The mayor says it was an historic event. The chief of an area first nation calls it a new era.
The councils of the city of Thunder Bay and Fort William First Nation met Tuesday evening at Fort William First Nation to sign a declaration of commitment to work together on economic and social issues.
Mayor Keith Hobbs said the commitment is about respect and partnerships.
“We recognize each other as neighbours and it’s something we take for granted. We need to remember that our city is built on traditional lands of the Fort William First Nation,” Hobbs said.
Chief Peter Collins said it signifies a bright new future for both communities.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction and it’s been long over due I mean the city of Thunder Bay has been a community for some 140 years and we’ve been around here for longer than that. To work as two separate entities is just not productive for both of us so we thought this was a great opportunity,” Collins said.
One big opportunity is to work together to convince Cliff’s Natural Resources that a ferrochrome processor belongs in the Thunder Bay area. Collins said that could bring 1,300 construction jobs to the area and 600 full-time jobs. That would have a huge economic impact for both communities.
“If it’s not in Fort William, somewhere in the Thunder Bay area. We’d like to make that happen,” he said.
As for social issues, both leaders recognize that substance abuse is something that needs to be addressed by both Thunder Bay and Fort William First Nation. Collins said opiate addiction in particular is running rampant in the area.
“What do we do to deal with the people who are addicted to opiates? How do we deal with them and get them healthy again?” Collins said.
Those issues need a partnership between both communities that was started Tuesday evening Collins said. The two councils are hoping to meet every three months.
