Thunder Bay's aboriginal population fears racism and violence
CBC News
Posted: Feb 20, 2013 11:47 PM ET
Last Updated: Feb 20, 2013 10:49 PM ET
Related
Aboriginal people in the northern Ontario community of Thunder Bay continue to live in fear of racism and violence almost two months after a First Nations woman was abducted and sexually assaulted by two men claiming to be serial attackers.
Adding to a long history of unsolved sex crimes against aboriginal women in the city, the 36-year-old woman was strangled, beaten and raped in a wooded area of a park after being kidnapped off the streets.
"[They] told her that they had done this before, and native people don't deserve your treaty rights," said Theresa Trudeau, a cultural support worker, and friend of the woman.
Those within the aboriginal community say police are part of the problem, and accuse them of abuse and racial profiling.
Thunder Bay Police Chief J.P. Levesque rejects claims there is any type of profiling on the force.
He said his force deals with more than 50,000 incidents a year, and higher rates of alcohol and drug abuse than anywhere else in Ontario.
Trudeau has lived in Thunder Bay for 30 years, but said she still doesn't trust the police.
"Not with my life will I trust a police officer in this city," she said.
The CBC's Reg Sherren reports on the divided community desperate to find solutions.
Share Tools
Latest Thunder Bay News Headlines
- Hwy 587 closed after washout
- Repairs are underway as workers scramble to install a temporary culvert on Highway 587 after the road was washed out due to heavy rainfall. more »
- Swollen river frustrates fish taggers
- A co-operative rainbow trout tagging program on Portage Creek, near Sleeping Giant Park, has been put on hold due to high water. more »
- First Nation 'will not accept' disrespect of sacred grounds
- The chief of Fort William First Nation says the community is upset by an act of destruction on Mount McKay in Thunder Bay. more »
- Inspectors check flooded homes at Fort William First Nation
- Fort William First Nation near Thunder Bay remained in a state of emergency on Wednesday as inspectors assessed the safety of flood-damaged homes. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Toronto mayor fired chief of staff for telling him to 'go away and get help'
- CBC News has learned the details of what precipitated the firing of Mark Towhey as Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's chief of staff — and it was advice from Towhey that Ford needs to 'get help.' more »
- Federal Court won't remove MPs over robocall allegations
- The Federal Court says it won't throw six MPs out of their seats over allegations of widespread vote suppression through automated robocalls in the 2011 federal election. But Judge Richard Mosley did find that fraud occurred in the election. more »
- Alleged Ford crack video seller not responding to calls
- The journalist who broke the story alleging Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was recorded on video smoking crack cocaine says he may never be able to get his hands on the evidence. more »
- Officials 'optimistic' no deaths in Washington state bridge collapse
- An aging bridge on Washington State's Interstate 5 collapsed Thursday evening, dumping a handful of vehicles and people into a river. more »

