FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION -- A fireworks display set off from Mount McKay on Sunday night took on a more sombre tone than last summer's show.
Originally planned for Canada Day, community leaders decided to push their show back three days and framed it as a spirit-lifting event aimed at honouring the memories of the hundreds of Indigenous children whose bodies were found buried at former residential school sites in British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
"I think we want to bring honour and support all the communities and their families that lost loved ones that did not return home," said Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins.
"Today is about lighting the fireworks and supporting the families and their communities. We also want to pay recognition to the survivors of residential schools too because that's a heartbreaking story we listen to continuously time and time again."
Collins went on to say the show was about unity between Fort William First Nation and other Indigenous communities across Canada, and from his community's hearts to theirs.
"We know they're going through a tough time dealing with the situation we're dealing with today in Canada," Collins said. "We're trying to bring awareness to Every Child Matters and we want to make sure our kids lead a safe and healthy lifestyle to bring that heartfelt, emotional, heart-lifting moment for them that shows them we do care about the loss of their loved ones."
Communities across the country, including Thunder Bay, cancelled Canada Day celebrations out of respect to the suffering being experienced by Indigenous peoples following the discovery of the bodies, but Collins said they decided to go ahead with their celebration.
He acknowledged there was some backlash to the idea, the complainants arguing now is not the time for a fireworks show.
"There are some, there's not a lot, but I think for us it's just about that work that we have to continue to do and work with each other and continue our journey. Who knows what we're going to find here in our region. At the same time, if we do find something here, we want that support right across the country," Collins said.
Fort William First Nation Coun. Leo Bannon said they raised about $5,300 to purchase the fireworks.
"We're hoping it's bigger than last year," Bannon said.
The show lasted for about 15 minutes.
