New Thunder Bay, Ont., police board member hopes to improve relationships

Thunder Bay's police services board will welcome a new member next week.

Celina Reitbergerhas been appointed by the province to a seat on the board. She'll participate in her first meeting on Dec.19.

In a media release, the city said Reitberger is a member of Fort William First Nationand a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay. She's a lawyer whospent 20 years in private practice, followed by 15 years with Nishnawbe AskiLegal.

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For the last seven of those 15 years, Reitberger was the organization's executive director.

She's also served on the Thunder Bay Police Service's executivecommittee on Aboriginal and diversity issuesand is a member of the board of directors of Anishinawbe Muskiki.

"I welcome the opportunity to serve on the board, bringing the perspective of Indigenous people and their experiences in interacting with police,"Reitbergersaid. "My goal is to worktowardsimproving relationships among the service, the board and the Indigenous community as we further our common goal of reconciliation."

Reitbergerreplaces Allan Laakkonen, whose appointment to the board expired earlier this year.