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A new proposal from the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission has left the Thunder Bay – Rainy River riding unchanged, however there are some changes in store for Thunder Bay – Superior North and Kenora.

One of those changes will see some communities of the Matawa Tribal Council leave the Kenora riding and join the other communities in the tribal council in Thunder Bay Superior North.

Patty Hajdu who represents that riding believes that plan makes things a little easier.

“Cohesively pulling together communities within a tribal council area, which I’m sure will be beneficial going forward for example Matawa, who often have MPs from different ridings serving members of their particular tribal council.”

Hajdu is also looking forward to another change over in the Kenora riding, which under the proposal, will be renamed to Kenora-Kiiwetinoong.

She says it is exciting to see the spirit of reconciliation and to see Indigenous languages and culture become mainstream. however she notes there is a clear line between symbolic change and action.

“Symbolic changes are important and names are important and having Indigenous culture and identity imbued into a colonial system is challenging at best, but it has to be matched with strong action and representation.”

The plan isn’t set in stone just yet and will be finalized and implemented in September.

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