Representatives from 11 major organizations signed a Thunder Bay Anti-Racism & Inclusion Accord today at City Hall, and announced a Coalition that will commit to establish goals and report on successes by working together to address racism and discrimination in the community.

"Each and every lead at the organizations agreed that a unified approach and public statement declaring the existence of systemic racism within Thunder Bay needs to happen," said Ken Ogima, Chief Executive Officer at Fort William First Nation.

"We agreed that when working together, unified by one idea, we can provide fruitful gains and solutions with anti-racism and discrimination."

The Accord and Calls to Action set the stage for actions led by the City Manager. Each organization involved commits to:

  1. Address racism against Indigenous and racialized persons by setting short- and long-term goals to meet the calls to action or recommendations.
  2. Support an ongoing process of truth & reconciliation throughout their organization and in our community by developing and maintaining respectful relations with Indigenous governments, organizations and individuals,
  3. Report on our goals annually, beginning in June 2019.

"I believe that municipal governments, as well as other organizations within a community, share responsibility and have an important role to play in combating racism and discrimination and fostering equality, inclusion and respect for all citizens," said Norm Gale, City Manager.

"Local communities function at the most practical level and are most involved in the lives of their residents. They are an ideal place to develop policies, programs and strategies, and take meaningful action towards eliminating racism and discrimination."

The following CEOs/CAOs were in attendance to sign the Accord:

  • Norm Gale, City of Thunder Bay
  • Ken Ogima, Fort William First Nation
  • Sylvie Hauth, Thunder Bay Police Services
  • John Pateman, Thunder Bay Public Library
  • David Paul Achneepineskum, Matawa First Nations Management
  • Moira McPherson, Lakehead University
  • Ken Adams, Confederation College
  • Ian MacRae, Lakehead Public School Board
  • Pino Tassone, Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board
  • Jean Bartkowiak, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
  • Lisa Beckwick, St. Joseph's Care Group

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Contact: Norm Gale, City Manager, 625-2224                 Ken Ogima, Chief Executive Officer – Fort William First Nation, 623-9543