The Dutch community in Thunder Bay dates back to the early 1900s when free land in northern Ontario was used to encourage immigration from the Netherlands. Numerous Dutch settlers braved the regions harsh winters and rocky soil in order to have farmland of their own. Sybil Johnson (nee Kamstra) has written extensively of her familys experience in the region in her memoir "The Way We Were".

The Dutch farming community grew into a recognized cultural group establishing its own church in the Slate River Valley. The First Christian Reform Church has been a strong presence in the community for fifty years. Through the Church societies for men, women, parents and youth have been established.

The Dutch community remains very strong and active. A touring theatre troupe from Holland has been sponsored to perform plays in Dutch every year for the last four years and regular celebrations of such events as the liberation of Holland by Canadian soldiers and traditional Dutch Christmas are hosted.