FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2025
Lennox Island Chief Tabatha Bernard Raises Concerns on Jordan’s Principle at Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 (Epekwitk, Prince Edward Island) — Chief Tabatha Bernard of Lennox Island First Nation attended the Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa last week where she raised concerns on the implementation of Jordan’s Principal.
The meeting brought together First Nations rights holders from across Turtle Island to discuss important topics such as the Long-Term Reform of First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle. During the Assembly, those in attendance participated in question periods with federal ministers and senior officials, including the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada.
Chief Tabatha Bernard used the opportunity to hold Canada to account to First Nations children. “When Canada implements Jordan’s Principle in the right way, children are set up for success. But when, Canada does Jordan’s Principle wrong, the consequences are tragic and there are far too many stories of children dying as they wait for Canada to approve their request,” said Chief Tabatha Bernard of Lennox Island First Nation.
She called on Canada to urgently implement Jordan’s Principal in the right way. “Will your government commit to fully implement the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders, repeal the harmful operational bulletins that were created without consultation and harming our communities, and stop litigating against First Nations children in court?”
Chief Tabatha Bernard is a Commissionaire on the National Children’s Chiefs Commission which is tasked with overseeing the National Long-Term Reform of First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle. The Commission is working closely with the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, PEI Regional Chief Wendell Labobe, and Regional Chief Francis Verreault-Paul from the Assembly of First Nations to ensure that Canada permanently ends its discrimination against First Nations children.
“It was an honour to stand on behalf of Lennox Island First Nation children at the Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa and demand answers from the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada,” said Chief Tabatha Bernard. “Every time Canada fails to respond to a Jordan’s Principle request, our children suffer. Enough is enough.”
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To view the recording, visit the public record.
To learn more visit the National Children’s Chiefs Commission website.
Media Contact
Corinne Dyment
902-439-1450
Corinne.dyment@lennoxisland.com
