Bear Witness Day

2025 is the 20th anniversary of Jordan’s Principle.

In 2005, the family of Jordan River Anderson gave the sacred gift of his name to the creation of Jordan’s Principle. Celebrated annually, Bear Witness Day honours Jordan River Anderson and invites people of all ages to "Bear Witness" to ensure Jordan's Principle is fully implemented! Bear Witness Day is celebrated on May 10 because this is an important date in the history of Jordan's Principle at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. 

The Tribunal's first non-compliance order called for Canada to fully implement Jordan's Principle by May 10, 2016. Unfortunately, it took several more years and many non-compliance orders (September 2016, May 2017, November 2017, November 2024 and January 2025) against Canada before real progress was made. There is more work to be done. 

Jordan's Principle is a child first principle and legal rule that ensures First Nations children receive the services and supports they need, when they need them.

 

In the Spotlight:

 

The Jordan's Principle 20th Anniversary Scrapbook highlights some of the many events that were held in May 2025 to honour the tremendous impact of Jordan River Anderson’s life and legacy. A full colour version and a printer-friendly lite version are available here.

 

Bear Witness Day Logo - Jordan's Blue Bear
People at a party, watching Spirit Bear presentation

Host a Teddy Bear Tea Party

Teddy Bear tea parties are a fantastic way to celebrate Bear Witness Day! 

Here is how you can host your own: 

 

Don't forget to share and post your Teddy Bear Tea Party photos on social media using the hashtags #JordansPrinciple and #BearWitnessDay

Spirit Bear with notebook and apple

Write a letter

 Write a letter to your federal elected official to implement the Spirit Bear Plan 

Spirit Bear Poster

Read or Watch Spirit Bear and Children Make History

To learn more about Jordan River Anderson and why Jordan's Principle is so important, read or watch Spirit Bear and Children Make History. 

 

Take it one step further:

Read Spirit Bear's Guide to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action and create a plan for how you will take action and respond to one or more of the Calls to Action

Related Resources

More information to help plan for Bear Witness Day!

  • Bear Witness Day: Why these kids are bringing teddy bears to school on May 10

    Juniper Elementary School students share why Bear Witness Day is important to them with CBC Kids!
    Read the Article

  • Jordan's Principle Public Service Announcement by Kids

    Created by Grade 5 students from Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School in Gatineau, QC, this PSA talks about the importance of Jordan’s Principle and how kids access the supports and services they need, when they need them.
    Watch the PSA

  • Jordan River Anderson, The Messenger

    Alanis Obomsawin's 52nd film tells the story of Jordan River Anderson and how his legacy led to the creation of Jordan’s Principle, a legal rule to ensure First Nations children receive the supports they need to be healthy and grow up safely at home....
    Watch the Documentary

  • Senator Brian Francis’ 2019 Statement on Bear Witness Day

    Senator Francis delivers a statement in the Senate to mark Bear Witness Day and the importance of Jordan’s Principle. 
    Read the Statement