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Some initial reflections on the work behind the Thunder Bay podcast series, #ReturnToThunderBay, a thread (with many more reflections to come later):
Much of Thunder Bay is looking for "good news stories." Those that reject this work believe this was a smear job. They want "balance" in how this place is reflected here. But, how about this, y'all are looking for the good news stories, right? This series is FULL OF THEM.
The "good news" you're looking for are the stories of Windo Debwe Moosiwin, DFC, Mattawa, Wake The Giant, Thunder Bay Public Library, the RMYC and all of the youth that are trying to positively impact their community.
The "good news" you're looking for are the stories of every Indigenous Woman & 2 Spirit peoples that we shared through the series - a win for this city - it's a MIRACLE they try to positively contribute to the community here. THESE are your good news stories.
The good news in this city is that there are people that still believe. The "good news" you want us to run is that your leadership, your institutions, and your systems are doing well - they aren't. Period.
Some leaders are doing better than others but we're not leading a race to the bottom here. The status quo isn't good enough and frankly that's how we got here.
This series is foundationally rooted in exhaustive research, reporting, nuance, and fact. We have not cherry-picked stories - if you don't hear the voices of leadership in this work it's because they didn't email us or call us back.
It is NOT pleasant to do this work. It is upsetting to find what we did. It does not feel good to be hated here. But I am hated here. Thunder Bay, your anger is misdirected. I have big shoulders and I can take your threats but look around you.
EVERYONE IN THIS CITY was offered the platform and the chance to speak...if they didn't take us up on the opportunity to clear the record, to let us know what work they're doing, ask yourself why that is.
So. If you don't accept the efforts of Indigenous Peoples in the city as "good news" then I don't know what to tell you. This is where hope comes from for me. It's where the work is happening. It is where care and love are coming from.
The good news in Thunder Bay is that Indigenous People haven't given up here. They're fighting like hell. They're caring for their community. They're still in it, together. That's the good news.
