July 30, 2001
Mr. Don E. Morrison
Police Complaint Commissioner
Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner
#900 - 1111 Melville Street
Vancouver, B.C.
V6E 3V6
Dear Mr. Morrison:
Re: First Nations Summit Support for Request for Public Inquiry into the Death in Custody of Anthany Dawson, August 13, 1999

We are writing in support of the request by the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council for a public inquiry into the death of tribal member Anthany Dawson, who died in August 1999 while in police custody.

A coroner's Inquest into Mr. Dawson's death was held, yet due to the limited scope of an inquest, Mr. Dawson's family and fellow community members have been left unsatisfied with the "Verdict at Coroner's Inquest."

We think it would be of great public interest for a public inquiry to be held to look into the circumstances of Mr. Dawson's death. As you know, the treatment of First Nations persons by police in general has been a major media topic for many years. A public inquiry in this case would allow for a complete and transparent examination of the circumstances of Mr. Dawson's death and what role, if any, the police may have played in it.

We urge you to seriously consider the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council's request to recommend to the Attorney General of British Columbia that a public inquiry in this matter take place.

Yours sincerely,
FIRST NATIONS SUMMIT TASK GROUP
Kathryn Teneese
Hemas (Bill Wilson)
Gerald D. Wesley
Cc: Dawson Family c/o Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council