(submitted photo/ Jordan's Principle 2017)

By Nicole Reis

JORDAN'S PRINCIPLE DEVELOPMENTS

New developments to Jordan’s Principle leaves no First Nation child behind

Jul 22, 2020 | 5:03 PM

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has expanded the definition of First Nations with regard to receiving services through Jordan’s Principle.

The principle ensures First Nations children can access all public services in a way that is reflective of cultural needs and historical disadvantages without experiencing any service denials,

First Nations children eligible to receive services through Jordan’s Principle now include those who are recognized by their nation and those with a parent who has status, and all persons eligible under S-3 are immediately eligible for Jordan’s Principle. The ruling was issued on July 17.

Shelly Rowland, mental health youth mentor with Flying Dust First Nation told meadowlakeNOW prior to the latest ruling, children were being denied support because they were not First Nation status. Some children living off reserve and those who have not lived on a reserve may be unaware of how to access support through Jordan`s Principle.

“Support is first available through Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and offers support for various child needs,” she said. “Those avenues need to be exhausted before individuals can apply for support through Jordan`s Principle.”

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Rowland explained many First Nation parents and youth struggle with finances available to get the necessary health supports their child may need. Support may include transportation to and from medical appointments and hospitals, medical support and additional support for disabilities through Jordan`s principle. Prior to this ruling, youth were denied support because they were not status First Nation children.

““If a child needed to go to a specialist, INAC will only cover so much, but some parents still struggle to get their chid to that specialist” she said. “Jordan’s Principle would help cover the remaining costs and help get their child to the specialist or any other help that child may need. It covers more than special needs children, it helps many First Nation children.”

Rowland added the main concept of the most recent ruling is that no First Nation child gets left behind regardless of their needs.

“Jordan’s principle helps in many areas such as education, mental health, medical equipment, and speech therapy to name a few. Flying Dust has received funding for mental health work and currently have many staff hired to work with our FN youth. Also, requests still get and/or are denied but that doesn’t mean we can’t appeal their [Jordan’s Principle] decision. “

In an email to meadowlakeNOW Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada said The Caring Society is delighted that the Human Rights Tribunal disagreed with Canada’s decision to exclude some First Nations children from Jordan’s Principle.

“First Nations children resident off reserve who are eligible for status under S-3 will immediately be able to access Jordan’s Principle and soon First Nations children off reserve who are recognized by their First Nation will also be eligible,” the statement read. “No First Nations child should be denied the public services they need when they need them. We hope Canada will accept this decision and not continue to fight equity for First Nations kids.”

(submitted photo/ Shelly Rowland)

Families living in the Meadow Lake region who do not belong to the Flying Dust First Nation band, can call the band office for guidance toward appropriate resources. Most tribal councils have their own dedicated Jordan’s Principle representative.

Rowland will be holding an information session on July 30 for community members at Flying Dust gym from 10:30 a.m.until 1 p.m.

What is Jordan’s Principle?

According to the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada’s website, Jordan River Anderson was a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba. Anderson was born in 1999 with multiple disabilities.

He lived over two years in a hospital because federal and provincial governments could not agree on who would pay for his at-home care. The reason for this is that federal and provincial/territorial governments cannot agree on which government should pay for services to First Nations children on reserves so they typically do not provide the service until they can sort out the payment issue. Unfortunately, Jordan died at the age of five.

Jordan’s death ignited a movement to uphold human rights for all First Nations children through the creation of the child-first principle called Jordan’s Principle.

It aims to make sure First Nations children can access all public services in a way that is reflective of their distinct cultural needs, takes full account of the historical disadvantage linked to colonization, and without experiencing any service denials, delays or disruptions because they are First Nations.

Between July 2016 and May 31, nearly 628,000 products, services and supports were approved under Jordan’s Principle. These included, speech therapy, educational support, medical equipment, mental health services and more.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and Health Canada have established regional contacts (called “Focal Points”) to respond to Jordan’s Principle cases. For more information,visit here.

To review the latest ruling, visit here.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722