May 26, 2016 - The City of Thunder Bay supports the draft recommendations affecting the City put forth as part of a Joint Slate to the Jury for consideration at the joint inquest into the tragic deaths of Jethro Anderson, Reggie Bushie, Robyn Harper, Kyle Morrisseau, Paul Panacheese, Curran Strang, and Jordan Wabasse. The seven youth died after leaving their home communities to pursue secondary education in Thunder Bay.

The draft recommendations relate to City programs and support available to First Nation youth when they move to Thunder Bay for education. They involve better outreach to youth through social media providing information on recreation, activities and employment, consideration of additional training, participation in a working group focused on community safety, and leadership to addressing racism and raising awareness of the Declaration of Commitment to Strengthening the Relationships Between the City of Thunder Bay and Urban Aboriginal People.

"The City of Thunder Bay has established strong relationships with First Nation Communities across Northwestern Ontario over the years," said Mayor Keith Hobbs. "The relationship of this municipality with all Aboriginal peoples is a priority and we need support from other orders of government to provide needed resources for people coming to Thunder Bay from the Northern communities for education and other regional services."

The City asks the Governments of Canada and Ontario to meet with the City to discuss funding to support the City in implementing the recommendations of the Inquest. The City will report on implementation a year after the Inquest makes the Jury's recommendations public.

"The City of Thunder Bay is committed to the Inquest process and will consider recommendations within its mandate," said Norm Gale, City Manager. "We all want to do everything we can to be a safe community for all residents."

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Contact:       Norm Gale, City Manager, 625-2224