Thunder Bay Aboriginal Arts & Heritage Group History

In 2003, a collaboration of Thunder Bay artists, arts and heritage organizations, and City of Thunder Bay worked together to create and support an arts district at the Thunder Bay Waterfront. 

Ontario Native Women’s Association Partnership Development Advisor, (PDA) Sally Ledger actively participated in the Thunder Bay Ventures Focus Group discussions that pursed a community arts center.  As a result of these discussions the formation of the Thunder Bay Waterfront Arts Steering Committee regarding the Thunder Bay Marina Park Master Plan had occurred.  Through this, it was identified that access and involvement of the Thunder Bay Regional Aboriginal Artisans and Heritage community was needed.

Ontario Native Women’s Association, with financial support from the Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat(ONAS)  Partnership Development Advisor took on the role to address this need.  This gave the Thunder Bay Aboriginal Arts Community the opportunity to actively participate by its’ support and sponsorship of various activities. 

In January 2005, a group of Volunteer Aboriginal Artisans hosted a meeting and the formulization of the Thunder Bay Aboriginal Arts & Heritage Group was established.

In the upcoming year, the Thunder Bay Aboriginal Arts & Heritage Group will be formally registered as a non-profit  and  charitable organization.  This will enable the Group to better serve the artists, crafters & heritage people of our community.