THUNDER BAY – The city has inducted four women, three with an Indigenous background, into its Women’s History Month Exhibit.
Josephine Mandamin, who founded the water walk movement in 2003; Freda McDonald, a long-time researcher at Fort William Historical Park; Dolores Wawia, who spent a lifetime developing and promoting Aboriginal education, and Eunice Wishart, the first female mayor of Port Arthur, all received the honour at a special ceremony held on Thursday morning at the city archives.
Regina Mandamin, the city’s manager of Indigenous relations and inclusion, said it was an honour to learn her mother Jospehine, who died this past February, a day before her 77th birthday, was one of this year’s inductees.
“It’s a testament to the impact that she’s had here locally, because these nominees were actually nominated from people in the local community,” Mandamin said.
“To see her recognized is just one act of the honouring of her legacy and it still continues on because there are still people mentored to pick up the work as well. It’s a very meaningful act from the city and we really appreciate it.”
The idea of honouring women in general is a fantastic way to keep their legacies alive while inspiring generations of women to come.
“Until we get to full equality, we need to highlight those women’s achievements to really encourage other women, especially young Indigenous women, that there are strong people out there and there are beacons to strive for, to achieve,” Mandamin said.
“We’ve seen a lot of reports, especially with the murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls inquiry (so) we also have to recognize the strength of the women and also see where we can work together so we can see more women recognized in years to come.”
Her mother won multiple awards for Indigenous leadership and reconciliation, not to mention for her water protection work.
McDonald was a recognized expert in Ojibwa culture, which she shared, along with its spirituality, with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike in Thunder Bay and beyond.
Wawia was the recipient of the Order of Ontarioo and the Lakehead Alumni Honour Award for her work as a pioneer in Native education.
Wishart was first elected as Port Arthur’s first female alderman in 1948, and eight years later made history when she was elected mayor. She was also well-known for serving her community in a variety of different organizations.
Lauren Halsey, an associated archivist with the city, said it’s wonderful that three of the four publicly nominated inductees come from an Indigenous background.
“This speaks very much to the importance of women in our community, and Indigenous women in our community. We ask members of the public to nominate women, so it’s wonderful to see that we are getting these nomination for women who are making so many great contributions to our community and are such great role models for young people, for youth, for everyond in our community,” Halsey said.
“In the past, the women we have been focusing on have been more well-known and perhaps further back in Thunder Bay’s and Port Athur’s and Fort William’s history. It’s wonderful to see women who have been making contributions today and in very recent history.”
Past inductees include Mary J.L. Black, Lyn McLeod, Sister Margaret Smith and Dusty Miller.
The full list of inductees can be found at www.thunderbay.ca/WomansHistoryMonth.
