Announcement

May 10th is Bear Witness Day.

Join us in commemorating Bear Witness Day on May 10, a day dedicated to raising awareness about Jordan’s Principle and ensuring First Nations children receive the services and support they need. This day honors Jordan River Anderson and the ongoing efforts to fully implement Jordan’s Principle

How to Get Involved on Bear Witness Day

Looking for ways to show your support this Bear Witness Day (May 10, 2025)? Here are a few meaningful actions you can take:

  • Host a Teddy Bear Tea Party
    Invite friends and family to bring their teddy bears for a Teddy Bear Tea Party. Share snacks, make bear crowns, and enjoy activities like word searches.
  • Learn and Share
    Explore the illustrated story Spirit Bear and Children Make History, which explains the origins of Jordan’s Principle. Share it with friends, family, or in your community.
  • Spread the Word
    Let others know about Bear Witness Day by sharing this card on your social media or through email.
  • Join the Online Conversation
    Post photos using the hashtags #JordansPrinciple and #BearWitnessDay. Get creative—pose with your favorite teddy bear or display a bear drawing in your window to show your support.
  • Advocate for Recognition
    Contact the Government of British Columbia to encourage official recognition of Spirit Bear Day as a provincial holiday—just as Manitoba has already done in Jordan’s honor.

 

How do you plan to commemorate Bear Witness Day?

2025 Marks the 20th Anniversary of Jordan’s Principle.

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UPDATE

From Indigenous Services Canada:

Important Updates to the Implementation of Jordan’s Principle

Jordan’s Principle Operational Bulletin

Updates to the Implementation of Jordan’s Principle

Effective February 10th, 2025

Objective: To provide information on the changes to operating procedures related to processing requests under Jordan’s Principle.  Please note: These operational changes will be applied to all requests that have not yet been adjudicated, regardless of the date your request was submitted.  For more information, please reach out to one of our Hub Team members or your local Service Coordinator.

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For assistance with an existing Jordan’s Principle Request or for assistance in submitting a new request under Jordan’s Principle:

If you require support regarding a Jordan’s Principle request during this time, please contact the Jordan’s Principle National Call Centre available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

On weekends and statutory holidays, the BC Region duty phone is monitored from 8:00am PST to 3:00pm PST to help with urgent and time-sensitive requests.

Welcome to “the Hub”

The Jordan’s Principle Enhanced Service Coordination (ESC) Hub for British Columbia (BC) or “the Hub” is hosted by the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society (BCACCS) and delivered in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).

The Hub provides a centralized support network for Jordan’s Principle Service Coordinators working across the province. Service Coordinators are based in community and work directly with children and families to help access existing products, services, and supports, and to submit Jordan’s Principle and Inuit Child First Initiative requests where appropriate.

What is Jordan’s Principle?

Jordan’s Principle is a child-first principle, named in memory of Jordan River Anderson, a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba, to ensure First Nations children get the services they need when they need them.

Requests for funding under Jordan’s Principle can help with a wide range of health, social, and educational needs, including the unique needs that First Nations Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA children and those with disabilities may have.

To learn more about how to access funding through Jordan’s Principle and the Inuit Child First Initiative, or get help making a request, please contact a Jordan’s Principle Service Coordinator.

Click Here for More Information or to Submit Your Request in BC Find a Service Coordinator Learn More about Jordan’s Principle at Indigenous Services Canada Learn More about Inuit Child First Initiative at Indigenous Services Canada

What services are eligible for funding under Jordan’s Principle?

Services and products eligible for funding include, but are not limited to, health, social/cultural, and educational supports.

Learn More

How to make a Jordan’s Principle Request in BC

Jordan’s Principle Service Coordinators are available to help BC First Nations children and families access existing publicly funded products, services, and supports, and to assist with preparing and submitting requests to Jordan’s Principle.

Learn More

Service Coordinator Directory

Find a Service Coordinator