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Jon Thompson

@jonthompson.bsky.social

3.3K followers 720 following 350 posts

Journalist. Belongs to Northwestern Ontario. Ricochet Media. “Thunder Bay” now streaming on Crave. Past words & baritone for Canadaland, CBC, TVO, APTN.

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Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 14h

I don't know about you, but Canada's 25 Most Wanted Fugitives is the horse-race media stunt that most makes me want to smash that button and turn my big red chair around.

Toronto Star @thestar.com · 14h

A man wanted for first-degree murder in Toronto has taken the top spot on the list of Canada’s 25 most wanted fugitives, unveiled Wednesday in Vancouver.

Man wanted in Yorkdale mall murder tops list of Canada’s 25 most wanted fugitives

The nationwide Bolo (“Be on the lookout”) Program released an updated list of Canada’s 25 most wanted fugitives in Vancouver.

www.thestar.com

Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 15h

Temperatures in Thunder Bay dropped 20 degrees this past couple days. Run was cold this morn'. I've got birds on my windowsill looking to set up a winter arrangement. I'm calmly sipping my coffee, listening to Cowboys From Hell, basking & connecting with their panic as "nature."

Reposted by Jon Thompson

Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 6d

So why is Ontario's ombudsman flying into northern First Nations that are in crisis? Where is Canada's ombudsman?

Oh, Canada doesn't have an ombudsman – and that's not for a lack of interest by Indigenous people or ombudsman at the provincial and territorial levels.

Ricochet Media @ricochetmedia.bsky.social · 6d

How is there still no office for Indigenous rights complaints? Six years after #MMIWG Calls to Action, #Canada still has no ombudsman.

“To be honest with you, I’m kind of frustrated that we haven’t heard much response.”

New from @jonthompson.bsky.social:

ricochet.media/indigenous/m...

#onpoli

How is there still no office for Indigenous rights complaints?

Six years after MMIWG Calls to Action, Canada still has no ombudsman on Indigenous and human rights

Reposted by Jon Thompson

Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 6d

Apple has recognized Canadaland's podcast "Thunder Bay" that I co-produced with Ryan McMahon among its global "Series Essentials."
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t...
The pressure continues on Thunder Bay & Ontario leaders to solve these serious, persistent problems hurting this city we love.

Documentary Podcast · Series · Thunder Bay has been named an Apple Podcasts Series Essential. When Indigenous teens start turning up dead under suspicious circumstances, host Ryan McMahon sets out to ...

podcasts.apple.com

Reposted by Jon Thompson

Harms Committed @harmscommitted.com · 6d

"[C]urrently no independent oversight body to deal with Indigenous people's issues."

"[S]ix years since the idea arose among the Calls to Action in the 2019 Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls."

"[W]e haven't heard much response."
#Ontario #Saskatchewan #Canada #Genocide

How is there still no office for Indigenous rights complaints?

Six years after MMIWG Calls to Action, Canada still has no ombudsman on Indigenous and human rights

Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 6d

So why is Ontario's ombudsman flying into northern First Nations that are in crisis? Where is Canada's ombudsman?

Oh, Canada doesn't have an ombudsman – and that's not for a lack of interest by Indigenous people or ombudsman at the provincial and territorial levels.

Ricochet Media @ricochetmedia.bsky.social · 6d

How is there still no office for Indigenous rights complaints? Six years after #MMIWG Calls to Action, #Canada still has no ombudsman.

“To be honest with you, I’m kind of frustrated that we haven’t heard much response.”

New from @jonthompson.bsky.social:

ricochet.media/indigenous/m...

#onpoli

How is there still no office for Indigenous rights complaints?

Six years after MMIWG Calls to Action, Canada still has no ombudsman on Indigenous and human rights

Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 6d

Apple has recognized Canadaland's podcast "Thunder Bay" that I co-produced with Ryan McMahon among its global "Series Essentials."
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t...
The pressure continues on Thunder Bay & Ontario leaders to solve these serious, persistent problems hurting this city we love.

Documentary Podcast · Series · Thunder Bay has been named an Apple Podcasts Series Essential. When Indigenous teens start turning up dead under suspicious circumstances, host Ryan McMahon sets out to ...

podcasts.apple.com

Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 9d

Anishinaabe-kwe former pop & country star Shy-Anne Hovorka is putting on a second act — and the activism in her art has matured, backed by an orchestra.
ricochet.media/indigenous/f...

From pop stardom to reconciliation songs: Shy-Anne Hovorka’s second act

The Anishinaabe-kwe artist and ’60s Scoop survivor turned her back on fame a decade ago — now she’s using music and education to fight for Indigenous justice and give hope to the next generation

Reposted by Jon Thompson

Ricochet Media @ricochetmedia.bsky.social · 9d

In Thunder Bay, an Indigenous artist and ’60s Scoop survivor is using music and education to fight for Indigenous justice and give hope to the next generation.

This is @shy-anne55.bsky.social's second act.

New feature from @jonthompson.bsky.social:

ricochet.media/indigenous/f...

#NorthernOntario

From pop stardom to reconciliation songs: Shy-Anne Hovorka’s second act

The Anishinaabe-kwe artist and ’60s Scoop survivor turned her back on fame a decade ago — now she’s using music and education to fight for Indigenous justice and give hope to the next generation

Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 12d

Yeah, for sure.

Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 12d

Fascinating interpretation of “public infrastructure” in this joint statement from Northwestern and Northeastern Ontario municipal leaders today.

Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 13d

Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce launches window sticker campaign to show status cards are welcome.
The use of status cards is, as Chamber vicce chair Ed Collins points out, "a right."
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

New initiative aims to create positive experience for customers with status cards in Thunder Bay | CBC News

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce has launched a new initiative it hopes will help support a positive and respectful experience for Indigenous customers when shopping.

Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 14d

Ontario's ombudsman found infrastructure failures and lack of equitable services in Neskantaga First Nation "unacceptable and unsafe."
But when youth from across Nishnawbe Aski Nation have to leave home for services, an average of two die in Thunder Bay every year.
ricochet.media/indigenous/b...

‘Bringing them home in coffins': Ombudsman finds unsafe conditions in Fly-in First Nation

Jon Thompson accompanied Ontario’s ombudsman on a shocking tour of Neskantaga First Nation. This is what they saw

Reposted by Jon Thompson

Ricochet Media @ricochetmedia.bsky.social · 15d

‘Bringing them home in coffins’: Ombudsman finds unsafe conditions in Fly-in First Nation.

Ricochet journalist Jon Thompson accompanied Ontario’s ombudsman on a shocking tour of Neskantaga First Nation. This is what they saw.

ricochet.media/indigenous/b...

‘Bringing them home in coffins': Ombudsman finds unsafe conditions in Fly-in First Nation

Jon Thompson accompanied Ontario’s ombudsman on a shocking tour of Neskantaga First Nation. This is what they saw

Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 15d

I was in Neskantaga First Nation with the Ontario Ombudsman, witnessing conditions he found "unacceptable and unsafe."
More coverage on Neskantaga's polycrisis & how infrastructure failures are pushing members to Thunder Bay, where shortfalls can be fatal.
ricochet.media/indigenous/b...

‘Bringing them home in coffins': Ombudsman finds unsafe conditions in Fly-in First Nation

Jon Thompson accompanied Ontario’s ombudsman on a shocking tour of Neskantaga First Nation. This is what they saw

Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 16d

Thunder Bay Police Service has launched a search into the city’s landfill as part of the homicide investigation into the death of Deborah Anishinabie. This will include a search for partial human remains.

Reposted by Jon Thompson

Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 19d

I was in Neskantaga First Nation with the Ontario ombudsman this week, where he witnessed conditions he described as "unsafe and unacceptable."

Neskantaga is home to Canada's longest boil-water advisory, at over 30 years. The nursing station has been shuttered since May.

Ricochet Media @ricochetmedia.bsky.social · 19d

Conditions on the Neskantaga First Nation prompt Ontario ombudsman to call on federal and provincial governments to act

‘Unsafe and unacceptable:’ ombudsman demands ‘immediate action’ for fly-in community.

The latest from @jonthompson.bsky.social:

ricochet.media/indigenous/u...

#onpoli #cdnpoli

‘Unsafe and unacceptable:’ ombudsman demands ‘immediate action’ for fly-in First Nation

Conditions on the Neskantaga First Nation prompt Ontario ombudsman to call on federal and provincial governments to act

Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 18d

Largest demonstration yet outside of Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Party Hajdu’s office this hour.
“Draw The Line” is attracting around 100 who are demonstrating for climate justice, against genocide in Palestine, and opposing nuclear waste burial in Northern Ontario.

Reposted by Jon Thompson

Ricochet Media @ricochetmedia.bsky.social · 19d

Conditions on the Neskantaga First Nation prompt Ontario ombudsman to call on federal and provincial governments to act

‘Unsafe and unacceptable:’ ombudsman demands ‘immediate action’ for fly-in community.

The latest from @jonthompson.bsky.social:

ricochet.media/indigenous/u...

#onpoli #cdnpoli

‘Unsafe and unacceptable:’ ombudsman demands ‘immediate action’ for fly-in First Nation

Conditions on the Neskantaga First Nation prompt Ontario ombudsman to call on federal and provincial governments to act

Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 19d

I was in Neskantaga First Nation with the Ontario ombudsman this week, where he witnessed conditions he described as "unsafe and unacceptable."

Neskantaga is home to Canada's longest boil-water advisory, at over 30 years. The nursing station has been shuttered since May.

Ricochet Media @ricochetmedia.bsky.social · 19d

Conditions on the Neskantaga First Nation prompt Ontario ombudsman to call on federal and provincial governments to act

‘Unsafe and unacceptable:’ ombudsman demands ‘immediate action’ for fly-in community.

The latest from @jonthompson.bsky.social:

ricochet.media/indigenous/u...

#onpoli #cdnpoli

‘Unsafe and unacceptable:’ ombudsman demands ‘immediate action’ for fly-in First Nation

Conditions on the Neskantaga First Nation prompt Ontario ombudsman to call on federal and provincial governments to act

Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 21d

Ricochet published the human rights complaint that Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation & IFNA filed against Ontario over what they say is the inequitable state of paramedicine in northern Ontario First Nations.
This is what that looks like on the front line.
ricochet.media/indigenous/n...

Northern Ontario's EMS crisis, where even the ambulance is dangerous

In one community, the health director doubles as the ambulance driver and the only backup is a broken van. Chronic underfunding and neglect have maintained a deadly health crisis in the north

Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 22d

Ricochet published the human rights complaint that Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation & IFNA filed against Ontario over what they say is the inequitable state of paramedicine in northern Ontario First Nations.
This is what that looks like on the front line.
ricochet.media/indigenous/n...

Northern Ontario's EMS crisis, where even the ambulance is dangerous

In one community, the health director doubles as the ambulance driver and the only backup is a broken van. Chronic underfunding and neglect have maintained a deadly health crisis in the north

Reposted by Jon Thompson

Ricochet Media @ricochetmedia.bsky.social · 22d

In one northern Ontario First Nation, the health director doubles as the ambulance driver and the only backup is a broken van — Chronic underfunding and neglect have maintained a deadly #healthcrisis in the north.

New from @jonthompson.bsky.social:

ricochet.media/indigenous/n...

#onpoli

Northern Ontario's EMS crisis, where even the ambulance is dangerous

In one community, the health director doubles as the ambulance driver and the only backup is a broken van. Chronic underfunding and neglect have maintained a deadly health crisis in the north

Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 28d

Ontario is once again announcing a road to the proposed Ring of Fire, this time framing the $62M maintenance of Main Street in Geraldton (existing municipal infrastructure technically called Hwy 584) as defending Ontario, reconciliation & unlocking mineral potential.
news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...

Ontario Newsroom

news.ontario.ca

Reposted by Jon Thompson

Ricochet Media @ricochetmedia.bsky.social · 29d

At Assembly of #FirstNations, one chief feels ‘sidelined’ by #Manitoba’s approach to development — Chief told Premier Kinew that government is fast-tracking a project through his territory without proper consultation.

New from @jonthompson.bsky.social:

ricochet.media/indigenous/a...

#landback

At Assembly of First Nations, one chief feels 'sidelined' by Manitoba's approach to development

Chief told Premier Wab Kinew that the government is fast-tracking a highway project through his territory without proper consultation or accommodation