Press Releases

Treaty One Territory, Winnipeg – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) stands in support of the AMC Jordan’s Principle Technical Advisory Group (TAG) in amplifying the alarm on the escalating crisis caused by Canada’s decisions regarding Jordan’s Principle funding.

During a TAG meeting today, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) representatives stated that for the Manitoba region, “Jordan’s Principle became the easy answer for how to solve funding issues.”  Canada’s decision to escalate all requests to their office – bypassing local First Nations Leadership and decision-making – has resulted in an alarming number of denials of services that are vital for the well-being of children. First Nations face delays, denials, and an unsustainable system of paperwork and approval processes. This bureaucratic red tape is delaying urgent care for children and creating a situation where First Nations are powerless to make the decisions necessary to protect their own children, youth, and families.

Recent decisions by ISC – including the refusal to fund First Nations for prior Jordan’s Principle expenditures, the abrupt termination of the “Back-to-Basics” approach, and the directive for First Nations to escalate all service requests directly to Canada – are a direct assault on the safety and well-being of First Nations children and families in Manitoba. ISC’s actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the lived realities of First Nations children, reducing a deeply complex issue to oversimplified solutions that fail to address the severe and escalating challenges faced by AMC member First Nations. Rather than offering meaningful support, ISC’s approach exacerbates the harm caused by Canada’s years of mismanagement of Jordan’s Principle, leaving First Nations children to bear the burden of correcting Canada’s failures.

Comprised of representatives from First Nations, case managers, service coordinators, and advisory groups, the Jordan’s Principle TAG works collaboratively to uphold the rights and well-being of First Nations children, and is accountable to the AMC Member First Nations Leadership. TAG is part of the AMC Jordan’s Principle Equity Roundtable, designed to assist with the regional implementation of Jordan’s Principle in Manitoba, including ensuring the needs of First Nations children are met in compliance with Canadian Human Rights Tribunal decisions.

Acting Grand Chief Betsy Kennedy said, “Canada’s decisions to unilaterally cut funding and impose restrictive measures without consulting First Nations Leadership are directly impacting the health and well-being of children. First Nations children are now missing critical medical appointments, essential education supports, and cultural programs – all of which are crucial for their mental and physical well-being. The ongoing confusion and frustration, created by Canada’s refusal to engage with First Nations on decisions and guidelines, are making it even harder for our children to access the services they are legally entitled to.”

O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation Chief Shirley Ducharme, a member of the AMC Women’s Council responsible for Jordan’s Principle, stated: “ISC has stripped First Nations of our autonomy and silenced our voices in advocating for our children. This is a step backward that is hurting our children. First Nations were not involved with the ongoing changes, and the uncertainty is deeply concerning. Clear clarification from funders is urgently needed, as any reductions or delays in funding will lead to further sacrifices for the children, which is unacceptable. The denial of culturally relevant and traditional-based activities, such as healing programs and community celebrations, further compounds this crisis. These are essential to the mental, physical, and emotional health of our children.”

TAG urgently calls on Canada to take the following immediate actions:

1. End the top-down approach that bypasses First Nations. Decisions regarding First Nations children must be made in partnership with the Nations they impact.
2. Restore access to critical services that have been delayed or denied due to ISC’s directives, including medical transportation, educational supports, and culturally relevant programs.
3. Address the escalating crisis by taking immediate action to ensure that no more children are denied essential services and that Jordan’s Principle is fully implemented in accordance with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal’s directives.
4. Engage meaningfully with First Nations, AMC and the TAG to co-develop a sustainable solution that addresses both the immediate and long-term needs of First Nations children and families.

Keith Olsen, Director, Jordan’s Principle, Norway House Cree Nation and Jordan’s Principle TAG member concluded, “The current status quo is untenable. Our children deserve better. Canada’s paternalistic approach leaves First Nations out of decisions, while funding meant to support our children’s well-being stalls. First Nations children are not numbers—they are our hearts and futures.  Canada admits that they are not meeting the needs of our children, where is the respect for our voices and Canada’s legal obligations? This is exclusion, not partnership.”

Jordan River Anderson’s legacy led to Jordan’s Principle—a promise to protect First Nations children’s health, safety, and well-being. We are in a crisis, and without urgent action from Canada, children will continue to suffer. First Nations will ensure Jordan’s Principle endures and will relentlessly fight for the future of our children. The time for real change and collaboration is now.

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For more information, please contact:

Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email:  media@manitobachiefs.com 

About the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs

The AMC was formed in 1988 by the Chiefs in Manitoba to advocate on issues that commonly affect First Nations in Manitoba. AMC is an authorized representative of all 63 First Nations in Manitoba with a total of more than 172,000 First Nations citizens in the province, accounting for approximately 12 percent of the provincial population. AMC represents a diversity of Anishinaabe, Nehetho / Ininew, Anisininew, Denesuline, and Dakota Oyate peoples.