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Bear Witness Day (May 10, 2025)

Jordan's Principle logo with a blue teddy bear and text that reads “Bear Witness Day, Honouring Jordan River Anderson (October 22, 1999 – February 2, 2005) May 10, 2025”

Celebrated annually on May 10th “Bear Witness Day” is a day to honour the memory of Jordan River Anderson. 


Jordan River Anderson was a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba who was born in 1999 with multiple disabilities. He lived over two years in a hospital because federal and provincial governments could not agree on who would pay for his at-home care.  Unfortunately, Jordan died at the age of 5 before he could experience living in a loving home.

Jordan’s death ignited a movement to uphold human rights for all First Nations children through the creation of the child-first principle called “Jordan’s Principle."

Honouring Jordan River Anderson (fncaringsociety.com)


Jordan’s Principle is a child first principle and legal rule passed in the House of Commons in 2007, named in memory of Jordan River Anderson. It ensures First Nations children receive the services and supports they need when they need them.

For more information about Bear Witness Day, visit Bear Witness Day | First Nations Child & Family Caring Society (fncaringsociety.com) 

Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) and Brandon School Division came together in 2022 with a vision to improve outcomes for First Nation students based in Brandon.  For more information on all Jordan’s Principle Services offered by SCO, please visit to: Jordan’s Principle Program - Southern Chiefs' Organization Inc. (scoinc.mb.ca)


Contact Information: 

Sheryl Playford | Hazel Laliberty-Moose
Brandon School Division & Southern Chiefs Organization
Jordan's Principle Coordinators
playford.sheryl@bsd.ca | laliberty.hazel@bsd.ca

 

 

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