Building the Bridge: From Reconciliation to Access to Justice as an Indigenous Liaison
“For me, Truth and Reconciliation is not just about remembering the past. It is about what we do today to build trust, remove barriers, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful access to justice. ”
The National Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
My name is Samantha, and I am the Indigenous Liaison at the Edmonton Community Legal Centre. This is a new role, created because ECLC recognized the need to build stronger connections with the Indigenous community and make legal services more accessible. As a Cree Métis person from Treaty 6 territory and District 12 Métis Settlement, this work is deeply personal to me.
When I think about Orange Shirt Day and Truth and Reconciliation, I think about my family, my children, and the continued impact of residential schools across generations. I also think about what reconciliation can look like through the work we do today.
For me, reconciliation means building relationships and creating access. I have been working to connect with Indigenous-led organizations and organizations serving many Indigenous clients. I have also helped establish community intake in spaces where participants feel comfortable, bringing legal information and connections to lawyers closer to the community.
I want people to know that they deserve access to legal information and legal advice. I also want to challenge the misconception that people working in the legal field don't care. What I see at ECLC is a diverse team that works hard every day to connect people with legal information, volunteer lawyers, and services when they may not otherwise be able to access them. My role is to help build that bridge, to connect my community with those services, provide information, help navigate the process, and walk alongside people as they seek legal support. I hope that through this work, people will feel more comfortable reaching out and see that there are people within the legal system who genuinely want to listen and help.
For me, Truth and Reconciliation is not just about remembering the past. It is about what we do today to build trust, remove barriers, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful access to justice. That is the connection I hope to build between my community and a legal system that is working to be more accessible, responsive, and connected to the people it serves. Orange Shirt Day reminds me why this work matters! Not just today, but every day. For the children who were not given a voice, I believe knowledge is empowerment. Today, I hope to help create spaces where people are heard, informed, and empowered to access justice.
If you have any questions or have more interest in the work I have been doing in the community, you can reach me at sdesjarlais@eclc.ca.