The Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) is a political organization that advocates for 42 member First Nations across Ontario. It traces its roots back to the Council of Three Fires, a confederacy of peoples whose languages and territories were close, and who met together for military and political purposes, long before European contact.

The UOI represents First Nations throughout the province of Ontario from Golden Lake in the east, Sarnia in the south, to Thunder Bay and Lake Nipigon in the north. The 42 member First Nations have an approximate combined population of 42,000 citizens, one third of the province of Ontario’s aboriginal population. The UOI is headquartered on Nipissing First Nation, just outside of North Bay Ontario and has satellite offices in Thunder Bay, Curve Lake First Nation and Munsee-Delaware First Nation.

The UOI was the driving force behind the development of the Anishinabek Nation Credit Union. They offered their assistance and leadership to six native communities who had joined together to pool both financial resources and professional expertise in the development of this institution. The founding communities were:

Garden River First Nation
Mississauga First Nation
The Ojibways of Pic River First Nation
Sagamok Anishnawbek
M’Chigeeng First Nation
Aamjiwnaang First Nation (Chippewa’s of Sarnia)

Together, members of these six communities and the Union of Ontario Indians formed the founding board of the Anishinabek Nation Credit Union and continue to do so today. Their leadership and guidance in helping to bring the credit union into existence was absolutely invaluable and constitutes a lasting legacy for the entire Anishinabek Nation.

Click here to view the The Union of Ontario Indians website.