THUNDER BAY - The holidays are a time for gathering together and this year, the city of Thunder Bay, the Thunder Bay Police Service, and the Indigenous community are using the season to build stronger relationships and stronger communities.
On Saturday, children in the Blucher/Picton/Windsor and Limbrick neighbourhoods received a special visit from Santa Claus, who handed out gifts, shared in some carols, and served up a holiday feast.
“It fills my heart,” said Geraldine Mamakwa, a resident in the Blucher/Picton/Windsor neighbourhood. “Everything is so good in here.”
“I like this, the sense of community,” she continued. “It’s about togetherness. Everybody in the neighbourhood will come together and have a festive season.”
The holiday event is one of many steps established through the Friendship Agreement, which was signed last September between North Caribou Lake First Nation, Fort William First Nation, the city of Thunder Bay, and the Thunder Bay Police Service.
Maryellen Thomas, who has been contracted by the city of Thunder Bay for Indigenous relations, said in light of what has been going on in the city in recent years and the strained relationship between the city, police, and the Indigenous community, it’s time to start working together to make real change.
“Under the Friendship Agreement, this is one of the many grassroots initiatives we are starting,” she said. “We started in October with a Halloween event as well.”
“We have to start somewhere, building relationships,” she continued. “We have to have that engagement. We have problems, issues, and challenges, but we also have solutions. We can’t keep fighting with each other. We have to start somewhere to work toward the solutions.”
Thomas added that events like the one on Saturday are also an important step in allowing people’s voices to be heard, so the people living in these areas can share their input on solutions moving forward.
Members of the Thunder Bay Police were also participating in the holiday event, serving up a traditional holiday feast. Thunder Bay city councilor, Frank Pulia, who is also the child advocate for the city, said the Friendship Agreement is meant to ensure children and youth feel safe and inclusive when they come to the city.
“What you see today is the neighbourhood coming together with the police, transit, Santa Claus, councilors, Indigenous relations office, and you can see the kids having a great time,” he said. “It’s just a way to reach out and establish that trust and relationship that may have been missing in the past. We need to move forward in the spirit of collaboration.”
Pulia recognizes that it takes time to build a strong and lasting relationship in any community and he said this is just one step in a multi-step process.
“This is just the beginning,” he said. “The relationship is ongoing. This is an opportunity because it is Christmas now to have Santa Claus bring some gifts and spend some time together.”
And jolly ol’ Saint Nick was definitely a hit with all the kids, who crowded around, opened gifts, and sang and smiled to celebrate the season.
“It’s really good to see the community to come together, with the police too, and everybody to gather to show that things are really good for the kids,” Mamakwa said. “I’m really happy to see this event coming at the Christmas season.”
