Thunder Bay, Canada – First Nations leaders in northwestern Ontario are calling for the disbandment of the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) and urging the province’s inspector general of policing to bring in an external service to investigate recent deaths of Indigenous individuals. This call stems from a lack of trust and transparency within the TBPS, as expressed by NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler during a gathering at Queen’s Park in Toronto alongside Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa and other First Nations leaders and family members affected by the recent deaths in Thunder Bay.
Recent charges laid by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) against the former police chief and others associated with the force following three recent deaths have further fueled the demand for accountability and justice in these cases. The Thunder Bay Police Services Board has extended condolences to the affected families and emphasized the importance of transparency, acknowledgment, and accountability in building trust with Indigenous communities.
The TBPS has faced scrutiny for its failures in serving Indigenous people, with reports highlighting systemic racism within the force. Family members and community leaders are demanding that the investigations into the deaths of their loved ones are taken seriously and not overlooked. Chief Darcy Fleury has committed to making meaningful changes within the TBPS to rebuild trust with the community and address the challenges inherited from past leadership.
Leaders from NAN are advocating for meaningful dialogue with the Ontario government and community members to address the future of policing in Thunder Bay. While questioning the effectiveness of the TBPS, they are open to considering alternative options such as a combination of the OPP and a First Nations-led policing force in the interim. The goal is to ensure that the voices of the affected families are heard and that steps are taken towards creating a safer and more just environment for Indigenous communities.
As conversations around reform and accountability continue, support is available for those impacted by missing and murdered Indigenous people, emphasizing the importance of providing emotional assistance, mental health counseling, and access to cultural services. Alex Brockman, the executive producer with CBC Thunder Bay, highlights the ongoing efforts to address the issues at hand and work towards a more inclusive and responsive approach to policing and community well-being.