In March of 1975, at the First Annual All Ontario Chiefs Conference, a joint First Nations Association Coordinating Committee was formed, constituting an unincorporated federation of the four major Ontario First Nation organizations. The purpose of the committee was to provide a single Ontario representative to the Assembly of First Nations (then, the National Indian Brotherhood). From this committee emerged the Chiefs of Ontario office whose basic purpose is to enable the political leadership to discuss and to decide on regional, provincial and national priorities affecting First Nation people in Ontario and to provide a unified voice on these issues.
Former Ontario Regional Chiefs, from left to right: Grand Council Chief Pat Madahbee, Deputy Grand Chief Gord Peters, Angus Toulouse, Charles Fox, Chief Tom Bressette.
About the Logo
The circle and the map represents the continuity, strength and harmony of the First Nations peoples of Ontario; the five feathers signify the four political organizations of the Chiefs of Ontario; the fifth feather represents the independent nations and First Nation peoples living off reserve, First Nations who are not forgotten. The overall symbol represents the continuance of the First Nations peoples of Ontario struggle for pride, culture, self-determination and spirituality.
THE LATEST FROM CHIEFS OF ONTARIO
Media Releases
Media Advisory – Chiefs of Ontario to Host 2nd Annual First Nations Community Wellness Conference
(Toronto, ON – August 14, 2025) The Chiefs of Ontario invite media to attend a special media event during the 2nd
New report reinforces utter lack of historical evidence of Métis in Ontario region
(Toronto, Ont.–July 30, 2025) There is no documented evidence of a Métis presence in the territory of six First Nations represented
Chiefs of Ontario Urge Federal Government to Prioritize First Nations Rights, Infrastructure and Partnership
(Toronto, Ont. –July 22, 2025) Ontario First Nations Leadership joined Leadership from across the country last week for a two-day national
Chiefs of Ontario call on healing for residential survivors and their communities not to be forgotten amidst push for economic projects
(Toronto, Ont.—July 3, 2025) — The Chiefs of Ontario (COO) have adopted a resolution at the 2025 Annual Chiefs Assembly, calling