Business Resources for Reconciliation

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce acknowledges that The City of Thunder Bay has been built on the traditional lands of the Anishnawbe peoples of Fort William First Nation, original signatories to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850. We recognize the significant contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples to our heritage, social, cultural, spiritual and economic wealth and are committed to advancing economic reconciliation under the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #92.

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is a signatory of the Thunder Bay Anti-Racism and Inclusion Accord and is a devoted advocate for advancing diversity and inclusion in our community. The tools and resources assembled on this page have been developed to help businesses respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action #92.

We’re very pleased to host this online version of the Thunder Bay Anti-Racism and Inclusion Accord to facilitate new commitments from our Members and other members of the business community.  To participate, complete the form below.  Your information will be forwarded to the City of Thunder Bay and they’ll follow up with you directly.

We, the undersigned, are committed to put into action commitments established by the Thunder Bay Coalition for Anti-Racism Inclusion (Coalition), which consists of organizations, groups, and individuals in Thunder Bay. This Accord is intended to be a living document that is not a single-time event, but an ongoing responsibility accepted by the undersigned who, through collaboration and mutual respect, commit to establish goals and report on successes.

We acknowledge that Thunder Bay is built on the traditional territory of Fort William First Nation, signatory to the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850. It is a city where diverse Indigenous Peoples have taken residence. Immigrants, from multi-generational to newcomer, have also chosen to reside in the city. Thunder Bay has a history that includes European settlement and colonization. In recognition of its diversity, we aspire Thunder Bay to be a protective and inclusive environment for all.

Furthermore, we acknowledge that colonization contributes to systemic racism against Indigenous and racialized communities. Racism threatens the welfare of all community members and is compounded by discrimination that is based on sex, gender, age, creed, class, ability, sexuality, family status,and their intersections. As a Coalition, guided by the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and international human rights instruments including the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Efforts to address systemic racism and injustices committed against Indigenous and racialized persons have been examined but, for the purposes of this Accord, we draw particular attention to: (1) the Seven First Nation Youths 2016 - Inquest - Office of the Ontario Chief Coroner, (2) the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and, (3)the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

We are committed to an inclusive society for all members of the Thunder Bay community, in keeping with the domestic and international human rights instruments named above. Guided by calls to actions and recommendations made by these Three Investigations, we further commit to advancing equity and diversity in the sectors of governments, education, children & youth services, health services, municipal services, emergency services, libraries,and business, as well as at the individual level. This pledge is actualized by the following commitments of action:

Address racism against Indigenous and racialized persons by setting short- and long-term goals to meet the calls to action or recommendations in one or more of the Three Investigations listed above.

Support an ongoing process of truth & reconciliation throughout their organization and in our community by developing and maintaining respectful relations with Indigenous governments, organizations and individuals.