The City of Thunder Bay is in need of a new Aboriginal liaison officer.
Anna Gibbon, who has served as the city’s first Aboriginal liaison since 2008, has been appointed Justice of the Peace for the Ontario Court of Justice, assigned to Thunder Bay.
Gibbon has experience as a correctional officer as well as a mediator. This new role allows her to go back to her roots.
“It’s the opportunity to serve the community at a different level,” she said Wednesday afternoon. “I’ve always been passionate about justice and a lot of the work I’ve done as the City of Thunder Bay Aboriginal liaison has been about social justice.”
“This really allows me to go home in many ways and take what I’ve learned and apply it in a new way.”
Her time with the city has enriched her life and Gibbon said it’s leaving the people she’s met during her time as liaison that is the hardest part of moving on. But her time with the city has been an amazing opportunity to help build the bridge between the corporation and the Aboriginal community.
“There has been a lot of work done and there is still a lot of work left to be done but I’m leaving the city in a good way. I’m excited to see how we’re going to grow as a community,” she said.
City clerk John Hannam states in a new release issued by the city that Gibbon has played a key role in fostering an improved relationship with the Aboriginal community.
“She’s helped build a growing understanding of Aboriginal issues within the Corporation,” he said.
And Mayor Keith Hobbs said Gibbon will be missed by the Corporation, the Elders Advisory Council and the many community groups she worked diligently with.
Gibbon is one of seven newly appointed Justices of the Peace in Ontario. He last day with the city is Feb. 5 and she will give a last report as Aboriginal liaison to council at Monday’s meeting.
