Thunder Bay celebrates Aboriginal Liaison Strategy

The contributions of 16 Aboriginal partners were celebrated on the third anniversary of Thunder Bay’s adoption of the Aboriginal Liaison Strategy.
“It’s nice to be recognized as a contributor to the strategy within the city because not only were we the first Aboriginal organization that the city has funded, but they also recognized it was a worthy way to invest their money,” said Tammy Bobyk, executive director of Shkoday Abinojiiwak Obimiwedoon. “They are getting a lot in return for investing in the Aboriginal youth that we provide services for and the number of people we do employ through the Biwaase’aa program.”
Bobyk said her organization serves about 300 Aboriginal children and families per day. She accepted the honourary scroll award from Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs during the April 3 celebration, which also celebrated the June 2010 signing of Thunder Bay’s Declaration of Commitment to strengthen its relationship with urban Aboriginal people.
“After 140 years, why did we wait so long to create a partnership with the city,” said Fort William Chief Peter Collins. “It’s about closing those gaps and about closing those racial tensions that we have in our community and with each other.”
Collins hopes it doesn’t take another 100 years to close the gaps and racial tensions that exist in Thunder Bay.
“There’s a lot of work that has to take place on behalf of all of us,” Collins said. “We have to keep up the work; we have to keep pushing forward. Let’s not lose focus.”
Frances Wesley, strategy planner with the Thunder Bay Urban Aboriginal Strategy, has seen positive changes since the Aboriginal Liaison Strategy was implemented in 2010.
“It’s the partnerships that we’ve opened up with our community that has really helped a lot in the work that we do, specifically in the Aboriginal community,” Wesley said. “And recognition of the issues that surround our people in Thunder Bay, particularly the racism. I think that people are willing to work together more and that is what I appreciate very much about working with the City of Thunder Bay.”
National Aboriginal Day committee member Bear Waabshik was thankful for receiving the honourary scroll award.
“I’m looking forward to building a new relationship with the city and the Anishinabe community and the (non-Aboriginal) community around the National Aboriginal Day celebration.”
Presentations were also made to the Elders Advisory Council for their contributions to the city.
“As Metis and Aboriginal Elders, we form a voluntary advisory council whose role it is to sit at the table and and guide, inform and advise the discussion and decision making of the Aboriginal Liaison Unit of Thunder Bay,” said Isabelle Mercier, a member of the Elders Advisory Council. “In 2008, the City of Thunder Bay prepared its first annual traditional feast and invited citizens to gather and celebrate the contributions of First Nations, Metis and Inuit people. Not only was this the first step of our journey together as a community, but it actually underlined the city’s commitment to honour all citizens.”
Hobbs said the Declaration of Commitment has been recognized across the country.
“It’s the way to go — we can’t do this alone, we have to work together,” Hobbs said.