“While we welcome the federal commitment, announcements alone do not help children. What matters is whether services reach our families quickly, fairly, and close to home. Right now, too many First Nations children in southern Manitoba are still waiting.”
– Grand Chief Jerry Daniels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 26, 2026
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) welcomes the federal government’s commitment of $1.55 billion to Jordan’s Principle, funding that will run through March 31, 2027, to support its continued delivery across Canada.
While the investment is important, funding must translate into timely, fair, and accessible services. Many families in southern Manitoba still face delays and uncertainty when seeking supports. SCO has worked to deliver one of the most transparent and accountable Jordan’s Principle programs in Canada, showing what’s possible when First Nations lead.
“Our expectations are simple: approvals must be timely with stable funding, services must be culturally appropriate and delivered close to home, and First Nations must be involved in decision making,” said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “While we welcome the federal commitment, announcements alone do not help children. Right now, too many First Nations children in southern Manitoba are still waiting.”
Demand for Jordan’s Principle remains high. Since 2016, Indigenous Services Canada has approved more than 10 million products, services, and supports, showing the program is meeting real needs. Yet over 100,000 requests are still waiting, leaving families without therapy, mental health supports, medical equipment, education help, or respite care.
Recent policy changes and tighter eligibility rules have strained trust in the program and created uncertainty for families and service providers.
While the federal government announced funding for services, it did not include support for the buildings, clinics, treatment spaces, and other infrastructure needed to deliver those services properly in our Nations. This gap makes it harder to provide care close to home. At the same time, the growing mental health crisis is adding pressure on families seeking support.
“Jordan’s Principle was never meant to carry the full weight of unmet mental health needs, but in many of our Nations it has become a lifeline,” stated Grand Chief Daniels. “This new funding must first help clear the backlog, strengthen First Nations service delivery capacity, and provide multi-year stability so families are not left guessing year to year whether their child will receive support.”
Jordan’s Principle is a legal human-rights obligation. It was established in 2007 because First Nations children were historically denied equitable access to public services. Created in honour of the late Jordan River Anderson, its purpose is to ensure that First Nations children receive the supports they need, when they need them.
SCO maintains that the success of this federal investment will ultimately be measured by outcomes on the ground. We will continue to call for faster services, stronger delivery, and true equity for First Nations children and families across southern Manitoba. Anything less falls short of the promise of Jordan’s Principle.
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 33 First Nations and more than 92,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
For media inquiries:
Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca