Unifor members building homes as part of reconciliation journey

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Brian Chapman, Local 27 President Local; Chief Adrian Chrisjohn, Oneida Nation of the Thames; Jim Wilkes Local 27 Financial Secretary
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Unifor Local 27 in London, Ontario has partnered with the Oneida Nation of the Thames on the Imagine Build project to build affordable housing.

“The Imagine Build is everything reconciliation is meant to represent. An acknowledgement of the past with a solid solution to make life better for Indigenous people in the future,” said Brian Chapman, Unifor Local 27 President.

The project was launched at a media conference in November 2021. Local 27 is working together with Chief Adrian Chrisjohn, the Oneida Band Council, and community activists to build bridges between communities and build four homes by summer 2022.

The local’s contribution of $10,000 will go towards construction of the homes, where some of the 47 families on a housing wait list at the First Nation will eventually move in. Some of the homes will be designed to be accessible for families with special needs. Local 27 has also said it will offer any in-kind support needed to get the houses built.

Chapman said it’s his hope that more Unifor locals and members will contribute to the project.

See more coverage of the event on CTV and the London Free Press.