’s Principle and commit to bringing First Nation leadership to the table.
Not enough support from ISC, says Brokenhead director
According to Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), more than 8.9 million products, services and supports have been approved through Jordan’s Principle since 2016.
In March, ISC announced it would extend Jordan’s Principle funding through 2026.
The backlog of Jordan’s Principle cases currently sits at approximately 140,000 requests.
Pam Kent is Brokenhead Ojibway Nation’s Jordan Principle director of programs and prevention. The community is located approximately 100 km north of Winnipeg.
Kent said ISC has provided little guidance in the development of Brokenhead’s Jordan’s Principle program.
“When we were given the opportunity, it was just dropped in our laps,” Kent said. “We were not given direction or support. Our staff, myself asked Indigenous Services Canada over and over and over for support, direction, guidance, assistance that never came.”
Party platforms on Jordan’s Principle
In their platform, the Liberal Party of Canada promises to continue funding Jordan’s Principle.
The federal NDP platform pledged to address the Jordan’s Principle backlog by investing in more staff and better case management.
The Conservative Party of Canada’s platform does not mention Jordan’s Principle. However, during a virtual Assembly of First Nations forum on Tuesday, leader Pierre Poilievre said the party supports its implementation.
In his meeting with AFN chiefs on Friday, Carney promised to work on the program.
