Latest news with #OneidaNation
CBC
09-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Lack of consultation means Ontario's Bill 5 oversteps treaty obligations, Oneida chief says
Social Sharing Oneida Nation of the Thames Chief Todd Cornelius had hoped that the days of Canadian governments passing laws that affect Indigenous communities without consulting them were in the past. Then Ontario's Bill 5 happened. Cornelius said the sweeping bill — which became law Thursday — violates signed treaty provisions that requires consultations with Indigenous groups, he wrote in a statement released Wednesday. "This is not only a political failure, it is a betrayal of the relationship between the Crown and our Nation," said Cornelius. Passing the bill without sufficient consultation amounts to the Ontario government breaking the series of agreements the Haudenosaunee (also known as the Six Nations and Iroquois League) signed with the Crown prior to Confederation, known as the Silver Covenant Chain, he said. "At this moment, the chain has been deeply tarnished," he said. Bill 5, also known as the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, includes major changes to the province's endangered species and environmental protection laws. The bill creates "special economic zones" which override provincial and municipal laws for certain projects. Premier Doug Ford has said the Ring of Fire mineral deposit in northern Ontario and his proposed tunnel under Highway 401 would be given that special status under the proposed law. Cornelius, however, said he's concerned that in an attempt to clear the way for economic development, Bill 5 negates environmental protections that are important to people in Oneida. "Oneida will not participate in a processes that diminish its sovereignty," he said. "Oneida is a nation, not a municipality or a stakeholder under Ontario law." Cornelius said he's ready to meet with representatives of the Crown — in this case the Governor General. CBC News contacted the office of Governor General Mary Simon for comment Friday, but did not receive a response. Oneida is not the first Indigenous community in Ontario to speak out against Bill 5. Among the outcry were protests at Queen's Park over the past week. Facing pressure, the government did add "duty to consult" provisions to the bill. At Queen's Park Wednesday, Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford said the duty to consult provision is being put forward to provide "greater certainty" despite it referring to existing Constitution rights for First Nations. Rosalind Antone, a member of Oneida's elected council, was one of more than 30 members from Oneida who travelled to Queen's Park this week to protest the bill. About 20 of those who came were youth members.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why are the flags at half-staff in Wisconsin today?
Gov. Tony Evers has ordered flags to fly at half-staff in honor of former Oneida Nation Chairman Gerald L "Jerry" Danforth, who died June 1 at age 78. 'Chairman Danforth led the Oneida Nation with integrity, dedication and a deep commitment to upholding and protecting Tribal sovereignty and culture,' Evers said in a news release. Services for Danforth will be held June 7 at the Oneida Turtle School, N7125 Seminary Road in Oneida, according to the release. Flags will be at half-staff from sunrise to sunset June 7. The U.S. flag and Wisconsin flag will be flown at half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations of Wisconsin, according to the release. Danforth served two terms as chairman of the Oneida Nation, and was first elected in 1999 and then again in 2005. "As chairman, Danforth prioritized Indian gaming interest and economic development, as well as issues around health care, higher education, Oneida language preservation and expanding communication between the state and the Native Nations," according to the release. Flags are usually flown at half-staff after national tragedies or deaths of government officials, military members or other first responders. Flags can also be at half-staff for Memorial Day or other national days of remembrance, according to This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why are flags at half-staff in Wisconsin today, June 7?
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why are the flags at half-staff in Wisconsin today?
Gov. Tony Evers has ordered flags to fly at half-staff in honor of former Oneida Nation Chairman Gerald L "Jerry" Danforth, who died June 1 at age 78. 'Chairman Danforth led the Oneida Nation with integrity, dedication and a deep commitment to upholding and protecting Tribal sovereignty and culture,' Evers said in a news release. Services for Danforth will be held June 7 at the Oneida Turtle School, N7125 Seminary Road in Oneida, according to the release. Flags will be at half-staff from sunrise to sunset June 7. The U.S. flag and Wisconsin flag will be flown at half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations of Wisconsin, according to the release. Danforth served two terms as chairman of the Oneida Nation, and was first elected in 1999 and then again in 2005. "As chairman, Danforth prioritized Indian gaming interest and economic development, as well as issues around health care, higher education, Oneida language preservation and expanding communication between the state and the Native Nations," according to the release. Flags are usually flown at half-staff after national tragedies or deaths of government officials, military members or other first responders. Flags can also be at half-staff for Memorial Day or other national days of remembrance, according to This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why are flags at half-staff in Wisconsin today, June 7?
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Flags will fly at half-staff in honor of former Oneida Nation Chairman Gerald Danforth
Gov. Tony Evers has ordered the flags to fly at half-staff June 7 in honor of former Oneida Nation Chairman Gerald "Jerry" Danforth. Danforth died June 1 at the age of 78. Danforth served two terms as chairman in 1999 and 2005. Evers signed Executive Order No. 265, ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on June 7. 'Chairman Danforth led the Oneida Nation with integrity, dedication, and a deep commitment to upholding and protecting Tribal sovereignty and culture,' said Evers in a news release. 'Kathy (Evers wife) and I are sending our deepest condolences to Chairman Danforth's family and loved ones and the Oneida Nation as they mourn his passing.' Services for Danforth will be held at 10 a.m. June 7 at the Oneida Turtle School. Tehassi Hill, chairman of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, reflected on Danforth's leadership. He said the two would often go golfing and share their experiences of life and tribal leadership. "Continuing to build community relationships with the greater Green Bay area, I think was one of his focuses, and it continues to be one of my focuses," Danforth told the Press-Gazette. "Making sure that we're out there, meeting the people in the community, and being able to foster stronger relationships in the greater Green Bay area." Evers said the flags will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset June 7. According to Evers' order, the flags will be flown half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations in the state of Wisconsin. Flags are flown at half-staff usually when a government official, a first responder or a military member dies. According to "The president, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff." The flags can also be flown at half-staff for Memorial Day or other national days of remembrance, such as 9/11. Rashad Alexander can be contacted at ralexander@ and 920-431-8214. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Flags fly at half-staff June 7 honor of former Oneida Nation chairman
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Oneida Nation chairman Gerald Danforth dies at age 78
Gerald "Jerry" Danforth, the former chairman for Oneida Nation, died June 1 at the age of 78. 'Today, it is with the utmost honor and respect that we acknowledge Jerry Danforth and all that he stood for, not only here in Oneida but across Indian Country and the United States of America. Thank you for your service', said Tehassi Hill, chairman of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, in a news release. Danforth served two terms as tribal chairman. Danforth's priorities included strengthening gaming interests, economic development, health care, higher education and Oneida language preservation, the news release said. Danforth was a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, retiring in 1994, according to the news release. He was a veteran of Vietnam and Desert Storm. "His actions represented the best of Oneida's values; his decisions always represented his commitment to the most critical challenges and his decisions were grounded in the best interests of the whole Nation," his obituary read. "He will long be remembered and significantly missed. Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. June 6 at Ryan Funeral Home, 305 N. 10 St. in De Pere, where veterans will give a final salute at 5 p.m. Visitation will continue 8-10 a.m. June 7 at the Oneida Turtle School, N7125 Seminary Road in Oneida. Service begins at 10 a.m., followed by the burial in the Oneida Sacred Burial Grounds with military honors. Oneida Nation says flags for the Oneida Nation will be flown half-staff until Danforth is laid to rest. Rashad Alexander can be contacted at ralexander@ and 920-431-8214. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Former Oneida Nation chairman Gerald Danforth dies at age 78.
