Jordan’s Principle

Jordan River Anderson was a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba who 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 government 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 5 before he could experience living in a loving home. 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.”

Cumberland House Cree Nation offers support for kids through Jordan’s Principle which is a new department that started in September 2022. Treaty-status kids who are off and off reserve can receive help for special needs and learning devices. The Jordans Principle department also offers many programs such as cultural-based land camps. For more information on what your child can receive please contact Eleanor Cook at 1-306-981-3362.