Thunder Bay (podcast)

The podcast builds on information contained in the 2017 book Seven Fallen Feathers by investigative journalist Tanya Talaga of The Toronto Star.[1] Seven Fallen Feathers documents the unexplained deaths of seven Indigenous youth, all found in rivers close to Thunder Bay.[2] The podcast is presented in five parts, produced by Canadaland, and hosted McMahon, who grew up near Thunder Bay.[1][3]

The production costs of the show were crowd-funded via Patreon.[2]

The podcast documents systemic racism and corruption in Thunder Bay[4] and the unexplained deaths of young Indigenous people, whose bodies were found in the Kaministiquia and McIntyre Rivers.[3] It documents Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs' rejection of the Ontario Human Rights Commission concerns about the lack of municipal support for the Indigenous population in the town.[1] It discusses the killing of local Indigenous woman, Barbara Kentner.[2] The local police chief and a former Ontario Crown Prosecutor are also criticised.[1][2]

Jim Wilson, writing in Canadian Dimension praises McMahon's passion, notes his appropriate anger and how it captivates the listener.[1] The Atlantic listed the podcast as one of the best 50 podcasts of 2018.[3]

A four-part documentary series follow up of the same name was produced by McMahon.[5][6] Thunder Bay premiered on Crave in February, 2023.[7]