THUNDER BAY -- The Thunder Bay Police Services Board has a desire to reconcile relationships with Indigenous Peoples through constructive action addressing systemic racism within the service and the board.
The board saw some initial details regarding the proposed Indigenous relationship policy, which reports back on ongoing discussions with both the elected leadership of the First Nation, Metis, Inuit communities within the area, as well as the leadership of the Urban Indigenous agencies and Indigenous women’s specific agencies.
Board chair Karen Machado said Tuesday that this is the first time the TBPSB has ever had a policy such as this one.
“We had input from the service, the governance committee, the board, as well as the chief's Indigenous advisory committee, so we could have some substance to begin with,” Machado added.
“It's critical to establish that relationship and have open and honest dialogue so that we can rebuild that trust. It's not going to be an easy or quick fix, but it's important that we do it right and make sure we take the time to get where we need to be.”
As part of the policy, the chair and chief of police are scheduled to report back to the board at the May and November meetings.
Chief Darcy Fleury, since taking on the role, feels his dialogue with Indigenous leaders and those in the communities has been positive.
“We have regular meetings and just get together and have a chat about where things are going,” Fleury said.
“This policy will bring people to understand that the board is involved as well. We are looking at not just the police service, but the board and overseeing, you know, where we're going and ensuring that we're doing things right. And that the communication between us is ongoing. I think it's really important.”
