First Indigenous-run Service Ontario opens in Serpent River First Nation

By Leslie Knibbs

SERPENT RIVER FIRST NATION – The new Service Ontario location had its grand opening at the Trading Post in Serpent River First Nation on Oct.18, making it the first Service Ontario to be located on-reserve of a First Nation.

It officially opened in August of this year and is staffed by all Indigenous personnel who speak both Ojibway and English to service the Indigenous community within the Robinson Huron area.

The new location came as a result of consultations between Niigaaniin Services (mandated by the North Shore Tribal Council) under the direction of Elizabeth Richer, executive director, and Service Ontario.

“We are blazing a new trail [and] now delivering Service Ontario through an Indigenous lens,” said Richer when referring to the new location. “Currently, members from the eight communities we serve must commute to locations located in municipalities and townships, some with longer distances to travel than others. This is an outside-the-box approach to transform how we serve community members.”

Plans are already in place to have a large mobile office unit travel to each of the eight communities the North Shore Tribal Council serves to make it possible for members to complete transactions such as license renewals, OHIP cards, and other provincial services. With some members having mobility issues or travel concerns, the mobile unit will provide easy access to services in the area they live. The mobile trailer will offer Service Ontario services by January 2023 as well as assist with Niigaaniin Services.

With the Ministry of Public and Business Delivery and Niigaaniin leading the charge to make this service available to First Nations, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Transportation are already on board. The Ministry of Natural Resources is scheduled to be added by this year’s end.

Visitors from all eight communities attended the grand opening along with officials from the province. Prior to the grand opening, Elder ‘Duckie’ Don Petahtegoose delivered a prayer in Ojibway and English and Gebbangin Junior Drums performed an Honour Song at the opening ceremony.

Serpent River First Nation Deputy Chief Wilma Lee Johnston welcomed everyone to the opening with greetings from the Chief and Council.

Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation Chief Angus Toulouse and former CEO of the North Shore Tribal Council congratulated Elizabeth Richer and her colleagues for making this happen.

“This initiative is all about ensuring all the services are delivered at the community level.”