What is Jordan's Principle?
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Jordan's Principle is named in memory of Jordan River Anderson. He was a young Cree boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba. Jordan was born with multiple disabilities and stayed in the hospital from birth.
When he was 2 years old, doctors said he could move to a special home for his medical needs. However, the federal and provincial governments could not agree on who should pay for his home-based care. Jordan stayed in the hospital until he passed away at the age of 5. In 2007, the House of Commons passed Jordan's Principle to honor Jordan. Jordan’s Principle is a commitment that First Nations children would get the products, services, and supports they need, when they need them. Today, Jordan's Principle is a legal obligation, which has no end date. While programs and initiatives to support it may only exist for short periods of time, Jordan's Principle will always be there. Jordan's Principle will support First Nations children for generations to come. This is the legacy of Jordan River Anderson. Jordan’s Principle is a legal requirement resulting from the Orders of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) and is not a policy or program. For further info see Jordan's Principle (https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca ) |
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What is the TCVI Jordan's Principle Initiative?
The TCVI Jordan’s Principle Initiative aims to help cover educational supports & services to children newborn - 17 years 11 months, who reside in our six- member First Nations communities.
The TCVI Jordan’s Principle initiative named Early Years provides educational supports and services for children from birth to 17 years 11 months living in our six member First Nations. The child-first initiative is designed to mirror provincial unit funding (PUF) so that children have equitable access to the same supports and services available to non-Indigenous children in the provincial system.
The TCVI Jordan’s Principle initiative named Early Years provides educational supports and services for children from birth to 17 years 11 months living in our six member First Nations. The child-first initiative is designed to mirror provincial unit funding (PUF) so that children have equitable access to the same supports and services available to non-Indigenous children in the provincial system.
TCVI Jordan’s Principle Project serves children and youth from one of our 6-member First Nations:
- Beaver Lake Cree Nation
- Cold Lake First Nations
- Frog Lake First Nations
- Heart Lake First Nation
- Kehewin Cree Nation
- Whitefish Lake First Nation #128.
How can TCVI Jordan’s Principle Initiative help our children
On-reserve
- Daycare
- Headstart
- Band operated school
- Health Centre
- Home
- Services, supports such as: Early interventions (SLP, OT, & PT)
- Mental Health Support
- Supply items to assist with therapy (accompanied by a letter by a professional).
- Annual Specialized Summer Camps
Eligibility
Children and youth who are under the age of majority meet one of the following criteria are eligible for Jordan’s Principle services:
• The child is registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act.
• The child has one parent or guardian who is registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act.
• The child is recognized by their First Nation for the purposes of Jordan's Principle.
• The child is ordinarily resident on reserve
• The child is registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act.
• The child has one parent or guardian who is registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act.
• The child is recognized by their First Nation for the purposes of Jordan's Principle.
• The child is ordinarily resident on reserve
Tribal Chiefs Ventures Inc. Jordan’s Principle Service Flow for Children & Youth
STEP 1: The Education team/Jordan’s Principle Nation Liaison will identify a specific child or group of children in need from the six-member First Nations (newborn – 17 years 11 months).
STEP 2: The Jordan’s Principle First Nation Liaison will then apply for services, support and/or products. Length of time to process a request is dependent upon the timely receipt of all required information.
STEP 3: The TCVI Jordan’s Principle Team collect all necessary documentation needed and submits all completed applications to TCVI CEO for review.
STEP 4: The Jordan Principle Navigators will then inform respective institutions, liaisons, service providers, principal/ administrative personnel, Special Ed coordinators of the funding decision for programming.
STEP 2: The Jordan’s Principle First Nation Liaison will then apply for services, support and/or products. Length of time to process a request is dependent upon the timely receipt of all required information.
STEP 3: The TCVI Jordan’s Principle Team collect all necessary documentation needed and submits all completed applications to TCVI CEO for review.
STEP 4: The Jordan Principle Navigators will then inform respective institutions, liaisons, service providers, principal/ administrative personnel, Special Ed coordinators of the funding decision for programming.
Jordan's Principle Team
Please contact the TCVI team (Jordan’s Principle Coordinator or Navigators) for questions on individual eligibility and for more information.
Jordan’s Principle Program Coordinator |
Early Years Navigator (Newborn- 6 years old) |
Pre-Teen Navigator (7-12 years old |
Stephanie Angus Phone: 780-645-4288 ext. 205 |
Rys Ann Whyne Phone: 780-645-4288 ext. 208 |
Keashea John Phone: (780) 645-4288, ext. 210 |
E-mail: [email protected] |
E-mail: [email protected] |
E-mail: [email protected] |
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Jordan's Principle First Nation Liaisons
Beaver Lake First Nation |
Cold Lake First Nation |
Frog Lake First Nation |
Kehewin Cree Nation |
Heart Lake First Nation |
Whitefish Lake First Nation # 128 |
Merle Patenaude |
Maryanne Bushore |
Seanna Larocque |
Elissa Gadwa |
Cynthia Quinney-Mason |
Shalene McConnell/ Laura McConnell Jackson |
Partnerships & Initiatives
Indigenous Rookie League (IRL)
TCVI partnered with the Jays Care Foundation in Summer 2022 to launch an inter-generational Indigenous Rookie League aimed at improving physical and mental health outcomes for children and youth. The league also promotes healing through innovative point systems, inter-generational activities, and collaboration across the six member First Nations. Each community received customized league design support, funding, equipment, jerseys, coach training, and on-site launch assistance.
TCVI has continued this partnership with Jays Care Foundation for four consecutive years. The Indigenous Rookie League runs for eight weeks each May and June and is designed for children ages 5 to 11. Each First Nation school fields its own team:
TCVI partnered with the Jays Care Foundation in Summer 2022 to launch an inter-generational Indigenous Rookie League aimed at improving physical and mental health outcomes for children and youth. The league also promotes healing through innovative point systems, inter-generational activities, and collaboration across the six member First Nations. Each community received customized league design support, funding, equipment, jerseys, coach training, and on-site launch assistance.
TCVI has continued this partnership with Jays Care Foundation for four consecutive years. The Indigenous Rookie League runs for eight weeks each May and June and is designed for children ages 5 to 11. Each First Nation school fields its own team:
- West Division: Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Heart Lake First Nation, Whitefish Lake First Nation #128
- East Division: Cold Lake First Nations, Frog Lake First Nations, Kehewin Cree Nation
- Strengthen self-confidence and self-esteem in children and youth.
- Support physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being.
- Connect communities through sport and cultural sharing.
- Foster inter-generational relationships through play.
- Promote community leadership and provide leadership opportunities for youth.
- Create meaningful opportunities for success through baseball that transfer to other areas of life.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Tribal Chiefs Ventures Inc. would like to thank all who are involved in making the Indigenous Rookie League a success.
To the TCVI six-member First Nation Leadership,
Thank you, for your guidance, leadership, and consideration for the best interest of the child. For allowing TCVI to establish the league within your respective First Nations and for supporting each program under TCVI and attending practices/ league games and the end of season tournament. It is great when we see you attend these activities on your First Nations. Hiy-hiy and Masi Cho
To the Elders & Knowledge keepers,
Thank you for showing up to each league game and opening the league games with prayer for each team to play safely on the field, arrive to and from the First Nations to play ball and praying over the food shared by the teams. Hiy-hiy and Masi Cho
To the Coaches,
Thank you for showing up at each practice and league game. You are committed to teach these children the game of baseball and to be kind to each other. You showed incredible patience with each athlete throughout the season. Thank you for the time, dedication, and heart you gave to coaching them, and motivating each athlete and inspiring them to work hard.
You all became a powerful role model in each of these children’s lives and made a difference in the lives of so many others. We hope you know how much TCVI appreciates you. Hiy-hiy and Masi Cho
To the Parents/guardians behind the athletes,
Thank you for your strength, dedication, and sacrifice for the hours that you spent in the car/bus driving to practices and league games. For giving up your evenings during the weekdays to attend practices and games. For cheering on your child/children. For your patience when practice/games ran long. By participating in the last inning of the game to play ball, your child also saw you having fun on the field. For encouraging your athlete to keep going when they need that extra push and for trusting your athletes with coaches and your athlete themselves. Through sports, YOU are providing your children with incredible life lessons that will serve them well throughout the rest of their lives. Win or lose, they are building character directly because of your support and efforts. Hiy-hiy and Masi Cho
To the Spectators,
Thank you for showing up for your family, friends, and First Nation members and for cheering on the teams that were present. Thank you for helping with cooking the BBQ dinners to fuel the teams after a long baseball game. Your energy was amazing! Hiy-hiy and Masi Cho
To the athletes of the Indigenous Rookie League,
Thank you to all the athletes who showed up. Without you this league would not have been a success. You all came to play at each practice, games and at the end of season tournament. It was great to see you all having fun and making memories with your teammates. Our hope is you enjoyed baseball and hope to see you next season. Hiy-hiy and Masi Cho
To the First Nation Representatives,
This has been an incredible journey. We thank each of you for your assistance and support in this journey we embarked on. We want to thank you all for showing up to each meeting and bringing your ideas, questions, and concerns to the table. We want to thank you for taking time out of your work, school, and family lives/schedules to be the voice of your First Nations communities. By partnering with the Jays Care Foundation- Indigenous Rookie League, we created a successful league. It taught us so much about what we need to do better. Thank you for your feedback and we hope we can continue to work together next season. Hiy-hiy and Masi Cho
To the Jays Care Foundation representatives,
Thank you for reaching out to TCVI with this great opportunity to partner with the Jays Care Foundation. This partnership has brought TCVI six member First Nations a summer program children, youth, families, and First Nation members will never forget. Thank you for listening to each person who was sitting on the zoom meetings to discuss how we wanted the league to be presented in each First Nation. Thanks for coming into each First Nation to get children and youth excited for the Indigenous Rookie League. Hiy-hiy/ Masi Cho for your generous support. We look forward to our continued partnership for years to come!
To the TCVI Jordan’s Principle team who coordinated IRL
We have always believed that the people we work with are what makes this job worthwhile, and you all proved us right! We are proud to work with a team full of ambitious people who continue to deliver excellent results. Hiy- hiy & Masi Cho, you all are the best!
Thank you to Seven Lakes Oilfield Services, the Town of St. Paul, and Co-op for your generous support of our year end tournament.
We sincerely appreciate Seven Lakes Oilfield Services for providing the BBQ and volunteer cooks who prepared the delicious food enjoyed by all. We also thank the Town of St. Paul for offering a safe and welcoming space for our teams to play ball, and Co-op for delivering the food that made our BBQ possible.
Your contributions helped create a wonderful experience for our players, families, and communities. Thank you for supporting our league and helping make this event a success.
To the TCVI six-member First Nation Leadership,
Thank you, for your guidance, leadership, and consideration for the best interest of the child. For allowing TCVI to establish the league within your respective First Nations and for supporting each program under TCVI and attending practices/ league games and the end of season tournament. It is great when we see you attend these activities on your First Nations. Hiy-hiy and Masi Cho
To the Elders & Knowledge keepers,
Thank you for showing up to each league game and opening the league games with prayer for each team to play safely on the field, arrive to and from the First Nations to play ball and praying over the food shared by the teams. Hiy-hiy and Masi Cho
To the Coaches,
Thank you for showing up at each practice and league game. You are committed to teach these children the game of baseball and to be kind to each other. You showed incredible patience with each athlete throughout the season. Thank you for the time, dedication, and heart you gave to coaching them, and motivating each athlete and inspiring them to work hard.
You all became a powerful role model in each of these children’s lives and made a difference in the lives of so many others. We hope you know how much TCVI appreciates you. Hiy-hiy and Masi Cho
To the Parents/guardians behind the athletes,
Thank you for your strength, dedication, and sacrifice for the hours that you spent in the car/bus driving to practices and league games. For giving up your evenings during the weekdays to attend practices and games. For cheering on your child/children. For your patience when practice/games ran long. By participating in the last inning of the game to play ball, your child also saw you having fun on the field. For encouraging your athlete to keep going when they need that extra push and for trusting your athletes with coaches and your athlete themselves. Through sports, YOU are providing your children with incredible life lessons that will serve them well throughout the rest of their lives. Win or lose, they are building character directly because of your support and efforts. Hiy-hiy and Masi Cho
To the Spectators,
Thank you for showing up for your family, friends, and First Nation members and for cheering on the teams that were present. Thank you for helping with cooking the BBQ dinners to fuel the teams after a long baseball game. Your energy was amazing! Hiy-hiy and Masi Cho
To the athletes of the Indigenous Rookie League,
Thank you to all the athletes who showed up. Without you this league would not have been a success. You all came to play at each practice, games and at the end of season tournament. It was great to see you all having fun and making memories with your teammates. Our hope is you enjoyed baseball and hope to see you next season. Hiy-hiy and Masi Cho
To the First Nation Representatives,
This has been an incredible journey. We thank each of you for your assistance and support in this journey we embarked on. We want to thank you all for showing up to each meeting and bringing your ideas, questions, and concerns to the table. We want to thank you for taking time out of your work, school, and family lives/schedules to be the voice of your First Nations communities. By partnering with the Jays Care Foundation- Indigenous Rookie League, we created a successful league. It taught us so much about what we need to do better. Thank you for your feedback and we hope we can continue to work together next season. Hiy-hiy and Masi Cho
To the Jays Care Foundation representatives,
Thank you for reaching out to TCVI with this great opportunity to partner with the Jays Care Foundation. This partnership has brought TCVI six member First Nations a summer program children, youth, families, and First Nation members will never forget. Thank you for listening to each person who was sitting on the zoom meetings to discuss how we wanted the league to be presented in each First Nation. Thanks for coming into each First Nation to get children and youth excited for the Indigenous Rookie League. Hiy-hiy/ Masi Cho for your generous support. We look forward to our continued partnership for years to come!
To the TCVI Jordan’s Principle team who coordinated IRL
We have always believed that the people we work with are what makes this job worthwhile, and you all proved us right! We are proud to work with a team full of ambitious people who continue to deliver excellent results. Hiy- hiy & Masi Cho, you all are the best!
Thank you to Seven Lakes Oilfield Services, the Town of St. Paul, and Co-op for your generous support of our year end tournament.
We sincerely appreciate Seven Lakes Oilfield Services for providing the BBQ and volunteer cooks who prepared the delicious food enjoyed by all. We also thank the Town of St. Paul for offering a safe and welcoming space for our teams to play ball, and Co-op for delivering the food that made our BBQ possible.
Your contributions helped create a wonderful experience for our players, families, and communities. Thank you for supporting our league and helping make this event a success.
What is The Bounce Back Initiative?
The Jays Care Bounce Back Initiative – Food Sovereignty supports First Nations communities in strengthening local access to healthy, affordable, and culturally relevant foods. Through this initiative, communities receive funding, resources, and hands-on support to create sustainable food programs such as community gardens, traditional food practices, nutrition education, and youth-led wellness activities. The goal is to empower communities to reclaim food sovereignty, improve overall health outcomes, and strengthen connections to land, culture, and traditional knowledge.
Berry Happy Initiative Spring/Summer 2024
Tribal Chiefs Ventures Inc. applied for fruit trees, plants, and shrubs to be planted across each of the six member First Nations. These plantings will create accessible berry-picking areas for all community members, from early years to Elders. The initiative aims to inspire children, youth, and educators to learn with and from First Nations Peoples through community connections, land-based activities, and cultural teachings.
This initiative supports multiple interconnected goals:
Berry Happy Initiative Spring/Summer 2024
Tribal Chiefs Ventures Inc. applied for fruit trees, plants, and shrubs to be planted across each of the six member First Nations. These plantings will create accessible berry-picking areas for all community members, from early years to Elders. The initiative aims to inspire children, youth, and educators to learn with and from First Nations Peoples through community connections, land-based activities, and cultural teachings.
This initiative supports multiple interconnected goals:
- Provide nutritious berries for community use: including consumption, medicine, and ceremony.
- Strengthen food security through locally available fruits and berries.
- Create opportunities for Elders, parents, and guardians to share land-based teachings and cultural knowledge with youth.
- Promote environmental sustainability through pollination, improved air quality, and long-term food production.
- Encourage physical activity through berry picking, pruning, and garden maintenance.
- TCVI is excited we have been approved for 2025 Bounce Back Initiative Strong Like a Buffalo Bison Sharing program coming in 2026-2027 school year
TCVI received an exciting literacy opportunity through the Summer Reading Matters program offered by the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation (ILOR) in partnership with Jays Care Foundation. This initiative supports youth literacy by providing funding to purchase brand-new, culturally relevant, and representational books for our communities.
As a partner in Jays Care’s Indigenous Rookie League program, our six member First Nations were eligible to receive this support. The books have been received and delivered and will enhance literacy resources for young readers across our Nations.
As a partner in Jays Care’s Indigenous Rookie League program, our six member First Nations were eligible to receive this support. The books have been received and delivered and will enhance literacy resources for young readers across our Nations.
Summer Camps
July-August
At TCVI, our Speech and Language Summer Camps are all about learning through play! Each year, each of our six member First Nations hosts its own week-long summer camp for the Early Years and Pre-Teen age groups, giving children a fun and meaningful opportunity to learn right in their own community.
Our camps help children build their speech, language, pre-literacy, and social communication skills by weaving camp themes and learning goals into exciting, hands-on activities. Kids enjoy stories, rhymes, free play, games, crafts, movement activities, and so much more, all designed to spark curiosity and support early development.
Our amazing team, our registered Speech-Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, and licensed teachers, lead the camps with energy and creativity. Together, they help children explore new words, practice routines, follow directions, interact confidently with their peers, and participate in structured activities such as story and craft time.
The camp experience supports the whole child. We meet children’s physical needs by providing transportation, meals, outdoor playtime, and safe spaces to learn and explore. Campers strengthen their fine and gross motor skills through activities such as play dough, medicine picking, berry picking, cooking, fishing, sensory play, and other land-based experiences.
Our TCVI Summer Camps continue to be a huge success, with great participation and enthusiastic feedback from children and families. We love seeing our little learners grow, connect, and have fun in the summer months! TCVI is exploring options for the Adolescent age group.
Our camps help children build their speech, language, pre-literacy, and social communication skills by weaving camp themes and learning goals into exciting, hands-on activities. Kids enjoy stories, rhymes, free play, games, crafts, movement activities, and so much more, all designed to spark curiosity and support early development.
Our amazing team, our registered Speech-Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, and licensed teachers, lead the camps with energy and creativity. Together, they help children explore new words, practice routines, follow directions, interact confidently with their peers, and participate in structured activities such as story and craft time.
The camp experience supports the whole child. We meet children’s physical needs by providing transportation, meals, outdoor playtime, and safe spaces to learn and explore. Campers strengthen their fine and gross motor skills through activities such as play dough, medicine picking, berry picking, cooking, fishing, sensory play, and other land-based experiences.
Our TCVI Summer Camps continue to be a huge success, with great participation and enthusiastic feedback from children and families. We love seeing our little learners grow, connect, and have fun in the summer months! TCVI is exploring options for the Adolescent age group.
Date modified:
5/26/2026
5/26/2026
PAST EVENTS
In June 2022, the Jays Care Foundation representatives came to each First Nation School to endorse the Indigenous Rookie League.
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Each First Nation coach attended training at Kehewin Cree Nation, Kinokasihk Kiskinohamatikamik School. The training was provided by the Jays Care Foundation representatives. The training was for one day. Each coach was provided with a training manual that included:
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Indigenous Rookie League Highlights
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The league encouraged children and youth to increase their activity levels.
Each coach tracked points for each game using the TCVI Unique Point System tracking sheet.
Each coach tracked points for each game using the TCVI Unique Point System tracking sheet.
Indigenous Rookie League End of Season Tournament
The IRL season ended with a tournament that was held on August 20, 2022. Each participant was awarded with a medal and a certificate from the Jays Care Foundation. The tournament started with a prayer, acknowledgement from leadership and TCVI CEO. The tournament was a success with each child/youth/team playing baseball, they all enjoyed a BBQ lunch, and ended with a medal ceremony to acknowledge all children and youth. The league would not be a success without these young baseball players.
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BEYOND 3:30
In March 2020, the announcement of a state of emergency regarding COVID-19 and related restrictions limited many aspects of daily life such as physical health programs across Canada.
TCVI’s six-member First Nation leaders took action to protect their communities by developing initiatives and policies to protect public health and safety measures to support physical distancing. One example to reduce the spread of COVID 19 was temporary closure of facilities including: schools, gyms, Pow Wow grounds, and recreation centers. The temporary limitations to in-person learning have reduced accessibility for children and youth to benefit from physical education, after-school sports programs, and other extracurricular activities. These restrictions further included postponing or canceling major recreational events such as, league games, tournaments, competitions, and Pow Wows. These temporary closures and restrictions facilitated in reducing the spread of COVID-19 within the First Nations.
Due to COVID-19, many children and youth within the six member First Nations were not able to participate in any extracurricular activities. There are families that do not have the resources available to provide healthy snacks to their children who are involved in extracurricular activities. Therefore, The Bounce Back Funds will ensure that healthy foods are available for the after-school extracurricular activities. The children will then have the energy to participate fully and reach their full potential in the extracurricular activities. Healthy bodies help create healthy minds!
TCVI’s six-member First Nation leaders took action to protect their communities by developing initiatives and policies to protect public health and safety measures to support physical distancing. One example to reduce the spread of COVID 19 was temporary closure of facilities including: schools, gyms, Pow Wow grounds, and recreation centers. The temporary limitations to in-person learning have reduced accessibility for children and youth to benefit from physical education, after-school sports programs, and other extracurricular activities. These restrictions further included postponing or canceling major recreational events such as, league games, tournaments, competitions, and Pow Wows. These temporary closures and restrictions facilitated in reducing the spread of COVID-19 within the First Nations.
Due to COVID-19, many children and youth within the six member First Nations were not able to participate in any extracurricular activities. There are families that do not have the resources available to provide healthy snacks to their children who are involved in extracurricular activities. Therefore, The Bounce Back Funds will ensure that healthy foods are available for the after-school extracurricular activities. The children will then have the energy to participate fully and reach their full potential in the extracurricular activities. Healthy bodies help create healthy minds!
THANK YOU, JAYS CARE FOUNDATION & the SPROTT Foundation!
On behalf of Tribal Chiefs Ventures Inc., we value our partnership with the Jay’s Care Foundation. This initiative will help so many children and youth with healthy after school snacks.
“Awesome program for children.!”
“Both of my children came home happy & excited to talk about their day, they enjoyed themselves, Hiy-Hiy.”
“They had fun, a good experience and a lot of learning.”
“Had fun, kept them from staying home and enjoyed the company of other kids.”
“He enjoyed the camp; he enjoyed the activities plus he saw his friends which made camp more fun.”
“Both of my children came home happy & excited to talk about their day, they enjoyed themselves, Hiy-Hiy.”
“They had fun, a good experience and a lot of learning.”
“Had fun, kept them from staying home and enjoyed the company of other kids.”
“He enjoyed the camp; he enjoyed the activities plus he saw his friends which made camp more fun.”
