New Jordan's Principle funding 'helps us for now,' but long-term fixes needed: Manitoba First Nation leaders

Federal funding of $1.55 billion pledged for Jordan's Principle has been welcomed by Manitoba First Nation leaders, but chiefs and advocates say the one-year boost — up from $1.03 billion budgeted for the current fiscal year — does not resolve systemic failures in the program meant to guarantee timely services for First Nations children.

"This announcement helps us for now," Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Grand Chief Garrison Settee said, "but long-term change requires working together as First Nations to build the system our children deserve."

What leaders say

MKO hosted a news conference on Thursday in response to the federal commitment. Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull‑Masty announced the $1.55-billion allocation, intended to cover Jordan's Principle operations over the next year. First Nation leaders emphasised they appreciate the money but want clear assurances the funding will be used to address long-standing backlogs and eligibility decisions.

• MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee highlighted the human toll of delays, referencing a "sad and unfortunate" case of a nine‑year‑old boy receiving only "minimal support."
• Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) Grand Chief Kyra Wilson, a former Jordan's Principle service provider, said, "It's not just a program, it is a law. That's something that the government needs to follow, and there are strict guidelines right now that they're not reaching."
• Southern Chiefs' Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels warned of a growing mental‑health crisis and called Jordan's Principle a "lifeline" for communities, even if it was "never meant to carry the full weight of unmet mental health needs."

Backlogs, eligibility and service needs

Indigenous Services Canada reported a backlog of 140,000 Jordan's Principle applications in 2024, with 25,000 labelled urgent. Leaders said there is no explicit federal pledge to reduce that backlog, and they remain concerned about a government decision last year to narrow the range of eligible requests.

Ottawa has argued some requests were for non‑urgent items — citing examples reported by the government such as modelling headshots, gaming consoles, bicycles and a zip line kit — and narrowed eligibility accordingly. Manitoba leaders dispute a broad narrative of abuse and say many commonly approved requests are for essential supports, including medical equipment, mental‑health services and tutoring.

Wilson noted that Manitoba submits more Jordan's Principle applications than any other province, "which speaks to the magnitude of services and supports that our First Nations children need here in Manitoba."

Outlook

While the $1.55-billion commitment provides immediate operational funding, chiefs and advocacy groups say long‑term fixes are required: a plan to clear the substantial backlog, restoration or clarification of eligibility in partnership with First Nations, and systemic changes that ensure the law named for Jordan River Anderson — a child from Norway House Cree Nation who died in hospital in 2005 after governments argued over paying for his at‑home care — is implemented in practice.

Leaders urged Ottawa to move beyond annual funding increases toward a co‑developed, sustainable framework that treats Jordan's Principle as the legal obligation it is and prevents further delays for vulnerable children. Officials have said they are committed to working with First Nations to make the program more responsive; chiefs say concrete timelines and collaborative governance will be necessary to translate that commitment into results.