First Nations leaders call for Jordan's Principle changes at election rallies in Winnipeg, Thompson

First Nations leaders in Manitoba called for the federal government to make changes to the Jordan's Principle program, while urging Indigenous voters to head to the polls, at two separate rallies in Winnipeg and Thompson, Man., on Friday. 

Kelvin Lynxleg, executive director of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), said the Winnipeg and Thompson events were held in tandem "to show a united front throughout the province." 

"It's important that we band together and that we let the government know that we, as regular citizens, are here. We know what the issues are and that we need to keep them accountable," Lynxleg said.  

At both rallies, a program designed to ensure First Nations children get equal access to health care and social services without delays — and the federal government's recent changes to it — was at the forefront. 

Jordan's Principle is named after Jordan River Anderson, a five-old-boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba who had multiple disabilities. He died in hospital 20 years ago, after waiting two years for the federal and provincial governments to agree on who would fund his at-home care. 

Advocates say their children have been left waiting too long for government support. 

In December, Ottawa confirmed there were 140,000 backlogged requests. 

"The waiting time for some requests, it's not right," said Nangmalik Wiseman of Keewatin Tribal Council, who attended the rally in Thompson.

Wiseman said she has heard of requests submitted more than six months ago that have not yet received a reply. 

In February, the government said it would narrow the types of requests covered under the program, following allegations it was being misused for non-urgent matters. New limits were put on home renovations, international travel, non-medical supports and some educational requests. 

Fox Lake Cree Nation Okimakan Morris Beardy, who was at the Thompson event, said it's "shameful" to see "finger-pointing" between different levels of government. 

"The lack of funding and the bureaucracy that's happening with the government is not right. You can't be playing with our children's lives, because every child matters," said Beardy. 

David Wiseman of the Manitoba Inuit Association says the program should be led by First Nations. 

"Programs should be administered by its people for its people. Give the people a chance, let them recognize what our kids need, not what the federal government needs ... That's the bottom line for us," said Wiseman.

At The Forks in Winnipeg, rally-goers wearing black "First Nations Rock The Vote" T-shirts stood among the hundreds gathered to hear community leaders call for change in Ottawa.

MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee says caring for children is a "sacred responsibility" and a key policy issue in this year's election. 

"The government has failed our children, but we will not stand and watch this happen," Settee told the crowd, which also included New Democratic Party candidate Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre) and Liberal candidate Rebecca Chartrand (Churchill-Keewatinook Aski). 

"It's important that every one of us rock the vote this coming election, because our nations depend on it, our children depend on it."

Many children and young people were among the crowds in Winnipeg and Thompson, some holding light blue teddy bears, a visual symbol for Jordan's Principle. 

One youth leader took the podium to urge those 18 and older to consider policies that affect Indigenous children and young people when they cast their votes next week. 

"Jordan's Principle is not an entitlement. It is a debt — a debt long overdue," said Youth Chief Billy Bird of Peguis First Nation.  

"Our youth need action and our youth need to be heard."

Election day is Monday, April 28.