UPDATE 5:00 PM August 16th:
Thunder Bay officials are backtracking after getting complaints about a rodeo-themed information session on the Northwood roundabout.
City Manager Norm Gale is apologizing for the name.
“On behalf of the Corporation, I apologize to the community, and anyone who was negatively impacted, by our use of the term ‘Rodeo’ and accompanying graphics in recent advertising for a roundabout educational event. We understand that it was insensitive and in poor judgement. The City of Thunder Bay is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and commits to continually work on our relationship with the Indigenous community and move forward in a positive and inclusive way.”
The roundabout, which is nearing completion at Edward Street and Redwood Avenue, includes a medicine wheel design in the centre.
It is now being referred to as a roundabout information session, and is being held August 21.
Chair of Anti Racism and Respect Advisory Committee and Community communications committee representative Jason Veltri was among the people voicing their disappointment with the event, indicating a rodeo-themed event is at odds with the city’s efforts to include Indigenous symbols.
“I’ve had friends reaching out, I’ve had community members reaching out, explaining how a rodeo is a very colonial pastime,” explains Veltri. “There’s conversations in Calgary around stampede as well. This was a tone deaf way of providing an opportunity for the community to learn about the roundabout.”
Veltri says the event should strictly be about education, and that hopefully the city learns from the mistake.
“The roundabout rodeo doesn’t provide an opportunity for our Indigenous community to speak about the meaning and the importance of a medicine wheel design,” says Veltri. “It’s important that we acknowledge a mistake, and that we do better by the community and the Indigenous community in our city. These types of events are just not warranted anymore.”
The information session will help drivers learn to navigate the roundabout safely.
Thunder Bay has a single-lane roundabout at Marina Park, but city officials committed to holding an education campaign to teach drivers who are unfamiliar with a two-lane roundabout.
