FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION – The community’s new chief is looking to build more than just a physical bridge.
Just as, if not more important, is uniting his members.
Chief Peter Collins, who was returned to an office he had held for 15 years following a two-year hiatus in last weekend’s election, was sworn in along with the new council at an inauguration ceremony held on Saturday afternoon at the Fort William First Nation Community Centre.
He hopes the swearing in and oath of office is the start of bringing community members together.
“It’s the starting of a healing process that we need to take in this community. There is so much hatred and animosity that’s going on,” he said.
“We’ve been working already to bring the elders together and from the elders gathering we’re going to try to get the kids together and look at how to build this community healthy and how we build a brighter future for our kids as we go forward.”
The ceremony was attended by Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs along with city councillors Iain Angus, Frank Pullia, Joe Virdiramo and Paul Pugh. Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown was also in attendance.
Collins and Hobbs had previously worked together between 2010 and 2013, when they had last held office simultaneously.
That included the signing of a declaration of commitment in 2011 where the two communities pledged to work together.
“Those working relationships have to go further. We need not only for Fort William First Nation, the city of Thunder Bay but for all of Northwestern Ontario so we can bring a brighter and happier future for all of us,” Collins said.
“I look forward to the challenges we have to work together. They’re not going to be easy decisions and challenges that we face going forward. Sometimes it will get tense and things can get pretty rough so we have to stay focused on what we have to do.”
Hobbs described the two as having a “good working relationship” and identified land claims and the city’s Mining Readiness Strategy as two items that will continue to be addressed.
Earlier this week, Collins expressed disagreement with how the city had handled the ongoing closure of the CN-owned James Street Swing Bridge to vehicular traffic. He announced he was going to meet with CN officials to discuss potential solutions and wanted to keep the matter from becoming a long legal battle.
Hobbs said despite the disagreement, both communities want the same outcome for the bridge.
“I see the bridge as a big issue. Chief Collins is going to meet with CN. God bless him if he can find some common ground that we can work with,” Hobbs said.
“Chief Collins and I talked about building a new bridge four years ago and that’s still on the radar.
Incumbent chief Georjann Morriseau, who was defeated by a slim margin of just five votes, was elected to a seat on the band council.
While she is disappointed about not winning a second term, Morriseau is thankful she has an opportunity to continue some of the work she began as chief, such as a new housing subdivision and an elders’ centre.
“I’m looking forward to spending my time on council being productive, being very proactive and continue to encourage and engage our membership to be part of their community and have a meaningful role within their community,” she said.
“One doesn’t need to be chief to make change. I’m here in any capacity represent all of the band members and all of our people.”
