March 3, 2026
This week, I had the opportunity to present at the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Seven Youth Inquest Continuity of Care Forum 2026. This year’s theme, “The Journey Continues: Ten Years of Healing, Supporting & Remembering,” honours the lives of Jethro Anderson, Reggie Bushie, Robyn Harper, Kyle Morriseau, Paul Panacheese, Curran Strang and Jordan Wabasse. While the history we acknowledge is difficult, hope lies in how we move forward — together. The voices of the Seven Fallen Feathers, their families, and their communities remain central to meaningful change, and that work depends on strong relationships. At the Thunder Bay Police Service, we have learned — and continue to learn — the importance of collaboration grounded in honesty and humility. Community safety is a shared responsibility. Through sustained partnerships with Indigenous leadership, organizations, and service providers, we are addressing both immediate safety concerns and root causes of crime. One example is our partnership with the Ontario Native Women’s Association in developing Thunder Bay’s Urban Indigenous Community Safety Plan — a collaboration centred on accountability, cultural awareness, and continuous improvement. Our Restorative Justice partnership with Nokiiwin Tribal Council and the Crown offers eligible Indigenous individuals the opportunity to take responsibility and participate in a healing circle involving victims, Elders, and community members. Agreements focus on repairing harm and addressing root causes. When successfully completed, charges may be withdrawn — balancing accountability with culturally grounded healing and victim support. Through Project Prevent, we provide interactive gang-recruitment avoidance education to about 2,500 youth annually in and around Thunder Bay. Our team travels to First Nations communities to deliver culturally responsive presentations, supporting students who may eventually live in larger communities to make informed choices before recruitment efforts take hold. School Resource Officers have been assigned full-time to Dennis Franklin Cromarty and Matawa Education since Fall 2024. Their work extends beyond enforcement and includes weekly collaboration with school leadership, safety orientations, education on rights during police interactions, presentations on drugs and online safety, and investigative support when required. These are just some examples of initiatives the Thunder Bay Police Service is engaged in, reflecting a sustained commitment to collaboration with Indigenous communities. We have fully addressed and reported on recommendations arising from the Broken Trust Report, the Independent Expert Panel review, and the Inquest into the Deaths of Seven First Nations Youths. More importantly, our continued actions demonstrate meaningful, lasting change. Progress is necessary — and it is happening through sincere partnership. I am grateful for the leadership and commitment of our many partners as we move forward together.
