Wendat Nation twins may have school year threatened because of Jordans Principle delays

The mother of twins from the Wendat Nation in Quebec says they may have their schooling interrupted if money from the federal government’s Jordan’s Principle program doesn’t come through. The federal mandated program has provided three years of tuition subsidies for Violette and two years’ worth for Rosalie. This year, however, one of them may be forced to leave school. Noémie Vincent, the twins’ mother, told APTN News that Violette and Rosalie have struggled in school since they were little. “We had learning difficulties that were diagnosed,” she said, “attention deficit disorder, learning disability and anxiety.” Rosalie and Violette’s parents conducted extensive research before finding a school that suited their daughters’ needs. It was a private school, but they thought it was incredible. “It completely changed our lives,” she said. “Of course, there’s a cost involved. When I found out that Jordan’s Principle could cover it, I honestly shed a tear. I was so relieved. It completely changed everything. [The girls] are happy, motivated, and their anxiety has decreased.” Vincent said she learned in the middle of the summer that money from Jordan’s Principle might not be available in time for the school year. “We found ourselves in a really tough spot,” Vincent said. “We sincerely hope that they can continue there.” For many parents this year, responses to Jordan’s Principle grant applications are late in coming. At this point, families are scrambling to come up with alternate means to pay school fees. “It worries me because school is expensive,” Violette told APTN, “and I know it’s really hard to pay for.” “All my friends are here,” added Rosalie. “I understand the classes and everything. I might leave, but I don’t want to.” Read more: Children cut from Jordan’s Principle services under ‘substantive equality’ should reapply: Caring Society Gazan, Idlout call for emergency debate in House of Commons on Jordan’s Principle The situation leaves Vincent in a difficult position. “It’s clear that one of the twins is struggling more than the other,” she said. “So we’re going to do everything we can to keep the one who’s struggling more at that school. Maybe take out a loan, maybe ask the family. It breaks my heart to think that they might be separated.” Vincent said she has reviewed the programs offered by schools that provide support for students with learning difficulties. “There are public schools,” she said, “but I tried that in the past, and it made my daughter depressed. It was too much for her. Jordan’s Principle is named for Jordan River Anderson, a child from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba, who was born with multiple disabilities. He died on Feb. 2, 2005 after spending his life living in Winnipeg’s children’s hospital. He was deemed fit at the age of two to live in a home appropriate for his medical needs, but instead had to wait while the federal and provincial governments fought over who should pay for his on-reserve, home-based health care. The delay meant Jordan never had the chance to live with his family in their home. The federal government is currently re-assessing the programs it funds. The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) took a stand when it learned that funding for Jordan’s Principle would be delayed due to legal and administrative delays. “We had a discussion around it and what we decided was that we were going to address the most urgent needs first and that came to I believe 25 students,” said Jeffrey Diabo, the MCK’s lead-portfolio chief for education. The council adopted an exceptional emergency measure to cover school fees for the current year, amounting to more than $325,000—pending full reimbursement from the Jordan’s Principle program. The twins’ mother heard about the MCK’s decision to pay all school fees for the year just as it was beginning. “I thought to myself, wow, that means they believe in the potential of these students,” she said. “So, of course, we’re pushing in that direction.” Vincent submitted a request to her home in the Wendat Nation of Wendake. She said she was told that the Wendake Council’s hands are tied. The request has been sent, but the council is also waiting. “When you call them, people just pass the buck,” she said. The federal minister responsible for Jordan’s Principle, Mandy Gull-Masty, was unable to respond to the request for comments before the publication deadline. The government’s inaction is concerning to Vincent. “If, on top of that, the government cuts off our ability to send our children [to their school], they aren’t offering us any other solution,” she said. Vincent said she’s worried her daughters will become jaded and drop out of school. “We really don’t want to go through that as parents, that’s for sure,” she said. As the calendar counts the days toward Violette and Rosalie’s separation at school, there is no clear indication of when Jordan’s Principle funding might become available. Continue Reading