09/30/2026
Litter isn't the only thing we need to in Thunder Bay and Canada at large.
No. It's the rampant and eroding affects of colonialism and racism against indigenous peoples across Canada, Turtle Island.
Not only do we prioritize indigenous access for volunteering at Wake the Giant groundskeeping, but we ourselves both Joshua Hewitt and Chad Maclaurin have deep ties and heritage within the indigenous community as well as the impacts of colonialism in our community.
It is why respecting an event like Wake The Giant when you are present is so important, it is not just another festival or concert, it is a gathering made for indigenous people to feel welcomed and honored in our community, safe among the hardships of the history built up of racism and colonialism here in Thunder Bay.
Joshua has ties to the Miq'ma peoples and Chad is a member of Fort William First Nations, he himself had experienced the impacts of the system on indigenous peoples since a young age and with his many foster siblings growing up and the agencies they dealt with.
Growing up Joshua witnessed countless occasions of racism towards indigenous peoples and exchanged among students that inspired him along with 2 others to co-found the student school Multicultural committee to combat it at Hammarskjold Highschool in 2010. Together the students took down a "Wall of Hate" and covered it with artwork done by students.
One of our first clean ups honored one of Joshua's friends Brayden Moonias who had perished in a vicious assault at the Waterfront area, adding to a series of incidents involving the injury and even death of indigenous peoples of all ages.
Not that history can be masked or necessarily rewritten the way we have been taught, that it can be captured and transformed into a foundation for something new and amazing, which is part of what truth and reconciliation is about.
As much as it is addressing the harmful affects of colonialism, it is about building something new together in truth and with actions that reflect. Rising denialism is not a sign of healing but a sign of distrust and misunderstanding. Maamawe, all together, not apart. Stronger together always.
So today let us honor land, Aki, the water, Niibi, and the people, most of all.. Anishnaabe, first peoples, together Gichi-Dodek Nebendawan. We can begin other parts of and continue the long process of healing, rediscovery and reinvention as a people, as a nation of many nations.
Lets walk together and overcome.
No one has to be forgotten or left behind when we can stand up and carry their memories and battles in our actions today!
