Canada’s history of failing to provide medical care for Indigenous children

• Published in: Paediatrics & Child Health
• Main Author: Kamran, Rakhshan
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press (OUP) 2020
• Subjects: Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health; Jordan River; First Nations; inuit
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/pch/pxaa109; http://academic.oup.com/pch/article-pdf/26/5/279/39374529/pxaa109.pdf

Abstract In December 2007, the House of Commons unanimously supported Jordan’s Principle, a commitment that all First Nations children would receive the health care products, social services, and supports, and education they need, in memory of Jordan River Anderson. However, the process of applying for Jordan’s Principle was convoluted and not transparent, leaving several cases not being responded to. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found the definition and implementation of Jordan’s Principle to be racist and discriminatory in 2016, ordering the Canadian government to make immediate changes. Failing to make changes to Jordan’s Principle, the Canadian government was found to be noncompliant with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders in 2018. This article provides one case example of Jordan’s Principle that was not responded to, details on the current status of Jordan’s Principle, and information on the recent implementation of the Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.