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Iroquois Lodge residents, who were forced to evacuate the reserve’s only long-term care home after severe flooding in June 2025.
Residents were forced to flee the lodge after torrential downpours rendered the lodge unsalvageable and temporarily moved to a long-term care facility in Delhi.
Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council announced last week the residents were being moved to a Brantford facility while they work on a new permanent long-term care facility for the reserve.
“Six Nations of the Grand River (SNGR) staff have worked tirelessly to bring residents closer to home,” SNGR said in a press release. “Through these efforts, and with the assistance of the City of Brantford, a lease at the Fox Ridge facility, located at 389 West St., Brantford, was finalized with SNGR.”
Residents were moved to the facility on Aug. 18 after months of remediation at the Fox Ridge facility and discussions with residents, their families, and the Ministry of Long Term Care.
“Fox Ridge will provide a safe and welcoming space for the residents while we progress with the new Iroquois Lodge build in Ohsweken.”
Fox Ridge is a senior assisted-living facility with 24-hour nursing care.
SNGR Elected Chief Sherri-lyn Hill and Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis said the move is an example of the “strong partnership” between the two communities.
“This outcome reflects the strong partnership between our communities and our shared commitment to ensuring residents remain as close to home, family, and community as possible while plans for the new Iroquois Lodge continue,” Hill and Davis said in a press release.
“This success demonstrates the positive outcomes that can be achieved when neighboring communities work together with intention and a shared purpose. Through collaboration and advocacy, both Councils helped make it possible to bring residents closer to home.”
This is the fourth home the roughly 50 residents have been ferried to since last year’s flood.
Draft plans for a new long-term care facility near the Jay Silverheels Complex have been presented to elected council but no final plans are in place yet.
Estimated costs for a new facility hover around $10 million.
The draft plans for a new facility, brought to elected council in January this year, detailed a 64-bed, 60,000 sq. foot facility on over four acres of land just off Sunrise Court.
However, some councillors expressed concerns that the proposed site sits on a slope and could also be prone to future flooding.
In the meantime, SNGR said it thanked everyone while it works towards building a new permanent facility for elders.
“SNGR would like to extend a nia:wen ko:wa to all the residents, powers of attorney, families, and community members for their patience, cooperation, and understanding during this challenging time.”
Originally published in the Two Row Times, August 26, 2026 (Volume 14, Issue 2), page 2.