The people who live there are descendants of many later migrants, a small group of assimilated/Christian Oneidas who relocated to Southwold, Ontario, Canada from New York state in 1840.

The original settlers of the Oneida community were associated with two Christian denominations, Methodist and Anglican.

Many other lands inhabited by indigenous people in North America are called "Indian reserves".

Prior to selling their New York lands, the Oneida requested assurance from the Crown that should they remove to Canada, they would be protected and treated in every respect as their brethren who had always resided within the precincts of the province.

Having received such assurance, they sold their lands in New York and selected the Thames River tract.

In this way, the people of the Oneida Settlement would be put on a footing with other tribes in the province, and be exempt from the taxation to which the non-native inhabitants of the country were liable by law.

Several reasons are stated for letting the issue ride: the impossibility of getting all the special interest groups in the community to work together to prove their claim; lack of funds to fight such a case; and fear of losing certain advantages which reserve status owes them (Indian Act Governments).

Without a strong revenue base, the Community Centre has always operated in a deficit position.

There are two factions: the River Road Longhouse follows the Code of Handsome Lake as well as the Great Law.

The Oneida Fair was once an occasion for the people to celebrate and compete in agricultural events and other competitions associated with their historical rural lifestyle.

Their lives do not depend on a rural garden, home canning, baking, sewing, arts and crafts, and the raising of livestock.

But, people do participate every year and enter the various agricultural and home arts competitions, albeit on a smaller scale than in the past.

It also has featured musicians such as Joanne Shenendoah (Oneida Indian Tribe of New York) and local acts such as Robbie Antone (blues performer).

The Oneida Fair has likely gained more importance for those members who no longer live at the settlement.

The First Nation continues to negotiate with other governments and partners to participate in this opportunity for family care.