Walmart welcomes customers in Ojicree

Thunder Bay Walmart stores have become the corporation’s first outlets in North America to welcome customers in an indigenous language.
At a presentation on June 3, Walmart Thunder Bay manager Paul Anthraper displayed the new welcome signs in Ojicree that will hang in the entrances of all three Thunder Bay Walmart stores.
Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy, who visited Walmart for the presentation, said the recognition of the importance of First Nations customers is a positive gesture.
“It is really important that what we as First Nations people contribute to the local economy is acknowledged,” Beardy said, adding that First Nations people and organizations contribute about $1 million per week into the Thunder Bay economy.
“Our contributions should not be taken for granted,” Beardy said. “We do have economic leverage, so I’d like to thank Walmart for acknowledging our presence in their stores.”
Anthraper said the presentation of the welcome signs was a “historic moment” for Walmart.
“We welcome the First Nations community to our stores,” said Anthraper.
The Ojicree signs express Walmart’s welcome to First Nations people and note that status cards are accepted in the stores.