Photo source: Calgary Municipal Land Corporation
“The late Elder Elmer Courchene said that when it comes to children and youth ~ justice is not enough. We must achieve loving justice.”.
The Loving Justice Conference emerged from a movement that looked to transform the systems that impact Indigenous youth and families, into grounded, Indigenous based laws, teachings and ways of being. The conference was created as a space for Nations, leaders and Indigenous youth and families to come together.
Back in 2023, the Caring Society had filed a non-compliance motion with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, and alleged that Canada was failing to comply with the Tribunal’s order’s on Jordan’s Principle, which resulted in increasing harms to Indigenous youth. In January of 2025, the Tribunal issued it’s full decision in 2025 CHRT 6.
Jordan’s Principal is a child-first principal that ensures First Nation’s children receive the care they need. The original campaign was hosted by the Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, and was established by First Nations after the death of 5-year-old Jordan River Anderson, a child from the Norway House Cree Nation. Jordan suffered from Carey Fineman Ziter syndrome, a rare muscular disorder that required years of medical treatment.
After two year in hospital, Jordan was cleared to live in a family home near the hospital, but the federal and provincial governments couldn’t resolve who was financially responsible. Jordan died in hospital, without ever moving into a family home.
In total, the Loving Justice plan looks to empower Section 35 right’s holders, and puts Indigenous people’s in the drivers seat regarding issues and how to care for their youth.
“We’re At one of the most exciting times in history, in terms of Indigenous child welfare, and transforming Indigenous child welfare. Never before in history have Indigenous people, since the time of colonization, been able to breathe life into their laws. In fact, it’s been an act of, an act of assimilation, of cultural genocide” – Joni Conlon, Executive Director of Our Children Our Way Scretariat.
As it stands, the conference took place this week, and drew more than 1000 dignitaries across the country. We got to chat with Joni Conlon, and with Debbi Eli of Piikani Nation’s Children and Family services, and asked about conference.
We asked about the timing so close to Truth and Reconciliation,
We asked about the history of the ongoing battle regarding Indigenous youth care.
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