Community members, organizations, come together at Teddy Bear Picnic in recognition of Bear Witness Day

Tim Brody - Editor

More than 120 people visited the Sioux Lookout Public Library on May 10 to honour the late Jordan River Anderson, an Indigenous boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba, and the legal rule bearing his name.
First Nations Child & Family Caring Society shared the following information about Jordan’s Principle on their website (https://fncaringsociety.com/jordans-principle), “Jordan’s Principle is a legal rule named in memory of Jordan River Anderson, a First Nations child from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba. Born with complex medical needs, Jordan spent more than two years unnecessarily in hospital, waiting to leave, while the Province of Manitoba and the federal government argued over who should pay for his at home care—care that would have been paid for immediately had Jordan not been First Nations. Jordan died in the hospital at the age of five years old, never having spent a day in a family home. 
“With the support of their community of Norway House Cree Nation and others, Jordan’s family gifted his name to the creation of child-first principle to ensure First Nations children could access the services they need without denial, delay, or disruption.
“Unfortunately, despite the unanimous support of the House of Commons in 2007 for a broad definition, the federal government went on to implement Jordan’s Principle in a manner so narrow that few, if any, First Nations children qualified.
“In a landmark ruling on January 26, 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT or Tribunal) ruled that Canada’s definition of Jordan’s Principle was discriminatory and ordered the federal government to take immediate measures to implement the full and proper scope of Jordan’s legacy.
“Canada failed to comply with the Tribunal’s ruling and three months later, in April 2016, the CHRT issued its first non-compliance order against Canada. In all, the Tribunal has been forced to issue more than 20 additional orders, many of them non-compliance orders against Canada. The Tribunal orders have led to over 1.4 million products, services, and supports for First Nations kids through Jordan’s Principle. The Tribunal has also ordered Canada to review previous service requests dating from April 1, 2009, whether made pursuant to Jordan’s Principle or otherwise, to determine what supports children/youth would or should have received had Canada applied the proper definition of Jordan’s Principle.”
On May 10, Bear Witness Day, Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA), The Sioux Lookout Public Library, the Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre, the Northwestern Health Unit, and Sunset Women’s Aboriginal Circle partnered to put on a Teddy Bear Picnic at the library. Participants were invited to bring their favorite teddy bear to the event, which included Spirit Bear mask making, a photo booth, and an opportunity to learn more about Jordan’s Principle.
SLFNHA invited people to post photos of themselves with their teddy bear at work or school on May 10 using the hashtag #BearWitnessDay to win prizes. 
Kristin Wray, Complex Care Navigator at SLFNHA, shared, “In 2016, May 10, was the day that the (federal) government had the deadline to implement Jordan’s Principle. Dr. Cindy Blackstock, who is one of the heads of implementing Jordan’s Principle was gifted this bear. She chose to bring that bear with her on May 10 when she was going to speak at Parliament. They were not successful. It took three more times going back to Parliament in order for Jordan’s Principle to implemented. Every time that Cindy went, she took Spirit Bear, so he became very important to the Jordan’s Principal initiative. Every year, people are asked to celebrate Spirit Bears birthday to honour Jordan River Anderson, the namesake of Jordan’s Principle.”
Wray added, “Today we decided to celebrate Bear Witness Day by having a Teddy Bear tea party, so we’ve invited the public to come and enjoy some wonderful bannock, refreshments, and just learn about Jordan’s Principle.”
Sioux Lookout Public Library Assistant Librarian Nancy McCord shared, “I feel like the event went really well with approximately 130-150 people in attendance. We were approached by SLFNHA to brainstorm ideas of ways to celebrate Bear Witness Day and to educate families about the importance of such. We were happy to offer the Library as a space and work with partners to plan such an event. We had a photo booth, a crafting station, loot bags, an educational video, a picnic area and many organizations on site to help educate and run the event. We really appreciate the collaboration of all partners and those who attended the event.”