A group of northern Manitoba First Nations communities say the federal government is being delinquent in its obligation to provide services to First Nations children.
The Keewatin Tribal Council, which represents 11 northern communities, says it has provided millions in bridge financing over the years — money they say should come from Jordan’s Principle, a federal policy where First Nations children can access health, social and educational funding.
“Our children are the future. We owe them the best start in life and are entrusted with their health and well-being,” the council said in a news release.
The release claims slow response times from Indigenous Services Canada to Jordan’s Principle requests continue to be a concern. The government is mandated to respond to requests within 48 hours or 13 hours for urgent needs.
The release said the Tribal Council has been directed by the 11 First Nations — Barrenlands, Bunibonibee, Fox Lake, God’s Lake, Manto Sipi, Northlands, Sayisi Dene, Shamattawa, Tataskweyak, War Lake and York Factory — to take “necessary actions” to settle the issue of unresolved claims.
In December 2023, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society filed a Jordan’s Principle non-compliance motion against the federal government, claiming First Nations families have found it difficult to access the funding for health services.
“While the government is backsliding on its legal obligations, it is First Nations who are stepping up to ensure kids can access much-needed services and supports through Jordan’s Principle,” the society said in a news release.
Jordan’s Principle is named after Jordan River Anderson of Norway House Cree Nation. Anderson, who was born with multiple disabilities, died when he was five years old after federal and provincial governments couldn’t decide who should pay for his care.
The House of Commons unanimously adopted a motion to abide by the principle in 2007 but has been accused multiple times of failing to live up to its spirit.
In the motion, the society claims the government’s heel dragging has resulted in delayed response times to requests for information or assistance in filing a claim, and in many cases extended waits to have claims approved while kids who need care have to wait.
The motion was heard in September and is subject to a decision by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, the society said.
— with files from The Canadian Press
nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca
Nicole Buffie
Multimedia producer
Nicole Buffie is a multimedia producer who reports for the Free Press city desk. Born and bred in Winnipeg, Nicole graduated from Red River College’s Creative Communications program in 2020 and worked as a reporter throughout Manitoba before joining the Free Press newsroom in 2023. Read more about Nicole.
Every piece of reporting Nicole produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.