Environment at Oneida

Our Projects

Oneida Nation of The Thames is thrilled to be taking part in projects that contribute to bettering the environment for our community. Our environmental initiatives encompass a diverse range of efforts, from reforestation and wildlife habitat restoration to water quality enhancement and sustainable energy practices. By blending traditional wisdom with modern innovation, we are dedicated to ensuring a harmonious coexistence with the environment for generations to come. Join us in our journey to foster a healthier planet by exploring the remarkable projects that showcase our unwavering respect for Mother Earth.

Water Filtration Unit

This project includes an optional interim water solution that will provide community members with clean drinking water as we wait for our existing Oneida Water Supply System to be connected to the Lake Huron Primary Water Supply System. This optional interim solution will supply Sawyer High Performance Water Filters that will remove the bacteria currently contaminating our water and, thus, provide clean drinking water. – to all community members who wish to register for a free filter.

Email environment@oneida.on.ca or call the Political Office at 519-652-6161 to sign up.

Community Garden Project

To address long-term food security issues, the community garden project is providing Oneida community members with the tools, knowledge and hands-on skills to maintain their gardens. Through the provision of tractor services, weeding services, garden kits, agriculture and native plant seeds, and more, we will increase the accessibility of local organic community-grown food to community members.

Follow our Facebook page @oneidagrowerssociety to stay up to date on opportunities to sign up for these resources!

Black Ash and Monarch Restoration Project

With the significant decline in Black Ash (O’nu:n) in our territory over many years as well as the need for pollinators, such as monarchs (Kana:w^), for agriculture, this project aims to assess and address the issues facing the habitats of both O’nu:n and Kana:w^ with surveys, inventories, monitoring, etc. Through traditional ecological knowledge, we wish to increase community capacity and knowledge of the problems affecting O’nu:n and Kana:w^ and their habitats and develop community-led solutions to address them.

*Updates to follow

Solar Energy: Ok Ltd.

We currently have two exciting energy projects on the go; the Education and Capacity Building (ECB) program and the Indigenous Energy Program (IEP). The ECB program will continue to train the Oneida Energy Team on the monitoring, performance analysis, safety procedures, troubleshooting practices, etc., of our community’s existing solar systems to ensure the team can effectively operate and manage these systems. The IEP is working on the installation of a solar system on the new Family Healing Lodge rooftop. This installation will significantly reduce the Lodge’s hydro bills while providing employment opportunities for Oneida community members.

Have questions or want to get involved? Email us at environment@oneida.on.ca to connect further.

First Nations Environmental Contamination Project( FNECP)

The goal of this project is to integrate scientific data and community-based knowledge sources on risk assessment and risk communication of chemical exposure in the community of the Oneida of the Thames. Community engagement sessions have been held to inform members of the data collected. This project has established baseline data for water and soil testing. Oneida Nation of the Thames partnered with Gulph University’s Dr. Sheri Longboat to carry out the project. Youth from Oneida took part in the water and soil sample collection.

To date this project has been completed and Stage 2 will commence when funding is secured.