Jordan's Principle: Back to Basics

Implementation of Jordan's Principle has improved, but Canada still fails to fully implement it, resulting in delays & denials in services & supports for First Nations children. Learn about issues First Nations children face when trying to access services & supports through Jordan's Principle, who is eligible, how to apply, & much more.
In this webinar, held October 23, 2023, Dr. Cindy Blackstock introduces the topic and context for the presentation, and Dr. Helaina Gaspard and Dr. Ryan Giroux describe findings of their separate research projects on Jordan's Principle. Afterwards, Molly Rasmussen of the Caring Society presents on the Back to Basics Approach Indigenous Services Canada staff are required to follow when they receive Jordan's Principle requests, describes who is eligible for Jordan's Principle, and provides some strategies for overcoming barriers when submitting Jordan's Principle requests. Jennifer King of the Caring Society runs the Q&A session, where she and the presenters provide a great deal of additional information that focuses on answering the questions and concerns of those who attended the webinar.
For list of resources mentioned during webinar, visit: fncaringsociet...
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Presenters:
Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society and Professor at McGill University; Director of FNCARES at University of Alberta
Dr. Helaina Gaspard, Director, Governance and Institutions, Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy, University of Ottawa
Molly Rasmussen, MA, Reconciliation & Research Coordinator, Caring Society
Dr. Ryan Giroux, General Pediatrician, St. Michael's Hospital & Inner City Health Associates; Lecturer & PGME Indigenous Health Lead, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto; Indigenous Educator for Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (presenting via video)
Moderated by Jennifer King, Director of Programs and Operations, First Nations Child & Family Caring Society
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Background:
Jordan’s Principle is a legal rule and child-first principle named in memory of Jordan River Anderson, a child from Norway House Cree Nation who died in a Winnipeg hospital, never having been in his family home because of a jurisdictional battle between the federal and provincial governments about who would pay for his homecare. Jordan’s Principle was created to ensure that First Nations children receive the services and supports they need when they need them.
Canada reports that, “[b]etween July 2016 and July 31, 2023, more than 3.39 million products, services and supports were approved under Jordan’s Principle (source). While this shows a strong improvement in Canada’s efforts in response to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal’s 2016 orders to immediately and fully implement Jordan’s Principle (2016 CHRT 2), the Tribunal has since made 13 procedural and non-compliance orders directly related to measures Canada must take to implement the full scope of Jordan’s Principle (see here).
On the ground, Canada’s failure to fully implement Jordan’s Principle continues to result in delays and denials in services and supports for First Nations children. In addition, many people who could apply on behalf of First Nations children are unaware of who is eligible for Jordan’s Principle and/or how to apply. Panelists will discuss these issues, clarify who is eligible, and discuss strategies for overcoming barriers to access.
To learn more about Jordan's Principle and how to apply, visit: fncaringsociet... and bit.ly/3Q319qP