THUNDER BAY – City officials say they are making progress when it comes to recommendations arising from last year’s inquest on the deaths of seven Indigenous students attending school in Thunder Bay between 2000 and 2011.
First and foremost, an audit of local rivers and waterways has been conducted, which resulted in 10 recommendations being made, starting with a formal recognition of the significance of land and water resources by Indigenous people.
Other recommendations include the construction of barriers to prevent access under bridge and tunnel structures, which would include the use of heavy-gauge steel picket screens, motion activated lighting and closed circuit television cameras.
Acting Thunder Bay Police Service Deputy Chief Don Lewis said a study earlier this year showed 713 people involved in 279 incidents along area waterways, with those involved ranging from 13 to 69 years of age.
Seventy of the incidents took place along the Neebing-Mcintyre Floodway, where this past May 17-year-old Tammy Keeash’s body was recovered.
“Most of the incidents involved someone under the influence of some sort of substance,” Lewis told city council on Monday night, adding the audit may have saved lives of some found in the water.
“Some were sleeping near the water, some were in the water.”
Council on Monday agreed to receive a corporate report detailing progress to date and use it as a guideline, also unanimously committed to spend $168,000 in 2018 to help further implement recommendations not yet acted upon or completed.
Karen Lewis, the city’s director of corporate strategic services, said the city has made significant progress in a number of other areas.
Among the successes are reporting of graffiti on all city-owned sites and the CN-Railway bridge at the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway and the development of a plan to remove overgrown vegetation at three locations along McVicar Creek to improve visibility, sightlines and safety for all users.
Lighting assessments have also been conducted along the water ways studied, which also includes a section of the Kaministiquia River. Police and the Eye on the Street program have been consulted to discuss camera surveillance and funding to cover costs is being sought.
Last week the city received a C+ grade from lawyers representing the families of the seven students who died, adding they expect Thunder Bay could reach an A grade by next year.
City manager Norm Gale said they’ve noted the grade, but aren’t bound by the report while telling at-large Coun. Frank Pullia they’re acting on the recommendations in a timely fashion.
“This work is a marathon, not a sprint,” Gale said. “We’re not looking to tick boxes.”
Coun. Aldo Ruberto gave his full backing to the motion.
“I’m going to support this 100 per cent. It’s incredible and you’ve come up with great solutions and recommendations,” the long-time at-large representative said, acknowledging racism has been a scourge in Thunder Bay since Day 1.
Coun. Rebecca Johnson called it a good beginning.
“It’s a starting point and it’s where we need to go as a community,” she said.
