Refugees destined for Thunder Bay need respect, support: advocate

Superior Morning9:06Martha Heidenheim on refugees and how her father fled conflict in WW2

Family history holds parallels to the Syrian refugee crisis, for one northern Ontario woman. We'll hear the emotional tale of how her father fled the conflict of the Second World War.

The head of the Multicultural Association of Northwestern Ontario says there's a chance refugees destined for Thunder Bay could be racially targeted.

Moffat Makuto who also works at the multicultural youth centre in the city, which runs an after school program at Dennis Franklin Cromartyhighschool told CBC News he's heard many stories about First Nations youth being harassed, and that it could happen to other visible minorities.

"The tensions sometimes that we seem to have with First Nations really shows that racism is a growing problem that we really need to deal with," he said.

Continuing to talk about racism is key to overcoming it, he added.

The ongoing inquest into the First Nations student deaths in Thunder Bay has heard testimony about aboriginal youth being the targets of eggings and other harassment and assaults.

"They don't feel welcome," Makuto continued.

"They are resented and the racism is so tense. The eggs, the coffee cups being thrown at them, pizzas being thrown at them, and the yelling that goes on it makes it very inhospitable."

Several attacks on Muslims have been reported in Ontario in the days since the Paris attacks.

"I can say that, because they are Muslims and the way they dress is very visible with the niqabs and the hijabs, and everything, it kind of puts into perspective that there will be a distinct group that could easily be targeted," he continued.

Makuto said there are many groups and supports in the city for people who feel they've been targeted by racism.

Makuto pointed to initiatives in Thunder Bay, like the city's anti-racism committee and respect campaign, Diversity Thunder Bay, as well as committees at Lakehead University and Confederation College that deal with inclusion and anti-racism.

"We realize that it's an issue in the community and we're already working towards it, whether it's for the First Nations or other racial minorities in the community," Makuto said.

He is hopeful empathy will prevail in Thunder Bay, particularly when one considers "the phone calls we've been getting here about people wanting to know how they can help."

The city could take in up to 100 refugees.

For another take on the current refugee crisis, listen to an interview with Marth Heidenheimon CBC Thunder Bay's Superior Morning program.