Advancing justice

Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian Criminal Justice System: in conversation with Laura Arndt

For our eighth episode of “Advancing justice,” we will examine the relationships between human rights, racism, and the criminal justice system from the perspective of Indigenous people. Joining Maytree president Elizabeth McIsaac for this discussion is Laura Arndt. Laura Arndt can speak to these issues from many perspectives. Laura is a Mohawk woman. She is a daughter, niece, and granddaughter of Indian Residential School survivors. Laura is the former Director of Strategic Development at the Office of the Ontario Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth and is currently completing her PhD in Cultural Studies at Queen’s University. Laura is the Chair of Indigenous Studies at Centennial College but has taken a secondment from that role to be the Chief Operating Officer of the Survivor’s Secretariat which is investigating the unmarked graves associated with the Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School near Brantford Ontario. You can find the transcript of the conversation at https://maytree.com/maytree-podcasts/advancing-justice-podcast/ [https://maytree.com/maytree-podcasts/advancing-justice-podcast/]. You can read her contribution to the Advancing justice series, Indigenous Peoples and the Injustice of Justice,” athttps://maytree.com/publications/indigenous-peoples/ [https://maytree.com/publications/indigenous-peoples/]. For other contributions to the series and links to resources, visit the Maytree website at https://maytree.com/what-we-focus-on/advancing-justice/ [https://maytree.com/what-we-focus-on/advancing-justice/].

Confronting anti-Black racism through the courts, community activism, and government action

For our seventh episode of “Advancing justice,” we’re discussing the issue of anti-Black racism in the criminal justice system in Canada and the role of municipalities in confronting anti-Black racism. Joining Maytree president Elizabeth McIsaac for this discussion is Anthony Morgan. Anthony is a human-rights lawyer and the manager of the City of Toronto’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism unit. Anthony has appeared at various levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He has also appeared before two United Nations human rights committees in Geneva, Switzerland. Anthony graduated from McGill University’s Faculty of Law, where he earned degrees in both civil law and common law. He’s also a graduate from the University of Toronto and is currently completing a Masters of Studies in International Human Rights Law at the University of Oxford. You can find the transcript of the conversation at https://maytree.com/maytree-podcasts/advancing-justice-podcast/ [https://maytree.com/maytree-podcasts/advancing-justice-podcast/]. For other contributions to the series and links to resources, visit the Maytree website at https://maytree.com/what-we-focus-on/advancing-justice/ [https://maytree.com/what-we-focus-on/advancing-justice/].

Rethinking community policing

Joining Maytree president Elizabeth McIsaac to discuss community alternatives to policing is  Akwatu Khenti. He's an Assistant Professor with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Akwatu is also a member of the editorial board of the "Advancing justice" series. He has over 25 years of experience in government and community settings. Akwatu formerly served as Assistant Deputy Minister for Ontario’s Anti-Racism Directorate, Cabinet Office, and Director of Transformative Global Health at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. You can find the transcript of the conversation athttps://maytree.com/maytree-podcasts/advancing-justice-podcast/ [https://maytree.com/maytree-podcasts/advancing-justice-podcast/]. For other contributions to the series and links to resources, visit the Maytree website at maytree.com/what-we-focus-on/advancing-justice/ [https://maytree.com/what-we-focus-on/advancing-justice/].

Expanding the talent pool: Why the criminal justice system needs more diversity and inclusion

For our fifth episode of “Advancing justice,” we’re discussing the issue of the lack of diversity in the criminal justice system. Joining Maytree president Elizabeth McIsaac for this discussion are three individuals from the Lincoln Alexander School of Law in Toronto. Harsimran Sidhu is a second-year student. She received her BA in political science from McMaster University. Joining Harsimran is Kaylee Rich. Kaylee is also a second-year student. She received her BA in psychology from the University of Ottawa. Also on the podcast is Dr. Tanya (Toni) De Mello. She is the Assistant Dean for Student Programming, Development and Equity. She has over 20 years of experience working in the post-secondary sector in governance, student affairs, and in human rights. She has experience creating curricula and advising on curriculum reform that embeds, equity, diversity, and inclusion in courses. You can find the transcript of the conversation at https://maytree.com/maytree-podcasts/advancing-justice-podcast/ [https://maytree.com/maytree-podcasts/advancing-justice-podcast/]. For other contributions to the series and links to resources, visit the Maytree website at https://maytree.com/what-we-focus-on/advancing-justice/ [https://maytree.com/what-we-focus-on/advancing-justice/].

“Guilty until proven innocent”: Tyrone’s story

For our fourth episode of “Advancing justice,” Maytree president Elizabeth McIsaac speaks to Tyrone, a 25-year-old man who grew up and still lives in Scarborough. In the conversation, Tyrone talks about how his interactions with the criminal justice system began at the age of 13 when he was illegally stopped by the police in the community. And then again, at age 15, when he was charged, arrested, and held in remand because the police mistook him for another Black youth. Now, as a young man, he's looking to share his story and give back to his community. You can find the transcript of the conversation athttps://maytree.com/maytree-podcasts/advancing-justice-podcast/ [https://maytree.com/maytree-podcasts/advancing-justice-podcast/]. For other contributions to the series and links to resources, visit the Maytree website at maytree.com/what-we-focus-on/advancing-justice/ [https://maytree.com/what-we-focus-on/advancing-justice/].