On May 10, 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal directed the federal government to fully implement Jordan’s Principle marking it as Bear Witness Day.

Jordan River Anderson was born in Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba with complex medical needs. He was placed in hospital in Winnipeg where he needlessly spent years waiting for the federal and provincial governments to decide who would pay for his home care. He died in hospital when he was 5 years old, having never spent a day in his family’s home. Cindy Blackstock and the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society have worked tirelessly to ensure that this would never happen to another Indigenous child.

May 10^th is the day to honour Jordan’s memory and to ensure that the principle named for him is fully implemented. PSAC encourages everyone to honour this day with some COVID-19 safe suggestions: 

• Hang out with your bears or favourite stuffed animal at home. Ask loved ones in your home to participate too! You can let your neighbours know that you are participating in Bear Witness Day by placing your teddy bear or a drawing of a bear in the window.
• Invite your friends, neighbours and classmates to take part in a virtual "Teddy Bear Tea Party" to honour Jordan River Anderson and to learn about Jordan's Principle.
• Learn about the importance of Jordan's Principle by reading Spirit Bear's Guide to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.
• You can download a free version of Spirit Bear and Children Make History to learn more about Spirit Bear and Jordan's Principle.
• Spread the word and post photos on social media using the hashtags #JordansPrinciple and #BearWitnessDay.