Tree of Hope Shines Bright in Honour of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ People

November 16, 2025

The Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) and community members gathered tonight for the annual Tree of Hope Lighting Ceremony at TBPS headquarters. This solemn and symbolic event honours Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ people.


Now in its seventh year, the Tree of Hope began in Thunder Bay in 2019, inspired by the vision and determination of recently retired Constable Sharlene Bourdeau. Recognizing the need to bring awareness to the national crisis of violence against Indigenous women and girls, Bourdeau worked with community partners to light the first Tree of Hope outside Thunder Bay Police Service headquarters.


Since then, the initiative has grown beyond the city—embraced by police services and communities across Ontario and beyond. In 2024, the TBPS brought the Tree of Hope to Parliament Hill, symbolizing unity, empathy, and national awareness.


“This gathering is deeply meaningful to our Service and to our community,” said TBPS Chief Darcy Fleury. “It’s a time to reflect, to remember, and to reaffirm our commitment to awareness and action in response to the tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ people. The Tree of Hope stands as a reminder of that responsibility and as part of our journey toward Truth and Reconciliation.”


Each light on the Tree represents a life—one of the more than 1,200 to 5,000 Indigenous women and girls who are missing or have been murdered in Canada.


“When I began this project, it was a small, grassroots effort,” said retired Constable Sharlene Bourdeau. “Since then, I’ve watched it grow and be embraced by communities across Ontario. Each new partnership spreads the light further—and with it, the belief that change is possible and that justice can prevail.”


Remarks were shared by Fort William First Nation Chief Michelle Solomon; Ontario Native Women’s Association CEO Cora McGuire-Cyrette; President of the Métis Nation of Ontario Thunder Bay Regional Council Wendy Houston; and City of Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff. The ceremony included prayers by Elder Celina Reitberger, traditional songs and drumming introduced by Elder Rita Fenton, and the lighting of the Tree of Hope by Elder Linda Barkman. 


The Tree of Hope continues to symbolize remembrance, resilience, and hope. It stands as both a tribute and a call to action—to work together toward safety, understanding, and justice for Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people.

Charges laid following drug trafficking investigation

February 12, 2026
TB26005531 A Thunder Bay Police Service drug trafficking investigation has led to charges. Officers with the Intelligence Unit with the assistance of the Emergency Task Unit searched a home on Syndicate Avenue North on February 10, 2026. During the search, two individuals in the home were arrested. Suspected cocaine and fentanyl were also seized along with more than $5,000 in cash. As a result of the investigation, 20-year-old Nash JAAZANIAH from Toronto and 65-year-old Cliffton GRATZKI from Thunder Bay are facing the following charges: • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking – opioid • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000 • Obstruct peace officer Both accused are being held in custody with a future court date.

Robbery investigation leads to charges

February 12, 2026
TB25037456, TB25050666, TB26000165, and TB25042394 Charges have been laid following a Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) investigation into two robberies on Thunder Bay’s north end. Officers received a report of a robbery taking place on Cumberland Street South just after noon on December 30, 2025. Officers spoke to staff and determined there were no injuries, and that the suspect had left the scene. TBPS Break and Enter, Armed Robbery (BEAR) Unit became involved in the ongoing investigation. On January 2, 2026, officers responded to a separate business in the Algoma Street area in response to another robbery that was in progress. When officers responded to the area, the suspect had already left the scene. Further investigation led to the BEAR Unit identifying a suspect. The suspect was located and arrested on January 30, 2026, by the TBPS Emergency Task Unit with the assistance of the Ontario Provincial Police. As a result of the investigation, 64-year-old Anthony FRIZZELL of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Robbery with theft • Disguise with intent (two counts) • Fail to comply with probation order (three counts) • Robbery with violence (two counts) • Assault causing bodily harm • Uttering threats – cause death or bodily harm • Forcible confinement • Cruelty to animals – unnecessary pain, suffering or injury Some of these charges were laid in connection to outstanding warrants, not directly related to the December 30, 2025, and January 2, 2026, robberies. The accused was remanded into custody after their first court appearance.

Thunder Bay cyber crime investigation leads to charges

February 11, 2026
TB25028861 A Thunder Bay Police Service investigation into Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material (CSAEM) has led to charges. Thunder Bay’s Cyber Crime Unit began the investigation on July 21, 2025, after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), via the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC). Officers searched a home on Thunder Bay’s south end on November 28, 2025. Several electronic devices were seized. As a result of the investigation, 28-year-old Jayden Belanger from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material • Access any child sexual abuse and exploitation material The accused has been released from custody with a future court date. The Thunder Bay Police Service recognizes that parents and caregivers are the frontline when it comes to protecting children on the Internet and electronic devices. We encourage you to remain vigilant in your efforts. Tips for talking to your kids can be found, and reporting of any online exploitation can also be made, at Canada’s National Tipline for Reporting the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children at cybertip.ca. There are also resources available through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health for those who have a sexual interest in children. The new Talking for Change ( https://talkingforchange.ca/ ) program is the first of its kind in Canada and provides national and all-ages help for those concerned about their risk to use child sexual exploitation material or offend sexually against a child. Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to please contact Detective Constable Joel Manherz at (807) 684-1200 ext. 4115. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com .