Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs talks racism on Superior Morning

Thunder Bay's mayor says people need to learn more about the history of First Nations people in Canada, including the effects of residential schools.

That education is key in combating racism in Thunder Bay, Keith Hobbs said, in part of a year-end interview with CBC Superior Morning host Lisa Laco.

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Hobbs recalled his own years as a police officer with the Thunder Bay Police Service, seeing the number of aboriginal people being detained.

"I was always one of those critics, you know, 'how are we going to fix this problem,' but I made my share of racist comments," he said.

"I don't think there's a person in the world that hasn't at some time thought or had words that are racist in nature, then you learn, as mayor, you have to get educated."

The education involved visiting a number of northern communities, learning about treaties, as well as what indigenous people had to go through during their time at residential schools, Hobbs said.

"You totally change your perspective," he said. "That's what people need to do, they need to wake up, get educated, we're all living this together."

"You don't know what a person has gone through," Hobbs added.

One positive step is that some of these topics are now being taught in school, he said.

Thunder Bay 'in the spotlight'

The mayor has been quoted nationally, saying that the city has a racism problem, particularly towards First Nations people.

Speaking with Superior Morning, Hobbs said people will be focusing on a number of Canadian cities, including Thunder Bay, especially with the announced inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women, and the ongoing inquest into the deaths of seven First Nations students in the city.

"Do we have racism in Thunder Bay? Of course we do," he said.

"But no more so than Vancouver, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Toronto," he added. "Right now, we're in the spotlight .... we're all going to be front-and-centre on this."

Do we have racism in Thunder Bay? Of course we do.- Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs

Hobbs wouldn't comment in detail about the student deaths inquest, which will resume in the new year, because he said he could be called as a witness, and because the City of Thunder Bay has standing.

Hobbs did share what he ultimately hopes will come from the proceedings.

"I'm hoping that the recommendations that come forth are going to be ones the city can grasp, that NAN [Nishnawbe Aski Nation] leadership — all the First Nation and aboriginal, Metis leadership — can grasp, and we can make things better."

There are encouraging signs in Thunder Bay, Hobbs continued, pointing specifically to work being done through a number of city initiatives, including the anti-racism committee, the Respect campaign, as well as a 2011 declaration of commitment signed with the Fort William First Nation.

"I think we're making progress," Hobbs said.