Discrimination Against First Nations Children with Special Healthcare Needs in Manitoba: The Case of Pinaymootang First Nation

Abstract

First Nations children face systemic barriers in their access to health, education, and social services ordinarily available to other Canadian children. This article summarizes the findings of a research project initiated by, and carried out in partnership with, Pinaymootang First Nation, Manitoba between 2015 and 2017. Through this partnership, we were able to document the routine delays, denials, and disruptions of services that Pinaymootang children with special healthcare needs experienced. We further described the impact that this discrimination had on children and their caregivers. Here, we consider three specific service areas: medical services (primary and specialized), allied health services (e.g., language therapy), and additional care services (e.g., medication). Our findings are drawn from formal and informal interviews with Indigenous, provincial, and federal service providers; Indigenous leadership; and caregivers of Pinaymootang children with special healthcare needs. Based on this information, we argue that discrimination is pervasive, rooted in Canada’s colonial history, and actualized through three main instruments: administration of policies regulating the provision of services to First Nations populations living on reserve, chronic underfunding of services targeting this population, and geographic isolation (i.e., distance from a service hub). The article concludes with nine recommendations prepared by the project’s advisory committee for future policy aiming to eliminate the discrimination First Nations children with special healthcare needs experience by way of fully (and meaningfully) implementing Jordan’s Principle in Canada.