By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Alberta First Nations sign new agreement to uphold Jordan’s Principle

Nov 15, 2018 | 5:31 PM

Eleven First Nations, along with the governments of Canada and Alberta, signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday to ensure Indigenous children in our province can access the supports they need, when they need them.

The signing was conducted in Edmonton and included signatory chiefs from First Nations in the Maskwacis area, among them Samson Cree First Nation, Louis Bull Tribe, Montana First Nation, and Ermineskin Cree Nation.

The MOU, which revolves around Jordan’s Principle, is the first of its kind. It will allow the governments of Canada and Alberta, as well as the First Nations Health Consortium, to address gaps and share information so that families receive the appropriate mental health supports, medical equipment, speech therapy, educational supports, and more.

“This trilateral agreement sits at the heart of what Jordan’s Principle is meant to achieve. This ensures that all orders of Government and First Nation partners are working together to support First Nations children and families in getting the supports and services they need, regardless of where they live, and without jurisdictional disputes,” said federal Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott.

“I am honoured to sign this Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Government of Canada. I want to thank the First Nations Health Consortium and the Province of Alberta for this step forward in fully implementing Jordan’s Principle in Alberta.”

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Jordan’s Principle is so named in memory of Jordan River Anderson, a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba born with multiple disabilities which required him to remain in hospital. At just two, young Jordan’s family was told they could move to a special home for his medical needs, however the federal and provincial governments could not agree who should pay.

As a result, Jordan stayed in hospital until he passed away at the age of five.

Nationally, from July 2016 to Sept. 2018, there have been more than 165,000 requests for products, services and supports under Jordan’s Principle, including 8,129 requests approved in Alberta.

Alberta is now the first province to implement Jordan’s Principle.