Image description: A mother and child walking toward the sun. Art by Maria Feather Farahat

For many families, it can be very cost and time prohibitive to access needed healthcare supports for yourself and loved ones. For those with complex medical needs, the prospect of support that will allow children to remain in their homes and communities, and covering that support throughout their birth to adulthood, can feel like an overwhelming undertaking.

Qi Creative works with clients who are funded through different provincial and national sources. Some pay for our services out-of-pocket and reimburse through private insurance; some are through Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD).

If you are Indigenous, you may be eligible for support through Jordan’s Principle. Jordan’s Principle is available to First Nations children across Canada, and if you are in Alberta, the First Nations Health Consortium can assist you with applying to Jordan’s Principle for your healthcare needs.

What is Jordan’s Principle?

Jordan’s Principle is a Child-First Initiative created in honor of Jordan River Anderson (1999-2005), a First Nations boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba.

Jordan was born with a rare neuromuscular disease, whose complex medical needs could not be treated on reserve. As a result, Jordan was transferred to a hospital in Winnipeg, far from his family home and community.

In 2001, a hospital-based team decided that Jordan’s needs would be best met in a foster home closer to his home community. However, federal and provincial governments argued over financial responsibility for Jordan’s potential services. During this time, Jordan remained in hospital, even though it was not medically necessary for him to be there.

In 2005, Jordan passed away at the age of 5, never having the opportunity to live in his family’s home.

Jordan’s Principle ensures that First Nations Children have equal and fair access to services available to other Canadian children (and shields First Nations children from government disputes in accessing and funding various forms of care.)

First Nations Health Consortium

In Alberta, the First Nations Health Consortium (FNHC) assists First Nations and Inuit families in accessing Jordan’s Principle, in addition to culturally relevant health, social, and educational supports.

You can contact the FNHC at 1-844-558-8748 or at nochild4gotten@abfnhc.com.

First Nations Health Consortium offices:

Image description: A multicolored feather casting a shadow of a family. Art by Roxy Boucher

High Level
Wabasca
Peace River
High Prairie
Grande Prairie
St. Paul
Sturgeon Lake
Edmonton
Maskwacis
Calgary
Lethbridge

Jordan’s Principle Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, you must be a child under the age of majority in their province/territory of residence, must permanently reside in Canada, and meet one of the following criteria:

Be registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act
Have one parent/guardian who is registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act
Is recognized by their Nation for the purposes of Jordan’s Principle
Is ordinarily a resident on reserve.

Sample Jordan’s Principle Requests

Jordan’s Principle can assist Indigenous families with a number of different requests (not limited to):

Image description: A thank-you letter for receiving an iPad through Jordan’s Principle. It reads: “Thank you for my iPad. I love it so much and I don’t have to share with my brother and it works so good I have not missed one class! Thank you, Ava”

Child-care costs
Camp costs
Education Assistants
Physiotherapy
Audiology
Podiatry
Medical Supplies and Equipment
School Supports
Mental Health Services
Speech and Language Therapy
Respite Care
Services from Elders
Personal Support Worker
Land-based Activities
Dental Care
Wheelchair Ramps
Occupational Therapy
Tutoring Services

How to Access Jordan’s Principle

You can start with an Intake Form with the First Nations Health Consortium here.

Moreover, in Alberta, the First Nations Health Consortium can help you access Jordan’s Principle, and work with you through the Jordan’s Principle Application Process.

If you need assistance, call 1-844-558-8748 to speak to an Access Worker, who will complete an intake with you by gathering demographic information about your child (Name, birth, address, contact information, Treaty number, Alberta Health Care Number, child’s needs), and obtain a consent form, to be signed by the parent or guardian.

More Resources for Indigenous Albertans

Art by Angelina Ross, depicting a mother or grandmother with a baby on her back in a mossbag, with two other children holding hands in a line as they walk down a path. The woman and child are also holding a teddy bear’s hands between each other.

AHS Indigenous Support Line

This support line is staffed by Indigenous Health Link, and is available weekdays from 12 PM - 8 PM.

Staff will answer your questions, help you access culturally appropriate care and support, and any other assistance you may need in navigating the healthcare system.

Call 1-844-944-4744 if you’re an Indigenous person that has questions about AHS, has a concern, or needs to find help or navigation.
All Albertans can call 911 for medical emergencies.
All Albertans can call 811 (Health Link), for 24/7 non-emergency health related questions.