The support of indigenous peoples by the State in any part of the world is significant for preserving history and promoting the State spirit. Only memoirs, textbook entries, and photographs will remain of state patriotism without indigenous peoples. This work describes Jordan’s Principle (JP) organization, its history of origin, and ways to help indigenous children of Canada.
The First Nations created this organization after the death of a five-year-old boy Jordan River Anderson, a child from the Norway House of Cree. He suffered from Carey Fineman Ziter syndrome, a rare muscle disease, and required treatment at a Winnipeg hospital. While he was in the hospital, the doctors allowed the boy to live at home with his family, but the federal and provincial governments argued over who was financially responsible. The dispute lasted for a long time, and in 2005 the boy died in hospital at the age of five. After the incident, the Society for the Care of Indigenous Children and Families provided a report on Canada’s indigenous policy and provided some improvements. After that, in 2007, the Canadian Government adopted a proposal on the Jordan principle.
The principle of Jordan is an organization and the rule of law. Jordan’s principle is a legal obligation on the part of Canada to make sure First Nations children get the services they need when they need them (The First Nations Child et al., 2021). Canada is legally obligated to implement Jordan’s Principle as outlined by the Tribunal. The organization provides funds and realizes the best interests of indigenous children who need it. The best attractions are based on the needs and interests of the child himself, not the State’s interests. The services and support provided by the organization should be considered not as benefits but as rights prescribed by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.
Examples of services and support provided by the Jordan Principle may include the following:
- Adaptable furniture (adjustable beds, armchairs, chairs, mats, and upholstery);
- Necessary medical services;
- Speech and occupational therapies;
- Auxiliary devices and technologies (hearing aids, etc.);
- Clothing, shoes, and accessories;
- Education, including tutors;
- Modification, reconstruction, and repair of houses;
- Means of transportation, including standing devices and wheelchairs;
- Infant formula, personal hygiene items, and prescription and over-the-counter medicines (The First Nations Child et al., 2021).
Thus, as can be seen, the organization provides many benefits and services to support indigenous children, which indicates a large amount of assistance in their direction.
Material equality is a crucial mandatory element in the legal field. To maintain equality, the following principles must be observed:
- Self-determination: indigenous people should actively participate in improving the principle;
- Culture and language: services and support should correspond to cultural traditions;
- Holistic approach: the holistic needs of a child must be met;
- Structural Interventions: removing barriers of racism and colonialism;
- Non-discrimination: getting help regardless of the place of residence (Jordan’s Principle: substantive equality principles, 2020).
Jordan’s principle aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada by helping to ensure that all indigenous children have access to Government-funded products and services. To implement the Jordan principle, the Canadian Government has allocated about $400 million in funding from 2016 to 2019. Funding was provided to improve the coordination of services, provide access to these services, expand opportunities, and collect data (Jordan’s Principle: Substantive equality principles, 2020).
References
The First Nations Child, Family Caring Society of Canada, & Wabanaki Council. (2021). Jordan’s Principle and Children With Disabilities and Special Needs: A Resource Guide and Analysis of Canada’s Implementation, Web.
Jordan’s Principle: substantive equality principles. (2020). Government Of Canada. Web.