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
First Nations bring Bill 5 concerns to Queen’s Park, call for legislation’s reversal
(Toronto, Ont.–May 26, 2025) First Nations Leadership from across Ontario gathered at Queen’s Park today to voice their opposition to the
Media Advisory – Chiefs of Ontario to Hold Media Event Opposing Ontario’s Bill 5
(Toronto, Ont.—May 22, 2025) On May 26, 2025, the Chiefs of Ontario will hold a media event to express First Nations’
The Chiefs of Ontario support the Saugeen Ojibway Nation in release of new research report: Assessing Métis Historical Claims to Rights in SON Territory
(May 22, 2025 – Toronto, Ont.) Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict issued the following statement in support of the Saugeen Ojibway
Manitoba Métis Federation and Chiefs of Ontario renew calls for government and institutional action in addressing Indigenous identity fraud
May 20, 2025 – Last week marked one year since the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) and the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF),