Jordan’s Principle: the Settlement vs requests for services and supports – how are they different? 

January 29, 2026

The First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle Settlement and requests for services and supports under Jordan’s Principle serve different purposes.

The First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle Settlement is a financial settlement based on three separate class action lawsuits brought against Canada by First Nations individuals and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN).

The Settlement intends to compensate those harmed by discriminatory underfunding of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and those impacted by the federal government’s narrow interpretation of Jordan’s Principle during a specific historical time period.

The Settlement is not an ongoing government service or funding program. It is a legal agreement that compensates for the harm experienced during a specific time period in previous years.

Once the Settlement funds are distributed to eligible Class Members, the Settlement will be complete. This may take several years.

There are nine different Classes under the Settlement, and each Class has its own unique Claims Process.

The entire Settlement covers time periods from 1991 to 2022. Depending on the Class, if a Child was denied or delayed an essential service, they and their Caregiving Parents or Caregiving Grandparents may be eligible for compensation under the:

• Trout Child Class and Trout Family Class from 1991–2007
• Essential Service Class from 2007–2017
• Jordan’s Principle Class and Jordan’s Principle Family Class from 2007–2017

Jordan’s Principle is a human rights principle established by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) to make sure that First Nations Children do not face gaps, delays, or denials in accessing government services because of their identity as First Nations Children.

Jordan’s Principle is named in memory of Jordan River Anderson, a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba, who was born with complex medical needs. Because of government jurisdictional disputes, he was denied home-based care. Jordan passed away at only five years old, never able to live at home.

Jordan’s Principle is intended to make sure that First Nations Children have substantively equal access to government services, taking into account their distinct circumstances, experiences, and needs as First Nations Children. Families can make a Jordan’s Principle request for financial support for a range of health, education and/or social products, services or supports, such as:

• Medical and mobility equipment
• Mental health or cultural supports
• Respite or in-home care

Requests related to essential health, social and/or education products, services or supports for eligible First Nations Children can be made to the Jordan’s Principle initiative.

To make a request through Jordan’s Principle, you may contact Indigenous Services Canada by visiting www.Canada.ca/Jordans-Principle or by calling the Jordan’s Principle Call Centre at 1-855-572-4453. You may also submit a request through your local Jordan’s Principle service coordinator.

***It is important to note that the Administrator of the Settlement and Claims Helpers cannot support with requests for products and services made under the Jordan’s Principle initiative.

While the Settlement and the Jordan’s Principle initiative both relate to Jordan’s Principle, they are two separate processes with different purposes:

• The Settlement addresses past discrimination and offers compensation for those harms.
• Jordan’s Principle is an initiative that provides funding for eligible First Nations Children to access essential health, social and education products, services and supports.

Submitting a Claim under the Settlement does not affect your eligibility for Jordan’s Principle for your Child’s ongoing or new needs.

• Settlement information:
  • Contact the Administrator at Generalinfo@Contact.FNChildClaims.ca or call 1-833-852-0755
• Current Jordan’s Principle requests:
  • Visit www.Canada.ca/Jordans-Principle
• Contact Indigenous Services Canada or your local Jordan’s Principle Service Coordinator

Note: The Administrator and Claims Helpers cannot help with requests for current services and supports under Jordan’s Principle.

• Emotional and cultural support:
  • Contact the Hope for Wellness Helpline 1-855-242-3310 or www.HopeForWellness.ca
  • Children and youth can also call the Kids Help Phone anytime at 1-800-668-6868 or text FIRSTNATIONS to 686868.

How are they different: the First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle Settlement vs requests under Jordan’s Principle for health, social and/or education services and support.