Wabaseemoong Independent Nations
Jordan’s Principle
Jordan’s Principle is a child-first principle that aims to eliminate service inequities and delays for First Nations children. Jordan’s Principle states that any public service ordinarily available to all other children must be made available to First Nations children without delay or denial.
Jordan’s Principle is named in honour of Jordan River Anderson, a young First Nations boy from Norway House Cree Nation in northern Manitoba, who spent his entire life in hospital while caught in a jurisdictional dispute between the governments of Canada and Manitoba, which both refused to pay for the in-home medical care necessary for Jordan to live in his home and community.
Jordan’s Principle is a legal requirement resulting from the Orders of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) and is not a policy or program.
Does Your Child Require Special Care or Services?
Whether it’s healthcare, social care, education or physical or mental challenges with a child, your child may be eligible for funding and services from the Wabaseemoong Jordan’s Principle. If your child is a status member of Wabaseemoong Independent Nations, call us and we can help.
Our Nations ~ Putting Children First
Jordan’s Principle ensures that First Nations children can access public services on the same terms as other children without experiencing any service denials, delays or disruptions related to their First Nations status. The government of first contact pays for the service and resolves jurisdictional/payment disputes later.
What Services Can We Help Your Child With?
If you have a child that needs additional supports, funding may be available to you. Some examples of what has been funded under Jordan’s Principle include:
HEALTH CARE:
- mobility aids
- wheelchair ramps
- addiction services
- services from Elders
- mental health services
- specialized hearing aids
- traditional healing services
- services for children in care
- assessments and screenings
- transportation to appointments
- medical supplies and equipment
- long-term care for children with specialized needs
- therapeutic services for individuals or groups (speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy)
SOCIAL CARE:
- social worker
- land-based activities
- personal support worker
- specialized summer camps
- respite care (individual or group)
- specialized programs based on cultural
- beliefs and practices
EDUCATION
- school supplies
- tutoring services
- teaching assistants
- specialized school transportation
- psycho-educational assessments
- assistive technologies and electronics
Jordan River Anderson
The Boy Behind Jordan’s Principle
Jordan was born in 1999 with multiple disabilities and stayed in the hospital from birth. When he was 2 years old, doctors said he could move to a special home for his medical needs. However, the federal and provincial governments could not agree on who should pay for his home-based care. Jordan stayed in the hospital until he passed away at the age of 5.
In 2007, the House of Commons passed Jordan’s Principle in memory of Jordan. It was a commitment that First Nations children would get the products, services and supports they need, when they need them. Payments would be worked out later.
Today, Jordan’s Principle is a legal obligation, which means it has no end date.
While programs and initiatives to support it may only exist for short periods of time, Jordan’s Principle will always be there and will support First Nations children for generations to come.
Every child deserves access to services like health care and supports at school. However, First Nations children have not always had the same access to services as other Canadian children.
This is because different levels of government fund different services for First Nations children, especially those living on – First Nations.
This has led to disputes between governments about who should pay for which services.
Jordan River Anderson from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba got caught in one of these payment disputes. As a result, he didn’t get the recommended home-based care he needed.
Service Flow for Children
STEP 1:
Wabaseemoong Band Members – Identify a specific child or group of children in need – Determine services, items or costs. Jordan’s Principle Navigators gather information.
STEP 2:
The Services Committee, which the Wabaseemoong Jordan’s Principle Team is part of, facilitates or maps out the services for either Jordan’s Principle or the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.
STEP 3:
The Jordan’s Principle Workers, correlate all documentation needed
and submit all completed information to Jordan’s Principle Regional Representative for review.
STEP 4:
Length of time to process a request – When all necessary information is received by Jordan’s Principle Regional Representative
A child or children in the same family or with the same guardian where the child’s current health or safety is a concern are supposed to be processed within 12 hours – all other requests are supposed to be processed within 48 hours
A group of children from multiple families or guardians where the children’s current health or safety is a concern are supposed to be processed within 48 hours – all other requests are supposed to be processed within 1 week
STEP 5:
Jordan’s Principle Regional Representative – reviews the completed request and contacts the Jordan’s Principle Team of the decision – If further approval is needed, information is forwarded to the National Review Committee – A decision is supposed to take 5-7 business days.
STEP 6:
Once Jordan’s Principle Approval Letter is received. The Jordan’s Principle Team will inform the Worker/Staff of the decision, proceed with the additional process for the Jordan’s Principle Reimbursement request.
STEP 7:
*If request is denied, the decision may be appealed with in one year of the denial. A written request, must be sent to the Jordan’s Principle Regional Representative, or a request can be forwarded to the AAFS Rates and Placement Committee for review.
Source: https://wabaseemoong.ca/community-services-and-programs/jordansprinciple/
Family Services Worker
The Family services worker(s) shall, based on need provide, varying levels of community services to the community, children and families.
Manager of Public Works
Under the general direction of the Chief and Council, the Manager of Public Works will provide quality service delivered in a professional manner for the businesses, organizations and Citizens of Wabaseemoong Independent Nations.
Join the 2021 Census Team
Statistics Canada is hiring Indigenous community members to join their census team.