London, Ont. and Oneida councils meet, first time in Forest City’s history

The joint meeting is the first time both councils have met for an official meeting, and the first meeting London has held with a local First Nation.

For the first time in the city’s history, London city councillors have met with a local first nation’s council, the Oneida Nation of the Thames.

The joint meeting, which took place at the Oneida Community Centre on Wednesday evening, is the first time both councils have met for an official meeting.

The meeting focused on issues both communities face, like economic development, housing, and the environment, with leaders pledging to develop a working relationship between the two communities.

“This is the first of many,” says Oneida Nation of the Thames Chief Todd Corneilus. “We’re trying to build a relationship in regards to municipalities that are kilometres away from our nation on the Thames.”

The meeting came to be thanks to some hard work between the two councils and a wish for indigenous voices to be heard at city hall, he said.

“A lot of our Haudenosaunee and Oneida people are living in the city. We want to make sure their voices are heard too.”

A request for permanent office space in London was made by the Oneida council, with services including band representatives, wills, and estates. The idea was well-received by London councillors, with the possibility of interim space for Oneida representatives proposed while a more formal agreement is worked on.

While no major motions came out of the meeting, both communities agreed to lobby the ministry of municipal affairs and housing to make meetings like this one easier under the municipal act.