Reaction continues to pour in following a report from the Office of the Independent Police Review Director of systemic racism within the Thunder Bay Police Service.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler has harsh words for the Service, stating he’s doubtful that action will be taken.
Fiddler says a Police Chief statement talks about systemic barriers but doesn’t acknowledge a real issue of racism.
He stresses the Chief needs to accept the findings of the report, noting it’s now up to police to do the right thing and fix the problem.
Fiddler says he wants to be a part of the process to make sure the 44 recommendations from the review director are fully implemented.
Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins says he wasn’t surprised with the findings, noting the report is a good starting point.
Collins says a “Major Investigations Unit” needs to be formed to look into nine Indigenous cold case files.
He notes without adequate resources, all of the issues surrounding the Police department won’t be addressed.
Collins is calling for funding from the City of Thunder Bay and the province.
He says there are some “bad apples” in the organization and that filters down to the rest of the department.
The Matawa Chiefs Council supports the findings of the Independent Police report.
The organization wants to see all parties involved move forward with implementing the recommendations in a timely matter.
The Chiefs Council sees the report as a positive step for their students and families who want to have a better degree of comfort in having their children reside in Thunder Bay while receiving their education.
They close by saying they support the recommendation to re-investigate the case of the late Jordan Wabasse of Webequie First Nation so that his family can receive the justice they deserve.
