I Am a Witness: Human Rights Case

The I Am a Witness campaign invites people to learn about the case on First Nations child welfare and Jordan's Principle and to decide for themselves whether or not they think there is discrimination against First Nations children and youth. 

Visit the Tribunal Timeline and Documents for the latest on the case.

In the spotlight:

  • On April 8, 2025, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal released the motion schedule for the Ontario Final Agreement. 

 

  • On April 7, 2025, Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) filed a responding factum to the Tribunal regarding the Caring Society's Consultation Motion. 

 

  • On April 4, 2025, AFN submitted an extension request to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal regarding their position on long-term reform of FNCFS and Jordan's Principle. 

 

  • On March 31, 2025, AFN Executive Committee wrote to the Tribunal to retract AFN's March 24, 2025 submission regarding long-term reform of FNCFS and Jordan's Principle. Chiefs of Ontario (COO) also filed a responding factum to the Tribunal regarding the Caring Society's consultation motion.

 

 

  • On March 20 and 21, 2025, seven First Nation groups (Neqotkuk [Tobique] First Nation, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, Chippewas of Georgina Island, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Our Children Our Way Society, Taykwa Tagamou Nation and Council of Yukon First Nation) notified the Tribunal of their intention to seek Interested Party Status in First Nations Child and Family Caring Society et al. v. Attorney General of Canada. 

 

 

  • On March 7, 2025, Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Chiefs of Ontario filed a joint motion to the Tribunal regarding the Final Agreement on Long-Term Reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program in Ontario (the “Ontario Final Agreement”) and the Trilateral Agreement in Respect of Reforming the 1965 Agreement.
  • On March 7, 2025, Canada provides its report to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in keeping with the Tribunal's November 21, 2024 summary ruling. 

 

  • On February 20, 2025, the Caring Society's released a statement on federal government allegations of misuse of Jordan's Principle.

 

  • On February 10, 2025, the Federal Court released an Order sending Canada's judicial review of 2025 CHRT 6 into case management and putting it into abeyance (on pause). 

 

 

 

  • On December 10, 2024, per the Tribunal's November 21, 2024 summary ruling, Canada reported on ISC's backlogs of Jordan's Principle requests and ISC's plan to resolve the backlog.

 

 

Read More
Spirit Bear Poster

On January 26, 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found that Canada discriminates against First Nations children in its provision of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and by failing to implement Jordan's Principle. The Tribunal ruling was a victory not only for First Nations kids, but for all people in Canada who believe in love and fairness. But kids still need your help—here's what you can do:
 

  1. Read about the ruling and find out what it means:
  2. Read about the Spirit Bear Plan. 
     
  3. Write to the Prime Minister or your Member of Parliament for immediate implementation of the Spirit Bear Plan to end inequalities in public services for First Nations children youth, and families (sample letter here).
     
  4. Follow @CaringSociety and @SpiritBear on Twitter and Facebook and repost updates.

 

The Caring Society gratefully acknowledges the generous legal support of:

David Taylor and Kevin Droz, Conway Baxter Wilson LLP/s.r.l.

Sarah Clarke, Clarke Child & Family Law

 

To submit a request for services through Jordan's Principle, call the Jordan's Principle 24-hour Call Centre: 1-855-JP-CHILD (1-855-572-4453) or visit canada.ca/jordans-principle.