To the editor,
Instead of embracing the so called reforms of city council, Thunder Bay Public Library should be distancing itself from them as they are a diversion and distraction from the major issues that are facing this city - racism, homelessness and poverty. Unfortunately these issues have disappeared from the latest TBPL strategic plan.
The ‘reform’ of city council will not impact these issues.
Richard Togman claims that the debate is about local democracy - but that is only valid if you accept the definition of democracy as being the ability to vote every four years. The true definition of democracy is that all sections of the community are constantly engaged in the decision making processes that impact their lives.
If we want to see real democracy in action we have to go back to the traditional Indigenous governance systems which were in place for hundreds of years before the arrival of settler colonialism. These systems were replaced by the imposition of the Eurocentric Band and Council model which is far less democratic.
Instead of having a few hand picked individuals take part in the consultation process at the library - as Togman suggests - the whole event should be turned over to the sharing circle of Indigenous community members who should be at the centre of this process rather than at its periphery.
TBPL used to be committed to the central principle of decolonization, which is to decentre settler colonial perspectives and re-centre Indigenous perspectives.
TBPL is now part of the problem rather than the solution.
John Pateman
Thunder Bay
