The 800 Missing Persons Cases That Never Get Solved

The Thunder Bay Police Service handles around 800 missing persons cases annually, but the community is still reeling from the death of Kelsey Anderson, a 36-year-old Indigenous man from remote First Nations in northwestern Ontario. The case has sparked discussions about missing persons protocols and police relations with First Nations communities.

According to Detective Constable Jeff Saunders , the TBPS missing persons coordinator, the service shares information with search groups, but police must adhere to established policies and procedures. however,Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) has called for a coordinated search system for Thunder Bay and the region.

The Unspoken Tensions Between Thunder Bay Police and First Nations Leaders

The case has heightened tensions between First Nations leaders and the Thunder Bay police. Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) has indicated plans to consult with NAN leadership about arranging a meeting with senior officials to develop a coordinated search system for Thunder Bay and the region.

However , Detective Constable Jeff Saunders has emphasized that police must adhere to established policies and procedures, though they do share information with search groups. The community is still waiting for a follow-up interview with Thunder Bay Police Chief Darcy Fleury regarding how the service intends to collaborate with First Nation leaders to address these concerns.

The Community's Plea for Change

The case of Kelsey Anderson has sparked a community-wide plea for change in Thunder Bay's troubled relationship with First Nations communities. Resources for those affected by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women,men, and Two-Spirit people are available through a national 24/7 crisis hotline at 1-844-413-6649.