S1E4: Jordan’s Principle with Charlie Angus

Spirit Bear Podcast

The students invite Charlie Angus, MP for Timmins-James Bay, Ontario, to discuss the history and significance of Jordan's Principle. The Motion in support of Jordan's Principle was brought to the House of Commons in 2007 by Mr. Angus' colleague, Jean Crowder (now retired).

This episode has been edited for length. For detailed information on Jordan’s Principle, please visit https://jordansprinciple.ca

0:40 - In 2007, the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society (Caring Society) and the Assembly of First Nations filed a human rights complaint alleging Canada was discriminating against First Nation children by knowingly underfunding child welfare and choosing not to implement Jordan’s Principle. Learn more at https://fnwitness.ca

0:51 - The Tribunal also found that Canada was discriminating in its failure to properly implement Jordan’s Principle.

3:34 - Shannen Koostachin of Attawapiskat First Nation led a movement for “safe and comfy” schools and quality, culturally based education for First Nations children. You can learn more about Shannen, and the Shannen’s Dream movement here: https://shannensdream.ca

7:30 - for all developments in the ongoing Canadian Human Rights Tribunal case for First Nations children, please visit https://fnwitness.ca

11:55 - equity for First Nations children is a human rights issue, not a partisan issue. Unfortunately, discrimination against First Nations children has persisted across all Canadian governments.

13:11 - the figure of $40B is for both compensation *and* long term reform of First Nations Child & Family Services. You can read about the Agreement in Principle, signed December 31 2021, and all additional developments to the case here: https://fncaringsociety.com/what-you-can-do/ways-make-difference/i-am-witness-human-rights-case

Produced by Hannah Brocanier, Mira Buckle, Michelle Lewis and Benjamin Maracle.