Premier Delivers Statement in the House in Cree in Honour of Jordan River Anderson

May 8, 2025

The Manitoba government is recognizing Spirit Bear Day and honouring the memory of Jordan River Anderson, a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation who was born with complex medical needs and spent his entire short life in hospital because governments could not agree on who should pay for his home health care, Premier Wab Kinew announced today.

“Spirit Bear Day reminds us of our collective responsibility to ensure that no child faces barriers to health care, education or support because of where they live or who they are,” said Kinew. “As we mark the 20th anniversary of Jordan’s passing, we honour his memory and recommit to treating every child with dignity, fairness and compassion.”

Anderson died in 2005. After his passing, a legal rule called Jordan’s Principle was established to ensure First Nations children receive the services they need, when they need them, without delays caused by jurisdictional disputes. In 2018, MLA Bernadette Smith (now the housing, addictions and homelessness minister) introduced Bill 230, the Spirit Bear Day Act, which was passed by the Manitoba legislative assembly to honour Jordan’s memory and annually recognize the importance of Jordan’s Principle on May 10.

To mark the importance of the day, the premier gave a statement in the Manitoba legislature in Cree, with an English translation available to members of the legislative assembly. Since the earliest days of the Manitoba legislature, Indigenous languages have been spoken in the house. This will be the first time in this chamber’s history that simultaneous translation of an Indigenous language is offered during routine proceedings. To help make this possible, Elder Ellen Cook will be present in the chamber translation booth and providing the English translation for the Cree statement as it is read.

The premier recognized the strength and advocacy of Jordan’s parents, who continue to fight to ensure no other family would have to endure the same injustice.

To learn more about Jordan’s Principle, visit https://sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1568396042341/1568396159824.

– 30 –

For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: mgi@gov.mb.ca or 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.

NT4