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:	ARCH
•	Disability Law Centre

55 University Avenue, 15th Floor Toronto, Ontario M5J 2H7 www.archdisabilitylaw.ca

(416) 482-8255 (Main) 1 (866) 482-ARCH (2724) (Toll Free)
(416) 482-1254 {TTY)  1 (866) 482-ARCT (2728) (Toll Free)
(416) 482-2981 (FAX)  1 (866) 881-ARCF (2723) (Toll Free)

February 28, 2018

Hon. Yasir Naqvi, Attorney General of Ontario Sent via email: ynaqvi.mpp@liberal.ola.org

Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Sent via email: Jody.Wilson-Raybould@parl.gc.ca

Dear Ministers:

Re: Statement from Southwest Indigenous Justice Coordinators

ARCH Disability Law Centre endorses the Statementfrom the Southwest Indigenous Justice Coordinators dated February 23, 2018. ARCH endorses the Statement's call on the Federal and Provincial justice system to commit to implementing the TRC's 94 Calls to Action and the endorsement of the United Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People; "Increased and permanent funding for indigenous specific programs to address the pervasive systemic barriers present in our justice system, and to facilitate a trusting collaborative relationship in which Indigenous Laws and Legal traditions are respected and utilized; An inquiry into Colton Boushie's death as well as the treatment of Colten's family during the investigation process."

The recent verdicts of Gerald Stanley and Raymond Cormier continue to demonstrate the ongoing injustices and pervasive systemic racism that Indigenous people continue to endure across Canada. As a specialty legal clinic focusing on disability rights, ARCH underscores that the prevalence of disability within indigenous  communities  is  twice the national average. The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities acknowledged in its Concluding Observations to Canada's Report the extreme marginalization of Indigenous communities  in  Canada  and  the  lack  of access to social supports, employment, health services and education.

In solidarity,

BILITY LAW CENTRE

Executive Director

C.
Waterloo Region Community Legal Services
Luane Roberts, Ahwenehaode, Southwest Indigenous Justice Coordinator Shannon Down, Executive Director
Hamilton Community Legal Services
Lyndon George, Yen:Tene, Southwest Indigenous Justice Coordinator Hugh Tye, Executive Director
Elgin-Oxford Legal Clinic
Sara George, Tehuwatilihwas Kenhase Ukwek6ku, Southwest Indigenous Justice Coordinator
Ken Brooks, Executive Director Community Legal Assistance Sarnia
Jeff Plain, Baamseedaa, Southwest Indigenous Justice Coordinator Andrew Bolter, Executive Director
Legal Assistance of Windsor
Shawna Labadie, Interim, Anishnaabe Gwiikchigewin Wiidookaagewin, Southwest Indigenous Justice Coordinator
Shelley Gilbert, Coordinator of Social Work Services, on behalf of Marion Overholt, Executive Director

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Hon. Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
Hon. Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliations David Field, President and CEO of Legal Aid Ontario
Jayne Mallin, Vice President, Legal Aid Ontario

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