THUNDER BAY – The chief of Fort William First Nation is welcoming the City of Thunder Bay’s decision to largely avoid Canada Day celebrations this year, as his own community puts off a traditional fireworks display on Mount McKay.
Chief Peter Collins said the message from Fort William First Nation council members had been clear when the topic came up this week: “We have nothing to celebrate with Canada on July 1.”
The First Nation will still go ahead with a fireworks display on July 4 – a date that has no connection to Independence Day in the U.S., he noted.
The City, for its part, announced earlier this week it would offer only virtual programming, citing both the COVID-19 pandemic and a desire to respect Indigenous communities amid ongoing investigations into unmarked burial sites at a growing number of former residential schools.
“I think it’s a very respectful decision by the City of Thunder Bay,” Collins said. “We’re glad the City has decided to push off the fireworks in recognition of our losses in our communities.”
In lieu of normal celebrations, the city is offering a variety of self-guided activities for residents to participate in virtually between July 1 and July 4.
The programming includes science experiments, art projects, scavenger hunts and other activities.
The city had already opted against a public fireworks display due to the pandemic, said general manager of community services Kelly Robertson.
The announcement Thursday that Ontario would move to Step 2 in its reopening framework on June 30 would make little difference to the City's ability to host public gatherings, she said - though outdoor concert venues will allow 25 per cent capacity under Step 2.
She said the residential school discoveries had only solidified the decision to go virtual.
“It’s gut-wrenching,” she said. “I think this year on Canada Day, many of us will be reflecting back on some of the tragedy and the discoveries recently related to residential schools, and I encourage our community to do the same.”
Individual residents will still be allowed to set off fireworks, if they choose, under municipal rules.
The City is offering virtual Canada Day programming with partners Tourism Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Museum, Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, le Club culturel francophone de Thunder Bay, and Fort William Historical Park.
Residents can register for activity kits through June 26.
Robertson said she expected the debate over the appropriate way to mark the holiday to continue.
“Because of the tragic discoveries, I think there’s a lot of difficult discussions going on about the ‘celebration’ of Canada Day,” she said. “I think it will be interesting to see what the plan might be for next year – I’m not sure where it’s all going to land.”
