Episode #2: A Look Back - From Rejection to Recognition Oneida Nation of the Thames Long-Term Care Home.
The Engagement Strategy That Made the Generational Difference for Oneida Nation of Thames Elders
At the heart of this success was Oneida’s negotiating team’s relentless lobbying campaign of the federal and provincial government, executed with surgical precision. At the outset, Oneida at the time had no working relationships with senior levels of government — provincial or federal.
TheCCSGroup began building those bridges.
Together, we launched a two-pronged, non-partisan government relations strategy:
112 meetings across federal and provincial channels, including elected officials, Deputy Ministers, Assistant Deputy Ministers, and senior advisors.
Engagement with every major ministry, from Health and Finance to Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), including strategic outreach to the Prime Minister’s Office, Ontario’s Deputy Premier, and local MPPs .
These weren’t handshakes and photo ops — they were strategic interventions. Every meeting was designed to correct the historic injustice of exclusion, humanize the impact on Oneida Elders, and make the case for cultural self-determination in long-term care delivery.
Overcoming Hurdles: From Crisis to Commitment
Even with the license awarded, success was never guaranteed.
Several crises threatened the project:
Faulty work by initial builders nearly halted the construction.
FedDev Ontario warned that unless the project was completed by March 2011, Oneida would only receive $1.9–2.2 million of the promised $5 million capital contribution.
The provincial licensing agreement was set to expire on March 31, 2011. If the facility wasn’t operational, Oneida risked losing the license entirely.
That’s when Oneida leadership worked with the TheCCSGroup to get into high gear.
We secured a critical extension from the Ministry of Health until October 2011, averting license revocation .
We engaged directly with Minister Goodyear, warning of possible media exposure. The result? Full FedDev capital support was reinstated — the full $5 million.
We ensured the Ministry of Health issued verbal assurances, then guided Oneida to formally request a “Letter of Comfort”, which protected the LTC agreement and kept funding secure .
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Legacy of a Dream Realized for Oneida Nation of the Thames Leadership
The final result? Oneida Nation received:
A 20-year, $72 million LTC license
$5 million in capital contributions through FedDev Ontario
$3 million in additional capital subsidies
Dozens of new jobs and an Elder-focused care model rooted in Indigenous values
The project became a model for how First Nations can own, operate, and define health infrastructure on their own terms.
TheCCSGroup: From Lobbying to Legacy
At TheCCSGroup, we don’t just advocate — we assist our clients in realizing their community goals.
When Oneida faced systemic exclusion, we assisted them build political momentum. When faulty contractors threatened funding, we fought for extensions. When government hesitated, we demanded guarantees. And when the moment came, we stood alongside Oneida to watch a 20-year dream take root in the community it was always meant to serve.
That was the moment we all knew: the dream would come true!
If you need assistance, feel free to reach out to us at ron@theccsgroup.ca or call us at 416 944-8555 Ext. 1 for a quick chat on how we can assist you advancing your community project.