Policy Sectors

Press Release

Statement From NWAC President Carol McBride on the Importance of Bear Witness Day (Jordan’s Principle)

On May 10, “Bear Witness Day,” The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) remembers Jordan River Anderson, and the significance of his story.

Jordan River Anderson was a First Nations boy from Norway House Cree Nation in northern Manitoba. Jordan spent his entire short life in hospital while the federal and provincial governments argued over the cost of the home-based care he needed in his community.

After his death, a legal requirement resulting from the Orders of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) named Jordan’s Principle, was put in place. Its purpose was to help end inequities that prevent Indigenous children and their families from accessing the products, services, and supports they need, when they need them.

Jordan’s Principle states that any public service ordinarily available to other Canadian children must be made available to Indigenous children without delay or denial.

NWAC honours Jordan’s memory. Indigenous children’s human rights must be prioritized and upheld so that no child is left behind.

Join us to "Bear Witness" on May 10 to ensure Jordan's Principle is fully implemented. After all, there is nothing more important than the safety and well-being of our children.

Media Contact:

For information, or to arrange an interview, contact:

Roselie LeBlanc at roselie@sparkadvocacy.ca or 604-928-3233.

Pour obtenir plus d’information ou prendre des dispositions pour une interview, contacter:

Roselie LeBlanc, par courriel : roselie@sparkadvocacy.ca ou par téléphone: 604-928-3233


About The Native Women’s Association of Canada
The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is a National Indigenous Organization representing the political voice of Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people in Canada, inclusive of First Nations on and off reserve, status and non-status, disenfranchised, Métis and Inuit. An aggregate of Indigenous women’s organizations from across the country, NWAC was founded on the collective goal to enhance, promote and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of Indigenous women within their respective communities and Canada societies.