Staff Photo
Thunder Bay celebrates the sister city connection with Gifu City, Japan.
The 14th annual Peace Bell Ceremony happened at city hall Friday with Mayor Bill Mauro and Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins ringing the bell.
“Obviously I think there’s a special relationship with Gifu City, given the history of what has transpired historically, and the involvement of both countries in the world war, and the continuing pursuit of peace,” explains Mauro. “It is important to continue this work, and to continue and always be looking for a path forward when it comes to peaceful resolutions, whatever that may.”
The Mayor goes on to say the world is fairly peaceful, but we must always focus on improving.
“I think it is important to remember, the world really is in a pretty good place when it comes to armed conflict around the planet,” Mauro stated. “There are fewer deaths today probably than at any other time in history but it does not feel like that to many people, and I think that these ceremonies are import to advocate for peace.”
The other four sister cities to Thunder Bay include Duluth, Little Canada, Seinäjoki, and Jiaozuo.
