Jordan's Principle

JORDAN'S PRINCIPLE

HELPING FIRST NATIONS CHILDREN

JORDAN'S PRINCIPLE

Jordan's Principle makes sure all First Nations children living in Canada can access the products, services and supports they need, when they need them. Funding can help with a wide range of health, social and educational needs, including the unique needs that First Nations Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA children and youth and those with disabilities may have.

Jordan's Principle is named in memory of Jordan River Anderson. He was a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba.

In 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) determined the Government of Canada's approach to services for First Nations children was discriminatory. One way we are addressing this is through a renewed approach to Jordan's Principle.

Since the ruling, the CHRT has issued a number of follow-up orders about Jordan's Principle. In May 2017, the CHRT ordered that the needs of each individual child must be considered, to ensure the following is taken into account under Jordan's Principle:

substantive equality
providing culturally appropriate services
safeguarding the best interests of the child

This means giving extra help when it is needed so First Nations children have an equal chance to thrive.

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We are supporting children who need help right away and are making long-term changes for the future, such as through reforming child and family services.

For the long-term, we are working to build better structures and funding models. These will make sure First Nations children living in Canada get the products, services and supports they need, when they need them. To do this, we are working closely with:

provinces
territories
First Nations partners
service organizations

Since 2016, the Government has committed $3.5 billion toward meeting the needs of First Nations children through Jordan's Principle.

Local service coordinators have been hired in communities across Canada. They can help families who:

have questions about Jordan's Principle
would like to submit a request for products, services or supports under Jordan's Principle

We fund these coordinators, who are staffed by:

local tribal councils
First Nations communities
regional health authorities
First Nations non-governmental organizations, etc.

We also have staff across the country dedicated full-time to Jordan's Principle. They work closely with the local coordinators to make sure all requests are processed as quickly as possible.