'Funding crisis' for Jordan's Principle jeopardizes Manitoba First Nations children's lives: chief

First Nations leaders in Manitoba say Canada has fallen flat in its duty to fund a federal policy meant to ensure First Nations kids can swiftly access essential health-care services and products.

Although the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ordered Ottawa to process Jordan's Principle requests within a 12- to 48-hour time frame in 2017, War Lake First Nation Chief Betsy Kennedy says some communities in the province have been waiting for months.

"First Nations are reporting that they haven't received funding since early summer," Kennedy, who is also acting grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, said at a Friday news conference.

The funding gap is more than a logistical issue, and reflects "a larger systemic failure on the part of Canada to keep up with this legal rule," she said.

"It is unacceptable that First Nations are left to scramble for funds while our children's needs are not being met."

Jordan's Principle is named after Jordan River Anderson, a five-year-old Norway House Cree Nation boy who died in 2005 in the midst of a two-year battle between Manitoba and Ottawa over who would pay for his care.

In 2007, the House of Commons adopted the principle in the five-year-old's name. Ottawa launched the Jordan's Principle program in 2016 to compensate qualifying families for their children's health and therapeutic services.

Indigenous Services Canada previously estimated that as of March 27, its Jordan's Principle sector had 40,000 to 82,000 backlogged requests, according to documents filed with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, which was asked to decide whether Canada is failing First Nations kids by mishandling the program.

'No money's coming'

For non-urgent cases, First Nations children in Manitoba experienced the slowest reaction time, according to the documents. Between April 1, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, just 14 per cent of non-urgent requests for care in the province met the 48-hour deadline.

"Right now, Canada is operating a shitshow, as far as I'm concerned," said Walter Wastesicoot, grand chief of Keewatin Tribal Council, which represents 11 First Nations communities across northern Manitoba.

Because of the lack of federal funding for Jordan's Principle, the tribal council has had to provide $8 million in bridge funding to its 11 First Nations over the last couple of years, he said at Friday's news conference.

The tribal council also met with Indigenous Services Canada, which has been promising reimbursement for months, he said.

"Over the last two years, Canada's representative here in Manitoba has told our people, 'Go ahead and spend.… The money will come,'" he said.

"No money's coming."

Jordan's Principle is particularly important in northern Manitoba, where access to health care pales in comparison to other parts of the province, said Wastesicoot.

He pointed to data from the Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba, which oversees child and family services in KTC's 11 First Nations, that says 36 children were reported to have died from various causes since 2022. Medical causes accounted for the highest number among the causes cited — nine deaths.

"If we received the support that we need to help our families, those critical incidents would be reduced," Wastesicoot said.

"We have many solutions, but we don't have a willing partner at the table to support those solutions."

The federal government needs to pay up immediately — "first, reimbursing everything that's owed today, but [also] putting money forward, so we can help our people," he said.

'Uncertainty, instability and anxiety'

Kennedy said Indigenous Services' Manitoba representative has not adequately responded to many requests for information about Jordan's Principle from First Nations, which has intensified what she said is a "funding crisis."

"Inconsistent funding does not create better lives. Inconsistent funding creates uncertainty, instability and anxiety," she said.

"Jordan's Principle was established to ensure First Nations children receive the essential public service they need without delay and discrimination."

Relying on bridge financing is a heavy burden for First Nations communities, which are already underfunded and operating with strained resources, she said.

The situation jeopardizes the well-being of First Nations children and families, said Kennedy.

"The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has been clear: Canada must review, approve and fully fund the services of First Nations children and youth," she said.

"This ruling means that our children's well-being should not be subject to financial uncertainty."

Indigenous Services had not replied to CBC's request for comment prior to publication.