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Luncheon presentation aims to help Indigenous children access care

Apr 27, 2018 | 2:00 PM

An upcoming luncheon presentation in North Battleford aims to raise awareness about how parents can ensure their Indigenous children have proper access for all their health care needs.

The event is being organized by Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre and is focused on what’s known as Jordan’s Principle.

Indigenous Services Canada will present information about Jordan’s Principle so families know what the program is about, and how they might be able to access the funding for it for their children, said Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre health promotion specialist Gift Madojemu.

The Jordan’s Principle program helps ensure First Nations children have access to the services they need.

Based on Jordan’s Principle, First Nations children often must wait for service they urgently need, or are denied services available to other children – including mental health, speech therapy, health and education.

Madojemu said Jordan’s Principle is based on the story of an Indigenous child named Jordan who couldn’t access the care he required. He ended up dying in hospital because of the long challenges in determining who would cover his needs. Jordan’s Principle aims to prevent that from happening again. 

Madojemu said many parents are not aware the program is available.

“Indigenous Services Canada just wants to provide that platform for [the community] to come together where they can share information and answer questions,” Madojemu said.

Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre is inviting community members, especially First Nation parents who either live on the reserve or in town to attend the event.

The Jordan’s Principle information session will be held at the Third Avenue United Church basement from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 10. People wishing to attend need to register by May 1. The event includes lunch and door prizes. 

 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

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