Oneida Nation of the Thames
Encyclopedia
The Oneida Nation of the Thames is an Onyota'a:ka (Oneida)
First Nation located in southwestern Ontario
on what is commonly referred to as the "Oneida Settlement", located about a 30-minute drive from London, Ontario
, Canada
. The Nation counts approximately 5,209 band members, of whom 2030 live on reserve.
, had a traditional territory that once covered a large section of the eastern part of North America. The territory of the Oneida Settlement is part of the traditional hunting area known as the Beaver Hunting Grounds, which was recognized in the 1701 Nanfan Treaty
. The people who live there are descendants of much later migrants, a small group of assimilated/Christian Oneidas who relocated to Southwold, Ontario
, Canada from New York state in the 1840s. The original settlers of the Oneida community were associated with two Christian denominations, Methodist and Anglican. One of the leaders in the migration was an ordained Methodist minister. Soon after their arrival in Ontario, the settlers built Methodist and Anglican churches. Since those early days, these two churches have had over half of the population as members. By 1877, some people began to join the Baptists. Old Methodist records show some families and individuals shifting from the Methodist to the Baptist church, and the reverse.
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
designates the settlement as Oneida 41 Indian Reserve or simply as Oneida 41, Ontario. The Oneida people who live or are descendants of people at the "Oneida Settlement" always insist that their lands be called a "settlement" because Oneida people purchased the relocation lands in Ontario. This is a distinction from having the lands "set aside" or "reserved" for them. Many other lands inhabited by indigenous people in North America are called "Indian reserve
s".
Prior to selling their New York lands, the Oneida requested assurance from the Crown
that should they remove to Canada, they would be protected and treated in every respect as their brethren who had always resided within the precincts of the province. Having received such assurance, they sold their lands in New York and selected the Thames River tract. They expressed a wish that their tenure to these lands should be precisely the same as that held by the resident tribes; the parties from whom the lands were purchased should surrender them to Her Majesty in trust for the sole use and benefit of the tribe and their posterity. In this way the people of the Oneida Settlement would be put on a footing with other tribes in the province, and be exempt from the taxation to which the white inhabitants of the country were liable by law.
The circumstances of purchase and subsequent surrender of the land have led some present-day Oneidas to hold an equivocal position regarding the status of the communal lands. A number of Oneidas object to the term “reserve” in reference to the Oneida community. They prefer to call it the “Oneida Settlement” or "Oneida Community", claiming that the land is private property, having been purchased by their ancestors rather than given by treaty. They also contend that the Oneida have never surrendered the land to the Crown, therefore the government should not have jurisdiction over them. Nevertheless the government treats Oneida as a reserve. The Oneidas recognize, though often with protest, this de facto status of the community. Those who claim the land is still privately owned rather than held in trust do not press to establish this claim with the government.
Several reasons are stated for letting the issue ride: the impossibility of getting all the special interest groups in the community to work together to prove their claim; lack of funds to fight such a case; and fear of losing certain advantages which reserve status brings them (Indian Act Governments). This latter is perhaps the most important reason. Those who deny that Oneida is Crown land held in trust for the Indians, fear that should the government accept their claim to its being privately owned land, then the Oneida might have to pay taxes. These would be delinquent since 1840.
, a non-traditional form of elected governmental power delegated to the community through s. 92 of the Canadian Constitution. However, because the Oneida purchased their lands outright, the government does not follow all sections of the Indian Act with regards to the Oneida settlement. Nevertheless, the community does hold its own elections for self-government under the Indian Act. Participation by the voting population in these elections is below 40%, which is similar to other Iroquoian communities in Canada.
The current Indian Act Band Council consists of Chief Joel Abram and ten (10) councillors: Deborah Hill, Lloyd Ninham, Elphius Cornelius, Lois Cornelius, Carol Antone, Cameron Elijah, Olive Elm, Stephanie Smith, Harry Doxtator and Anthony Ireland. The council, in turn, is a member of the Southern First Nation Secretariat, a Regional Chiefs' Council. On a larger political scale, the First Nation is a member of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, a Tribal Political Organization representing eight Iroquoian and Anishinaabe First Nation governments in Ontario.
This community also has a hereditary government structure in place.
and radio bingo are very popular, and sports are important. The people attend long house and the annual ceremonies. They teach the Oneida language
to all children in school.
Since its inception, the Community Center has been the center of controversy related to its construction, funding, and operations. By renting meeting rooms to the community for special events (e.g., birthday parties and other celebrations), the current Indian Act Council envisioned the center as a self-sustaining business. It planned on the center generating adequate revenue to pay for the center's operating costs and staffing. Because Oneida's Chief and Council failed to factor in the over-whelming poverty of the community, their vision of a "Self-sufficient Community Center" has never come to fruition. The Community Center has always operated in a revenue deficit.
people who live in this reserve have a traditional long house
and government, of which there are two factions, one is generally called the River Road Longhouse which follows the Code of Handsome Lake as well as the Great Law, and the other is called the Elijah Road Longhouse and only follows the Great law, and does not recognize the Handsome Lake teachings . The people own their own businesses, and there are several craft shops, variety stores, gas bars, and a great number of smoke shops. Two elementary schools have been built: Standing Stone and The Log School'(Tsi ni yu kwali ho:tu')'. A health clinic is located in downtown Oneida, which also includes a community owned radio station, administration building, golden ages rest home, a volunteer fire hall/ambulance station, water treatment facility, sewage treatment facilities, public works building, community centre, police station and a training centre.
The Oneida Fair is held every third weekend in the month of September. The Oneida Fair was once a place and a time where the Oneida people could celebrate and compete in agricultural events and other events associated with their historical rural lifestyle.
Most Oneida people today are not agriculturalists. Their lifestyle does not depend on a rural garden, home canning, baking, sewing, arts and crafts, and the raising of livestock. Changes have been due to the social welfare system of Canada and the easy access of the Oneida people to urban centres. Nonetheless, people do participate every year and enter the various agricultural and home arts competitions, albeit on a smaller scale than in the past. In recent years the Oneida Fairboard has had a fireworks show, and featured artists such as Joanne Shenendoah (Oneida Indian Tribe of New York) and local acts such as Robbie Antone (blues performer).
The Oneida Fair has likely gained more importance for Oneida people who no longer live at the settlement. It represents a time when they can come home and renew tribal ties. Many people feel welcome at the fair because it is generally a secular and non-political event.
and the Chippewas of the Thames
.
Oneida tribe
The Oneida are a Native American/First Nations people and are one of the five founding nations of the Iroquois Confederacy in the area of upstate New York...
First Nation located in southwestern Ontario
Southwestern Ontario
Southwestern Ontario is a subregion of Southern Ontario in the Canadian province of Ontario, centred on the city of London. It extends north to south from the Bruce Peninsula on Lake Huron to the Lake Erie shoreline, and east to south-west roughly from Guelph to Windsor. The region had a population...
on what is commonly referred to as the "Oneida Settlement", located about a 30-minute drive from London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The Nation counts approximately 5,209 band members, of whom 2030 live on reserve.
The Oneida Settlement
The Oneidas, as an Iroquoian peopleIroquoian languages
The Iroquoian languages are a First Nation and Native American language family.-Family division:*Ruttenber, Edward Manning. 1992 [1872]. History of the Indian tribes of Hudson's River. Hope Farm Press....
, had a traditional territory that once covered a large section of the eastern part of North America. The territory of the Oneida Settlement is part of the traditional hunting area known as the Beaver Hunting Grounds, which was recognized in the 1701 Nanfan Treaty
Nanfan Treaty
Deed from the Five Nations to the King, of their Beaver Hunting Ground, more commonly known as the Nanfan Treaty, was an agreement made between the representatives of the Iroquois Confederacy with John Nanfan, the acting colonial governor of New York, on behalf of the The Crown...
. The people who live there are descendants of much later migrants, a small group of assimilated/Christian Oneidas who relocated to Southwold, Ontario
Southwold, Ontario
Southwold is a township in Elgin County, in Ontario, Canada, located on the north shore of Lake Erie. It is a rich agricultural zone producing predominantly corn and soybeans.-History:...
, Canada from New York state in the 1840s. The original settlers of the Oneida community were associated with two Christian denominations, Methodist and Anglican. One of the leaders in the migration was an ordained Methodist minister. Soon after their arrival in Ontario, the settlers built Methodist and Anglican churches. Since those early days, these two churches have had over half of the population as members. By 1877, some people began to join the Baptists. Old Methodist records show some families and individuals shifting from the Methodist to the Baptist church, and the reverse.
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
The Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for policies relating to Aboriginal peoples...
designates the settlement as Oneida 41 Indian Reserve or simply as Oneida 41, Ontario. The Oneida people who live or are descendants of people at the "Oneida Settlement" always insist that their lands be called a "settlement" because Oneida people purchased the relocation lands in Ontario. This is a distinction from having the lands "set aside" or "reserved" for them. Many other lands inhabited by indigenous people in North America are called "Indian reserve
Indian reserve
In Canada, an Indian reserve is specified by the Indian Act as a "tract of land, the legal title to which is vested in Her Majesty, that has been set apart by Her Majesty for the use and benefit of a band." The Act also specifies that land reserved for the use and benefit of a band which is not...
s".
Prior to selling their New York lands, the Oneida requested assurance from the Crown
The Crown
The Crown is a corporation sole that in the Commonwealth realms and any provincial or state sub-divisions thereof represents the legal embodiment of governance, whether executive, legislative, or judicial...
that should they remove to Canada, they would be protected and treated in every respect as their brethren who had always resided within the precincts of the province. Having received such assurance, they sold their lands in New York and selected the Thames River tract. They expressed a wish that their tenure to these lands should be precisely the same as that held by the resident tribes; the parties from whom the lands were purchased should surrender them to Her Majesty in trust for the sole use and benefit of the tribe and their posterity. In this way the people of the Oneida Settlement would be put on a footing with other tribes in the province, and be exempt from the taxation to which the white inhabitants of the country were liable by law.
The circumstances of purchase and subsequent surrender of the land have led some present-day Oneidas to hold an equivocal position regarding the status of the communal lands. A number of Oneidas object to the term “reserve” in reference to the Oneida community. They prefer to call it the “Oneida Settlement” or "Oneida Community", claiming that the land is private property, having been purchased by their ancestors rather than given by treaty. They also contend that the Oneida have never surrendered the land to the Crown, therefore the government should not have jurisdiction over them. Nevertheless the government treats Oneida as a reserve. The Oneidas recognize, though often with protest, this de facto status of the community. Those who claim the land is still privately owned rather than held in trust do not press to establish this claim with the government.
Several reasons are stated for letting the issue ride: the impossibility of getting all the special interest groups in the community to work together to prove their claim; lack of funds to fight such a case; and fear of losing certain advantages which reserve status brings them (Indian Act Governments). This latter is perhaps the most important reason. Those who deny that Oneida is Crown land held in trust for the Indians, fear that should the government accept their claim to its being privately owned land, then the Oneida might have to pay taxes. These would be delinquent since 1840.
Governance
Under Canadian law, the Band would be mostly covered by the Canadian Indian ActIndian Act
The Indian Act , R.S., 1951, c. I-5, is a Canadian statute that concerns registered Indians, their bands, and the system of Indian reserves...
, a non-traditional form of elected governmental power delegated to the community through s. 92 of the Canadian Constitution. However, because the Oneida purchased their lands outright, the government does not follow all sections of the Indian Act with regards to the Oneida settlement. Nevertheless, the community does hold its own elections for self-government under the Indian Act. Participation by the voting population in these elections is below 40%, which is similar to other Iroquoian communities in Canada.
The current Indian Act Band Council consists of Chief Joel Abram and ten (10) councillors: Deborah Hill, Lloyd Ninham, Elphius Cornelius, Lois Cornelius, Carol Antone, Cameron Elijah, Olive Elm, Stephanie Smith, Harry Doxtator and Anthony Ireland. The council, in turn, is a member of the Southern First Nation Secretariat, a Regional Chiefs' Council. On a larger political scale, the First Nation is a member of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, a Tribal Political Organization representing eight Iroquoian and Anishinaabe First Nation governments in Ontario.
This community also has a hereditary government structure in place.
Community
The community contains three sub-divisions, a community center, and three parks. BingoBingo (US)
Bingo is a game of chance played with randomly drawn numbers which players match against numbers that have been pre-printed on 5x5 matrices. The matrices may be printed on paper, card stock or electronically represented and are referred to as cards. Many versions conclude the game when the first...
and radio bingo are very popular, and sports are important. The people attend long house and the annual ceremonies. They teach the Oneida language
Oneida language
Oneida is an Iroquoian language spoken primarily by the Oneida people in the U.S. states of New York and Wisconsin, and the Canadian province of Ontario. There are an estimated 160 native speakers left. Language revitalization efforts are in progress...
to all children in school.
Since its inception, the Community Center has been the center of controversy related to its construction, funding, and operations. By renting meeting rooms to the community for special events (e.g., birthday parties and other celebrations), the current Indian Act Council envisioned the center as a self-sustaining business. It planned on the center generating adequate revenue to pay for the center's operating costs and staffing. Because Oneida's Chief and Council failed to factor in the over-whelming poverty of the community, their vision of a "Self-sufficient Community Center" has never come to fruition. The Community Center has always operated in a revenue deficit.
Facilities
The OneidaOneida tribe
The Oneida are a Native American/First Nations people and are one of the five founding nations of the Iroquois Confederacy in the area of upstate New York...
people who live in this reserve have a traditional long house
Native American long house
Longhouses were built by native peoples in various parts of North America, sometimes reaching over but generally around wide. The dominant theory is that walls were made of sharpened and fire-hardened poles driven into the ground and the roof consisted of leaves and grass...
and government, of which there are two factions, one is generally called the River Road Longhouse which follows the Code of Handsome Lake as well as the Great Law, and the other is called the Elijah Road Longhouse and only follows the Great law, and does not recognize the Handsome Lake teachings . The people own their own businesses, and there are several craft shops, variety stores, gas bars, and a great number of smoke shops. Two elementary schools have been built: Standing Stone and The Log School'(Tsi ni yu kwali ho:tu')'. A health clinic is located in downtown Oneida, which also includes a community owned radio station, administration building, golden ages rest home, a volunteer fire hall/ambulance station, water treatment facility, sewage treatment facilities, public works building, community centre, police station and a training centre.
Annual events
One of the annual secular events that the Oneida Nation of the Thames people engage is the Oneida Fair.The Oneida Fair is held every third weekend in the month of September. The Oneida Fair was once a place and a time where the Oneida people could celebrate and compete in agricultural events and other events associated with their historical rural lifestyle.
Most Oneida people today are not agriculturalists. Their lifestyle does not depend on a rural garden, home canning, baking, sewing, arts and crafts, and the raising of livestock. Changes have been due to the social welfare system of Canada and the easy access of the Oneida people to urban centres. Nonetheless, people do participate every year and enter the various agricultural and home arts competitions, albeit on a smaller scale than in the past. In recent years the Oneida Fairboard has had a fireworks show, and featured artists such as Joanne Shenendoah (Oneida Indian Tribe of New York) and local acts such as Robbie Antone (blues performer).
The Oneida Fair has likely gained more importance for Oneida people who no longer live at the settlement. It represents a time when they can come home and renew tribal ties. Many people feel welcome at the fair because it is generally a secular and non-political event.
Neighbours
The closest tribal or First Nation neighbours to the Oneida are the Munsee-Delaware peopleMunsee-Delaware Nation 1, Ontario
The Munsee-Delaware Nation No. 1 is an Indian reserve on the Thames River, west of St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, and belongs to the Munsee-Delaware First Nation...
and the Chippewas of the Thames
Chippewas of the Thames First Nation 42, Ontario
Chippewa of the Thames First Nation No. 42 is an Indian reserve on the Thames River, west of St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. It belongs to the Chippewa of the Thames First Nation....
.